"Keep your elbows inside the car, strap your feet in tight and enjoy the ride"

... and other lessons learned from a Salsa newbie.

If you are new to the salsa scene, as I am - or at least relatively so at this point - I thought it would be good to share with you my pitfalls, lessons learned and cool experiences along the way.

Though I took a 12-week class at Schoolcraft beginning in January, I had not had an opportunity to practice anything I'd learned for nearly five months. I had heard of this club called the Monkey Bar that an older couple in my class had mentioned, but I didn't have any friends interested in ballroom dance and/or Salsa, nor had I really made many in the class. Nobody from where I live likes to go out I guess.

So I put my desire aside for a while but tried to find an outlet for my new skills. First I went online looking around for a dance partner - someone I could count on for one or two nights per week to practice and just have fun. Craigslist produced a "Strictly Platonic" partner who after only three weeks needed to move away - not to mention my SO at the time had issues with me designating a non-gay, long-term dance partner. Too bad for him (jealous men don't mix with ladies who like to dance).

That didn't work out - and neither did the relationship - and I came upon a group on Meetup.com for people interested in Salsa in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area.

I think I watched the "Meetup this Saturday" messages for a month and could never figure out where to meet since none of them ever had a location and I got frustrated. Then Paula, whom I have yet to meet, sent a message about the August YA Salsa workshop/social with Jorjet and Troy.

I invited my "partner" to tag along since he was going to be in town and dug around my closet floor until I found a pair of leather-bottomed flats that would be decent enough to dance in (I thought).

Putting aside my fears about not having a clue what I was getting myself into, I motored on over to the workshop and learned more in one day than I had learned the entire 12-week class. Granted, my feet were killing me, my shoes kept flying off, and I was flailing around a little lost by the last class, but it was worth it. I felt like I went through boot camp - all proud that I came out on the other side alive.

Watching the beautiful dancing and finesse that so many of these guys have made me determined to stay and tough it out, and commit to coming back for more.

The next night for the social, I erroneously wore a long-sleeved shirt - though it was very thin, I wished I were in a bikini by the end of the night. It gets hot and steamy in there, and rightfully so.

The bodies churning and working keeps the energy going, but it sure works up the heat!

I met so many people that night - I learned so much in just a few hours because the guys I danced with taught me as I danced - some whom I'm friends with today, and others I hope to get to know. What I do know is that today, at this point, YA Salsa and its followers are by far like a family, easy-going, friendly, helpful and kind - and I'd follow them anywhere.

I learned not to be afraid to try something new and risk making a fool out of myself - nobody really cares and most people just want to help.

This is the first installment of the newbie's story.

Next topic: Shoes, elbows, sweat and beer ...

Jess