Salsa Levels: 6 week absolute beginner’s course: Ideal for: Those with no previous experience of Salsa or who have had a few lessons. A fun & intense introduction to the basics of Salsa Dancing: During these courses we will teach you the basic steps, some basic turns and then introduce you to partner work. Everyone will be together at the same level so there is no need to be nervous, just come along to class everyone leaves with a smile! Improvers: Ideal for: Ideal for: Anyone who is comfortable with basic steps and turns. During improvers classes we will practise more difficult turns, ensure timing is perfect to all tempo’s to get you ready to take on intermediate routines. As there is so much to learn at this level some people stay at this level and some wish to progress. You will be given guidance by your instructor as the transition to intermediate level is quite a large step to take. * Please check with your tutor before moving up to an intermediate level. Intermediate: Ideal for: Doesn’t sound too challenging does it? Don’t be fooled! Here’s what you’ll need to know already, and what you’ll learn: Intermediate dancers must be acutely aware of the Salsa timing, their positioning and that of their partner, to be able to communicate (non verbally) effectively with their partner throughout a dance. At this level, you will be introduced to more footwork that takes you away from your familiar 123 567, learning 8-step movements and reverse steps, as well as odd numbers of turn sequences. You’ll therefore need to respond to changes of tempo in the music, in silent collaboration with your partner, displaying a deeper understanding of Salsa music and interpretation. Advanced Salsa - One off sessions – call to register interest: Ideal for: dancers who have progressed from our Intermediate Salsa classes as well as those currently competing or performing in public. You’ll find the relentless pace challenging and beneficial to raising your game. Fast, furious and with lots of fancy moves on 1 or 2, combined with a multitude of 8-step movements and playing around with the rhythm. Lots of intricate double handed multiple turns and use of each others’ momentum to achieve dazzling results. These lessons are a lot of fun and a lot of hard work – one off sessions! Salsa information: Salsa is a fun and flirtatious Latin American dance, fuelled by Afro-Caribbean rhythms and all-night partying. The dance fuses Cuban, Puerto Rican and Columbian styles into simple & lively movements. Salsa dancers fill venues all over the UK, revelling in this hot Latin dance. At Starlight we cannot say that we are particularly influenced by Cuban, Colombian or New York styles. It's more fun to mix them all! Cuban style: Cuban-style salsa can be danced either "on one" or "a contratiempo" – the latter is often referred to as "on two". An essential element is the "cuba step" (also known as Guapea), where the leader does a backward basic on 1-2-3 and a forward basic on 5-6-7. The follower does the same, thereby mirroring the leader's movement. Another characteristic of this style is that in many patterns the leader and follower circle around each other and start slowly and build up to a more complex routine. New York style: The "NY Style" is a combination of the "On 1" and "On 2" systems. The timing of the steps are on the 1-2-3,5-6-7 as in "On 1" but the breaks (where the body changes direction) occur on the 2 and 6 as in "On 2". NY instructor Eddie Torres developed this step pattern around the late '70s and the '80s, and its definition is quite clear as he is still alive and his followers are keen to keep the style intact. This is their description of the step: There are many "socials" in NYC or nightclubs that dedicate on playing only mambo or salsa. Rueda style: In the 1950s Salsa Rueda (Rueda de Casino) was developed in Havana, Cuba. Pairs of dancers form a circle (Rueda in Spanish), with dance moves called out by one person. Many of the moves involve rapidly swapping partners. Salsa Styling: Incorporating styling techniques into any style of salsa has become very common. For both men and women shines, leg work, arm work, body movement, spins, body isolations, shoulder shimmies and rolls, and even hand styling have become a huge trend in the salsa scene. There are lessons dedicated to the art of salsa stylin'. Hip hop, jazz, flamenco, belly dancing, ballroom, Afro Cuban styles, and bhangra have all be infused into the art of styling. You can take dance lessons to learn all these different types of dances. Shines Normally Salsa is a partner dance, danced in a handhold. However sometimes dancers include shines, which are basically "show-offs" and involve fancy footwork and body actions, danced in separation. They are supposed to be improvisational breaks, but there are a huge number of "standard" shines. Also, they fit best during the break of the tune, but they may be danced whenever the dancers feel appropriate. They are a good recovery trick when the connection or beat is lost during a complicated move, or simply to catch the breath. Other dance styles Bachata: Bachata is a beautiful and sensuous dance that originates from the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean, now becoming very popular throughout Europe and you will be sure to hear Bachata at most Salsa events you attend locally. This dance is easy to learn as the tempo of the music is slower with simple steps and the music is very melodic and easy on the ear. This dance takes on many variations but the basic hip movement and steps remain the same. Merengue: The Merengue is the Caribbean Dominican Republic's party dance. Many of the movements are like those of Salsa, but as the Merengue's tempo is slower on a 1, 2 timing, the dance is easier to pick up. Rumba: The Rumba provides the setting for sensual and passionate duel between man and woman on the dancefloor. With its pulsating and rumbling rhythms, the Rumba is the slow dance of the Latin world and often referred to as the 'Queen' of all Latin dances. The Rumba is one of the five dances used in International competition style Latin American. Cha, Cha: The Cha Cha is another fun and versatile Latin dance and ranks amongst the five dances competed at international level. The interpretation of Cha-Cha-Cha music should produce a happy, carefree, cheeky, party-time-like atmosphere. The dance draws its name from the rhythm of the feet on the dancefloor - 'cha cha cha' - and today's version resembles the original Cuban Cha Cha. Street Dance: Have you ever seen the hottest pop band's music video or performance on Top of the Pops? Then you will already know what Streetdance looks like. Streetdance takes any form of popular music - from pop to hip hop - and choreographs routines to the beats. We have seen that, only too often, the most successful pop acts have made it big by combining Street dance routines with their tunes.