SKY = Seven Knockout Years
Originally posted on www.detroitsalsadance.com
With a number of options being presented to us these days, to go salsa dancing, it is somewhat challenging to be everywhere at once. And if you’re having a hard time choosing what venue to attend for your weekly salsa fix, then go ahead and read on.
My favorite day of the week happens to be Wednesday, particularly Wednesday night. The reason? Very simple. I treat myself to a fun-filled evening of dancing. And even though I tend to frequent the same place on those nights, I’m yet to get tired of it. Perhaps it will strike your interest and live up to your expectations. Or than again, maybe it won’t. In either case, please understand that this is not advertisement on my part. I’m merely sharing information and personal experience with you – salsa lovers, so that you can make the most educated choice for yourselves, prior to heading out to a salsa club.
Throughout the years, it has been voted as #1 place to learn and dance salsa by various local newspapers and magazines. Being open for seven plus years and located in the heart of Royal Oak, right above Sangria’s Tapas Café, it is none other than Sky Club. Although the majority (myself included) refers to it as Sangria, for obvious reasons.
Believe it or not, I remember my very first time at Sangria. Having heard a lot about the place, I always wanted to go but didn’t get a chance to do it until one day in October of 2002. I went with a friend and can still recall (as if it was yesterday) Paul/Pablo (who became a friend later on) sitting at the front door. (I have to admit, it’s been a bit weird coming in and not seeing him there anymore). My initial impression of the place was a positive one. It did not look big but felt cozy. At first it was moderately crowded, but after dancing a couple of salsas with my friend, I have noticed that the place has gotten pretty packed. However, despite that, everyone still, somehow, managed to twist and turn, and have a good time. One chilly October night has turned into a life changing event for me. I had a fantastic time, even though, back then I was still a beginner. From that day forward, Sangria has become a place to be (for me).
Let me, now, explore a little further as to why I keep coming back to the same place for so many years. There are, obviously, a number of reasons. But the most important one is that I find the atmosphere to be very friendly, especially since I met a bunch of great friends there years ago, and luckily enough those people are still my friends today.
One of those friends is my dance instructor/trainer – Duane Wrenn. The first time I saw Duane was, of course, at Sangria. It was a Sunday night, and I came in just in time for his lesson. During that class I fell in love with his teaching style. (I was not a novice to dancing, so I knew a great teacher when I saw one). The wonderful news is that Duane continues to teach at Sangria and I still come to his classes for beginners, after all these years. (Although I would not call myself a beginner any longer). And if, for some mysterious reason, you have not yet checked out Duane’s free salsa lessons at Sangria, I would seriously recommend that you put on your dancing shoes and head out there on Wednesday night. You will not regret the experience! He is an excellent instructor, with a very fun personality. You will learn the basic steps of salsa and have an unforgettable time, all at once. Give it a try and you’ll see for yourselves why I never get tired of praising him. The man is really that good at what he does. The free lesson for beginners starts at 9pm, and since it is only the basic footwork, there is no need to bring a partner, if you don’t have one. So, come alone, or with friends and join a lot of other newcomers that grace Sangria’s dance floor with their presence every Wednesday, and share an amazing time learning this beautiful, sensual, energetic, passionate dance. Once the lesson is over at 10pm, the lights are dimmed and the real “party” begins.
Some of the other dear friends that have made a difference and should definitely be acknowledged are Maribella – beautiful person, and very talented dancer. Such an inspiration! Sean, who asked me to dance for the very first time at Sangria years ago, and the dances have blossomed into a wonderful friendship along the road. Te quiero mucho, amigo! You Rock! Leon, Vera, Arturo, Anita – all are very special, indeed. And Ricardo – te agradezco mucho for taking me to Sangria that night in 2002. Of course, there are other beautiful, friendly, happy faces that I love to see every time I’m there.
To sum it all up, the number one reason I keep going back to Sangria is because of all those amazing individuals, who have brought a lot of light into my life. The SKY is always Bright on a Wednesday night.
After reading my personal story, you might be still wondering why Sangria is so popular. Well, let me assure you that besides the fabulous ambiance, you will also enjoy a mix of great Latin music. Wednesday night is primarily a salsa night, but don’t be surprised to hear a few merengues, bachatas, cha-chas now and then, which are just as much fun. Cisco is an experienced dj, with a great passion for music. He surely knows how to get the crowd going. And before he arrives to take on his duties, Duane sometimes plays a few Cuban timbas. Those sound a bit different from the salsa you might be used to hearing, but I, personally, love ‘em. My point is, the variety of music will never bore you. It will, however, expand your horizons and allow you to appreciate the art even more.
The dance floor is of a decent size, with some comfy couches all around, just in case you get tired or would prefer to relax and watch others wow you with their dancing skills. I should also mention that the dance floor is divided into two sections: one is wood, the other one is stone. You can take your pick and dance on the side that is most comfortable for you. I prefer the wood, but I have noticed that a number of people do not mind strutting their stuff on the stone portion of the floor as well. A lot of the great salseros who have been on the scene for five and more years keep coming back to Sangria on Wednesdays. By watching them, you will surely get a taste of what this dance is all about. And who knows, you might even have an opportunity to dance with them. Don’t be shy, take a chance and ask them for a dance, as the majority of them is very approachable.
The cover charge is only five dollars. In my opinion that is extremely reasonable, especially for those who also stop by for a free dance lesson. You can’t beat that! There are a number of parking structures near by, as well as parking spaces on the street. The area is always very well lit, no matter how late it gets at night.
One of the biggest downsides that is most bothersome to me is smoking. It gets pretty bad, especially for those of us that are non-smokers. On the other hand, how easy is it to find a place in MI that is smoke free? Indeed, that is not very common yet. So, sometimes we choose to put up with it, considering all the other positives. However, I figured I’ll give you the heads up, so that you’ll be aware of what you’re getting yourself into.
One more aspect that is being considered as negative by some is that the place gets rather crowded. But that can also be seen as a good thing because it gives you an excellent opportunity to choose from a much wider variety of dancers.
Well, there you have it: a number of positives, a couple of negatives. But if you ask me, there is no venue in existence that is perfect. The choice is always up to an individual. Just like with anything else, there are as many opinions as there are people. I’ve given you my view on it, but at the end the decision will be yours. If you are one of the old timers, then you might keep coming back for the same reasons I do. If, on the other hand, you are still relatively new to the scene, you might check out a few different places before picking a favorite. Whatever the case might be, don’t rely on anybody else’s opinion. Follow your heart and it will lead you down the right path. And most importantly, keep on dancing, and have fun while at it!
Love and Peace,
Alla
