Social Salsa dancing in Oxford at your local venue or elsewhere -

Regardless of your level

Walking into your Oxford Salsa Social/party for the very first time OR into a venue you’ve never danced at before can be quite interesting/challenging due to the mix of emotions. However the truth is that it feels the same for most dancers, from absolute beginners to the most experienced dancers!

Excitement

There’s something exciting about a new dance space. New Djs, different music, new faces, new energy and this is so cool. You could be dancing for hours on end without even noticing how long you’ve been dancing for until your feet get really sore. This is exactly what happened this week end at the Scottish Salsa Congress where I danced so much, I could barely walk! It was super exciting to meet new people from Ireland, Holland, Spain etc…

You might feel inspired watching others dance by looking at the styling, body movement, turn patterns, enjoying the vibe, or simply excited to dance somewhere new.

Fun

Once you take that first step onto the dance floor, fun takes over, for sure!

You laugh at missed steps, enjoy the music, and remember why you started dancing in the first place. It is so much fun when you really connect with your dance partner and have an amazing dance (regardless of their level). Rosa and Giles will always tell you that you learn best when having fun.

Nervousness

Let’s be honest, nerves are totally normal whether you go to your local venue, or a different venue, or attend a festival/congress. That’s human nature for you! it could be excitement, or butterflies in your tummy. Even experienced dancers feel like this, the key here is remember what social dancing is all about: connection with your dance partner, not perfection.

Breaking the Ice: asking someone to dance

Asking someone to dance doesn’t need to be or feel complicated.

A smile and eye contact go a long way
A simple “Would you like to dance?” is more than enough and so easy to do. Especially if you ask someone you’ve never seen before, as it will make both of you feel inclusive and friendly.

Kindness & Courtesy on the Dance Floor

In simple terms, be kind and courteous to your dance partner and you will have the best dance.

Be aware of your partner and the space around you (if it’s busy, make sure you take small steps and don’t bump into the next couple – space awareness pretty important)
Adjust your dancing to suit each other (if one of you is a more experienced dancer then adjust the lead/following to ensure you have the best possible dance). I often have amazing dances with intermediate dancers because they know how to have fun and they don’t worry about being perfect but just about connecting with their dance partner and music
Always say thank you at the end of the dance – this is so simple, easy but often overlooked – a simple thank you and a smile can really increase someone’s confidence on the dance floor and enhance their experience for the whole evening

A compliment goes a long way – A kind word can completely transform someone’s confidence. Something like “I really enjoyed your leading, it was super fun” or “Thank you so much, loved the dance”.