Why Intemediate class before the Beginner??

People ask me this question a lot so I thought I would finally post it here. At first glance when you read the schedule it may not make sense. Hopefully this explanation will help make sense of it.

There are 2 main reasons why we have the intermediate class before the beginner class at the Harem. The first and most important reason originates back in the days of Wednesday night salsa at Boogie Fever in late 2002.

The coolest thing about this night was that it offered a beginner and intermediate class. The intermediate class was first and the beginner class was second. This format created a great environment for learning and practicing that really help me learn quickly. I would show up for the intermediate class at 7 and learn some new stuff. Then when the intermediate class was over and the beginner class took over the floor, myself and the other intermediate students would practice what we learned off to the side. Not only would we practice what we learned in the Boogie Fever lesson but we would also show each other what we learned from other salsa classes around town. By the time we worked out the kinks of whatever movement we were working on, the beginner class was over, the rest of the salsa crowd showed up, and it was time to try out our new skills with the DJ pumping up the sounds. Good times! It was a format that not only worked great for me but for a lot of others too. Most of us didn’t have partners to practice with outside of the club. So that one hour a week when we were all together to practice and help each other without the distractions of loud music and tons of people in the way was golden.

Sadly that format came to an end. Shortly thereafter the Salsa Wednesdays at Boogie Fever came to and end.

So at the start of 2007 when we started Salsa Nights at the Harem it was an opportunity to create that great learning environment again. I don’t know if it is working for others as well as it did for me, but each time I see people practicing a move from the intermediate class during the beginner class it give me hope.

The second reason is much simpler. First time people to salsa and the club are less likely to show up at 8pm for a class and then sit around for another hour with little music and few people to entertain them.

Well that is it! Feel free to comment!