Whenever you are on the dance floor, you’ll always notice the hip-swaying, up-beat rhythm of the Latin dances.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Salsa Club gives students the opportunity to explore their hidden dance talent in a welcoming environment.
This recently created club educates students in not only salsa, but also a variety of Latin dances. The two main dances the club focuses its teachings on are the salsa and bachata.
The salsa club invites all Cal Poly Pomona students to come out to its dance workshops, with no dance experience required.
“I think of salsa as a fast-paced, eight count, social dance that’s really about letting it all out on the dance floor. Whether you are having a good or bad day, it’s about showing off to the world that this is me,” said Ulices Esqueda, salsa club president. “For bachata, it’s a bit slower. It is about the connection you have and or make with your partner.”
(Courtesy of CPP Salsa Club)
The Latin music played during these dances is derived from a combination of Cuban-style music, African drum sounds and American jazz.
The salsa and bachata are recognized as very sensual and romantic dances due to the close space dancers share. Although most Latin dances are known to be a duo-partner dance, you are not required to come with a partner to the club’s dance workshops. Instructors recommend students to practice with multiple partners to enhance their dance skills and to branch out from their comfort zone.
“My first time coming out I was really scared because I felt like everyone was going to be really good at dancing,” said Kayleen Diaz, a fourth-year sociology major. “Now this club has become a place where I feel very comfortable in.”
Each Cal State University’s salsa club hosts a social to connect all collegiate salsa clubs.
Salsa socials are gatherings of people who come to experience, socialize and learn from the dance workshops. The CPP Salsa Club will be hosting two socials this year, one in November and one in the spring semester.
The instructors of the salsa club are also all Cal Poly Pomona students. Many of the instructors were first-year members who quickly fell in love with the dances and continued to grow their love for salsa through this club.
“If I’ve had a rough day and I’m super stressed, I can come here and dance. It’s a great stress reliever and it just lifts my whole mood,” said Kelly Knowles, a fourth-year environmental biology student and a salsa instructor for the club.
The salsa club has worked internally with CPP clubs and events. They have offered lessons for Teachers’ Appreciation Day and the Social Dance Club.
This year the salsa club is looking to branch out to the community and perform for elderly homes.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Salsa Club offers beginner and intermediate workshops every Tuesday and Thursday in the Bronco Recreational Inc. Center (BRIC). Beginner classes are from 6-7:30 p.m., while the intermediate classes are hosted from 7:30-9 p.m. The first lesson is free, and then the following classes are $10 a month.
The monthly fee goes towards hiring professional instructors to lead a workshop.
For more information you can follow them on Instagram @cppsalsaclub or come out to their workshops on Tuesday and Thursday.