Dance instructor Nathan Hook dances with 20-year-old Alisa Hadden, a junior English major, on Tuesday during the beginning salsa class held at Wesley Chapel. Hook has been teaching salsa dancing for Ritmos Latinos for 3 years. (CU Independent/Sara Fossum)
The beginning of class started with five couples swinging each other around in the middle of a circle. Shouting things like �Guapea� and �Guarrachea,� names for different salsa steps, the group stomped their feet and strategically switched partners.
�Ritmos Latinos,� Spanish for �Latin rhythm,� is the name of CU�s salsa club, which began in 2006 with goals of bringing together the community in a fun and friendly atmosphere, according to their Web site.
Meetings for Ritmos Latinos are every Tuesday night at Wesley Chapel, and Sundays at the Lower Carlson Gym.
Ritmos Latinos does a style of salsa called �Rueda De Casino.��During this type of salsa, dancers frequently switch partners while moving in a circular motion. Although it might seem complicated at first, instructor Nathan Hook goes through each step slowly, giving first time salsa dancers a chance to improve.
Maria Diment, a 20-year-old junior English major, said she learned about the group from a friend.
�I had never done salsa before, but did ballet for about five years,� Diment said. �The instructors were very welcoming. They made it really fun.�
Kara Gordon, a 19-year-old sophomore and anthropology major, is also the president of Ritmos Latinos.
Gordon said she started dancing with the club last year after her roommate invited her and she hasn�t stopped going since.
�Salsa music has got bounce, because of the beat of the music it can get really sexy if you want it to,� Gordon said.
For some students, salsa dancing has become a great way to meet new people in a welcoming environment.
Alyssa Wiener, a 19-year-old sophomore and biochemistry major, said she has been dancing with the club for two semesters.
Wiener said the dance itself is fun, and joining the club is a great way to meet people.
�I wouldn�t worry if you don�t have a partner, and if you mess up its fine, the people are very helpful,� Wiener said. �People just want to dance!�
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Amanda Dovel at Amanda.dovel@colorado.edu
