With every event, Charlotte continues to surprise me with its hidden entertainment and talent.
After learning to salsa dance on a cruise ship last March, I had felt compelled to continue lessons when I returned to Charlotte. The only issue I had was finding affordable lessons in an exciting and central location with a partner who didn’t step on my favorite Steve Madden’s. I was thrilled to hear that my newest assignment was attending salsa lessons at Morehead Street Tavern this past Tuesday night, and that there was no need to find a Salsero of my own.
It was my first time visiting the tavern, and I was impressed to find it features billiards, food service, the dance club downstairs, and a full bar with exceptional drink specials. Many of the men were taking advantage of these specials in order to feel secure about their two-left-feet complex. When I entered the dance club downstairs, I was instantly enchanted with the atmosphere, people, music, and phenomenal dancer, Leo Chavez, salsa instructor at ESR Dance. The name of the business is an acronym for “Estilo Sin Razon” meaning “Style without Reason”. Chavez personifies that motto. His suave style and smooth moves are un-paralleled in Charlotte, making him a well known salsa dancer and icon to many Latin dance lovers. He progressed slowly enough so that I felt confident in the steps, but fast enough to create a challenge. He was friendly, approachable, hilarious, and vastly loved by all who attend.
My favorite part of the lesson was the diverse crowd Chavez attracted. There were couples, singles, old, young, and many people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. They came to learn the salsa and bachata styles of the four year salsero veteran. Much of the session revolved around partnering. To spice things up, the women rotated male partners every few minutes, so that meeting people and making new friends was inevitable. I felt surprisingly comfortable with all of my partners. My new friend David convinced me that we could enter the Olympics if salsa was a sport. I was also assured by a nice elderly man that I was “muy bueno” for a salsa beginner.
For all men wary of being emasculated by dance lessons, salsa is a sensual dance that is empowering for both sexes. The men exhibit their masculinity by leading their partners in a series of moves and spins while holding her close. There is no feeling better than having a male partner spin you gracefully across the floor in your high heels with new found confidence. It is enlivening.
If you would like to meet new people and experience the magic of salsa dance for yourself, lessons occur at Morehead Street Tavern from 7-11PM on Tuesday nights. They feature beginner’s salsa for the first hour, intermediate for the second, and a salsa social for the final two hours. The class is $10 and does not require pre-registration. If you have any other questions, you can email Leo Chavez about ESR Dance or salsa lessons at leo.chavez@esrdance.com.
Until Monday, Dans le Beau Monde, or in this case, En el Mundo Hermoso,
Danielle
