My friend is taking bachata lessons in NY and invited me to come, there were having a social that night so I went along. We rounded up the posse and made one of our numerous journeys across the river. It’s a fun little adventure; we left around 5 p.m. and had our pow wow during the drive.
We’ll usually share salsa stories about the week and give some constructive criticism about certain things. I must admit some of the guys don’t always take it well but it only helps us to be better.
After class we took a short drive to the social and unfortunately we got lost again. Next week I’m going to record our adventure, it’s usually hilarious especially when we lay out the driver or the GPS guy who keeps getting the directions mixed up.
It wasn’t the biggest place but there were people there having fun, perhaps 125 dancers. It was good to see people dancing at first but as I walked deeper to the back of the room a horror started to creep up on me.
Nearing the back to my dismay, there were around 15 guys lying back against the wall. Oh no, not one of these episodes. I looked around the room again and realized there were hardly any girls. I told my friend Mr. Nice Guy, “You said it was awesome last time and filled with girls who wanted to dance bachata.”
He told me the night was still young and it should be filling up soon. Well, maybe I jumped the gun to soon because slowly but surely the ladies started coming in.
It started at 9 p.m. and by 9:45 the place was jumping. I just started dancing with everyone I saw and since I’m single now, I scoped out the room for a special someone.
People of all ages attended. I usually don’t notice kids at socials but this one was filled with them. A lot of teenagers spinning, turning, laughing and joking. There were also mothers with their younger kids.
Some moms were sitting with their daughters observing the dancing and just enjoying the moment. Also, one thing about a social, they’re a sound environment and wholesome. A lot more than many clubs.
The kids were polite and were enthusiastic to dance and learn but most of all, they were just having fun on a Saturday night with the adults present.
I told Nice Guy, the place seems like a community center for the locals. Many people knew each other because they went to the same dance school. Everyone was having a good time and was taking every opportune moment to dance with a partner.
I sat down for a moment and was checking out a girl, I mean I was observing the interaction of this dance community and saw the warmth. The young girls were very hospitable and were accepting the invitation for a dance from almost every gentleman who asked.
It made me realize more how dancing could be used as a social gathering not only in night clubs but for community events. It brings people together of a common interest, to enjoy and celebrate life.
This dance studio is professionally run so to create such an environment takes work. Looking at their flyers, they have classes for kids, teens and adults. All types of Latin dancing and they promote different types of dancing events and socials.
I see why they have many youngsters, family and friends socializing in a dance school on a Saturday night. While I took a break and sat down, I observed a kid around 13 years old ask a lady to dance and she obliged. Her eyes opened widely when he asked and she but a little hesitantly at first and shared one dance with him.
I took note and took her for a dance too. We shared several dances together and hit it off good, I think. Before the night was over, you know I had to try and get those digits.
It was a good night and a learning experience also. A night could never be so bad when you get the phone number of a lovely lady.
I just hope when I call, the receiver at the other end doesn’t say, “Pizza Hut, what’s your order?”