February 16, 2009

Today I went to the USC Library from 4-7 PM to do some research for my project. I found Students Associated for Latin America (SALA) on the student organization’s page. The email contact is latin@gwm.sc.edu and the president is Melissa Perez. I emailed Melissa to see if we could meet up and discuss what her group does, its history, and any advice she had for my project. I’m still waiting for a response.

I then emailed the president and vice president of the USC Ballroom Club. Information about this club includes that fees are $20/semester, it meets Sunday from 3:30-5:00 and has a Friday salsa lesson from 8-11 PM. They do not teach salsa on the general ballroom day on Sunday because of the focus it gives salsa on Fridays. The email for the club is www.gamecockdancesport.com. Often times the club goes to Salsa Cabana on Fridays after the lesson. The best page on the site was its dance links page. It had great links to websites about ballroom. I’m meeting with Elizabeth Wednesday to talk. Below are some possible questions to ask her:

· What process does one have to go through to start an organization at USC?
· What is the hardest part of being in charge of a club?
· How do you acquire interest?
· What are your top tips on starting a dance club?

I’m still brainstorming more – I might email Briana, Cindy, or Anthony tomorrow for advice, or simply have an informal interview with Elizabeth and see how it ends up organically.
Another good contact is Dr. David P. Hill in 902 Welsh Humanities or 408 Gambrell Hall. He is the director of the Latin American Studies Program. I emailed him and I’m going to stop by his office next Monday after my 8:00 AM class.

I also made a dancesportcomps.com account. My username is ebya and my password is aggieeby. This is a website that focuses primarily on ballroom competitions.
I did some research on the different categories and styles of ballroom. International Standard includes slow waltz, Viennese waltz, tango, slow foxtrot, quickstep. International Latin includes cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive. American smooth is like the standard except it does not include the quick step. American Rhythm includes cha cha, rumba, east coast swing, bolero, and mambo. Historical/vintage includes waltz, polka, tango, one step, foxtrot, and Peabody. I had no idea that salsa was not a ballroom dance style, but a latin nightclub style. It is in the group with meringue, cumbia, bachata, and cha cha. Nightclub is hustle, swing, and shag.
Some upcoming competitions include one March 6th and 7th in Asheville, NC at Grovepark Inn and Resort. There is also one May 7-9 in Atlanta, GA at the Hyatt Regency downtown. The final one is August 13-16 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Cincinnati, OH.

Some rules of etiquette I found were as follows:
· Never blame partner
· Never decline – if you decline you can’t dance rest of song
· No solicited teaching (not that I would!)
· Don’t monopolize partner – only two songs in a row with the same person
· Don’t cut other people off
· No aerials/choreography
· Don’t act bored – make eye contact
· Don’t lead leader
· Become more popular by: dancing, wearing dance shoes, asking others to dance

Another AMAZING salsa site is www.salsaweb.com. This website had great instructional videos on all the basic moves.
A great place to buy shoes is www.danceshoesonline.com. The links are http://www.danceshoesonline.com/tags/dsol/women_sandal/162202.htm, http://www.danceshoesonline.com/tags/dsol/women_sandal/160924.htm, http://www.danceshoesonline.com/tags/dsol/women_sandal/160602.htm.

MOVEMENT
Footwork: Steps in all directions are normally taken first with the ball of the foot in contact with the floor, and then with the heel lowering when the weight is fully transferred.Hip Movement: In Salsa, the hip action is usually relaxed and subtle, especially for men. Weight is normally placed onto a slightly bent knee.Arm Styling: In general, arms are held at or slightly above waist level. Arm movements should always be a natural result of the movement of the rest of the body. When arms are deliberately positioned or waved around, they look contrived and unnatural. Always allow the arms to react naturally to body movement.

DANCE POSITION
When dancing Salsa, stand upright with weight held forward towards the balls of the feet. Like the basic Latin hold, the Salsa hold is compact, with partners standing slightly apart. The lady's right hand and man's left hand can be joined either in an upper-hand clasp, or with man underhand. The man's right hand is either placed on the lady's left shoulder blade or on her hip. The lady's left arm is rested lightly on his right arm. It should be noted that the Salsa hold is considerably more relaxed than the basic Latin hold, allowing for more freedom of arm movement.

At www.ballroomdancers.com I found several cool videos on basic salsa moves:
· Open facing position – basic feet, step forward with left (left arm raises up palm to palm at eye height and then drops down slightly behind), continue basic back (arm stays at hip but loose and natural)
· Underarm turn to right – salsa back, step forward left, turn quickly to right to bring feet together (make sure feet come completely together)
· Underarm to left – salsa back, guy brings my right hand down and out, grabs my left hand, turn under my left arm which is raised up, salsa forward but third step, step out and behind to left (facing almost all away from partner), salsa forward again to continue turn and face partner, basic forward left facing partner
· Closed cross body lead – salsa back with right but step “together” is forward slightly (turn 90 degrees at this point), cross left over right, step right while turning, step left to face partner (now facing opposite directioin
· Open cross body lead – same as above but holding hands front of body, hands go with feet
A similar dance to salsa, and where salsa has developed from, is mambo. Mambo is similar but choppier and slower. It starts on the second count rather than the first.