Check out the social dancing scene - Bachata

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I was feeling a bit homesick this week so I decided to venture out into the Bachata community first. I knew that finding people who loved dancing this dance as much as I do would make me feel more connected to home.

 I think that a good way to gage how active a dance community is in a particular place is to attend a class (if you are able to). Since I have some experience in this particular dance style, I also wanted to see how and what instructors were teaching in their classes. The hope was also that they could tell me where they go out social dancing.

 I attended two classes this week; the first was on Monday night at Bailá BA! which is located in San Telmo. I got there in time for the warm up and instantly got this huge smile on my face when I recognized the steps that were being shown. The class was advertised as being for all levels but there weren’t any beginners, from what I could see. We did a pattern with a pendulum hand toss for the follow and body rolls. The music played in class was popular in the congresses I’m used to attending so all in all, I left the class feeling like I had learned a lot and excited to go out social dancing. In addition, I made a new friend in class! Her name is Jesica and she started dancing because she also teaches Zumba. I left the class that night with the familiar comforting feeling I have after a good night of dance. 

 The second class I attended was a class for female styling in Bachata on Wednesday at Full Dance. Although there were only two other girls there with me, these are my favorite types of classes because they allow for each person to add their own flavor to the choreography being taught. Our teacher incorporated a lot of classical spinning techniques in our warm up and a lot of modern footwork and hand styling (like La Alemana) in the routine. It was a perfect mix of old and new in the dominican dance. Afterwards, I felt empowered and really sure of myself. The girls in the class let me know that they like to go to Azucar for Bachata dancing on Friday nights.

 Just like that, I felt included. If social dancing Bachata is like it is in Europe and North America, I won’t feel alone when I finally do go out and check out the social dancing scene.

 

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