I have to agree with Geo, last night's social was fabulous. Not only was the music amazing - truly awesome this time around - I brought my daughter for the first time and everyone was so friendly and welcoming of her. She wanted to learn and everyone I introduced to her to was happy to take her for a spin and help her out.

I also can't remember the last time I stayed right up to the last song - I didn't want to go home!!

From reading posts it seems people keep mentioning 'seeing new people' when it comes to the YA socials, I absolutely love reading that. I agree that's the case as well and think it's extremely important that this continues. When it comes to something like a salsa community it brings to mind the book 'The Tipping Point' by Malcolm Gladwell. It's a book that demonstrates in various ways how a product or an idea can go from small and pretty much unknown to a frenzied craze that becomes mainstream.

Salsa I believe has that kind of potential here in the Detroit area. The world knows that Detroit has an illustrious and deep music history. From Motown in the 60's to Bob Segar and Mitch Ryder in the 70's. Techno was born here in Detroit in the 80's, and now we have Eminem and Kid Rock as our most recent famous music artists. That's quite a diverse range of music genre's that has kept Detroit on the music map for a long time.

Granted I've attended only latin nights and salsa socials for the last 4 years, but i've heard from non salsa friends and family about how there's no where to go dancing anymore. When not listening to a salsa cd i've found the music played today on the radio isn't really 'danceable'. The popularity of such shows like 'So You Think You Can Dance?' and 'Dancing With the Stars' demonstrates the interest people still have in dancing, but most are unaware of how and where to go. I believe that because of reasons like these salsa has enormous potential to be really big here in Detroit.

When talking to people about Salsa here I say things like 'the community overall is small' and have been guilty of saying 'It'll never be as big as Toronto or Chicago', but because of the growth we've all seen I ask myself 'why can't Detroit be as big?'.

With the incredible work the YA and SkyMambo team do to bring socials once a month along with the weekly Mambo nights at the Harem every Thursday, to our longtime freinds SalsaDetroit bringing us Salsa and Latin nights every Wedneday and Thursday at the Sky Club above Sangria in Royal Oak and the Red Parrot in Southfield on Saturdays, to Elaine Marrero at Troy Dance Studio teaching classes and having latin events all over Detroit, to Duane Wrenn of Energetic Soul teaching Cuban and Rueda style salsa, and the once a month Motor City Salseros Salsa Socials at Troy Dance Studio, Dance Revolution in Ann Arbor holding Salsa nights on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays. This a quite a list of places to go and things to do, and I apologize if I left anything events out, but I believe it only scratches the surface as to what can happen in Detroit when it comes to Salsa.

Glenn H

I hope the roads will be clear . I have been looking forward to this. I am one of those people who will brave this weather. The only things that can stop me : gas (put that in last night)
if my car get's stuck in my sub division ..... that's about it

All of the main roads are OK. So if you can make it out of your subdivision it you should be OK.

Its a pretty good amount of snow but so far the roads aren't icy so I don't think it will be too much trouble.

Geo-

I feel great even though I danced the entire time and could not leave until it was over. Thanks for organizing such a fun event. It rocks!!

Hello, Will. Which event are you and your family interested in???

Learning Salsa is not hard but like anything else, the more time you put into learning, the better you become. The more frequently you dance, the faster you will learn.

The hardest thing about learning salsa is finding the time to practice and finding a good place to put it to use. That is where this website can come in handy. Here you will find a long list of classes that are offered at many different times and locations to best fit your schedule. Also you will find information on up coming salsa events all over the Detroit Metro and beyond where you can use your newly acquired salsa skills :)

You will not be out of place at the YA Social (or any other salsa event). First timers to professionals will be there learning, dancing, socializing, and also trading salsa moves with each other as if they were trading baseball cards :)

Don't worry, the dance community is probably the nicest bunch of people you will ever meet so you will have no trouble getting into it and having a great time.

Learning Salsa is fun. Come on and bring your family to the next Social and have some fun.

THANK YOU guys so much for the WONDERFUL Social!!! As usually it was GREAT!!! The best event of the month!!! I had A LOT of fun!!!!! Thanks :)))

yes it is...

Are you referring to every video from the last 3 months or every video for the last 4 years?

You know, when I was doing the videos I would make an effort to get everyone on the room in the vids and still sometimes I felt like I was getting a lot of the same people every month. Maybe that is due to the fact that over half the people in the room come every month, or maybe it is just coincidence. I really don't know.

Rest assured that if you see the same people in the video from month to month, it is not by any grand design.

Also, if you or someone you know wants to be in the video, just ask one of the camera men point the lens your way. They are really cool people and love nothing better then a enthusiastic subject :)

I'm so glad you enjoy the socials! Yes, it is true that the temperature can get quite high - especially in the summer months and when it's very humid like during the unseasonably warm weather at the April social. We make our best effort to keep the place - and the dancers - as cool as possible by doing the following:

- Keeping the air conditioning on (this only works for so long - once the dancers reach a critical mass, the air conditioning has no effect)
- Opening the doors to provide fresh air ventilation
- Using high powered fans
- Providing copious amounts of very cold, fresh water

What we, unfortunately, cannot control, is when the social occurs on a hot or humid day (at least not based on the weather forecast) because the date is booked at least a month in advance. The fact is, the more people in a room, the hotter it will get, winter or summer, and with all the bodies moving, it makes it even hotter and more humid.

In my experience, men who dance, sweat - a lot - no matter what the temperature (and that 's how I like em!). For those who find the heat difficult to tolerate, we suggest taking frequent breaks by stepping outside to cool off; drinking A LOT of water - always, always, always important to drink WATER; avoiding alcoholic beverages or pop; and paying attention to the signals your body is giving you.

As for the sweaty men, keep a towel on you if you can boys! It isn't exactly fun to have a slippery lead!

~ Jess