Uncategorized
Back 40: Salsa dancing
Published
11 years agoon
By Alicia Baker Sizzling Salsa
As I slip my 3-inch high heeled dance shoes on, I think, “Ahh, I feel at home.” Many women cringe at the thought of wearing heels, but because I’ve been salsa dancing for so long, I’m used to them.
I walk across the dance floor, thinking of my favorite song, “Do You Only Wanna Dance” by the Julio Daviel Big Band, and turn it on, loud. I feel the melody start to move me – I move my hips, put my hands on my body, twirl. But salsa dancing doesn’t happen alone. Having a great partner to dance with can create an awesome feeling. When you’re connected to your partner, not just physically but also on beat together, the moves seem to come easily, and just looking at that person can make you feel like you are the only one there.
Now don’t get me wrong, after dancing for three hours in one night, several times a week, my feet are screaming. If they could talk, they’d be swearing. My scrunched up toes have had blisters and nails cut in half and bleeding, and the top of my feet scar from being kicked by other heels – all for the sake of dancing. I just love dancing too much to worry about the pain that nobody else sees.
When I was a child, my family lived in six different states, including Puerto Rico, but we moved to New Mexico when I was in elementary and middle school. Growing up mostly in the Southwest in a Hispanic culture were my first experiences with Latin-style music and dancing. I remember looking at those girls, thinking how fun and beautiful they looked. I never thought that in 10 years, I’d be doing the same thing, let alone teaching people to dance.
Flash forward a decade, and here I am, in my third year of teaching at Sizzling Salsa, Bozeman’s first Latin dance club. When I first started teaching at Sizzling Salsa, which was founded by local Zach Edmisten in 2008, I didn’t realize what running this club would mean to me.
Being a dance teacher has allowed me to grow not only as a dancer, but also as a person. I’ve met hundreds of people, and I give them props because it takes courage to walk into a dance class that many might find intimidating.
Once you try salsa dancing, you’ll find it’s not intimidating at all. Instead, it’s exciting, a good workout and a great way to meet people.
While teaching, I always keep in mind this quote: “The only dancer you should compare yourself to is the one you used to be.”
It makes me happy to know I’ve been able to teach people who’ve never danced before how to Salsa.
__________
Sizzling Salsa dance lessons
Location: The Montana Movement Arts Center (MAC), 1871 S. 22nd St., Ste. 2, Bozeman
When: Every Wednesday, except the first week of the month
Beginners Lesson – 8-8:45 p.m. No partner needed!
Open Dance – 8:45-10:30pm
Cost: $3/person
Find more info at sizzlingsalsamt.com.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
You may like
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716