Frequently asked questions

When do the classes run?

Our regular classes run on Tuesday evenings, from 7.45-10.30pm. Our Foundations course runs three times a year (start dates in Sept, Jan and April), on Tuesdays at 8.45pm. Weekly on Tuesdays, we run an Improvers class (7.45pm) and an Intermediate class (8.45pm). From January, Intermediates will be at 7.45pm and Improvers at 8.45pm. Other event day/times will vary and will be listed on the website on the Classes page.

Where can I find you?

Our Tuesday night classes run at 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.

Is there parking for the hall?

There is a small car park at the hall itself. 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.

I’ve never done salsa before – how do I get started?

Our 6-week Foundations course –> is a brilliant way to get started with salsa - we start a new round every few months, and teach all you will need to get started with this amazing dance. The Foundations course runs 8.45-9.30pm on Tuesday evenings (upcoming start dates in Sept ‘24, and Jan/April ‘25).

I’d like to try out a single class before committing to a full course - can I do that?

Yes! Book on a Taster class (which is also the first week of the Foundations course), and then if you love it, just pay for the rest of the beginner’s course and you’re in!

I can’t make the next course - is there another way to learn the foundations?

There are a couple of other things you can do if you can’t make the next Foundations course. You can access an incredible range of resources, from beginner level onwards, in our Salsa Library - work through those, and you’ll be ready to join us before you know it! The second way you can get up to speed is to set up some private lessons to get you started - get in touch to find out more about private lessons.

What if I miss a session of the Foundations course - will I get left behind?!

Absolutely not! We go over everything a number of times, and we’ll catch you up at the next class. You’ll be fine!

What happens after I’ve done the Foundations course?

Once you’ve finished the Foundations course, you will be made very welcome in the Improvers class, which also runs from 7.45-8.30pm (from January, this will run at 8.45pm). If you still feel you need some more practice, you can use the class videos that you’ve taken each week, get hold of our Salsa Library and work through some of the resources in there to get a bit more confident in the steps, or contact us to arrange some private lessons.

I’ve done some salsa before – which class is best for me to join?

It depends. We teach cross body style salsa - so if you’ve learnt salsa in the Cuban tradition, you may wish to experience cross body style as a beginner before moving on to the Improvers class. Although the basic rhythm in the two styles is the same, there are significant differences in the moves, as well as in the lead and the follow. Our Foundations course runs every few months on Tuesday evenings, and starts at 8.45pm.

If you’re familiar with the cross body style basic steps, left and right turns, the cross body lead itself, and the cross body with inside/outside turns, you are likely to be ready for the Improvers class on a Tuesday evening. We don’t teach those pre-requisite moves from scratch in Improvers, so you do need to know them before joining that class. Our Improvers class starts at 7.45pm (from January, improvers will start at 8.45pm).

If you’ve done salsa for a while but fancy learning the other part (so if you’re a follower but want to learn to lead, or vice versa), it’s best to start right from scratch in Foundations!

You are very welcome to get in touch if you’re unsure of the best place for you to start, and we will figure it out together.

Do I pay in advance, or on the door?

We have a number of payment options, and you can either pay in advance or on the door. You can: - Pay by cash on the door (for Taster classes, the Foundations course, Improvers/Intermediate classes, social dancing, or party nights). - Book on the day for that evening’s class if you’re attending Improvers or Intermediates. - Book on the day for the social dancing that evening. - Book in advance for the Foundations course or for a Taster class. - Book in advance for our party nights

Can I come just for the social dancing?

Yes, you’d be most welcome. Social dancing starts at 9.30pm after the Intermediate class, and costs £5/person. You can pay on the door, or book in advance for that evening’s session if you prefer.

I’d love to be able to practise some of the moves at home - what do you recommend?

Our recorded Salsa Library is perfect for practising your salsa at home, or just checking in on that one move that you kind of sort of maybe got the hang of but want to double check before next week!! It has a huge number of the shines (individual footwork) that we dance, as we well as the footwork for basic partnered steps, and some lead/follow partner work as well.

Do I need a partner for the classes?

No, you don’t need a partner to join our classes. We switch around partners throughout the classes, as well as encouraging people to dance with a variety of people in the social dancing after the classes, so it’s fine to come on your own or with friends - you’ll be made most welcome.

What should I wear?

You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in and can dance in. Some people like to dress up a bit, others not so much - it’s all welcome! Salsa is quite relaxed. You do get quite warm dancing salsa, so some removeable layers is not a bad idea!

What footwear is best?

In terms of footwear, just make sure it’s something comfortable that won’t slip off. Trainers are fine to start with, for example. Once you get going, you’ll probably want some shoes with a slippy sole - but at first you don’t need anything like that, so whatever you have is fine. We also have some ‘Dance Socks’ for sale on the door - which you can wear over your shoes to make them more slippy! It’s our way of offering you a low-cost option to make your turns easier, without you having to invest (yet!!) in dance shoes!

Where can I get some dance shoes?!

There are lots of online dance shoe shops. I tend to look for ones where I can return items for free, as of course often you need to try a few times to find shoes that fit! For information, this is one I’ve used in the past and been happy with - of course it is your responsibility to choose the online shop that suits you! In terms of shoe choices, you might want to go with heels, or more formal dance shoes - or you might enjoy some simple, slippy-soled shoes like my jazz shoes, which I love for comfort and spin-ability!

If you have a local shop of course, that’s even better because you can try a range of shoes on right there and then - not to mention you might be supporting a local small business.

Is there anything else I should bring?

We definitely recommend bringing a drink. Water is available and we have a few soft drinks for sale in case anyone wants them as well.

Is there a way to hear about upcoming classes and events?

Join our newsletter here to be kept informed of upcoming event dates and other useful salsa stuff! You can also follow us on Facebook, where we post about what’s coming up.

Can you help me find some salsa tracks to play at home?

Sure! You can find lots of great tracks on our Spotify Purple Salsa playlist.

Got more salsa questions? Just get in touch to ask.