WE RUN OUR CLASSES IN A MONTH LONG SERIES PROGRAM.
DROP INS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME…
however, the later in the term you drop in, the more advanced the class.
Masks optional but encouraged
No partner required. We will be rotating partners in class for those who choose to, but it is not mandatory to do so.
If you would like to book a private individual, couple, or small group lesson, call or text 503.708.2167
SALSA 1: PARTNERING for BEGINNERS
Beginning
Instructor: Sarah
Mondays 6:30p no class 5/27
Let's dance Salsa! In this class we will learn safe, fun, and comfortable turns that are relaxed, balanced, and beautiful. Cuban and Cumbia inspired moves that Salsa has usurped, and variations on Salsa's most versatile move, the Cross-body-lead.
This is social Salsa, not performance style. We will discuss grip, timing, flow, musicality, how to change your technique based on who you are dancing with, dance floor etiquette, and economy of movement.
This. Class. Is. Fun.
april sign up:
4/1 , 4/8 , 4/15 , 4/22 , 4/29
MAY SIGN UP:
5/6 , 5/13 , 5/20
SALSA 2: Combos + Styling
beg/int
Instructor: Sarah
Mondays 7:30p no class 5/27
Having established a foundation for Salsa in our Salsa 1 introduction class (or Salsa Quickstart workshop), students will now start to build more on their lead & follow skills while focusing on beginning variations of moves that spin, travel, and groove. Two fundamental moves that go beyond basics in Salsa are open-break variations and cross-body-lead variations. Warm-ups become more intricate and follows are given more styling details than in level 1. Prerequisite: Salsa 1 or comfort with basic steps and a simple turn. Salsa 2 should be repeated before moving on to Salsa 3.
april sign up:
4/1 , 4/8 , 4/15 , 4/22 , 4/29
MAY SIGN UP:
5/6 , 5/13 , 5/20
SALSA 3: Complex Patterns + Footwork
int/adv
Instructor: Sarah
Mondays 8:30-10:00p no class 5/27
*now a 90 minute class! Note the price change ;)
$22 per person or $80 4-class pass
At this level, students will learn to use, and embellish, the cross-body-lead as a transition between new, more dynamic moves! In Salsa 3 we start to break the rules learned in Salsa 1 and 2, encouraging students to be creative while understanding why moves work, rather than just learning a set pattern that an instructor is demonstrating. Students will also learn ways to incorporate more styling and musicality to their dancing at this level - allowing you inject your own personal style.We will start each class with footwork combos and warms ups designed to strengthen your agility, musicality, balance, and improvisation skills.
Pre-requisite: Mastery of Salsa 2 or equivalent level of experience. Salsa 3 is meant to be repeated at least three times as content changes month to month.
april sign up:
4/1 , 4/8 , 4/15 , 4/22 , 4/29
MAY SIGN UP:
5/6 , 5/13 , 5/20
SALSA SUELTA ROUTINES
intermediate
instructor: Jennie
Sundays 12:00-1:30p
$22 per person or $80 4-class pass
Salsa Suelta is an Afro-Cuban Salsa class that is done without partners, and is a full body experience. The dance language of Suelta pulls from Reggaeton, Casino, Santeria, traditional Afro-Cuban dances, and heart. Get warmed up, wake up your heart, mind, hips, ribs, shoulders, feet and everything in between.
This class is suitable for beyond beginning and intermediate dancers. The focus changes weekly, and is centered around short choreographed routines.
Dress to sweat in clothes that promote movement. Sneakers are best for this class.
april sign up:
3/31 , 4/7 , 4/14 , 4/21 , 4/28
may sign up:
5/5 , 5/12 , 5/19 , 5/26
sALSA SOCIAL
4/28 SUN 3:00-6:00p
w/ Sarah
$10
Every month join Sarah for a Latin dance social that is equal parts socializing, open dancing/practice, mini-workshops in Salsa, Cha Cha, and Bachata, and DJed music of all 3 genres. This is an ALL AGES event. A brunch hour social with coffee and donuts for in contrast to the late-nights that is common in the Salsa scene. In the casual light of day you still get to dance your face off, but also learn, get some feedback, and hang out with your dance family!
Pay online in advance, or cash in person!
Pay Online
cross-body lead variations: Salsa
Beginning/Intermediate
Instructor: Sarah
4/28 SUN 1:30-3:00p
$30
In Salsa, like any other dance, you start with basic steps. But, as any new Salsa dancer has noticed, those basic become few and far between once you learn the Cross-Body Lead. For intermediate dancers, the CBL *is* your basic step! What''s so great about this move is that there are endless variations on the fundamental CBL, and that's what this class is all about. How to use a basic CBL as a transition move, and how to play with multiple variations. Leads benefit from learning how to lead the different styles, and how to plan ahead! Follows get to practice turn technique (see turn workshop for details) during CBLs, and tips on how to add styling, as well as how not to back lead them ;)
No partner required. Knowledge of basic cross body lead is highly recommended for leads.
sign up: 4/28
SALSA QUICKSTART WORKSHOP
intro/beg
instructor: Sarah
5/5 SUN 3:00-6:00p
$55 per person
Have you been curious about learning Salsa, but feel a little intimidated? Don't be! Let us demystify one of the easier partner dances to learn. It may be fast, but it isn't complicated, and contrary to popular belief, Salsa is designed for ALL body types and degrees of sauciness. This 3 hour intensive workshop is geared to get dancers and NON dancers moving to the joyous rhythms of Salsa! The class will cover Salsa rhythm, body movement, Salsa timing, 3 basic step variations, three turn patterns, and history! After finishing the Quickstart course, students will be eligible to take the Salsa 2 weekly series, without taking Salsa 1! Don't miss out on this ever popular, easy to learn dance.
No partner required.
This class is not offered via Zoom.
SIGN UP
salsa 4 CHOREOGRAPHY class
intermediate/advanced
Instructor:
TBA
This course is for students who have enough experience to social dance, but want to take it to the next level.
One of the best ways to learn musicality, how to add styling, and how to build combos is through the repetition of choreography. This is not a performance class, but like rehearsing for a performance, students will learn progressive choreography to a carefully selected song over the course of 4-8 weeks. Each week will build upon the next and will be very song specific.
Must be Salsa 3 level or equivalent.
sign up:
latin body movement
all levels
Instructor: Jennie
TBA
Feeling stiff? Is your Salsa or Bachata progressing, but missing that certain flare? Body movement, baby! Sometimes you need to just break it down to the most fundamental movements and integrate it slowly. That is what this weekly class with Jennie Fremont is all about. Whether you are a lead or a follow or both, Jennie will get you in tune with your ribs, shoulders, hips, and even your feet so that your movements can look and feel more fluid, musical, graceful, and like the real deal. These movements can also help with many styles of dance, and even serve as a great warm up for any work out!
sign up:
Do you know where Salsa comes from?
Latin music and latin dances such as Salsa, Cha Cha, Bugalú, Bachata, Merengue, Suelta, Reggaeton, and Rumba have roots in Latino, Caribbean, African, Creole, European, and American culture. Many early promoters and musicians of Mambo and Latin Jazz in the mambo era were Jewish immigrants, or the children of refugees who escaped (or perished in) the horrors of Nazi occupation. American culture does not exist without immigrant culture and people of color. The dances we teach are borrowed from those who invented them, and are now kept alive, forever evolving, by teachers, students, and practitioners of all races, ethnicities, cultures, and nationalities. Let us not take for granted what an incredible gift these dances are, and the music that inspires us to do them, by forgetting where they come from and what they are rooted in. Please consider supporting the NAACP as you have supported the Viscount by becoming a member, or making a donation: https://pdxnaacp.org/get-involved/#member/
For more information on the roots of Jazz, watch: JAZZ, a documentary by Ken Burns
For more information on the roots of Salsa, Mambo, and Latin Jazz, watch: Latin Music USA - PBS
TIPS FOR SIGNING UP:
1. To get the video link you MUST BE OPTED IN to receive emails from us.
2. When you click on SIGN UP you’ll be directed to the mindbody registration software. Mindbody will redirect you to pay for the class if you have no existing credits in your account (if you do but they expired, email us and we will adjust so you can use them :)
3. If you have credits, just click SIGN UP NOW and you’ll be good to go. If you are redirected to pay, YOU MUST GO BACK TO THE CLASS AND CLISK SIGN UP NOW AGAIN! We don’t know why mindbody does this, sigh.
4. Now check your inbox for the REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION email (not the receipt of payment) - that’s where the link will be :)
5. Dance your lovely face off!
WEEKLY CLASS PRICING
Drop In - $16
4 class pass - $55 online, expires 45 days from activation
8 class pass - $100 online, expires 45 days from activation
90 minute classes - $22 - expires 45 days from activation
90 min classes 4-class pass - $80 - expires 45 days from activation
90 min classes 8-class pass - $145 - expires 45 days from activation