I’vd danced across the world.  I have had magical dances, ok dances, and wishing the song would end dances.  I’ve been in dance venues from fantastic to those that felt like saunas.  But its always been exciting to get dressed up, walk in to the venue, hear the music, see my dancing friends and well just dance!   Looking back, over the years I am most thankful that I had teachers who taught me not just the movement of the dance but the spirit of the dance.

So what is spirit of the dance?  To me it’s having:  fun, smiling, providing a safe space, appreciation, connection, acknowledgement, expression, musicality, asking someone politely to dance, if someone says no to dancing being polite, saying thank you after dancing, a 3 minute escape from reality, leading, following, friendship,  community,  performances, saying sorry if you step on someone’s foot and if possible getting them some ice, getting to know people over time,  offering to buy a thirsty dance friend a bottle of water, saying thank you to the staff and DJ, leaving promptly at the end of the dance, and of course late night eats after.

What’s not the spirit of the dance?  It’s: scolding  someone about their dance steps, no eye contact, saying no when asked to dance, arm gymnastics, ignoring the person you are dancing with, being hard on someone’s shoulder or arm, believing that the steps or pattern of the dance are more important than the person you are dancing with, being drunk, bad hygiene,  being clicky, abruptly walking away in the middle or at the end of the dance, and believing that one style of dancing is better than another.

What is a good place to dance?  Venues that provide:  great music, good service, see the dancers as customers, provide a good dance floor, proper temperature and ventilation,  adequate selection of non-alcoholic drinks, not allowing venue to become overcrowded, asking people who are drinking to not stand on the dance floor, staff that saying thank you for being here, DJ taking requests, performances, and birthday dances.  

Got to go its Bachata Dancing tonight!  SGO.

What are your thoughts? Email me at info@salsageorge.com 

Fashion is what is new, what’s trendy, and what’s hot and what’s not.   Fashion provides new ideas, fantastic and wow you’ve got to be kidding!  Now I’m all for Fashion, come on – I’m SalsaGeorge,  but lost in the transition from the store (or internet) rack is what is right for you. 

This is what I call creating your own sense of style.  Style can be defined by your age, job, residence, budget, religion, ethnicity, where you plan to hang out, or what’s not to wrinkly in your closet. I think the most important part of style is in the process of you deciding what is right for the situation you are preparing to enter,  be it interviewing, working, networking, playing, dating or just hanging out with friends.

So how do you determine what is right for you?  First define the situation you are preparing for and what you want to achieve.  In that situation, do you want to be noticed, appreciated, or ignored?  Second, what level of impact do you want to achieve bold, subtle, or none.  For example, SalsaGeorge style is about bold, bam, slam, and dam! We could call this the noticed / bold style.  Achieving this style for me starts by thinking about what I want to accomplish or listening to music that reflects where I will be going and then letting the force help guide what I will wear that night.  Sometimes its direct to fashion (exactly what I bought from the store) other times is mixing what works.  This can be based upon color, textures, or just what looks good together.  Other times, when I’m chilling or going to work, I will start with my basics (slacks/shirt for work or jeans/comfortable shirt for hanging with friends) and add in something unique: a cool belt, unique shoes, awesome watch, or nice cologne (if appropriate, not to strong).

Having said that what are the styles to avoid?  SalsaGeorge’s stop it right now list, includes the following: Cel phones hanging from belts, bad breath, un-fresh or wrinkly clothing, scuffy shoes, black socks when wearing shorts, and being un-groomed.  What works for you?  Now that all depends on what you want to accomplish.  SGO! I’ve got a hot date with the girls at the Salsa Club.

Drop me an email with your story at info@salsageorge.com 

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