|
xxx
Year End, Year Beginning
It was 8am and Fliss and I were in bed watching the winter solstice sunrise over Stonehenge live streamed onto my phone and I thought wow! For some reason unknown to me, I found myself making a connection to the traditional and probably ancient wedding saying of: Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.....
An end of year blog that includes:
- Convalescence and Loss of friends
- The Salsa Rapido 1-Day Intensive courses
- The Mambalsa Project
- Dance as a well-being practice
- Dance's partially recovered from lockdown.
Stonehenge is certainly old enough and my smartphone is new enough (just!). Something borrowed and something blue were protections thought to ward off the curse of the evil eye!
We certainly borrow the vast majority of our culture and ideas from earlier generations. Many of the crowd at Stonehenge danced to find a spiritual connection with the moment, possibly even to find trance: Trance is the term used by science to describe that animated connection to a higher level of consciousness that has been a part of dance since the beginning of time. Rave dance, Ecstatic dance, Christian Shakers, Mambo’s of Cuba and not forgetting the Whirling Dervish of the Middle East all dance for trance. I’m not sure if as a teenager, I ever found trance stomping away to Status Quo in the Woodchurch Village hall in rural Kent but it was pretty close.
It seems fitting to witness the transition of the blue grey sky of the predawn solstice, into the yellow white of morning. Blue is often used to mean loss and sadness. Appropriate as we lose the old year and restart with hope renewed. The ancients used the symbol of a robin representing the new year, killing a wren of the old year. Hence we have robins on Christmas cards. I don’t buy the story that robins represent red coated Victorian postmen. Why not just have postmen on the cards! Remember that in polite Christian society, it was never encouraged to discuss such pagan things, or maybe they were too busy decking the halls with boughs of holly and other evergreen pagan symbols.
I suggest that loss is a necessary part of change. This year like most these days, there are people we’ve lost. Notably on the salsa scene we’ve lost Melvin. I think he came to every live gig we’ve ever promoted since 1995. I’ll never forget his saggy old cardigan and his pipe. I knew he was a percussionist but I didn’t realise until after his death that he’d played in bands in Cuba before the revolution in 1959. I wonder if he’d played with Enrique Jorrin, the Cuban composer and bandleader who in 1953 created cha-cha-chá. My belief is that in order to get the American tourists to dance in time he played the strong cha cha cha beats on a guiro (grooved gourd). I bet Melvin knew!
We also lost Tina. Tina was somewhere between mid forties and ‘don’t ask’. A typical North London mum with all the stuff that goes with that. Sadly she took her own life. There were no obituaries on the salsa scene even though she’d been a regular at Crouch End and then the Cuban in Camden Market. There is still shame surrounding suicide. As a psychotherapist I’ve trained in suicide and know it’s diverse and nuanced. The go to, stereotypical reasons suggested are usually inaccurate and just a way we can avoid its emotional burden. We protect ourselves through judgmental distance. Better to judge from afar rather than empathise with their thoughts and feelings. That might take us ever closer to our own edge! It’s a superstitious silence, taboo. I miss Tina and I wish I’d been there for her. I’m writing about her because she was a salsa friend and I feel her loss.
Post Christmas and New year is often a very tough time for many. If you or someone you know is struggling, get help. Samaritans tel 116 123 or explore counselling BACP https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists
This year has been one of convalescence for me. I had no idea what that meant before this year as I feel it’s a concept that’s slipped out of fashion. My chemotherapy treatments finished Nov. ‘23 leaving my red and white cell count low. They’ve slowly returned and I’m currently cancer free and expected to remain that way for many years. Even if it comes back there’s a heap of other treatments available including a new pill!
Can you imagine having a cancer diagnosis and being told ‘Just take two pills a day’ before meals!’ For me convalescence has been more about letting a lot of stuff go. The treatment and associated fears etc. take a toll, so they don’t just disappear when the treatment ends.
This week is the end of my convalescent year and I’m literally taking it easy after robotic surgery last Monday. I’ve sadly had to let go of Herman and Little Herman, my two hernias. It was Herman, who in 2018 first took me to a GP with a lump (Herman). This led to a blood test and a diagnosis of lymphoma. Importantly, this was years in advance of any symptoms and I was fully prepared for treatment when it finally became necessary. Thank you Herman. The op. went well and I was only in for a night. I’ve five small holes in my belly which are bruised like far away galaxies. They’ll shrink as will the belly, I hope! The only time it’s hurt has been when I’ve sneezed. Then it feels like a flaming hot knife being thrust into one of the holes.
And talking of burning issues.....
The Salsa Rapido Gift vouchers are flying out which is a good sign. The Salsa Rapido 1-Day Intensive started in 2003 and is still going strong. One of my better experiments! The course has evolved into a fusion of the essential basics of salsa dancing with the additional ‘Why’ we do this stuff from a perspective of dance and well-being psychology. It’s still a lot of fun and that’s important because having more fun, more often, counters life's stresses.
2025 year is very special for Fliss and I. It’s thirty years this April that we started The Streetbeat Salsa Co.
I’ll be sharing some memories along the way and of course they’ll be the Thames Salsa Cruises.
Mambalsa has had its best year ever. I’ve done the first full day Mambalsa workshop outside of London in Norwich. The Spring Dance Curious event was a resounding success and I’ve run several Mambalsa courses at the Nightingale Cancer Support Charity in Enfield. The weak spot in the Mambalsa project is marketing and maintaining all the connections necessary to really get the ball rolling. This seems beyond my skill set so I’m going to take on someone/s to get the word out there. Mambalsa is something new, relevant and tested, so it’s time for a roll out! If you're interested in P.R./ marketing and could help, please contact me.
Looking ahead there’s lots of opportunities in dance, but I feel social partner dance has to shift away from some of its traditional values that hold it in a timewarp of style and sleaze that no longer seem as relevant to the current generation. People don’t need to dance to meet someone as there’s a multitude of apps for that. What’s the point of being the top dog in the dance hall if there’s a thousand better dancers on TikTok! The sands are shifting and a dance needs to shift toward becoming a well-being practice.
I know I haven't taken time to open that up and explain it fully but trust me the research has been done and there’s going to be a book on the way.
Dance, according to Sport England’s Active Lives survey, has only partially recovered from lockdown.
We were at around 8% of the population regularly participating in dance. That dipped to 6% during the covid years and is now back to 7%. In London that means we’re 90,000 people short of pre lockdown levels. Will dance return and flourish? I don’t know for sure but I know it will be different. From Danzon to Cha-Cha-Cha, Son to Salsa and now perhaps Mambalsa? Dance is always on the move. Back in the village hall in Woodchurch Kent, where I stomped to Status Quo all those years ago, they’ve a weekly salsa class! They’ve also got a long established Morris Set (group of Morris dancers)!
It might be the time to let things go but dancing seems to stick around regardless. Besides, some stuff is worth hanging onto.
However you celebrate, have a good one :)
XXXX
|
|
xxx
BOOK NOW for the Improvers level course-
i.2.i. Knock the Rust Off
Sunday 16th Feb. 2025 Salsa Soho, London
Sunday 16th March. 2025 Salsa Soho, London
This is the Improvers i2i course aimed at people who feel their salsa is a little rusty or as a direct follow on from the Salsa Rapido 1-Day Intensive Courses.
I've called it i2i Knock the Rust Off and that's what it does.
There's lots of moves and technique presented with the 'why' as well as the 'how to'.
It's fun and tiring but worth it as you'll be boosted towards intermediate and beyond.
I've posted more info at: i2i Knock the Rust Off
It will build on the generic basics of salsa including:
Core moves
Footwork
Musical interpretation &
Flow and expression
And much more...
Course starts 11am at Salsa Soho until 5pm (doors open 10.30am)
Cost: £39 per person with the offer code 'rusty' :)
Use the above link to book.
Alternative dates: View dates
More dates:
Sun 24th Nov XXXX
![]()
I've just published an article on the mechanics of spinning.
The whole 'Coil-Spin' method explained.
It's worth a look just to see the ballet gif go round and round.
It's a first draft so comment away :-)
Visit The Salsa Rapido Blog XXXX
![]()
I've just published an article on the mechanics of Travelling Steps.
From CBL and beyond...
It's a first draft so comment away :-)
Visit The Salsa Rapido Blog XXXX
|
|
xxx
The Thames Salsa Cruise returns in Spring 2025.
At the moment we have a proposed date of 18th May 2025 which will be confirmed before tickets go on sale in Jan 2025.
We wish to invite as many groups of salsa dancers from across the land to come on this iconic event that's been running every year (except lockdown) since 1998! Music is mainly classic salsa with a small dash of bachata etc. presented by DJ Felicidad (The UK's longest running female salsa DJ)
Groups are formed mainly by dancers and teachers who want to add something special to their dancing year.
We never have classes on board as we don't wish to clash with anyone's style or method. It's just a salsa party for lovers of salsa and non dancers wishing to see the sites and enjoy the vibe.
We make it as easy as possible to bring a group.
We think of a group as five or more but if that doesn't happen no problem. We're grateful you've made the effort.
We set up a discount code word for your group so no one has to gather the money and everyone gets a discount.
Tickets will be £20 or less with the group discount and I'll add detail as soon as I have it.
Please message me on 07939012231 Alastair and I'll set a group up for you.
regards Alastair XXXX
|
|
xxx
I’ve just finished another six week Mambalsa course at the Nightingale Cancer Support Centre in Enfield and what a lovely group it was.
I was aiming for a gentle introduction to Mambalsa without too much emphasis on the well-being aspects of Psych. Ed. but they came up anyway.
Often the classes would end in a group discussion about recovering from cancer and I have to admit it was great to share those stories and feel a paid up member of that club.
Every group teaches me something about dance and life. This group showed me that like a hummingbird, beauty has no relationship to size. We took the lid off our creativity and relaxed and moved freely within the ethos of Mambalsa dance. I’m being deliberately cryptic but confidentiality prevents me from sharing any detail.
I will take the chance to share the last two tracks we danced as a way to illustrate that Mambalsa is danced to any 4:4 time music:
- Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen - complete with head banging and Zimbabwean Wellington Boot dance! (I’ll just leave that to your imagination)
- Would You Be Loved by Bob Marley - A perfect song to end on.
I’m already missing all my Mambalsa Dancers from the Nightingale and can’t wait for the next group.
Alastair XXXX
|
|
xxx
![]()
I'm delighted to release the Salsa Rapido 1-Day Intensive dates for January to March 2025.
They are almost weekly on Sundays and I strongly recommend you book ASAP to save disappointment.
I'm working on some Mambalsa workshop dates. Mambalsa is not salsa so please click here for details
Here's a permanent link to the dates page so you can check them at any time:
https://www.streetbeat.co.uk/dates
The i.2.i. Knock the Rust Off is the Salsa Rapido Improvers course.
There may well be a few adjustments to the schedule as 2025 comes into focus.
I haven't confirmed dates out side of London yet! XXXX
I’d like to offer my sincere apologies to all my clients affected by this.
Some courses have been cancelled including the next Mambalsa Dance Curious event and some courses will be smaller than usual (which is not a bad thing).
All bookings are secure as they are made on the Stripe platform and no data has been lost or breached.
Full explanation:
This Autumn’s bookings have not started well with a host of I.T. problems slowing down and eventually stopping the booking process.
In late August my web host (the company where my websites reside) decided, as part of their preparations to be bought out by a bigger company, to ditch many of their accounts that weren't easy to transfer to their new host. I received a polite email saying streetbeat etc. would be switched off on Sept 12th. Why they had to choose the height of the holiday season to do this is quite beyond me. No doubt I wasn’t the only one, because as hundreds of companies backed up / down loaded or shifted their sites, I noticed that my web pages would often take over two minutes to load. This effectively interrupts the booking process as new visitors lose confidence in the booking process.
I found a new host 34sp.com who offer excellent customer support via telephone which is a rare thing these days. The only drawback was that their minimum version of PHP (effectively the operating system of the host) was PHP 8.1 and my site was PHP 7.4. This meant many of my pages didn’t work and none of my back end worked. It was time to stop whatever I was doing and dive deep into upgrading first my IT skills and then the site!
I know it’s a cliche, but I like the phrase ‘build back better’. This I have done and the new streetbeat and mambalsa sites are near completion. The booking confirmation system is fixed and the connection to the Brevo email platform is up and running.
I’ve learnt a lot through this process such as IT is like a sand dune of ever shifting upgrades and technologies that need to be constantly navigated. I’ve also revisited an old debate of whether to delegate or self code. Assuming a developer was available at short notice, the cost would have been considerable and the time taken arguably longer than self coding.
My I.T. department is slow, under skilled, overwhelmed and unsure of himself, but that’s OK because it’s me. So maybe the best lesson learnt is to be kind to yourself.
By the way, if you’re reading this, it’s working!
XXXX
![]()
In my latest blog post "Me and Bar Salsa!" I write about why this long standing venue is very special to me on the eve of my thirtieth wedding anniversary.
There's also a potted history of London's salsa scene.
Me and Bar Salsa! XXXX
|
|
Round up from 2024
Sun 16th Feb i2i Knock The Rust Off for Improvers
Groups wanted for Thames Salsa Cruise 2025
Blog Another Nightingale Support Group completed
January to March 2025 Course Dates for released