On1, On2, whatever?

Most of the teachers that came along to my salsa holiday in Marrakech (i'll post some videos from the courses later this week) have such a T-shirt: On1, On2, Cuban, whatever, just remember who's the boss. I can agree with the last part, sure.
But the on1 and 2?

Unfortunatly it doesn't work for me like that. Count 123, and you got me, so I still have a lot to learn. 123, remember 2, 2, 2!!!!!

Apparently there are 2 different salsa styles on2, and they sure look different to me. People dance on2 in New York, so it's called New York style.

The following paragraph is copied from Wikipedia:

New York style emphasises efficiency of movement, elegance, and body isolations. By focusing on control, timing, and precision of technique, dancers aim for smooth execution of tightly woven complex patterns. In New York City this style is danced strictly On 2, ....

The etiquette of New York style is strict about remaining in the "slot" and avoiding travelling. ...

Danced on "Hard Salsa". This is mid-to-up-tempo salsa with an emphasis on percussion and band orchestration rather than the vocals.
Wikipedia: Salsa (dance)

The New York style promoted by Eddie Torres and Nelson Flores seems the dominant style all over the world.

I have been learning a different on2 style, called Power 2 / Palladium 2 / Ballroom Mambo. It's basically the same as on1, but they shift a beat, so it's on2.
The timing feels very close to the LA style on1, as opposed to the on2 from Eddie Torres.

Anyway, the main problem now is I have to learn a 3th style. So another challenge.

The movie below is an explanation of the Eddie Torres step on2.

Salsabrosura - Summersalsa congres 2007

I found one more video from the Summer salsa congres in Brussels. This video is from the shows one of the evenings, though can't remember which one .

Another one on2: Nelson Flores shines and patterns

I took several classes with Nelson Flores during the Summer salsa congress and he comes up with really nice patterns AND is a good teacher, that goes a long way with these difficult patterns.
Difficult (at least for me), but smooth.

First shines ending up in a eeuhm "cuban pulsation", and then getting back on 2?
I had a hard time, but it still is a nice set of shines.



If you listened, he is counting 1 ... 567, very confusing. What's this: salsa on 1 or on 2?
I could not focus on the 2, but after some time it makes sense. It's just a matter of getting into the habit.

I collected some links on Nelson Flores if you are interested:

• Interview by Eddie the salsa freak


• General intro, a little outdated


• A workshop by Nelson Flores filmed in Paris

Conny and Oscar on 2

Like I said before, I am taking salsa classes with Oscar and Conny ( ok I skipped this season :-) and recorded the video below some time ago.

The pattern can be tricky, especially the half-turn, but it moves from side to side in a fluid way. Watch the video and you will know, no editing, just salsa.



If you wonder: that dark low voice saying "once again", that's me :-)).
So if you want to take salsa classes on 2 in Brussels or Antwerpen have a look at their website.

L. Vazquez & Melissa

There is only one word for this: Smoking hot!
Just watch ... Melissa, and you know what I mean.



Watch it again, and now look at the salsa pattern: it is actually a great move, really ... salsa on 1 but smooth, no staccato effect.
I really love the part where the women has to lead here way out of the shines, she can and needs to control the move to get out of it. Otherwise we can stand there all night watchin'those moves :-)

Summer salsa in Brussels, May 2007

I went to the Summer salsa weekend in Brussels and recorded most of the routines and figures we practiced during the weekend and I will be posting them here online.
There is no way I can remember all I learned during the weekend, so recording is really helpful.

The first class on Saterday morning I took, was the one from Nelson Flores, on2, great patterns, but difficult as I am dancing less on 2.



For those who have recorded other classes and are willing to put them on YouTube, please tag them with "summersalsa", "brussels" and "2007" and let me know.

Walking salsa

This video shows some nice moves, very fluid dancing, no breaks just go with the flow. I guess that is one of the big differences between LA and NewYork style: dancing on 2 is more fluid, you just don't stop in between the steps.

The guy lost the girl in a move and started to do some shines while moving around the girl, and he keeps moving around the floor when he gets back together. This is not something you do when the floor is crowded but dancing becomes more graceful that way.

There is no need stay put when you have enough room, right?