~by Dena Burroughs

NON-FATTENING SALSA

“A gozar, a gozar, que le pongan Salsa!” – song lyrics by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

   Just like the salsa that you can eat with chips, the Salsa that you can dance to is a mixture of elements - African beats combined with European influences and native sounds of Cuba and Puerto Rico that traveled to the US mainland to further mix with jazz.  The amalgam became an explosive new rhythm that in the ‘70s was labeled “Salsa.”

   Like its own composition Salsa has the power to create a mosaic on the dance floor.  The CSULA Salsa Club is a living proof of it, with its 30 plus members of different colors, cultures, and backgrounds, who gather every Tuesday and Thursday to learn a few new dance steps and practice the ones they know.

   Alex De La Torre, a transfer from PCC - where he also taught Salsa dancing - heads the current CSULA Salsa Club.   This is the third quarter De La Torre has been working with the Club, which needed revamping after its last instructor graduated.   Of Mexican ancestry, the Rosemead born dancer is outgoing, funny, patient, yet clearly tells each student what he or she needs to work on to get better.  “The best thing is to teach someone who knows nothing about dancing and then see his or her progress,” says De La Torre, “It’s a great feeling.”

   While several attendees are regulars, the club welcomes new faces weekly, and because partners rotate throughout the class, it is not necessary to come along accompanied.  At the start of class, everyone lines up to follow the instructor’s steps.  By the end of class, everyone is sweating from exercise and laughing either at their own bloopers or with the excitement of having gone through the routine successfully. 

   Anyone can join the Club, whether attending CSULA or not.  There is a $30 fee per quarter, which translates into two weekly classes for two and a half months, to cover for the needs of the Club – i.e. mp3s, computer cables, and a party at the end of the quarter.  Those interested can contact De La Torre at abluntman123@hotmail.com

   Poet William Buttler Yeats wrote, “And the merry love the fiddle / And the merry love to dance.”  For those of you out there, whose souls are merry, here’s one more chance to Salsa! 

CSULA Salsa Club

Physical Ed Building 128

Tuesday and Thursday 7 pm to 9 pm

[Note:  This article was originally written for the University Times - CSULA newspaper]