I actually posted this in the discussion forum before I realized it more appropriately should be here. I

remember taking Salsa with Tony Pana back at the old Cafe Future in Inglewood. He would always start his beginning class with about 30 minutes of African Dance. I remember how stiff and uncomfortable I was with the whole affair, and I how happy I was when it was over.

Today, I owe Tony a debt of gratitude. I realize now that he wasn't teaching us how to African dance -- he was teaching us how to Dance! How to move with the music as our ancestors had. He somehow knew that as beginners, we were suceptible to falling into the trap of learning just how to do steps and patterns, and thinking that in the flawless execution of them that we would be dancing. Anyone who knows me knows I have never had any great love for the Cuban style of Salsa dancing. For one, I couldn't move my hips (actually, my rib cage) like that. And secondly, I was much too into the "Hollywood" style to be slowed down by all that gyrating.

What a difference a few years, and a little maturity, make. The other night, I saw an Afro Cuban Rhumba routine on "So You Think You Can Dance?" that blew my mind. It wasn't just the great dancing or fantastic choreography, but I was blown away by the possibilities in Salsa. As I have matured as a dancer, I've come to realize that it isn't so much about showing off and clowning around as it is about communicating with your partner. I like to think of dancing as story-telling to the rhythm of the music. Give and take. A range of emotions. Yes, sometimes it's just about blasting through a routine or a song, but it's a much more fulfilling experience when you and your partner live and tell a story. I've been able to do this in my other dances, but never in Salsa. Until now.

Anyway, I recorded this routine and am hoping that Fox TV will give me permission ex post facto. The video is here: http://www.centralavedance.com/node/3191 Enjoy!