SALSA LESSONS & CLASSES ON THURSDAY
Our Thursday Salsa club in Harpenden starts at 7:30pm. It is structured with six stages so that novice students can join any time and move at their own pace through the stages. You don't have to pre-book, you don't need to bring a partner, and you don't have to join a course (if you can't make a week you won't miss out). At our club we have 9 expert, friendly and professional instructors who will guide you through your salsa learning experience. The club has a fun and friendly atmosphere, and welcomes all levels of dancer. See our "Frequently Asked Questions" for answers to popular questions.
The Stage 1 "Absolute Beginners" class starts with the assumption that students have no previous dance experience; Here we teach students how to execute the most important salsa component with perfect rhythm and style - the "basic step". The BeginnerPlus class gives the student some basic foot patterns that are a prerequisite for cross-body salsa partner-work (without actually partnering up); we've found that students learn quicker with the BeginnerPlus transition class, and are able to perform better partner-work when they graduate to Stage 3 where partnerwork begins. The timing of the Stage 2 "BeginnerPlus" and Stage 3 classes means that a student can attend both for a while whilst they are learning partner work - a massive boost in your learning at this important stage, and it's no extra cost.
| Time |
Level |
Duration in class |
Comment Salsa on Thursday salsa Thursday salsa. |
| 7:30pm-8:25pm |
Stage 1: Absolute Beginners |
1 to 3 weeks* |
All we assume here is that you can walk: We teach you the basic salsa steps, rhythm, salsa music, and dancing to the beat. You learn how to execute the basic step with perfect rhythm, timing and style. |
| 7:30pm-8:25pm |
Stage 2: BeginnerPlus |
2 to 4 weeks* |
More basic footwork and understanding of how various foot patterns fit in with the cross-body salsa dance. |
| 7:45pm-8:25pm |
Shines/footwork |
|
All the shines and footwork we use at Salsa Machine. |
| 8:30pm-9:30pm |
Stage 3 |
5 to 10 weeks** |
Partner work begins: Some basic "bread & butter" moves to get you dancing with partners. How to lead and how to follow. |
| 8:30pm-9:30pm |
Stage 4 |
*** |
Double turns, cross-body turns and variant moves. |
| 8:30pm-9:30pm |
Stage 5 |
*** |
Advanced move patterns: Double turns, cross-body turns, touch-and-go, copa and some advanced, challenging moves. |
| 8:30pm-9:30pm |
Stage 6: |
*** |
Triple spins, syncopated moves, magic moves... |
| 9:30pm-11:30pm |
Club: freestyle dancing, salsa DJ. |
|
This where it's at: practice and dance the night away. |
(*) Stage 1 and 2 are identical each week, so if you miss a week you won't miss out. You are ready to move up when you feel you can execute the material in the class with relative ease. People move at different rates depending on previous experience, and how much their life style allows them to practice.
(**) Stage 3 relies heavily on the material taught in 1 & 2. Level 3 is similar each week, and over several weeks all material is covered. Again, it won't matter if you miss a week here and there.
(***) Stages 4 to 6 are different each week. The stages are split into bands of difficulty. Typically a student would spend 5 - 8 months in stage 4 having attended every lesson. Much longer is spent in stage 5 as the range of moves and techniques is much larger.
Leading, following, style, technique and attitude are taught at all levels.
Shines Recap is taught as part of the warm up.
Large wooden dance floor, low price bar, comfortable seating.
Admission £8 includes all classes & club.
£4 after 9:30pm
Free after 10:30pm
Style is the popular L.A. or "cross-body" style.
Salsa Machine.
Royal British Legion, 21 Leyton Road, Harpenden, Herts. AL5 2HU.
View Larger Map
Click here for map.
Next to "The Inn on the Green", set back from the road opposite Harpenden Public Halls.
ben@salsamachine.co.uk or 07941 315364.