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Salsa Classes

Salsa on Wednesdays at the Barn is Palante's signature dance instruction series.

Here we teach you the basics of Salsa:

  • dancing on the Salsa beat,
  • body movement and weight shift,
  • partner connectivity,
  • and principles of music-dance interpretation.

Classes start with a line dance warm-up of Salsa Suelta ("loose" Salsa) and basic step pattern variations known as "shines." We then move into partner work, teaching turns and combinations with rotating partners. In Salsa, timing, rhythm and dance flow is cued to the dancer by layered Afro-percussion based orchestral music. Lead and follow between partners is created through the frame, points of connection, and tension.

The flavor of Salsa derives from a core of Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latin and Iberian music and dance forms, enhanced by contributions from cultures around the world, including in the areas of jazz, ballroom and pop music.

Salsa is ecumenical, inspiring, dynamic and yet accessible. Beginner Salsa will help you acquire the skills and sensibility necessary to survive on the dance floor, advance to higher levels, and form a basis for your own individual dance style. Learning aids include a syllabus, music and video.

Salsa Intensive for Beginners: 4 Week Series

Wednesdays 6:45-8:30pm. Dates: 2.22, 2.29, 3.7, 3.14
This four week intensive series covers the fundamentals of timing, body movement, lead-follow connection, and basic step patterns and partner combinations. Students learn principles of Latin dance and musicality and how to incorporate this into Salsa dancing. Social dance practice with availability of one-on-one assistance is held at the end of each class.

Your partner must also specify you as their partner to qualify for partner discount.

Higher Levels with Palante Salsa en Rueda Dance Troupe

After a few months of partnered Salsa class, many students are ready for more advanced Salsa moves, Rueda de Casino, and infusion of other dances, such as Bachata, Cha Cha Cha and Son Cubano. In Rueda, dancers change partners and perform known combination moves to the arrangement of a caller. Every move is fully led and followed and interchangeable between single and group couple formats.

Rueda is one of the best ways to learn Salsa as it allows students to dance with various partners in fluid motion. Rueda moves are easily incorporated into Salsa single partner dancing and vice versa. Learning both modalities simultaneously is an excellent way to enhance your repertoire and improve your style and confidence on the dance floor. We teach Rueda and other dances to members of the Palante Salsa en Rueda Dance Troupe.

We teach, train and learn at all levels, from total beginner to choreography and stage performance level. Through the troupe experience, our members become better dancers and active participants in the vibrant Latin dance community of Ithaca, Central New York, and beyond. Anybody can join - we are open to everyone and welcome dancers of all levels! Learn more about membership eligibility, benefits and expectations at our troupe information page.