If you haven't noticed, there is a new timba broadcast coming to you from the World Wide Web: Salsa 2 Salsa
My friend Cristian is spinning an awesome hour of timba each week, with some great tales and commentary on Cuba and Cuban music. Spotlight bands are from Cuba as well as the rest of the world. Check it out!
Dear DC-Area "Salsa Teacher",
I got your messages, and thank you for your invitation. Unfortunately, I am not interested in participating in your dance groups or classes this weekend.
As you know, I dance because it is fun. However, part of that fun involves being treated with at least personal respect, if not professional respect. I know for a fact that I have earned both from you, but have received neither. Participating in your events has become a chore, and therefore, at least for right now, I no longer wish to participate.
I have known you for (at least) the past three years and have always supported you in your endeavors. You have done nothing to show your support for mine. I have tried to be open and sharing with the education that I have worked so hard to achieve. But it appears that the more I share, the more I am taken for granted, my knowledge abused, and my intentions taken out of context.
I am interested in dancing with a group of people who share my passion for dancing, for music, and for open sharing of musical ideas, thoughts, moves, style, and anything else. I have enjoyed dancing with a group of people that appear to be part of your institution, as they appear to be like-minded. If any of them wish to contact me, I will welcome them with open arms.
But I am not interested in participating in any institution that encourages discrimination, isolation, or the promotion of one (or some) individual(s) above others. Dance, particularly in a rueda, involves many individual members, working together as a team, who support each other and promote each other for each individual's strengths. A member's weaknesses are an opportunity for the team to work together to create more strengths, not to suppress, repress, or segregate.
Perhaps, after a break, I will be ready to try this again -- but not until I am assured that I will receive at least the professional and personal respect that I have earned. I certainly do not want to spend my precious free time on any group event that is not fun for all invited members.
In case you aren't already aware (and if so, where have you BEEN?) Russ and I are teaching Rueda de Casino in Berkeley these days.
Where: The Beat, 2560 9th St (between Dwight & Parker), Berkeley, CA
Cost: $10 drop-in per class; $8/class if you take 2 classes, $7/class for 3 classes
When: Every Wednesday, 6:30 until we drop (usually 9:30 or 10)
Russ has also been hosting practice parties in his home on Saturdays from 4-6. They're tons of fun!
See Russ' website for more information.
