Time for some serious Salsa

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.”

Comment on this story in the Features forum >>