One of the best deals for learning salsa in Evanston!
Salsa Dance on Tuesdays
Group Lessons in Salsa Technique
Looking for our newSalsa Open-Floor Social on Friday evenings? Go here.
One of our most popular adult dance class offerings at Robert Crown Community Center, Salsa Dance introduces students to the fundamentals of salsa technique in the "on-1" style, with a primary focus on Cuban salsa supplemented by aspects of salsa caleña — the world-famous style of Cali, Colombia.
This class focuses on teaching students the foundations for salsa steps and partnering and provides time at the end of each class meeting for open practice, where we let the music play giving students a chance to practice class material uninterrupted with a partner.
This class provides a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for those who are new to salsa or to partner dancing generally.
Signing up with a dance partner is strongly suggested for students interested in focusing on one partner role, particularly the follower role. Solo students are also welcome, of course, though please keep in mind that solo registrants may need to flex between leader and follower roles depending on attendance and the number of other solo dancers in the class.
Each multi-week session takes a particular technical and movement focus that is broken up across the session. This focus is selected based on each specific group of students for a given session such that beginning students receive the foundations they need while intermediate-level and returning students are able to continue to grow from session to session.
We do not currenty offer drop-in classes for this class.
Salsa Dance Class Structure
The Tuesday night Salsa Dance class begins with a five- to six-minute set group warm-up where we practice the three most fundamental steps of salsa dance — the basic step (el paso básico), the side step (el paso lateral), and the cumbia step.
After warm-up, we typically work on shines, which are individually performed steps for used when dancing solo and during improvisation. Shines also gives us a chance to work as a class on aspects of salsa rhythm and movement styling, footwork, and upper/lower body coordination.
The last portion of class is reserved for partner work, which is one of the main focuses of the class. Here we focus on turns, set movement patterns (figuras), spacing, timing, and using our hands and arm positioning to communicate with our partner.
Who is Salsa Dance Designed for?
This is an adult dance class for ages 18 and up. The class is paced for those who are new to salsa or who are practicing the foundations of partner work.
Prior salsa or dance experience is not required. It is quite common for our classes to include a roughly equal mix of those with no salsa background, those who have some familiarity through informal and community learning, and those with experience at the beginning to intermediate skill level. Class lessons are designed to provide the foundations to beginners while also providing added challenge suited to dancers who are already familiar with the basics.
Whether you have some prior salsa experience and are starting from the absolute beginning, this class provides students with a strong foundation in rhythm, step patterns, shines (individual moves), partnering, and turns in a fun and friendly learning environment.
What If I Already Know the Basics?
Intermediate to advanced salsa dancers are encouraged to consider my newSalsa Open-Floor Social class on Friday evenings, which is a more flexibly structured evening of salsa dance designed to give those of all experience levels a chance to dance the night away at their own pace.
New Class Option on Fridays: Salsa Open-Floor Social!
Salsa Open-Floor Social is a hybrid model of a "night out" event with the benefits of structured learning in a studio environment. This hybrid approach includes:
a flexible come-when-you-like approach starting at 6:30 until we finish at 8:30 p.m.
extended time for dancing — as much as you like up to 2 full hours!
an entirely optional "off to the side" lesson for those who are looking for added technical training or to expand their move set
professional instructor support where needed and by request — so when a figura or shine is not working out like it should, you can have your questions answered on the spot y ya!
Salsa Open-Floor Social is it's own separate class and requires its own registration apart from our Tuesday night class in order to participate. So, sign up for one class or both, whether that's Salsa Dance on Tuesdays and/or Salsa Open-Floor Social on Fridays.
Which Class Is Right for Me?
Comparing Tuesday and Friday Class Offerings
Salsa Dance is a technical class on Tuesdays that focuses on structured, instructor-led lessons with a warm-up, group instruction on steps, partnering, rhythm, and style, and guided practice time for dancing and working at your own pace on the day's lesson material ...
... or ...
Salsa Open-Floor Social, which has a looser structure, no required arrive-by time to participate, and is primarily geared toward giving you time to practice at your own pace or to just dance through the evening to salsa rhythms. Of course, beginners and those looking to grow their salsa skills can also benefit from the entirely optional "off-to-the-side" breakout-group lesson taught by the instructor starting at 6:30 p.m. when the studio door opens (this lesson usually runs for about 35–40 minutes).
Class Length, Location, & Schedule
Salsa Dance on Tuesdays meets once weekly for one hour and ten minutes from 6:30 to 7:40 p.m. in the dance studio located on the second floor of the Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston, Illinois.
Salsa Open-Floor Social on Fridays takes place once weekly over the course of a four-week session with the studio door opening at 6:30 p.m. and the last dance wrapping up at 8:30 p.m. Arrive and leave when you like at any point during this time or stay for the full two hours — it's entirely up to you —, though please note that the optional breakout-group lesson is only available for those who want to join from 6:30 p.m. until it finishes at around 7 to 7:10 p.m.
Session Schedule & Seasonal Calendar
Dance classes are offered by session and meet once a week over the course of that session, excluding holidays or other days off. When you sign up, you register for your choice of one or more sessions, which typically run for a four- to eight-week period with set start and end dates.
Clothing should be comfortable and non-obstructive.
Accessibility & Inclusivity
The City of Evanston is committed to promoting a city-wide culture of accessibility and inclusivity. To request an accomodation for a program, service, or activity, please call 847-866-2919 to make an ADA service request or fill out a request form online at evanstonil.qscend.com/311.
Class Registration
Registration for either Salsa Dance or for Salsa Open-Floor Social is available through the City of Evanston Parks & Recreation online system:
Salsa lessons with a one-of-a-kind view overlooking a Robert Crown Community Center ice rink!
Salsa Class Resources
What is Salsa Dance?
Salsa is a rhythmic partner dance form that originated in Cuba alongside the musical form that bears the same name. Salsa both as a style of music and dance finds its roots in the confluence of African and European music and dance traditions. Inspired by the rhythms of Afro-Cuban rumba and son, Cuban dancers merged Africanist polyrhythms, angularity, and virtuosic improvisation with Europeanist partner dancing to create a new dance form that became a global twentieth-century sensation.
Why is it called "Salsa"?
In addition to referring to a genre of music and dance, the word "salsa" in Spanish carries several meanings. Perhaps the most well-known definition is a an edible mix of foods dissolved into a liquid form for use as a condiment. From this literal meaning comes the metaphorical definition of "salsa" as something that enlivens or brings joy. The musical and dance forms of salsa certainly carry this meaning of liveliness in their very fiber and help to explain how salsa dance became a global sensation in the twentieth century.
