While 2021 posed the same challenges as its predecessor due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it did have one notable positive: The Salsa Club opened its doors in November. Since then, evenings spent dancing salsa, bachata, and cha cha have become norms in once-empty calendars.
Despite the late opening and, therefore, short dancing season much ground has been covered on the road to full dance fitness. The longer classes offer more instruction time and extended dancing opportunities which provide a wonderful challenge to dance muscles that have long been in slumber. The ample studio space, too, with its smooth floor, comfortable seating, and wide mirrors have helped to create a special atmosphere in which anything rhythmic feels possible.
It truly does feel good to be dancing once more.
For 2022, another year cloaked with a measure of uncertainty, The Salsa Club’s resolutions remain focused and humble.
- To dance. Longer.
- To dance. More often.
- To dance. Without fear.
- To dance. And create community will doing so.
- To dance. And discover more music and artists.
- To dance. Just because.
To make resolutions, though, is one thing. To keep them is another. But the journey of a thousand dances begins with a single step or song. So we are stepping into 2022 with some tunes that will, hopefully, keep us in step with all that we hope for from this new year. Featuring the likes of Tania Metus, El Timba, PALO!, Timbalive, Jerry Rivera, here are some salsa songs to warm up the dance floor and set the tempo for the year that is to come.
Dahlia—Tania Metus
Linda Mujer—El Timba featuring Fabio Gianni
Al Monte—PALO!
Duplicándote La Dosis—Timbalive featuring Roberton Van Van
Tu No Bailas Mas Que Yo—Jerry Rivera & Don Omar
No party would be complete without some bachata, and this offering of Debi Nova, DJ Khalid, C. Tangana, Leslie Grace, and Prince Royce should add some spice to any party.
Quédate—Debi Nova featuring Pedro Capó
Somebody (Bachata Remix)—DJ Khalid & Mr Don (Justin Bieber Cover)
Ateo—C. Tangana featuring Nathy Peluso
Bachatica—Leslie Grace
Lao’ A Lao’—Prince Royce
If one has some salsa and bachata, then one might as well add some choices cha cha tunes from Africando, Cubismo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Christina Aguilera, and Major.
Mathiaky—Africando
Morenita—Cubismo
Compositor Confundido—Ibrahim Ferrer
Pas Mi Muchachas—Christina Aguilera, Becky G, Nathy Natasha & Nicki Nicole
Love Me Olé—Major featuring Kas
And, of course, to complete the dance fest’s aural complement, some rhythms from around the world featuring the likes of Conkarah, Jidenna, Jeremy Loops, Mafikizolo, Yerba Buena, Tekno, and Yemi Alade.
Papaya—Conkarah
Little Bit More—Jidenna
Don’t Jealous Me—Tekno, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi & Lord Afrixana
Guajira—Yerba Buena
This Town—Jeremy Loops featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Mamezala—Mafikizolo featuring Simny
The Salsa Club might have had a late start in 2021, but here is to good music and always looking forward to the next dance in 2022.
Always.