Sinvergüenza
If one gets a salsera nickname, then I self-appoint myself one that Cy has called me from day one: Sinvergüenza.
That is how one should enjoy dancing (and life).By being shameless.
Cheers to Bianca and LL for a great salseras night. Smoking!
If anyone of you have a dancing nickname, let’s hear it.
I remind everyone (including myself) of a great Nelson Mandela quote that inspires you to let yourself shine, whether through whatever passion, craft or trade your harbor. Don’t be scared off by the words of religion or spirituality if that’s not your cup of tea. Just listen to the freaking message:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
This is not Nelson Mandela below.
Check out Oscar D’León’s rendition of Que Bueno Baila Usted, on itunes if you don’t already have it. But this week I’m tipping my hat to old timers, so here it is from the Cuban 40’s.
12 Comments
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I say, dance like nobody is watching, work like you don’t need the money, make love like you are making a movie. My salsa nickname is JPon2 which makes some people think I am Japanese. To that I say: Do I look Japanese dumbass-san?
This comment is actually from LL- she posted it on an old post instead, so I’m repeating it here:
Comment by LL on May 9, 2009 at 8:52 pm.
Big ups to all of you salseras out there! I appreciate your comments and recommendations regarding couples dancing. I had the pleasure of joining Nova and Bianca out last night for the social hour to practice our salsa moves. And I have to say that it is a great way to put your ego on a shelf. For if you let your ego run free, you may feel like a high school sitting at the sidelines of the gym waiting for someone to ask you to dance. If you put your ego in check, as I did last night, you begin to realize that social dances are a wonderfully, dare I say, natural form of human interaction. You can see so much chemistry and lack of chemistry between each being. It was great to get a chance to dance with multiple levels. Be aware some dancers come with an agenda, others are just there to have good time!
Yes!
JPLogan, I like this philosophy. I didn’t realize until taking classes the origins of your nickname (or I did and it didn’t hit me as much as now). I’ll wait until I am a better dancer to get a real nickname. And really, nicknames are given, not taken.
Agreed LL – Salsa social night invites you and your dancing shoes and leaves your ego at the door.
Ick, you didn’t tell me the extent of the gross factor with that guy. I missed the bachata incident too (which you describe so humorously, but I know it isn’t funny). Add him to the “do not dance with list”. Yes, JPLogan, is there etiquette in how to break off a dance? I mean for the not so extreme cases where we simply break away…
You girls are going to like this one. It’s the guy’s the most important task to make you feel great on the dance floor so if you are offended in any way, feel free to walk away. He might think you are a bitch but everyone in the room will know he was being a jerk and chances are his reputation preceeded him. With all the grabbing and touching, salsa dancing is all about being a gentleman and treating ladies the way they want to be treated.
The dog at the hydrant is perhaps the funniest thing I have ever heard and I am going to use it as a teaching tool. I love bachata especially when it is danced with the right person and the level of intimacy between the partners dictates how it should be danced. Sometimes is just like dancing with your grandma and sometimes it is all about pelvic thrust and pressing agains each other. IMHO, with the right person, Bachata is the most romantic and sensual of all latin dances.
For not so extreme cases any excuse will work, for example “I forgot to feed my cat” or “I have a root canal appointment” the possibilities are endless
Ok perfect! I will ensure I have a second alcoholic beverage that will give me the courage to be the straight up b*tch that I want to be. Is it ok to think of Salsa Socials or Salsa clubs like any regular club? Whether I was single or in a relationship, when I went to night clubs I really was never interested in dancing with guys – I preferred my own little world dancing with myself.
Pelvic thrusts in bachata are perfectly normal from my observation but this Dominican drunkards pelvic thrust involved a dip down, ass out and rapid scoop back up with his pot belly slamming into my belly button ring (yes I know, who has belly button rings anymore but I got it at age 15 & never took it out & I don’t even notice it, unless slammed into by a stranger)
So I will have to go in to the next social with the mindset that I will not come across stuck up if I deny a strangers request for a dance – it is my choice! Right? It is hard when you are just learning and don’t have the luxury of being confident enough to be more selective.
your descriptions are hilarious. Yes, won’t dance with just anybody.
You owe me $1.75 for laundry and a cup of coffee which I spilled all over myself as a visual of “pot belly slamming into my belly button ring” flashed in front of my eyes to the tune of “al conocernos me prometiste, darme tu amor pa’ toda la vida…” LOL
Damn, yes I owe you. I won’t forget!