The Biggest Living Room in Town

Every time I try to describe the difference between a YA Social and a club, I get it wrong. Not that the description isn't accurate, but that the comparison is wrong. You can't compare it to clubs, congressos or studios. The YA social is like a big living room and a giant house party.

You take this kind of non-descript building on a non-descript street, invite a few thousand people from all walks of life -- almost 500 show up. You have a band -- one of the best in town. Have 10 or 15 salsa slaves running around to make it go smoothly and this is what you get. It's unique. Any of the individual elements on their own is good. A band like Grupo Salvaje playing is great, but with dancers -- each their own show, it's something else. 450 people dancing at a club is nothing new, but when you take salseros - young and old, new and hard-core, mix them up shake them around -- its completely different. You pay a few bucks to cover the cost and there's nothing more to buy. There's no security, no VIP, no dress code, no formality. Maybe the best comparison -- a street party.

More Pictures Online & Video coming soon!

Looking around the room, for those of us who have been around for a few years and feel like we know everyone, one couldn't help but be amazed that we didn't know everyone. Not even close. In fact, I've never seen so many new faces at a Detroit salsa event. That's not a bad thing. It's a great thing. The social was never really intended to to be the biggest event in town, it was intended to help grow the salsa scene -- and the way everyone has been pitching in, it really seems to be working. When you look at how the social works, new dancers are either invited out or dragged (if necessary) by the hard-core crowd. At some socials when the snowball comes around, it can be a bit of an effort to find that one person you haven't danced with before. Not this time.

Now of course every time we have a really big turnout the first thing one might think is -- it"s too crowded -- I can't do my thing. But really its never too crowded -- you just really makes have to hit your marks and be aware of your space (or lack there of.) Yes, if you can't do that -- life is tough for you and especially those around you. But, that said... There is nothing like the thrill of being in the middle of this vibrating mass of dancers knocking it down to the music. My ankles and toes might have taken some hits, but the rest of me loved it.

This wasn't just a great turnout for dancers, there were clearly people there just to see Grupo Salvaje and soak in the great atmosphere. One of the most important requirements for a healthy salsa dance scene is a healthy music scene. And at 10 bucks, whether you are dancing or just listening and watching, its a great deal. And whether you were dancing or listening you couldn't help but be amazed at Salvaje's tight and energetic sound. Not only are they great musicians and performers and promoters of salsa, but one of them, David is getting his feet into the action and becoming a dancer too! It's just a complete package group. If by any chance the band thought - hmm these dancers don't clap and cheer a lot -- well, we are so busy looking for our next dance partner that we can't even begin to show our appreciation.

A few people (maybe a few hundred) groaned at the long list of announcements. But what can you say? There's a lot to talk about. January and February are shaping up to be the busiest stretches on the Detroit dance scene since I've been around. When you look at the list -- Feb Social, another night at Crofoot, a night at Tryst, Harem's 1 year anniversary party, Chicago Congress, Gilberto Santarosa, socials a Troy Dance Studio & Dance Revolution, Jack & Jill contest at Sky Club, Grupo Escobar at Sangria on Sundays (See Calendar) (I'm sure I missed a lot and others will spring up) -- basically more than even the most dedicated dancers (think Nellie) could go to... What can you say? Jamin - our town crier. Keep it up!

I don't know if we can top an event like this - or if we even want to... The YA team showed up 2 hours earlier to set it up and no doubt stayed a bit longer to break it all down. Plus, there is a practical limit to the number of dancers in the old VFW Hall... Somewhere. Regardless, I hope that everyone there left knowing that this was something special and not available in stores anywhere.

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