Salsa isn鈥檛 just a condiment for taco chips.
Salsa dancing has become popular in Saskatchewan. Leo Liendo who lives in Saskatoon, but is originally from Venezuela, started salsa classes in North Battleford in October 2018 with the help of Megan Hewison, Rachelle Ternier and Vivian Blais.
The class began with a registration of 40 and has steadily increased, even though the past couple of weeks attendance has been lower because of the cold weather.
Hewison says, 鈥淲e have quickly built a core group of equally addicted salseros/salseras from the North Battleford Community. Leo drives from Saskatoon every two weeks on a Thursday bringing a special guest to help teach the salsa classes.鈥�
Last week, when the News-Optimist dropped in, he had brought his wife Leah. Leo is highly involved in Latin dancing in Saskatoon especially through BKS (Bachata, Kizomba, Salsa) Saskatoon.
In North Battleford, the group meets every two weeks at the North Battleford Legion.
鈥淭he Legion has been so gracious by giving us the space,鈥� Hewison says.
A two-dollar per person charge goes back into the club so new equipment can be purchased.
鈥淥ur goal is to create community, not to make a profit,鈥� says Hewison.
A bonus is socializing after the classes and order from the cash bar available at the Legion.
The participants on the dance floor last week were mostly women, but Hewison encourages men to come out and try this easy and addictive form of dance, too. Leo uses a rotating style for partners so everyone gets a chance to dance with each other.
The next class is Feb. 21 at 7:15 p.m. at the North Battleford Legion.
Salsa originated in Cuba at the beginning of the 1900s. Salsa dancing has evolved through the years and has incorporated movements from other dances. The salsa movements are a combination of Afro-Cuban dance, Cha-cha-cha, Mambo, Puerto Rican Boba, Pachanga and many other styles. Through the decades several distinct styles have emerged.
The basic salsa step uses eight beats. The dancers shift their weight while the upper body remains level. The feet move on beats 1, 2, 3, pause on beat 4; step again on beats 5, 6, 7, and pause on beat 8.
听
听
