Time for some serious Salsa
Joseph Vasquez /
The Collegian
Instructors Juan Pablo
Moncayo and Belinda Lozano demonstrate numerous dance moves students
can learn throughout the year at the Fresno State Salsa Club held
most Friday evenings. |
By Kristen Hoverman
The Collegian
Every Friday night at 7, Fresno
State campus comes alive with music and dance.
This is not your typical Havana Night. At Fresno State you can learn to
Salsa and eat it too. Salsa lovers of all ages gather to share their love
of salsa dancing and spice up the Fresno nightlife.
The club members started passing out flyers and posting flyers around
town in April 2003.
“I just thought it looked fun,” said Bryan Monken, coordinator
of the Salsa Club. “When I started it was just one classroom and
now we have three.”
“It’s grown tremendously,” said Belinda Lozano, former
president and instructor. “Last week we had more than 70 people
here.”
For a $5 cover charge anyone who is interested can learn and practice
Salsa dance. Memberships are also available for $35. Members get two free
dance lessons and discounts at salsa clubs around town including King
Tut’s, Starline and Club Havana.
“A typical Salsa lesson in the Valley costs $10-$40,” Salsa
instructor and Associated Students Executive Vice President Juan Pablo
Moncayo said. “Five bucks is such a bargain.”
The Salsa Club is accepting donations to the Hurricane Relief Project.
For five cans of food or five articles of clothing, dancers will get $2
off the cover charge.
The Fresno State Salsa Club meets in the Peters Business Building in rooms
11, 12, and 13 on the ground floor by the fountain. From 7-8 p.m. six
instructors offer lessons for beginning, beyond beginning and beginning
intermediate West Coast Salsa dance.
“There are two instructors in each room,” Moncayo said. “They
charge half of what they normal charge.”
During the lesson, dance students are given the basics. The instructors
break it down step by step from the feet to the upper body.
“Ladies are looking for someone who can be creative on the spot,”
Moncayo said. “Don’t hurt her shoulder, you won’t get
her phone number.”
During breaks dancers are encouraged to get water and snacks from the
free snack table provided by the club and from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. dancers
of all levels merge for social dancing in room 11.
“It’s a friendly dance,” Moncayo said. “You can
dance it with pretty much anybody.”
“Salsa Club is one of the best things in my life,” said Jonathan
Mendoza, a rotating instructor and assistant for the club. “Once
I joined I was hooked on it. We just practice and have a good time.”
At the end of the year the Salsa Club has auditions for the performance
team. All dancers are encouraged to try out. Last year more than 50 people
auditioned.
The performance team performs every year during Vintage Days at the Satellite
Student Union.
“We maxed out our capacity at the Satellite last year,” Lozano
said. “Hopefully this year it will be even bigger.”
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