Oozing with sensuous style, the passion and energy flowing about the dance floor as salsa dancers take to the scene is so contagious that you may certainly long to feel the liveliness they emit.
Salsa is often a partner dance that usually moves to the beat of salsa music, but also has performance merit in its own right.
Derived from the Spanish word for "sauce," the dance is aptly named for the flavor or "spicy" technique it centers upon. With room for both partners to strut their stuff, this method of dance is becoming increasingly popular throughout dance institutions and afternoon school programs across the United States.
Well, The Boys' Club of New York has become no stranger to this "craze" and understanding the importance of bringing new and exciting programs, the 1st ever Salsa class started for a ten week session for our Gerry intermediates on Thursday, April 7th.
This dance also carries a "social aspect" and "social etiquette" component for teens to develop and accomplish. This is one of the main goals of the BCNY "Salsa Class". By offering this class to local female teens from Cristo Rey High School, who utilize our gym for their physical education classes during the days, this is an opportunity for our boys to learn to socialize and interact with young ladies.
The art of Salsa, while a passionate dance, carries the elements of "respect" and "civility", especially towards your dance partner. While the program is entertaining, for obvious reasons, it allows the boys the opportunity to interact in a non competitive environment. It allows the young men to develop their social skills as they speak and interact with young ladies. The effect is mutual, especially at a time when these skills are in development.
The class is taught by BCNY alumnus Joseph Rivera. Joseph attended the Harriman Clubhouse and was part of the Education Program, directed by Charlie Sikoryak at that time. to attend and the Cardigan Mountain School in NH and then the Hotchkiss School in CT. He went on to study at Georgetown University, DC. Since then he is working as a web designer and is a co-founder, lead dancer, and choreographer for Baila Society Dance Company (www.bailasociety.com). This company offers classes to all ages and performs professionally all over the USA and internationally.
The classes at BCNY, during the first several weeks, have been exciting and well received. Upon the culmination of the classes in ten weeks there will be a student performance for the BCNY community.
