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CommunityShakin’ it up
Saludos Spanish Club gives the community some moves and grooves
Friday, Dec. 7, 2007
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff Photos by Stacy Sneed
House of Dance instructors teach the class offered by the College of Southern Maryland’s Saludos Spanish Club in La Plata. Jonathan Tejeda, left, and Sneyder Muñoz teach salsa steps to the males in the class.
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The group of nearly 30 attendees was treated to lessons last week from House of Dance owner Donna Jordan and her instructors, who gave one-on-one lessons to students, helping them get into the groove and feel of Latin music.
‘‘There aren’t too many things going on in the area and people like to dance — everyone likes to dance,” said Sonia Fernandez, the CSM club adviser. ‘‘People like the salsa dancing. It is something that brings people together. It brings the communitytogether.”
Fernandez who is from the Vasque region of Spain, said this is only the second time the club has had salsa lessons; last semester the club had a salsa class from another instructor. However, she had her dancing shoes on and a partner in hand ready to learn more.
‘‘I don’t salsa. But having a partner is completely different from trying the dance solo. The woman has some steps and the man has some steps — each one can learn their separate steps. This dance is for a woman and a man,” she said.
Well, thanks to Jordan and her staff of two males and one female, no one had to stand against the wall. Everyone was able to have a partner to help gain the extra flavor that was needed to shake it up in the class.
Linda and Bob Miller of Lexington Park definitely were ready to groove during last Friday’s class.
‘‘My husband and I love to dance. We learned a lot — the crossover, salsa Suzy-Q — a little flirtation move,” Linda Miller said.
But the Millers are used to boogeying, with dances such as the fox trot, rumba, swing, hustle, tango and merengue already under their belts. As a matter of fact, Linda Miller said that’s how she lost 60 pounds — with dancing.
‘‘It’s just so much fun. We love the Latin spirit and fun,” Miller continued. ‘‘And [dancing] is what I love to do to keep [the weight] off.”
Jordan, whose shop is in Hollywood, said salsa is quite a workout, as she saw some students taking breaks to wipe the sweat from their faces and to catch their breath.
‘‘Salsa is very freeing and exciting. It depends on openness and freedom. It’s something for all different ages. It’s quality dancing that’s fun,” she said. ‘‘For some of the students, it may be their first time they have to work with someone else’s energy.
‘‘We can take anyone and show them how to dance. Look at what we taught in an hour,” she added.
As the students danced hand-in-hand with bodies close together, spinning and twirling, it wasn’t difficult to see the room heating up.
Jonathan Tejeda, one of the instructors, partnered with a few of the female students in class to demonstrate the moves to everyone. As he moved his body, many of the students were mesmerized by his techniques and his enthusiasm for the dance.
‘‘It’s about the opportunity to have fun. People see shows like ‘‘Dancing With the Stars” and nine times out of 10, they enjoy it when they do it themselves,” Jordan said. ‘‘They get together and interact with the community. It’s good to have diversity and this is a beautiful way to show diversity with the culture, music, dancing and language.
‘‘Everyone needs a release to have fun. It constantly refreshes you. People must have an outlet to distress.”
With students already persistent about another class, Fernandez said she’s definitely considering the option. As of right now, she hopes to plan something around Valentine’s Day.
Student Carlos Torres of Lexington Park said, ‘‘I do salsa often, already for a couple of years. It’s just fun and you get to interact with people. I like the creativity to come up with different moves. You become addicted when you try it.”
E-mail Stacy Sneed at ssneed@somdnews.com.
