Seattle WA- Twirling sequin skirts and long, nylon laced legs topped with strappy black heals. Dark button down blue dress shirts tucked into freshly ironed black slacks with a shinny black shoe finish.
This is what you see when you walk into The Century Ballroom on Broadway and East Pine on Thursdays and Saturdays where they host nights of salsa, meringue, bachata and the cha cha cha.
“You meet a variety of dancers possessing different styles and expressing themselves in their unique ways,” said three year Century dancer Vivaivha Bandari, “This helps me to learn and discover my style much faster.”
The club offers free lessons for the beginner and the rusty if you show up early enough. 8:30 p.m. class begins where professional dance instructors break down the steps one by one on the well lit wooden dance floor. No dance partner required. In fact, instructors encourage their students to mix it up.
Private lessons are also available through the website. http://www.centuryballroom.com/
DJs come out and spin their best for the growing request for salsa in Seattle. Many different people turn out to dance; students, professionals and others just coming to hang out. Dance floor opens at 9:30 p.m., age 21+.
This is one of many places responding to the city’s interest in salsa. Selena’s Guadalajara in 45th Ave. North in Wallingford clears the dance floor where tables normally stand and lay ba
by powder down to insure a smooth surface for dancing.
The Mexican restaurant’s warm, friendly and family oriented atmosphere takes pressure way from the beginner. It is a place where dancers, professional or not, can come and dance, says co-owner Laura Mendoza.
“Everyone just comes and does whatever,” Mendoza continues, “It isn’t about lessons or who can spin the fasted. It’s about feeling the music in here.” The heart.
After some neighborhood salsa clubs closed, friends and loyal customers urged the family to transform the dining area of their Aztec-Mexican art themed restaurant into a salsa and cumbia club. Although the Mendozas were reluctant at first, a year and a half has passed and it still remains a success.
Predominantly for the 30-somthings, the relaxed and welcoming feel brings people from all over the city as far as Everett, Burien and Tacoma. “[It is] more quiet here then other places,” says 22 year spinning veteran DJ Edgar.
The dance floor opens Fridays at 9:30 p.m., age 21+. They play cumbia and salsa music. Every third Friday of the month is strictly salsa.
The Rock Salt http://www.rocksaltlakeunion.com/ Friday and Saturday nights may be a place where city dwellers strap on their smooth bottomed shoes and hit the dance floor.
“We get 200- 230, [or] 300 people depending on what events we have going on,” said club manager Curtis Lindal, “events that are happening for like, Valentine’s Day. We will have live bands going on.”
Located in Lake Union, The Rock Salt splits its floors into two specific parts. Upstairs tables are cleared after 9:30 p.m. from the bar’s dining area to make room for the DJs who play reggaeton, meringue and hip hop. Downstairs is strictly salsa. Open bar, 21+.
“I don’t have a difference,” said house DJ Mauro Cano, “…all the places we got nice people.”
The bouncers scattered around various areas of both dance floors and the three outside with security wands help keep the club safe and everyone having fun.
“The DJ’s very good,” says long time Rock Salt dancer Jose Martinez, “the security and the parking [makes] it very comfortable.”
This is what you see when you walk into The Century Ballroom on Broadway and East Pine on Thursdays and Saturdays where they host nights of salsa, meringue, bachata and the cha cha cha.
“You meet a variety of dancers possessing different styles and expressing themselves in their unique ways,” said three year Century dancer Vivaivha Bandari, “This helps me to learn and discover my style much faster.”
The club offers free lessons for the beginner and the rusty if you show up early enough. 8:30 p.m. class begins where professional dance instructors break down the steps one by one on the well lit wooden dance floor. No dance partner required. In fact, instructors encourage their students to mix it up.
Private lessons are also available through the website. http://www.centuryballroom.com/
DJs come out and spin their best for the growing request for salsa in Seattle. Many different people turn out to dance; students, professionals and others just coming to hang out. Dance floor opens at 9:30 p.m., age 21+.
This is one of many places responding to the city’s interest in salsa. Selena’s Guadalajara in 45th Ave. North in Wallingford clears the dance floor where tables normally stand and lay ba
by powder down to insure a smooth surface for dancing.The Mexican restaurant’s warm, friendly and family oriented atmosphere takes pressure way from the beginner. It is a place where dancers, professional or not, can come and dance, says co-owner Laura Mendoza.
“Everyone just comes and does whatever,” Mendoza continues, “It isn’t about lessons or who can spin the fasted. It’s about feeling the music in here.” The heart.
After some neighborhood salsa clubs closed, friends and loyal customers urged the family to transform the dining area of their Aztec-Mexican art themed restaurant into a salsa and cumbia club. Although the Mendozas were reluctant at first, a year and a half has passed and it still remains a success.
Predominantly for the 30-somthings, the relaxed and welcoming feel brings people from all over the city as far as Everett, Burien and Tacoma. “[It is] more quiet here then other places,” says 22 year spinning veteran DJ Edgar.
The dance floor opens Fridays at 9:30 p.m., age 21+. They play cumbia and salsa music. Every third Friday of the month is strictly salsa.
The Rock Salt http://www.rocksaltlakeunion.com/ Friday and Saturday nights may be a place where city dwellers strap on their smooth bottomed shoes and hit the dance floor.
“We get 200- 230, [or] 300 people depending on what events we have going on,” said club manager Curtis Lindal, “events that are happening for like, Valentine’s Day. We will have live bands going on.”
Located in Lake Union, The Rock Salt splits its floors into two specific parts. Upstairs tables are cleared after 9:30 p.m. from the bar’s dining area to make room for the DJs who play reggaeton, meringue and hip hop. Downstairs is strictly salsa. Open bar, 21+.
“I don’t have a difference,” said house DJ Mauro Cano, “…all the places we got nice people.”
The bouncers scattered around various areas of both dance floors and the three outside with security wands help keep the club safe and everyone having fun.
“The DJ’s very good,” says long time Rock Salt dancer Jose Martinez, “the security and the parking [makes] it very comfortable.”
Due to the current status of the economy, some clubs, such as Selena's, are seeing a decline in clientel. However, not the Rock Salt. Due to culutres seen on television, like Dancing With the Stars, more people are starting to take an interest in salsa says floor managers.
"We're starting to see more of an array of people coming in," says Lindal,"we use to get a lot of latinos, but now we're seeing more of a veriety of enthnicity."
One thing is clear- no matter where you are in Seattle, if you have that salsa itch then there is a salsa club near you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJtWyfFWfrA
One thing is clear- no matter where you are in Seattle, if you have that salsa itch then there is a salsa club near you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJtWyfFWfrA
