Taking a Salsa Lesson in London is the start of your Salsa experience.

Hi folks. Now you have thought of the considerations to make before you start a Salsa Lesson and are now raring to go.

In the UK, London is the place where Salsa is most prevalent.

There are other cities where Salsa is very visible such as Manchester and Birmingham and I predict that in a few years time, if not already, that Salsa will be in most of towns in the UK.

However London is the most vibrant place for lessons, clubs and other events on a regular basis and I will now let you know the best places to go to start taking a Salsa lesson in London.

This I consider to be one of the best places to take a Salsa Lesson in London.

These classes are run by Leon Rose, Tamambo and the SOS team and lessons are taught "On the 1". The Venue is Mary Ward House, 5 Tavistock Place, London WC1.

Leon Rose is one of Europe's and the world's premier Salsa dancers who has won many domestic and international dance contests, comes from an acting and dancing background and enjoys all aspects of dancing from choreography to teaching.

These classes are on Sundays from 6:30pm - 8pm and are for all levels. There is a club afterwards and this goes on until 11.00 pm.

Stay on for the club to practice.

If you are new to Salsa lessons do stay on for the club.

However at this club there are some of the best Salsa dancers some of them dancing "ON the 2". Some of the flashy footwork may intimidate you. Don't be. There are many people there who are at your level so stick with and dance with them.

However you may be asked to dance by a very good dancer. My advice? If you like the look of him don't refuse. Remember we all have to start somewhere and the more practice and Salsa lessons you can get the better especially if it is with experienced dancers.

Prices: £7 Class or £6 Club only.

2. -Bar Salsa-

These classes are run by Super Mario and Susanna Montero and the lessons are taught "On the 1". The Venue is Bar Salsa, 96 Charing Cross Road W1.

Super Mario is a larger than life Salsa personality of international acclaim who has taught in over 35 countries, appeared on TV, entered and placed highly in many Salsa competitions and is recognised and respected all over the world because of his dance style, teaching skills and exuberant personality.

Susan Montero is one of UK's premier dancers and teachers of Salsa lessons. She has been dancing from a very young age and has danced Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary dance, and Afro Cuban, and since 1997 Salsa of course. She has been one of Super Mario's many influences and also partner.

These classes are on Mondays from 7pm - 8pm for beginners I and advanced. Then 8pm to 9pm for beginners II, improvers and intermediates. £5 per class or £8 for 2 classes.

The club is from 9pm - 2am. It is free before 9.00 pm.

Stay on for the club. It's fantastic

If you are new to Salsa lessons in London, and if you can, stay on for the club. It has a fantastic atmosphere. Since Super Mario and Susana took it over about a year ago it has become the place to go on a Monday night.

The place is always buzzing. Dancers of all levels and an atmosphere to get your week starting with a bang. They play Salsa music of course with a splattering of Reggaeton, Merengue and the new Latin dance that has hit the UK, Bacahta.

If you like a place that buzzes, friendly people and a fantastic atmosphere you won't regret it.

3. -El Barrio Flava-

These classes are run by Jason and Amanda of Manhattan Mambo fame and the Salsa lessons are taught "On the 2". The Venue is Gymbox, 100 High Holborn (opposite Holborn Tube Station).

Jason and Amanda (who started dancing the same time as I about 10 years ago) have travelled to New York, LA, and Europe to further their dancing. They went to New York for the first time in 1997 and fell in love with New York Salsa (On 2), originally referred to as Mambo.

They have studied in Manhattan and Bronx, NY, with most of the top teachers including Nelson Flores, Eddie Torres and Frankie Martinez. As a result they have specialised in the New York style (On 2) and are presently one of the UK's top instructors being recognised by Salsa Newyork.com as an (On 2) NY Style Mambo instructor who teaches outside the NY/NJ area, giving Salsa Lessons in London.

These classes are on Wednesdays from 8:15pm - 9:15pm for beginners and intermediate, and 9:15pm - 10:15pm for advanced.

Price - £7.00 for one class.

Practice once a month on a Thursday

There is no club at this venue but they do run a once a month social, the first Thursday in every month. The venue is the The Litten Tree, 174 Old Street, London EC1 (Nearest tube Old Street). There is a class at 8:00pm - 9:00 pm and a club until 11:00 pm.

If you want to practice "On 2" seriously, this is the place to be. Good atmosphere,friendly people (you will probably dance with everyone) and lots of space.

£7.00 for one class. Club about £4.00 (Please confirm these prices).

3. -Bachata with Inaki Fernandez-

Now for something slightly different.

Most people who do Salsa at some time or other like to try out a different type of Latin dance, and one that is popular at the moment is Bachata.

Inaki Fernandez, choreographer, teacher and performer who was born in Spain, works with Leon on his 'Leon Rose Project', performed with Laith Sami's Diablo Dance Company and has performed in the UK and London 5* Salsa Congresses of 2005 is teaching this at present.

He is running occasional 3 hour Bachata workshops (the next one being on 30th April 2006 at the Dance Attic Studios, 386 North End Road, Fulham, London SW6) and also gives an hour lesson during The Prodigal club nights run by Robert and Jean White of MamboCity. Inaki the Spanish Bachata Champion mixes his Bachata class with technique and fun and I am at present doing his Bachata courses, although I wish it was more often.

So if you want to try something a bit different, check out Inaki's web site: Bachata UK .

Information for lessons in the areas shown above will be given as we develop this site. Please bear with us as we gather the relevant information.

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