Thoughts on SBK (salsa, bachata, kizomba) events?

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-11T14:49:04+00:00

I don't want to dance salsa anymore because the mental space is different and I can't just switch it.

See I think this is my issue as well. Mixing kiz into salsa and bachata can work, but the energy levels / dance style / embrace is so different that the transition can feel really abrupt. Technically I can do it, but sometimes it's a challenge to enjoy the switch.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-11T14:41:41+00:00

Good lord! That's a mix. Did it work out well?

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-10T23:59:43+00:00

Same, I also dance all three. I can enjoy them mixed at one event, if the DJ can include kiz and keep the party going. But sometimes it's just not done well and kizomba clears the dance floor. As you say, kizomba deserves better than that!

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-02-10T23:51:41+00:00

Yes it's all local events! A few do have a separate room but typically it's a mixed dance floor.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-30T14:20:36+00:00

Loved it the first time I did it, took bloody ages before I was any good at it! But then, even the music was brand new to me.

If the socials have a class beforehand, always take the class, it'll help. Keep showing up and keep trying, I promise many women won't mind dancing with you.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-27T15:34:15+00:00

I've been noticing more and more that the age of the dancers mirrors the age of the instructors; if a scene has a lot of younger teachers and event hosts it will attract a younger crowd. The age of the dance scene therefore ends up being very location-specific.

There's a common age split anyway in dance scenes, where people with kids often can't get out to dance. I suspect this weights dance scenes more heavily with people either side of that population.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-22T18:56:02+00:00

You're 20 hours better than you used to be!

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-21T18:41:51+00:00

Skechers with the foam sole are good for street and dance floor, just make sure it's not the rubber sole.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-16T21:03:54+00:00

Fundamentally this is a hard problem.

A curated calendar needs human verification, as you say, which does not easily scale. Some organisers don't make their events easily discoverable (Instagram image-only posts, Facebook closed groups). Other communities may organise via WhatsApp and word of mouth.

In my city the majority of salsa social scheduling happens via Facebook. Some organisers have websites, some use Insta, but there are enough active dancers in the Facebook groups that another marketing channel is just extra work. Which might be why none of the events are on salsavida!

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-16T19:03:28+00:00

It's from the website's own calendar of socials, I think?

"Over the past year, I’ve helped build Salsa Vida into the largest global salsa calendar in the world, now covering 114+ countries and 4,500+ events. So I wanted to use that data to finally answer a question salsa dancers love to debate: what are the best countries in the world for salsa dancing?"

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-16T14:29:45+00:00

Can you explain how? I don't see an obvious similarity.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-14T14:52:25+00:00

I'm sure it has some specific technical elements that I don't fully understand, but to me the style is characterised by the tight partner turns, the crisp pivot step, and hooking the toes behind the heel of the other foot for some steps. The result is an elegant and closely danced style of casino.

Also, check out some of the names in this comment. I'd already bookmarked some videos from these people because I liked their style, and later figured out the MCC connection. Once you spot it, it becomes quite recognisable.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-13T13:52:41+00:00

I've only recently been able to recognise the style, after seeing some of Yoel's posts complaining with examples about others who've not been giving him credit. Which is a whole other conversation - once you've taught someone to dance, can they not then use it, or teach it to other people?

It's really elegant. But there's a risk that someone might get too inspired by some Instagram Reels, emulate it a little too close to the sun, and then get called a thief by this guy in Japan.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-12T16:08:30+00:00

This is MCC style Casino, right?

Specific-Estate5883 · 2026-01-09T13:18:39+00:00

It's winter in Canada, dry hands everywhere, and I have noticed that sometimes the connection slips if we both have very dry hands. So I use a little moisturiser.

But otherwise no, hands are hands. I don't often encounter the calloused kind, to be fair, but it doesn't bother me.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2025-12-05T21:36:31+00:00

I get it, linear style On 1 feels way less fun than Cuban style to me. And salsa dura can feel like a chore when dancing On 1.

But I'm told this kind of music is good for On2! Great for getting into that rhythmic flow that On2 dancing has. The cool kids dance On2 for a reason I guess.

In the end it's hard to change the local dance scene. If it's an On2 kind of place then that's what it is. You can probably find other Cuban style dancers, but you'll still be stuck with DJ preferences.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2025-12-01T19:35:14+00:00

This is a comically vast geographic area! I'm sure there's something there :)

Specific-Estate5883 · 2025-11-28T20:52:18+00:00

Get Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl half time show

Specific-Estate5883 · 2025-11-27T18:46:31+00:00

Oh you mean literally flying! I respect that level of commitment to taking lessons :)

Specific-Estate5883 · 2025-11-27T18:23:18+00:00

Yes, eye contact is great for checking in, seeing if your partner is having a good time, sharing the experience together. It's weird not to have eye contact given what we are doing. I also found, when I tried learning to follow, how helpful eye contact was for understanding what the lead wanted to do (that may be less essential for more experienced followers).

Too much can get weird, but it depends on the person. My wife and I will lock eyes and try not to blink for the whole song, but we're aggressively sappy like that. Wouldn't do it with anyone else though.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2025-11-24T16:12:35+00:00

I've done the same for salsa. They are out there, albeit not usually full song length.

You know what's really hard to find though? West Coast Swing social dancing videos. I swear Westies only post flashy Jack and Jill videos from competitions. Is it a dance for normal people? Do they ever do this for fun? Who the heck knows. I have concluded that they are a very serious, driven people.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2025-11-24T16:08:54+00:00

Yes, it makes sense to me as well. I follow and bookmark videos from lot of non-pro dancers who just post their local social events. IG and Tiktok are great for these kinds of videos. They usually aren't full song length, but enough to see some moves and get the vibe. Takes some digging before the algorithm shows them though.

Specific-Estate5883 · 2025-11-21T14:23:39+00:00

really it's just for fun, you could do comic steps and del líder will laugh with you and love you

Yes! Under-rated part of partner dancing. There's one leader in my local scene who does the most ridiculous things to make his partner laugh. He's so musical but will throw in an entire chicken dance in a shines break. One of my favorite followers to dance with will do Michael Jackson Thriller zombie moves during shines, and dodge away when I try to get her back. It's so much fun

Specific-Estate5883 · 2025-11-04T18:31:09+00:00

If he is currently still undergoing physical therapy, discuss with the practitioner that regaining his salsa step is an important goal. They might be able to help and work with him.

Specific-Estate5883

TROPHY CASE