Classes

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General information

Welcome to our Purple Salsa class information! All of our classes run in Wokingham on Tuesday evenings. Scroll down for our class timetable.

Venue: Emmbrook Village Hall, Emmbrook Road RG41 1JN (What 3 Words: goat.lame.tall). The entrance to the hall is right on the roundabout of Emmbrook Road/Commons Road - you can view it on the satellite view here, for clarity.

Parking: there is a small car park. If that is full, try the roads nearby (e.g. Emmbrook Road near the Emmbrook Inn, Lowther Road, Commons Road) - please park considerately, and it is your responsibility to check for any parking restrictions.

Other information:

  • Payment is on the door (card or cash) or via the ‘Book now’ buttons below (you are paying for the next upcoming session/course).
  • No partner needed.
  • Wear whatever you feel comfortable in - salsa is very relaxed!
  • Footwear - it probably goes without saying, but avoid things like flipflops that won’t stay on well! Trainers are great if you’re just starting out.
  • Bring a drink (and a snack if you want one!)
  • Do you want to get a head start, access some supportive materials, or just see what we’re all about? You can get our Salsa Library here - covering all the moves from our Foundations course, and much much more!

Join our newsletter here to be kept informed of upcoming event dates and other useful salsa stuff!

Timetable

Weekly classesCourses
7:45pm-8:30pmImprovers classFoundations course
(start dates: September, January, April)
8:30pm-8:45pmSocial dancing
8:45pm-9:30pmIntermediate class
9:30pm-10:30pmSocial dancing

Foundations course

Learn the foundations of salsa dancing in a fun and friendly environment. This six-week course will take you through all you need to know to get out on the dance floor and start salsa-ing!

Tuesday evenings, 7:45pm - 8:30pm

Next course starts: 7th January 2025

Are you new to salsa dancing?

Would you like to get a good solid foundation in the dance?

Join our next fun and friendly course for beginners in Emmbrook, Wokingham.

In 6 weeks you will learn all you need to get out on the dance floor and feel confident to lead or follow the foundational moves in cross body style salsa dance, including the four basic steps, the left and right turns, and the basic partnered patterns.

We run our foundation course three times a year, starting in September, January, and April. The first of the 6 classes in the course is a taster class - and is free if you go on to book onto the full course. This gives you a chance to try out the dance and meet us all with no pressure! So, you can either book for the full 6-week course up front (£55), or you can book the first session of the course (£10) and then if you love it (we think you will!!) and you’d like to continue on, pay for the rest of the course at that point (£45 - you’ll need a discount code so just let us know that you’re planning to book so that you don’t pay the full £55!).

Next course dates: Tuesday 7th January - Tuesday 11th February 2025 inclusive.

Class times: 7.45pm-8.30pm (plus 15 minutes of optional freestyle dance time after the class).

Prices: Taster class £10. Full course £55 (£10 discount if you have already paid for the taster class).

Pre-requisites: none.

Ready to book for the full course? You can do that here:

Book now

To book for a taster session (i.e. the first session of the course only), go here:

Book now

Weekly classes

Our weekly classes run on Tuesday nights from 7.45pm, all year round (with occasional weeks off!! If we’re taking any time off, we will let you know via the salsa newsletter, and on the Purple Salsa Facebook page, so do feel free to connect with us in either of those places.)

Weekly class times:

  • Improvers class: 7.45-8.30pm
  • Social dancing for all: 8.30-8.45pm
  • Intermediate class: 8.45-9.30pm
  • Social dancing for all: 9.30-10.30pm

Improvers

Every Tuesday evening, 7:45pm - 8:30pm

You are also welcome to join in any or all of the social dancing time on any evening that you attend class.

Pre-requisites: able to dance the basics steps, the left and right turns, the cross body lead, the cross body with an inside/outside turn, and the exchange. These can all be learnt through completion of the Foundations course, or by using the beginner level resources in the Salsa Library.

Intermediates

Every Tuesday evening, 8:45pm - 9:30pm

You are also welcome to join in any or all of the social dancing time on any evening that you attend class.

Pre-requisites: come and talk to us when you feel confident with the moves taught in the improvers class, and we can see if you’re ready for the next step into Intermediates!

You can pre-book your space for the Improvers or Intermediate class on the day of class here:

Book now

Social dancing

Every Tuesday evening, 9.30-10.30pm. (There is also a short time between the classes, from 8.30-8.45pm, which you can use for social dancing as well.)

You are welcome to just attend for the social dancing time on any of our Tuesday evening sessions. Booking for the social dancing does not include attendance at any of the classes.

Pre-requisites: none.

You can pre-book your social dancing on the day you will be attending, here:

Book now

Salsa Library

Your extensive salsa resource library, with all you need to get started or to progress in your dancing.

Please note, this offering is in pre-order, so not all resources are as yet available - but there is lots ready for you already!

This offering started life as a ‘salsa beginner’s course’ - but even before I finished creating the resources for beginners, it grew into so much more!

So it’s for you if you’re just starting out - but it’s also for those further along on the salsa path, who want reminders of the shines we teach, or technique, or some of the foundational, beginner and improver level moves…

In these short, pre-recorded sessions, you will receive a grounding in the beautiful dance of salsa, including a little of the theory - and lots and lots of practice! For questions and support throughout (and afterwards!), you would be made most welcome in our movement and dance community.

This is a highly practical and experiential course - you will need space to move, around 2-3 square metres would probably be ok, but you can do it in a really small space if needs be! It is great if you can also reach hands up above your head, but don’t worry if you’re in a low-ceilinged space and can’t do this!

Course content

  • The basic rhythm and steps of cross-body lead salsa, dancing solo
  • How to move your body as you carry out the steps
  • Recommendations of music to dance to
  • Introduction to leader/follower steps and timing (please note, you don’t need a partner for this course - this is just a bit of a bonus for those who want it!)
  • Beginner and improver level foundational moves
  • Extra footwork and bodywork to enhance your dancing
  • How to freestyle your new salsa steps and movements

Bonuses

  • Introduction to merengue
  • Introduction to bachata
  • Introduction to On 2
  • Information about social dancing and equipment

Get immediate access to all of the resources in the Library by booking here:

Book now

Party nights

Come and join us for our occasional party nights, the format of which is generally 7.45pm arrivals, before a fun class for all at 8pm! Bring some nibbles (to share if you wish!), and whatever you want to drink (we won’t get you to share that lol)!

Event details

Next date: Tuesday 17th December 2024.

£8 early bird bookings - early bird bookings close a few days before the next upcoming party date (find out more or purchase, via the ‘Book now’ button, below). £10 usual price, via the website or on the door (card or cash).

Arrivals from 7.45pm.

Fun class for all levels at 8pm.

Social dancing from 9pm to 10.45pm.

Bring any drinks that you’d like, and some nibbles to share if you want to!

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in - dress up, dress down, whatever works for you!!

Where to find us: Emmbrook Village Hall Emmbrook Road Wokingham RG41 1JN

Parking: There is some limited parking at the hall itself. Otherwise, please park considerately in the roads near the hall.

We look forward to welcoming you at our next party - if we don’t see you before that for our usual Tuesday evening sessions!!

Book now

If you have questions about any of our events or offerings, please do feel free to get in touch - we’re always happy to hear from you!