Things are getting serious now 💅🏽 Improvers ✨ Level 2 ✨ at The Bishopsgate Institute (!!!)
Dates
Four 90-minute sessions followed by a 20-minute free dance social April and May 7 - 8:50pm the following Wednesdays:
30th (April) 🤎 7th 🤎 21st 🤎 28th (May)*
*there is no course class on Wednesday 14th of May as none of the large rooms were available. We will be running a very limited capacity Afro-Colombian workshop in the studio instead. Details to follow very soon 🥰
Level 3 will be running for 4 weeks on Wednesday's starting 4th of April. Sign up details to follow in mid-March. We will be taking a break from Salsa courses in July.
Improvers Level 2
This is a full progressive course in Cross Body Salsa for Improvers who have completed a Level 1 Improvers Course with us or have developed similar experience elsewhere.
We ask that those continuing from Improvers Level 1 to continue with the same role they started with. If you’re joining from a different path, we recommend not beginning a completely new role from scratch.
To feel comfy on this course, you should be familiar with leading or following these moves:
- Basic step
- Crossbody
- Crossbody inside turn
- Checks, eg. Shoulder check, Mariposa
You don’t need to be an expert, but if they sound completely unfamiliar, and you do have some experience in Salsa or another Afro-Latin Dance, please send us a message so we can work out if the course is the right fit.
We'll go deep into the technique and Afro-Latin roots of this rich partner dance. Swapping partners throughout the classes, you'll get to know a bunch of new people (although, you’re very welcome to stick with a friend or partner if you prefer). For us, learning salsa is about building community through connection, care, and the joy of dancing together. ❤️🔥
Recentring the Afro-Latin Roots of Salsa
Cross Body is a popular style of Salsa in London, but it’s less common in Latin America. As a growing community of queer instructors, the previous training we've had available to us has largely been Cross Body. While Cross Body forms the foundation of our progressive courses, we're committed to honouring and recentring Salsa’s Afro-Latin roots by:
- Developing a curriculum that integrates the Afro-Latin history of the music, dance and culture
- Including moves and approaches from various Salsa styles and emphasising adaptability in dancing rather than focusing on a single style
- Inviting Latinx practitioners as guest teachers on our courses
- Offering specialised workshops and courses led by Latinx practitioners
- Supporting dancers with experience in other Salsa and Afro-Latin dances to explore Cross Body, while valuing the different knowledge they might bring
Prioritising Care and Connection
We’re rethinking what progression means in our courses and teacher training. Instead of emphasising complicated moves and techniques, we prioritise connecting with the music, dancing safely and consensually, and building connections with your dance partners.
Welfare & Accessibility
At each class there will be a dedicated Welfare Team Member. They will be around to give extra support on moves as well as any needs or concerns you might have to participate in the class and feel comfy in the space.
We are actively working on making our courses as safe and inclusive as possible. Please get in contact with any needs you might have that would make it better work for you.
Tickets
We are reducing capacity for our courses to 35 to make them more intimate. It will sell out quick, we will put ticket resale on once that happens.
Low Income
We're offering limited reduced-cost spots at £35 for those with lower incomes, please get in contact if you need one. These are reserved for people on Universal Credit (or similar benefits), those earning minimum wage, or working-class students. Since these spots are limited, please make sure you really need one before claiming it 🥰
We've introduced Solidarity to support us in offering a few more reduced tickets. So if you are in a position where you can afford that, it would be really helpful!
The course cost reflects our new home at The Bishopsgate, which is much better suited to more in-depth learning. It also helps ensure we can fairly compensate everyone involved to contribute their time and energy with care.
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Please send a DM if you have any questions & see you in class cuties!
Lots of love
Queer Salsa Team
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