September 4, 2025 • 41 mins
Ever wondered why salsa dance is called SALSA? I chat with my bestie Hayley (an amazing salsa dancer) about the history, styles, and cultural roots that make salsa so irresistible.
We cover how salsa originated in the U.S. with deep Caribbean influences, why the word “salsa” literally means “sauce,” and how legends like Eddie Torres, the “Mambo King,” shaped the dance. Hayley also shares her personal journey — from Colombia to San Diego’s Melomano Dance Studio — and how social dancing connects people across cultures.
Topics:
🌶️ Salsa’s origins and cultural mix
🥁 Key salsa styles, from New York to Cuban salsa
👯♀️ How social dancing builds community
Whether you dance, love music, or love to eat salsa, this episode is packed with trivia, insider tips, and personal stories that’ll make you want to hit the dance floor (and might make you hungry!)
Links:
Tango Del Ray: https://www.tangodelrey.com/
Melomano Dance Studio: https://www.instagram.com/melomanoent/?hl=en
Grupo Niche: https://www.instagram.com/gruponicheoficial/?hl=en
***
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Website: https://triviatangentspodcast.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Salsa Dancing
05:56 The Roots of Salsa
11:34 Why Hayley Loves Dance
13:00 Exploring New Cultures
14:45 Salsa Around The World
19:25 The Mambo King
21:30 On-One vs On-Two
24:25 Structured vs. Social Learning in Salsa
28:31 Exploring Salsa Styles and Their Cultural Significance
29:45 The Many Flavors of Salsa
33:16 Personal Growth and Connection Through Dance
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:08):
Welcome to Trivia Tangents. The podcast will return Everyday
passions into surprising trivia deep dives.
I'm your host, Lena, and each week I quiz a friend on
something they know way too muchabout, turning Everyday Passions
into trivia gold. We all know that on trivia
night, the bigger the team, the better you'll play.
That's why I bring the team together here on Trivia
Tangents. So get ready for some fun facts
(00:30):
you'll definitely want for your next trivia night.
Today's guest is Haley, who's here to talk all about salsa
dancing. Hi, Haley.
Welcome to the podcast. Hey, thanks for having me.
You've been talking about this for so long, so I'm really glad
we're finally doing it. Yeah, thank you so much for
being here. I'm so excited to have you on
finally. I feel like you've been a huge
(00:51):
support throughout my time as a podcast host, and I'm just so
excited to learn more about salsa dancing and also have the
audience and some listeners learn more about you in general.
Definitely. So we are recording in the
morning today, I'm drinking a matcha and Haley has a salsa
dance class coming up in about an hour.
(01:12):
So we're going to try and get all this wrapped up before the
hour is up. But before we get into it, I
just wanted to give the audiencejust a little background on how
we know each other. So Haley is one of my oldest
friends, and I'm so proud to saythat I feel like it's a huge
accomplishment to have a friend for so long in your life.
(01:33):
You know what I mean? Yeah.
I mean like 4th grade or before I guess.
Although I have our strongest memories of meeting each other
from like 4th grade. Yes, 4th grade is when we met.
You can go ahead and share that story.
That's fine. Lena always likes.
Funny that this is my biggest memory or or the strongest
memory of her butt. Just her and her braces.
Eating cheeses and getting cheeses stuck in her braces.
(01:55):
And that was our vibe in the 4thgrade classroom, eating lunch
outside. I'm not ashamed.
The Cheez its were worth it. And they got stuck in my braces.
We've known each other for quitea long time.
I feel like Haley's family is like my second family.
Your family's just so welcoming.And I love them so much.
And I love you so much. And we've been on so many trips
(02:16):
together throughout the years. And.
But yeah, so I'm so excited to have you on today.
We are talking about salsa dancing.
The reason we're talking about this is because you know Haley,
well, actually they don't know, but Haley has a huge salsa
dancing presence in her life andI would love to learn more about
it and kind of quiz her knowledge here and there.
(02:38):
Haley, do you want to give a like a little bit of background
on, you know, salt? Like what you do currently in
salsa dancing? Yeah, it's become salsa dancing
and like land dance in general has become quite an obsession
since moving here to. I'm in San Diego since
September. I knew that I wanted to get more
into it, and I went out to this one place called Tango del Rey,
(03:01):
which people in San Diego know well, which is kind of like the
main Latin dance club space. There are other spaces where
people dance also dancing, but that's like a lot in dance
space. There was this kind of free
class before or included in yourentry.
And then, you know, a night of salsa dancing.
And I was having so much fun, like with the knowledge I had.
And I was dancing with this guy who's now one of my really good
(03:24):
friends, Jake. And I started asking him about,
you know, his experience in San Diego.
And he said, well, the people who are teaching the class are
my directors for my studio, Mellomano, Diane and Patrick.
They're amazing. It's a good vibe.
And I was like, OK, I'm going toI'm going to try that out.
And it's just been on ever since.
Like, it's first of all, you know, I love like the music and,
(03:45):
and the dancing, but also just the community.
Like it's been a huge way for meto make friends in San Diego.
And like, I'm lucky that my studio directors specifically
prioritized that. And so for me, like people
coming together and good dance music is the is the best.
I just, I don't know, I love it.It helps me get into my body
(04:07):
and, you know, feel like, graceful and connected to myself
and like, I had this goal of performing, which I recently
did. So I just, yeah, I just, I just
love it. It's great to hear that it
really brings you together with,you know, a community and you
guys have have salsa dancing in common to kind of like hold you
(04:29):
guys all together. I don't know if I'm saying that
what I'm trying to say is like it's great to hear that it like
it provides a community for you and your peers.
So that's. Awesome.
Yeah, definitely. Yeah.
I don't know if that's the, you know, same for everyone who's in
dance. I think people go to it for
different reasons, but, and I definitely say for the dancing
as well, but for me, I think like people always draw me in
(04:54):
so, so much and this is such unique place in San Diego to
find that so. Yeah, special of that.
So today we are talking about 3 sections within Salsa.
I'm calling them the roots of Salsa, the Mambo legacy, and the
(05:15):
many flavors of salsa. That sounds perfect.
Awesome. Each section is going to start
with a trivia question. I can't promise as the white
crunching salsa I'll have all the answers, but I'll try my
best. OK.
I think he'll do fine. And also for listeners, you
should know Haley is fluent in Spanish and also did spend more
(05:35):
than a year living in Colombia, 3-3 years, yes.
OK, so just to give, I guess I should have given a better
background, but yeah, you're pretty familiar with the topic
here, so that's. OK, we can get into it when I
tell you how I started. Section 1 The Roots of Salsa
(05:59):
Trivia question One true or false salsa originated in the
United States. It depends if you mean the term
or the dance. If you mean the term.
If you mean the term, true. If you mean the dance, falls.
But yeah, I guess it'd probably be true.
Yes, you're right. True.
(06:21):
Good job. Yes, I guess you you mean like
the term salsa in reference to like salsa dance.
So, and you're right, while the salsa music and dance do have
Caribbean roots, drawing from like Cuban sun.
Song. Am I right about that?
Yes, but son, not son. Son, thank you.
(06:44):
Drawing from Cuban son, Afro, Cuban rhythms, Puerto Rican
bamba and plana, and more hopefully pronounce that right.
The version of salsa we know today was born in New York City.
It was the 1960s and 70s in neighborhoods like the Bronx and
Spanish Harlem where these musical traditions fused.
(07:06):
Johnny Pacheco, Co founder of Fania Fania Records, is credited
with popularizing the term salsato describe this vibrant musical
blend. Haley, can you tell us what the
word salsa means in Spanish? Yeah, it means sauce.
Yes, like the salsa sauce that you get with your chips
(07:27):
basically, which is fitting since salsa dance is like a
mixture of many different sort of cultures and dance.
And then salsa sauce is a mix oflike different ingredients as
well. So to give you a little bit of
background on, you know, what actually went into creating the
(07:50):
dance of salsa, we have the indigenous people of the
Caribbean, which I think they'recalled Tyno, Tyno Tyno.
Thank you. Their influence and percussion
really helped with the development of salsa dancing.
So they employed instruments such as wooden drums known as.
(08:12):
Myohuacanes, I don't know that one.
Who knew this would be a test ofyour pronunciation and saying
it's an indigenous language? But don't worry.
All right, they also used rattles similar to maracas
guras, which are like scrapers. Anyway, many of these
instruments are commonly used insalsa music to this day.
(08:33):
Maybe they look a little bit different than they did back
then. In addition to the Taino people,
we also have, of course, the Spanish colonizers.
They brought with them partner dancing.
So since in European cultures, you know, people did stuff like
the waltz, which is like partnerdancing.
This was a new concept in the Caribbean.
(08:53):
And dances such as the waltz were much more formal and
favored straight lines and stiffposture compared to the Latin
dances that we know today. But these Spanish colonizers,
partner dancing provided the foundations of like the lead and
follow and the partner dance technique.
And then the final ingredient ofearly Latin music was the
(09:15):
rhythms and movements of Africa,which were brought over to the
Caribbean in the form of slave labor by the Spanish.
So all of these unique ingredients came together for
the first time in the Caribbean islands and gradually started to
mix together over the course of centuries to build the
foundation of Latin dance and music that we know today.
Yeah, that tracks, it sounds. It's funny because I didn't as
(09:39):
you're making me realize how much I know, especially because
my director, Patrick, he is a wealth of knowledge and always
loves to go on tangents about music history and everything,
but he's Colombian. I think there's Even so much
more than what you said, but that tracks with what I've
learned to just all these all these different influences.
And when Johnny Pacheco or whoever it was at the label
(10:01):
decided to bring it all together, it was just like, you
know, there's all these different threads of music and
we don't really know what to call them, but it's just like a
sauce, everything mixed together.
So let's just call it salsa. Yeah, OK, great.
I'm glad it all tracks. My source is salsavida.com.
They have many articles on the history of salsa.
(10:23):
So, Haley, how did you first discover salsa dancing and what
drew you to it? Yeah.
So I can't, I've been thinking about this and I can't quite
remember what exactly it was like if I have listened to the
music maybe before, but I think so I first went to Colombia
because I did a Fulbright scholarship there teaching
English after school, after university.
(10:43):
And I was living in Chicago at the time.
I was just thinking, you know, going there, like, what should I
know about Colombia? Like what's famous there?
I always like to kind of prepare, you know, and get to
know local culture before I travel somewhere.
And I knew that, you know, Kali is like the salsa capital of the
world, like it's huge there. And so I was like, I should
learn this like dancing sounds cool.
(11:04):
I should check it out. So I found a studio in in
Chicago and not only was it really fun, but also it was just
like such a nice break from, youknow, the work week.
I think I had on Monday nights and just to get out for myself
and do something. And I remember I also met
amazing people there. And this might be quite, this
(11:26):
might be, you know, a bit of a tangent, but something that I
wanted to say earlier too, is just in thinking back about
myself. So experience like dance really
brings people together. I think the same sort of vibe,
maybe in a smaller way that I feel now in my studio.
I felt in Chicago, like it really takes a lot for an adult
to take time for a hobby, let alone a hobby that's incredibly
(11:48):
intimate, vulnerable, you're touching people, but you have to
like be respectful and you have to put yourself out there.
And I really do think activitieslike that just bring the highest
caliber of people out there justwho who want to take the time on
a weeknight to learn something new.
That's where they have to interact with other people and
all of that. So I think that just really drew
me into just the relationships Iwas creating all of that.
(12:13):
And I started loving the music. And then, you know, I went to
Colombia and I started dancing there as well.
But it's kind of funny in the small town I was in, like I
couldn't quite find the right vibe of a studio.
I remember going to this one. I would go to and where I was
via Vicencio, it was so hot, like so humid.
Imagine Georgia or Texas or something in the summer, but all
(12:34):
the time. And so I would go to this little
studio that had classes for like15 year olds and that was and
they were so good. And that's all I could like
find. And they would do this crazy
footwork and I would start a class like sweating, like just
trying to keep up. And the little kids would kind
of like look at me like, why is this girl here?
I don't really understand, but Idid learn some stuff, but like
(12:56):
not as much as more like an exercise.
But I just kept trying. And then, you know, later on in
Colombia, I started working witha private teacher and going to
another studio. And so yeah, I really just got
into it because of my own passion for like new cultures
and wanting to really understandthem on a deeper level.
So that's. Yeah, I love that.
(13:18):
I love that. I, I really love how you take
the, the time and the effort to really understand the new
culture that you're in. Slight tangent here, but I want
to shout out my dad because he does something similar but in a
very different way. What he does to kind of
understand a culture better whenhe travels to a different
(13:39):
country is the first thing he does is get a haircut.
So like to get to the vibe at the barbershop or something?
Yeah. And like, you know, what's the
style? What do people get?
Like ask, like, what are the local places to go to?
And like, that's what he does. I love that for your dad, it's
actually kind of connected because Rena came to Bogota
(14:01):
where I was living because of her dad.
Her dad is on his amazing world adventure and he was in in
Colombia, in Bogota. So then she came to visit and we
actually, she actually joined mefor my salsa class in my studio,
if you remember. I didn't.
I did I? I didn't know what I was really
going into, but it was fun. Like, yeah, you know, it was
(14:25):
kind of more of like a they didn't really, like teach you
too much choreography. They taught you a little.
And then like, you kind of they turn on the music and you kind
of just go. But it was, yeah, it's
definitely like Haley's, right? Like you.
You do get like intimately, likephysically clothes with someone
and it's usually like a stranger.
So you kind of get to know people really quickly.
(14:47):
OK, so you mentioned earlier youknow salsa means sauce, and I
was wondering, do you feel like the sauce metaphor captures the
dance experience too, especiallysince you've danced salsa in so
many different places? That's a really good question.
I mean, it definitely applies like as you said, where it comes
from all the different types of dance that are that fed into
(15:11):
that concept. But I think to something that
I'm actually navigating here in San Diego is like there are a
lot of different dance studios, not just Latin dance and then
but that is often closely connected because it's like the
main other form of Latin dance. But then there's like Afro Cuban
like ways of dancing. And then even like I know people
in my studio who do hip hop or jazz And you know, if you were a
(15:34):
dancer growing up, I wasn't, I mean, I did like ballet when I
was 5 and then like a couple contemporary classes in high
school. So you could say it was, but it
wasn't my top hobby. My main like after school hobby
was soccer. And so I didn't know like all
these types of dance exists. So I feel like when you start
with one, like you realize, oh, there's so much more out there.
(15:54):
And like I want to try all theseother ones.
Because if I do more like, you know, traditionally graceful
dances like jazz or ballet, thatcan like make my salsa more
grateful. But then if I do like reggaeton
or hip hop, like I can learn to hit more beats or move my body
in a way, in a different way. So I really feel like it's all
connected. And I definitely feel that the
(16:15):
sauce metaphor applies in that way too, yeah.
I love that. And then have you ever danced
salsa in a place with a strong connection to it like New York
City or Cuba? And or how many countries more
places have you danced to salsa in?
Because Haley is like worldwide traveler.
(16:37):
I try. There's a lot of place I've
been, but yeah, I mean, something that you learn to in
the dance community is that people seek out like wherever
and there's always some people that dance.
I mean, there's this famous songcalled Bachata in Fukuoka, which
is like, not immature for pronouncing that right, but it's
a city in Japan. And like, it's about this guy's
(16:57):
experience dancing bachata in the city, in Japan.
And so I mean, obviously Colombia, like, you know, that's
hugely connected to it. When I was in New York recently,
I really wanted to go. I didn't get a chance to, but I
was in Boston afterwards and I went, which is not necessarily
huge connection there. I went to Puerto Rico earlier
this year and like, was dancing all the time and made a lot of
(17:18):
friends and a huge, huge influence from there.
Haven't gotten the chance to go to Cuba, but really, like, yeah,
Puerto Rico, Colombia. But like, anywhere you go, you
can find dancers even in, you know, Boston.
So yeah, yeah, that's awesome. How can you tell if someone is a
dancer? Like, do you just ask them?
Or is it like in a setting wherepeople are dancing and you're
(17:39):
like, oh, that guy's, that person's good at dancing, How do
you know? There's definitely better dances
than others, but I'm not saying like, oh, just on the street
he's playing the dancers. Although in South America, I
mean like I remember when I was less into it, but in the
Dominican Republic, like people are, that's where bachata really
like originated or has a strong influence and people are dancing
(18:01):
all the time in the street. But no, I mean more like you
just look up online. Like there's actually a website,
I forget what it's called, but I've seen it like in multiple
countries. It has like salsa events going
on in every city that you can find out each night what's going
on. And so you just show up and
that's how you know, you know, the dances are like anyone who
goes there is obviously there for the event.
(18:23):
So that's really how you find it.
That's so cool. I love that.
And I'm just like, I really wantto eat salsa now.
Like I really. Want chips?
Seriously, I really want chips and salsa.
I think I'm going to go to underdogs too after this and get
some chips and sauce. I.
Wish I could join you. That's so sad.
It's a funny thing that I want to say too.
It's like, I don't know if you've heard that concept of
(18:43):
like, Chai in like Hindi is tea and like Chai tea is repetitive.
Like it's kind of the same thing.
Like we think of salsa as that red sauce or maybe like green
salsa or whatever. But like, yeah, if you're in a
Spanish speaking country, you have to be more specific because
you're just saying sauce. So.
I just think it's like funny howwe adopt these terms, but salsa
(19:06):
is a is a wide variety. Yeah, that's so funny.
It's like an Italian when you when you order shrimp scampi,
that's just saying shrimp, shrimp.
But yeah, exactly. Section 2 The Mambo Legacy
(19:27):
Trivia Question Two who is knownas the Mambo King and one of the
most influential salsa instructors from the 1980s, A
Tito Puente, B Eddie Torres, C Johnny Pacheco, or D Celia Cruz.
I'm glad we have options. Can you, I heard the options.
(19:49):
Can you just repeat the questionone more time?
So let me sure how? Yes.
Trivia question two who is knownas the Mambo King and one of the
most influential salsa instructors from the 1980s.
B Eddie Torres. Yes, you're correct.
Good job. So you know who that is?
Yes, I do. OK, you're like, duh, of course
(20:10):
I know who that is. So a little background on Eddie
Torres. He's often credited with
formalizing salsa dance instruction.
He's especially known for his role in developing and spreading
New York style salsa or quote UNquote, on to a rhythmic
variation that emphasizes timingand musicality.
(20:31):
So in the 1980s, he taught countless students and helped
bring salsa from informal socialhalls into more structured
performance settings. His connection with musicians
like Tito Puente helped him fusemusic and movement in a way that
still influences dancers today. Even if dancers follow different
styles now, his legacy is definitely still foundational.
(20:54):
So Haley, you knew the answer, obviously did my explanation of
Eddie Tara's track, and also where did you first learn about
him? Yeah, I think your explanation
on more details than I knew, again, I mean, I am crediting
always my teacher Patrick for his salsa history tangents.
That's how I definitely learned more about that.
(21:15):
I mean, everything you're sayingis accurate and he definitely is
credited with all of that starting all of that.
Yeah. Cool, have you ever learned or
taught on two or the New York style salsa so.
That's what I do now. I actually started learning on
on one which is more popular. It's like more popular in Latin
(21:37):
America in what you just see on the streets of Latin America.
But I think on to is kind of seen, but not only the New York
style, but like the more professional style, like people
who actually take classes and stuff like that.
A lot of them will eventually learn on to.
My studio only teaches salsa on to.
Oh yeah. And so I actually did transition
(21:59):
and from on one and it's, you know, listening to different
parts of the music, like if you with salsa on one, you're like
you're learn, you learn a lot about the different instruments
when thinking about these ways of dancing salsa and so on one
is tracking with the cowbell, which hits on every odd beat of
the music. So like, if you think of music
(22:19):
scale one through 8, it's like 1357.
And then salsa on 2 is followingthe rhythm of the conga, which
is on the even beats, which is like 246 and eight.
That's not the best explanation,but essentially on the even
beats. And so you're listening for like
different beats in the music. And so you and it like depends
what like on on the even beats on onto that's when you step
(22:42):
forward or back your break step in on one, you step forward or
back on the cowbell beats. And so it's just kind of a
different way of listening to music and people have all
different theories about it at this point.
I can like, switch between the two and just feel the music.
And it's not that complicated. But it was a transition.
And I do, I think, you know, youcan learn to dance really well
(23:04):
on both. But like, focusing on onto in my
studio has really helped me growwith my technique as a dancer.
But yeah, that's what got popularized through New York.
And even in Colombia, I would see that the professional
dancers who taught classes were new to dance on to as well.
Wow. When when making this section, I
had no idea about this. I literally had no idea.
(23:27):
I was just like looking at like,you know, what is influential in
the salsa world and I just decided, oh, Mambo King, that's
a fun name. Let's see if Haley knows who
that is. And I had no idea your studio
literally uses on to the New York style salsa and also your
explanation of that helps me understand why it's called on to
(23:48):
on the even beats. That makes complete sense.
And then, yeah, I can teach thisstuff.
Now I can't. But I'm saying like, yeah, it's
so true. When you wrote that question, I
saw that question, I was like, wow, she doesn't even know how
relevant this is. No, my dance journey.
Yeah, I have no idea. OK, cool.
I think it's, yeah, it's, it's really interesting.
(24:08):
I mean, mambo itself is a bit more complex.
There's like technically onto some, it's called mambo style,
but there's like another more specific way to dance mambo and
a step called mambo. But yeah, once you go down this
rabbit hole, girl, you learn a lot.
Oh my gosh. I love that.
So, Haley, what is your take on structured versus social
(24:30):
learning in salsa? Yeah, that's a really good
question and something I think about constantly because, for
example, I don't normally go to class on Saturdays, but I don't
have much going on today. So it was like, I'll go, but
often times during the weekend I'm out social dancing, which
basically means, you know, just think of like a normal club,
like anyone that they put on an event and you're just dancing
(24:51):
with random people versus like aclass being an instructor and
picking up choreography and patterns and things like that.
I think you really need both honestly.
I think that social dancing is like also, well, I guess I
started with the class, but likehow I really fell in love with
the music and like, you know, would hear the songs that were
repeated and just like trying different things and feeling it
(25:14):
out. And that's also how you kind of
practice because if you learn a pattern in a class, you know
what's coming, at least for a follow, which would be, you
know, usually the female who's following the steps that the
lead or the male usually is, youknow, putting her through.
And so when you're out social dancing, you don't know what's
coming, so you can't plan for it.
So you really have to like lean into the music and use your
(25:35):
technique to kind of get throughthat.
But then the class, like that's where you really drill your
technique, you work on your footwork, you learn like the
different concepts that go into being a good dancer, all of
that. So I think you need both, but I
really don't think that you can advance that well if you don't
social dance. Like if people can get really
good at dancing, just social dancing, maybe they look up
(25:57):
videos on YouTube. But if you're and also that
isn't where the fun is that likethat's why I got into dancing
and loved it. Like it's a social thing.
You know, if you're just need for some people or just go to
class. But for me, like that's not the
whole point. The point is like be out there
with the people experience. Yeah, totally.
I've, I've seen something similar online.
It's something called improv dancing.
(26:19):
I don't think it's specifically like social dancing because it's
more of like a competition. So, and it doesn't necessarily
have to be salsa, but it's like basically there's a, you know,
you're in like a ballroom situation and like 2 random
people get paired up and they just play a song and they just
have to start dancing. Like they, they, these people
(26:40):
might not even know each other, but then they get judged on like
who was like the best, like improv dancing.
It just seems so crazy to me. Like if you don't even know the
person, you don't even know whatsong you're doing.
You don't even know what kind ofdance you're doing.
And like it just the things I'veseen just look so flawless.
It looks like they've rehearsed it.
(27:00):
So maybe they get all the practice with social.
Yeah, that's the ideal right to that you'll be able to become so
connected to music and the beatsthat like you can really move
your body to anything. But it's so funny to hear you
talk about this like as a non dancer because you're like, it
reminds me that if you're on theoutside looking and you're like,
(27:22):
what is this? I'm like, yes, that's a
competition, you know, or whatever specific type of
content. But that is normal.
Like that's what you do. I guess the plebs like go out to
the club and they Just Dance with their friends or like maybe
a cute stranger stranger. But like this is really the
whole point is like changing part.
It's about the dance. It's not about like and and
(27:44):
being social through that. It's not about like getting
drunk or like just you know, vibing or whatever.
And so you're always rotating, you're always meeting strangers.
That's like literally the whole point, which is funny.
The plebes, the plebians. Yeah, that's OK.
Yeah, I'm kidding. I mean.
I love it. Just to confirm, your dance
(28:05):
group teaches like you guys do, Like formal choreography
lessons? OK, got it.
And then like you memorize what they teach you.
Yeah, but for what's lucky in a way for follows that you don't
have to really memorize the patterns part that a partner
work because you're getting LED through it.
But there is choreography that'slike just footwork, which means
(28:27):
that it's just you alone that you could memorize or you know,
incorporate. So yeah.
OK, cool. So, Haley, if you could take a
class with anyone from salsa history, who would it be?
I was thinking about this today.I don't know.
Because like a class, you know, I mean, there's like people I
(28:47):
would want to see play live. Like salsa primarily is music.
So it doesn't necessarily mean that people teach it.
It would be sick to learn from Eddie Torres.
Like just based on what you said, you know, he started this
concept of like instruction and stuff.
But if I were to like see anyonelive playing salsa, I would love
to see Grupo Nietzsche. It's like the a very famous
(29:08):
Colombian salsa band and they'reactually playing in LA in
October. I might go.
I'm very excited for that. They won't be teaching, but
they'll be playing amazing musicand it always really connects me
to a place that I consider a second home and and the music
there. So I really love all their
music. Oh, that's awesome.
I guess if we want to rephrase the question, who would you want
(29:30):
to dance salsa with? Yeah, I mean, it would probably
be like Grupo Niche or with someone and I don't even know
the band members on it, but thatwould be pretty sick.
Section 3 The many flavors of salsa Trivia Question 3 How many
(29:50):
commonly recognized styles of salsa dancing are there?
Do I get options for this one? Yeah, you can get options.
I was waiting. I was like, I wonder if you know
this right off the bat, but I'llgive you the options 346 or
8:00. Give me the question one more
time. Trivia Question 3 How many
commonly recognized styles of salsa dancing are there?
(30:12):
346 or 8:00. I have no idea because this can
refer to a lot of things. Oh no, let's go see.
Yes. Really, I was just a guess.
OK, good job this podcast you. Won.
You won. You're the salsa expert.
(30:33):
OK, so we have on two on one Cuban salsa rueda de casino
Colombian style and then salsa choke.
Choke. I get why you would read it
though. Choke Choke chapter.
(30:55):
OK, E. Choke.
Thank you. So OK, we talked about New York
style on 2, which is, you know, you move on the cowbell.
No, no, you move on the drum beat, which is on the even
number. And according to the Internet,
this is like a smooth, elegant, emphasizes footwork and timing
(31:15):
sort of dance. LA style is on one, which is the
cowbell on the odd number beats,right.
And according to the Internet, again, flashy and fast with
dramatic dips and tricks. Yes.
OK. And then #3 Cuban salsa,
circular and fluid, rooted in traditional Cuban social dances
(31:37):
#4 Redda redda de casino. It's a group dance from Cuba
where dancers from a circle forma circle and execute moves in
unison, called out by the leader.
OK. And then Colombian style, high
energy, fast footwork popular inclubs and social settings.
And then salsa choque, A newer urban Colombian style that
(32:00):
blends reggaeton and hip hop with salsa rhythms.
There you. Go, you got it.
There might be more, but I've definitely heard of all of those
and SO. Good.
And have you danced all these kinds of different salsa?
Great question. I mean, we incorporate Cuban
style zone steps in class, but like, I guess I technically
haven't danced it because I've seen videos of the circularness
(32:24):
of it. And although I guess in one
social dance there was a guy whowas trained in it, I think we're
kind of dancing it. Then Ruella I've seen and it's
really cool, but I've never gotten the chance to be part of
it. But I know a lot of people who
dance it. But yeah, the rest of them,
yeah. Yeah, cool.
Yeah. So each style really reflects
different cultural values, musical traditions and even
(32:47):
personality traits. So different kinds of dance
here. And Haley, I think you mentioned
your dance group does on to. That's the only.
One. That's the only one.
Yeah, although there's influences because the 1st 2 are
more about how you step in, likeyour timing of the music, but
(33:09):
the other ones are more like styles, so there's overlap for
sure. OK, for sure.
And then which style do you lovedancing the most and why?
I don't know if I can pick. I mean, everything, as I said,
it's all overlapping. So I really can't pick.
Yeah, I'm not even going to try.I think.
I think though, something I'll say sometimes in the dance
(33:30):
community, we get so obsessed with like trying new tricks and
like I even find myself, you know, in my head like counting
or being like, did I get that turn perfectly or I should be
doing this better? And something I sometimes miss
about Columbia and sometimes I get social dancing here is just
simple like, and I associate that with more on one honestly,
but like just simple moves whereyou're just enjoying the music,
(33:53):
singing to the your favorite songs while you're dancing.
I think, you know, like any hobby, you can get kind of
intense about it or activity. And so I definitely miss that.
And I haven't danced also choking in a while, but it's
really fun. OK, cool.
Yeah, I love reggaeton, so I feel like that would probably be
my favorite, even though I've never seen it.
(34:13):
I just know I love reggaeton music so and like the beat, you
know? Right.
Yeah, it's tough. Yeah, when you're dancing, do
you ever mix elements from different styles into one?
I mean, I guess that is the nature of salsa, mixing styles
together. And the more styles you know,
the better your dance is for sure.
Are there any styles of salsa that you'd love to try or master
(34:36):
next? Good.
Question I actually think more like I'm focused on other types
of dance that would improve my salsa.
Like I think that, you know, I as I grew up like kind of what
we were talking about with the nature of dance and being so
intimate, like I grew up in a culture that, you know, is not
as comfortable with like intimacy, especially with
(34:58):
strangers and or like social intimacy, I would say.
And so I think in my dance that reflects of like this would be
what who know me would say personally about me too is I
have trouble relaxing and so I know I get that feedback from
dance partners. Like your shoulders are really
tense. Your arms are really tense, like
it makes it harder to move you and spin you.
(35:19):
And like also when I noticed my body movement when dancing like
more advanced dancers, you really see them like move with
the music and isolate different parts of their body.
And like I still feel that I'm missing that element, that
groove, that natural groove. And so I feel like there are
other types of dance that because salsa is very like in
(35:39):
some ways can be very structuredof how it's taught and how it
stands because like, you know, the counting can be kind of
complicated and some other dances are a bit more simple and
much more about just like being very loose.
So I think that I could really gain a lot from practicing those
other types of dance. Yeah, it sounds like you need
something that would be a littlebit more fluid to kind of help
(36:01):
you move more seamlessly and just kind of relax.
Exactly. Awesome.
Well, we've covered all of my questions, Trivia questions,
discussion questions, discussiontopics, and deep dives.
You've got three out of three correct?
You have mastered this trivia episode.
(36:22):
Round of applause. Yay.
So what was your favorite thing that we talked about during this
chat? Like what stood out to?
You. I'm just proud of myself that I
know these trivia questions are just like, it's just sometimes
it's so easy to not notice your own growth.
And then you get these moments where you get to check in with
(36:43):
like, what you've learned how like, wow.
I I know. I know some things.
Yeah. You.
Know a lot of things and all, thanks.
To Patrick now. Thanks to Patrick and and Diana.
Yeah, I I love this conversationoverall.
I'm. I'm trying to think like if
there was something specific. I like being reminded about the
history. I think that my teachers have
really drilled into me to like, remember that this dance comes
(37:06):
from rich traditions that are marginalized, you know, in our
society are not often credited with these things.
So remembering where it's from and like connecting to all of
that, I was really special. But also just it's cool that
talking about all this like lights me up, which I think is
how I know it's a passion of mine as it makes me feel happy.
Yeah, I can tell. I can tell.
(37:27):
That's awesome. My favorite thing that I learned
during this, I guess creating ofthe outline of this episode was
I had no idea that salsa was such a more recent and I'm not,
I guess the term salsa, right? Like we learned in the
beginning, it was born in. That's the version of salsa that
(37:48):
we know today was born in New York City in the 1960s and 70s.
Like that's not. That long ago.
That's a really good point. You're right totally, I thought.
For some reason, it was like a ancient historical dance that
has been around for like hundreds and hundreds of years.
But that's not right. Yeah, yeah, it's it's so true
(38:09):
that you say that. I mean, really good call out.
You're making me think too like as I'm pretty obsessed with how
many people probably are the latest Bad Bunny album and him
in general day Peter and much photos.
But he has a song on there called Baileno Viam that's a
salsa song and he didn't really produce that type of music in
the past. This album is gained so much
popularity and like who noted for incorporating some of those
(38:31):
older rhythms that you talked about like bomba and plena.
And what I think is so cool is like even older folks, if you
watch the music video, it's all about like many things in his
first dance with this woman, buthe it shows like him as an older
man remembering like his first dance with his kind of first
love and all this stuff. And I just in there's so many
videos on Instagram too, of likeolder folks listening to his
(38:54):
recent album, not knowing him really, but like, oh, wow, that
rhythm, like and just bouncing like a grandpa bouncing to it.
And so I think like, even thoughit's more recent, because it
pulls from these traditions, like there's so many people of
all ages who feel really, reallyconnected to it.
Yeah, I love that so much. And I can't believe I've never
seen you dance like, live. Oh, I guess we've, you know, in
(39:18):
that class together. We did.
And then there was like some dinner party that we went to in
San Francisco where there was dancing involved.
I'm excited to see you like dance with your dance group.
I did see a clip that you postedon Instagram and it looked
really, really good. Like, and I love all the
matching costumes and you guys look professional.
(39:40):
So I will definitely make sure to add that onto the Instagram
podcast or the podcast Instagramso the listeners can see that
too. Yes, and not to be, I mean, a
huge advertiser, but you should tag my studios their logo
Mellomano. But they yeah, I credit them
with so much. And as I said, my directors and
then I mean, we'll have more performances if you're if you
(40:01):
ever come to San Diego and I hope to keep joining teams and
just, you know, like, I think overall remembering like that I
love this and that, you know, it's a journey.
So coming up to the end of this chat here, Haley, I've had so
much fun with you. Thanks so much for coming on.
If you were to guess again, whatdo you think you'd want to be
quizzed on like another? Topic, yeah, maybe like places
(40:25):
in South America or languages ormaybe even like I'm trying to
make one of my other hobbies, like working out or something.
So yeah, any of those. But you know, I'm always
learning from your podcast, too,so I have to continue to be a
regular listener. Thanks and yeah, awesome.
Thank you so much for being hereof.
Course. My pleasure.
(40:51):
Thank you for listening to the show.
This is Trivia Tangents, where we cover various trivia topics.
We have new episodes released every Thursday, which I like to
call Trivia Thursday. I'm Lena and special thanks to
our guest Haley for sharing her awesome insights and trivia
tangents about salsa dancing with us.
Make sure to keep an eye out fornext week's episode all about
long distance open water swimming.
(41:12):
Thanks for listening. And learning.
If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a five star
rating or thumbs up. Follow or subscribe and share
with a friend for bonus content.You can find trivia tangents on
(41:35):
TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and of course all podcasts platforms
under Trivia Tangents Podcast. Check out our website at
triviatangentspodcast.com to purchase trivia starter packs
based on these episodes, perfectfor hosting your very own trivia
night.
Welcome to Trivia Tangents. The podcast will return Everyday
passions into surprising trivia deep dives.
I'm your host, Lena, and each week I quiz a friend on
something they know way too muchabout, turning Everyday Passions
into trivia gold. We all know that on trivia
night, the bigger the team, the better you'll play.
That's why I bring the team together here on Trivia
Tangents. So get ready for some fun facts
(00:30):
you'll definitely want for your next trivia night.
Today's guest is Haley, who's here to talk all about salsa
dancing. Hi, Haley.
Welcome to the podcast. Hey, thanks for having me.
You've been talking about this for so long, so I'm really glad
we're finally doing it. Yeah, thank you so much for
being here. I'm so excited to have you on
finally. I feel like you've been a huge
(00:51):
support throughout my time as a podcast host, and I'm just so
excited to learn more about salsa dancing and also have the
audience and some listeners learn more about you in general.
Definitely. So we are recording in the
morning today, I'm drinking a matcha and Haley has a salsa
dance class coming up in about an hour.
(01:12):
So we're going to try and get all this wrapped up before the
hour is up. But before we get into it, I
just wanted to give the audiencejust a little background on how
we know each other. So Haley is one of my oldest
friends, and I'm so proud to saythat I feel like it's a huge
accomplishment to have a friend for so long in your life.
(01:33):
You know what I mean? Yeah.
I mean like 4th grade or before I guess.
Although I have our strongest memories of meeting each other
from like 4th grade. Yes, 4th grade is when we met.
You can go ahead and share that story.
That's fine. Lena always likes.
Funny that this is my biggest memory or or the strongest
memory of her butt. Just her and her braces.
Eating cheeses and getting cheeses stuck in her braces.
(01:55):
And that was our vibe in the 4thgrade classroom, eating lunch
outside. I'm not ashamed.
The Cheez its were worth it. And they got stuck in my braces.
We've known each other for quitea long time.
I feel like Haley's family is like my second family.
Your family's just so welcoming.And I love them so much.
And I love you so much. And we've been on so many trips
(02:16):
together throughout the years. And.
But yeah, so I'm so excited to have you on today.
We are talking about salsa dancing.
The reason we're talking about this is because you know Haley,
well, actually they don't know, but Haley has a huge salsa
dancing presence in her life andI would love to learn more about
it and kind of quiz her knowledge here and there.
(02:38):
Haley, do you want to give a like a little bit of background
on, you know, salt? Like what you do currently in
salsa dancing? Yeah, it's become salsa dancing
and like land dance in general has become quite an obsession
since moving here to. I'm in San Diego since
September. I knew that I wanted to get more
into it, and I went out to this one place called Tango del Rey,
(03:01):
which people in San Diego know well, which is kind of like the
main Latin dance club space. There are other spaces where
people dance also dancing, but that's like a lot in dance
space. There was this kind of free
class before or included in yourentry.
And then, you know, a night of salsa dancing.
And I was having so much fun, like with the knowledge I had.
And I was dancing with this guy who's now one of my really good
(03:24):
friends, Jake. And I started asking him about,
you know, his experience in San Diego.
And he said, well, the people who are teaching the class are
my directors for my studio, Mellomano, Diane and Patrick.
They're amazing. It's a good vibe.
And I was like, OK, I'm going toI'm going to try that out.
And it's just been on ever since.
Like, it's first of all, you know, I love like the music and,
(03:45):
and the dancing, but also just the community.
Like it's been a huge way for meto make friends in San Diego.
And like, I'm lucky that my studio directors specifically
prioritized that. And so for me, like people
coming together and good dance music is the is the best.
I just, I don't know, I love it.It helps me get into my body
(04:07):
and, you know, feel like, graceful and connected to myself
and like, I had this goal of performing, which I recently
did. So I just, yeah, I just, I just
love it. It's great to hear that it
really brings you together with,you know, a community and you
guys have have salsa dancing in common to kind of like hold you
(04:29):
guys all together. I don't know if I'm saying that
what I'm trying to say is like it's great to hear that it like
it provides a community for you and your peers.
So that's. Awesome.
Yeah, definitely. Yeah.
I don't know if that's the, you know, same for everyone who's in
dance. I think people go to it for
different reasons, but, and I definitely say for the dancing
as well, but for me, I think like people always draw me in
(04:54):
so, so much and this is such unique place in San Diego to
find that so. Yeah, special of that.
So today we are talking about 3 sections within Salsa.
I'm calling them the roots of Salsa, the Mambo legacy, and the
(05:15):
many flavors of salsa. That sounds perfect.
Awesome. Each section is going to start
with a trivia question. I can't promise as the white
crunching salsa I'll have all the answers, but I'll try my
best. OK.
I think he'll do fine. And also for listeners, you
should know Haley is fluent in Spanish and also did spend more
(05:35):
than a year living in Colombia, 3-3 years, yes.
OK, so just to give, I guess I should have given a better
background, but yeah, you're pretty familiar with the topic
here, so that's. OK, we can get into it when I
tell you how I started. Section 1 The Roots of Salsa
(05:59):
Trivia question One true or false salsa originated in the
United States. It depends if you mean the term
or the dance. If you mean the term.
If you mean the term, true. If you mean the dance, falls.
But yeah, I guess it'd probably be true.
Yes, you're right. True.
(06:21):
Good job. Yes, I guess you you mean like
the term salsa in reference to like salsa dance.
So, and you're right, while the salsa music and dance do have
Caribbean roots, drawing from like Cuban sun.
Song. Am I right about that?
Yes, but son, not son. Son, thank you.
(06:44):
Drawing from Cuban son, Afro, Cuban rhythms, Puerto Rican
bamba and plana, and more hopefully pronounce that right.
The version of salsa we know today was born in New York City.
It was the 1960s and 70s in neighborhoods like the Bronx and
Spanish Harlem where these musical traditions fused.
(07:06):
Johnny Pacheco, Co founder of Fania Fania Records, is credited
with popularizing the term salsato describe this vibrant musical
blend. Haley, can you tell us what the
word salsa means in Spanish? Yeah, it means sauce.
Yes, like the salsa sauce that you get with your chips
(07:27):
basically, which is fitting since salsa dance is like a
mixture of many different sort of cultures and dance.
And then salsa sauce is a mix oflike different ingredients as
well. So to give you a little bit of
background on, you know, what actually went into creating the
(07:50):
dance of salsa, we have the indigenous people of the
Caribbean, which I think they'recalled Tyno, Tyno Tyno.
Thank you. Their influence and percussion
really helped with the development of salsa dancing.
So they employed instruments such as wooden drums known as.
(08:12):
Myohuacanes, I don't know that one.
Who knew this would be a test ofyour pronunciation and saying
it's an indigenous language? But don't worry.
All right, they also used rattles similar to maracas
guras, which are like scrapers. Anyway, many of these
instruments are commonly used insalsa music to this day.
(08:33):
Maybe they look a little bit different than they did back
then. In addition to the Taino people,
we also have, of course, the Spanish colonizers.
They brought with them partner dancing.
So since in European cultures, you know, people did stuff like
the waltz, which is like partnerdancing.
This was a new concept in the Caribbean.
(08:53):
And dances such as the waltz were much more formal and
favored straight lines and stiffposture compared to the Latin
dances that we know today. But these Spanish colonizers,
partner dancing provided the foundations of like the lead and
follow and the partner dance technique.
And then the final ingredient ofearly Latin music was the
(09:15):
rhythms and movements of Africa,which were brought over to the
Caribbean in the form of slave labor by the Spanish.
So all of these unique ingredients came together for
the first time in the Caribbean islands and gradually started to
mix together over the course of centuries to build the
foundation of Latin dance and music that we know today.
Yeah, that tracks, it sounds. It's funny because I didn't as
(09:39):
you're making me realize how much I know, especially because
my director, Patrick, he is a wealth of knowledge and always
loves to go on tangents about music history and everything,
but he's Colombian. I think there's Even so much
more than what you said, but that tracks with what I've
learned to just all these all these different influences.
And when Johnny Pacheco or whoever it was at the label
(10:01):
decided to bring it all together, it was just like, you
know, there's all these different threads of music and
we don't really know what to call them, but it's just like a
sauce, everything mixed together.
So let's just call it salsa. Yeah, OK, great.
I'm glad it all tracks. My source is salsavida.com.
They have many articles on the history of salsa.
(10:23):
So, Haley, how did you first discover salsa dancing and what
drew you to it? Yeah.
So I can't, I've been thinking about this and I can't quite
remember what exactly it was like if I have listened to the
music maybe before, but I think so I first went to Colombia
because I did a Fulbright scholarship there teaching
English after school, after university.
(10:43):
And I was living in Chicago at the time.
I was just thinking, you know, going there, like, what should I
know about Colombia? Like what's famous there?
I always like to kind of prepare, you know, and get to
know local culture before I travel somewhere.
And I knew that, you know, Kali is like the salsa capital of the
world, like it's huge there. And so I was like, I should
learn this like dancing sounds cool.
(11:04):
I should check it out. So I found a studio in in
Chicago and not only was it really fun, but also it was just
like such a nice break from, youknow, the work week.
I think I had on Monday nights and just to get out for myself
and do something. And I remember I also met
amazing people there. And this might be quite, this
(11:26):
might be, you know, a bit of a tangent, but something that I
wanted to say earlier too, is just in thinking back about
myself. So experience like dance really
brings people together. I think the same sort of vibe,
maybe in a smaller way that I feel now in my studio.
I felt in Chicago, like it really takes a lot for an adult
to take time for a hobby, let alone a hobby that's incredibly
(11:48):
intimate, vulnerable, you're touching people, but you have to
like be respectful and you have to put yourself out there.
And I really do think activitieslike that just bring the highest
caliber of people out there justwho who want to take the time on
a weeknight to learn something new.
That's where they have to interact with other people and
all of that. So I think that just really drew
me into just the relationships Iwas creating all of that.
(12:13):
And I started loving the music. And then, you know, I went to
Colombia and I started dancing there as well.
But it's kind of funny in the small town I was in, like I
couldn't quite find the right vibe of a studio.
I remember going to this one. I would go to and where I was
via Vicencio, it was so hot, like so humid.
Imagine Georgia or Texas or something in the summer, but all
(12:34):
the time. And so I would go to this little
studio that had classes for like15 year olds and that was and
they were so good. And that's all I could like
find. And they would do this crazy
footwork and I would start a class like sweating, like just
trying to keep up. And the little kids would kind
of like look at me like, why is this girl here?
I don't really understand, but Idid learn some stuff, but like
(12:56):
not as much as more like an exercise.
But I just kept trying. And then, you know, later on in
Colombia, I started working witha private teacher and going to
another studio. And so yeah, I really just got
into it because of my own passion for like new cultures
and wanting to really understandthem on a deeper level.
So that's. Yeah, I love that.
(13:18):
I love that. I, I really love how you take
the, the time and the effort to really understand the new
culture that you're in. Slight tangent here, but I want
to shout out my dad because he does something similar but in a
very different way. What he does to kind of
understand a culture better whenhe travels to a different
(13:39):
country is the first thing he does is get a haircut.
So like to get to the vibe at the barbershop or something?
Yeah. And like, you know, what's the
style? What do people get?
Like ask, like, what are the local places to go to?
And like, that's what he does. I love that for your dad, it's
actually kind of connected because Rena came to Bogota
(14:01):
where I was living because of her dad.
Her dad is on his amazing world adventure and he was in in
Colombia, in Bogota. So then she came to visit and we
actually, she actually joined mefor my salsa class in my studio,
if you remember. I didn't.
I did I? I didn't know what I was really
going into, but it was fun. Like, yeah, you know, it was
(14:25):
kind of more of like a they didn't really, like teach you
too much choreography. They taught you a little.
And then like, you kind of they turn on the music and you kind
of just go. But it was, yeah, it's
definitely like Haley's, right? Like you.
You do get like intimately, likephysically clothes with someone
and it's usually like a stranger.
So you kind of get to know people really quickly.
(14:47):
OK, so you mentioned earlier youknow salsa means sauce, and I
was wondering, do you feel like the sauce metaphor captures the
dance experience too, especiallysince you've danced salsa in so
many different places? That's a really good question.
I mean, it definitely applies like as you said, where it comes
from all the different types of dance that are that fed into
(15:11):
that concept. But I think to something that
I'm actually navigating here in San Diego is like there are a
lot of different dance studios, not just Latin dance and then
but that is often closely connected because it's like the
main other form of Latin dance. But then there's like Afro Cuban
like ways of dancing. And then even like I know people
in my studio who do hip hop or jazz And you know, if you were a
(15:34):
dancer growing up, I wasn't, I mean, I did like ballet when I
was 5 and then like a couple contemporary classes in high
school. So you could say it was, but it
wasn't my top hobby. My main like after school hobby
was soccer. And so I didn't know like all
these types of dance exists. So I feel like when you start
with one, like you realize, oh, there's so much more out there.
(15:54):
And like I want to try all theseother ones.
Because if I do more like, you know, traditionally graceful
dances like jazz or ballet, thatcan like make my salsa more
grateful. But then if I do like reggaeton
or hip hop, like I can learn to hit more beats or move my body
in a way, in a different way. So I really feel like it's all
connected. And I definitely feel that the
(16:15):
sauce metaphor applies in that way too, yeah.
I love that. And then have you ever danced
salsa in a place with a strong connection to it like New York
City or Cuba? And or how many countries more
places have you danced to salsa in?
Because Haley is like worldwide traveler.
(16:37):
I try. There's a lot of place I've
been, but yeah, I mean, something that you learn to in
the dance community is that people seek out like wherever
and there's always some people that dance.
I mean, there's this famous songcalled Bachata in Fukuoka, which
is like, not immature for pronouncing that right, but it's
a city in Japan. And like, it's about this guy's
(16:57):
experience dancing bachata in the city, in Japan.
And so I mean, obviously Colombia, like, you know, that's
hugely connected to it. When I was in New York recently,
I really wanted to go. I didn't get a chance to, but I
was in Boston afterwards and I went, which is not necessarily
huge connection there. I went to Puerto Rico earlier
this year and like, was dancing all the time and made a lot of
(17:18):
friends and a huge, huge influence from there.
Haven't gotten the chance to go to Cuba, but really, like, yeah,
Puerto Rico, Colombia. But like, anywhere you go, you
can find dancers even in, you know, Boston.
So yeah, yeah, that's awesome. How can you tell if someone is a
dancer? Like, do you just ask them?
Or is it like in a setting wherepeople are dancing and you're
(17:39):
like, oh, that guy's, that person's good at dancing, How do
you know? There's definitely better dances
than others, but I'm not saying like, oh, just on the street
he's playing the dancers. Although in South America, I
mean like I remember when I was less into it, but in the
Dominican Republic, like people are, that's where bachata really
like originated or has a strong influence and people are dancing
(18:01):
all the time in the street. But no, I mean more like you
just look up online. Like there's actually a website,
I forget what it's called, but I've seen it like in multiple
countries. It has like salsa events going
on in every city that you can find out each night what's going
on. And so you just show up and
that's how you know, you know, the dances are like anyone who
goes there is obviously there for the event.
(18:23):
So that's really how you find it.
That's so cool. I love that.
And I'm just like, I really wantto eat salsa now.
Like I really. Want chips?
Seriously, I really want chips and salsa.
I think I'm going to go to underdogs too after this and get
some chips and sauce. I.
Wish I could join you. That's so sad.
It's a funny thing that I want to say too.
It's like, I don't know if you've heard that concept of
(18:43):
like, Chai in like Hindi is tea and like Chai tea is repetitive.
Like it's kind of the same thing.
Like we think of salsa as that red sauce or maybe like green
salsa or whatever. But like, yeah, if you're in a
Spanish speaking country, you have to be more specific because
you're just saying sauce. So.
I just think it's like funny howwe adopt these terms, but salsa
(19:06):
is a is a wide variety. Yeah, that's so funny.
It's like an Italian when you when you order shrimp scampi,
that's just saying shrimp, shrimp.
But yeah, exactly. Section 2 The Mambo Legacy
(19:27):
Trivia Question Two who is knownas the Mambo King and one of the
most influential salsa instructors from the 1980s, A
Tito Puente, B Eddie Torres, C Johnny Pacheco, or D Celia Cruz.
I'm glad we have options. Can you, I heard the options.
(19:49):
Can you just repeat the questionone more time?
So let me sure how? Yes.
Trivia question two who is knownas the Mambo King and one of the
most influential salsa instructors from the 1980s.
B Eddie Torres. Yes, you're correct.
Good job. So you know who that is?
Yes, I do. OK, you're like, duh, of course
(20:10):
I know who that is. So a little background on Eddie
Torres. He's often credited with
formalizing salsa dance instruction.
He's especially known for his role in developing and spreading
New York style salsa or quote UNquote, on to a rhythmic
variation that emphasizes timingand musicality.
(20:31):
So in the 1980s, he taught countless students and helped
bring salsa from informal socialhalls into more structured
performance settings. His connection with musicians
like Tito Puente helped him fusemusic and movement in a way that
still influences dancers today. Even if dancers follow different
styles now, his legacy is definitely still foundational.
(20:54):
So Haley, you knew the answer, obviously did my explanation of
Eddie Tara's track, and also where did you first learn about
him? Yeah, I think your explanation
on more details than I knew, again, I mean, I am crediting
always my teacher Patrick for his salsa history tangents.
That's how I definitely learned more about that.
(21:15):
I mean, everything you're sayingis accurate and he definitely is
credited with all of that starting all of that.
Yeah. Cool, have you ever learned or
taught on two or the New York style salsa so.
That's what I do now. I actually started learning on
on one which is more popular. It's like more popular in Latin
(21:37):
America in what you just see on the streets of Latin America.
But I think on to is kind of seen, but not only the New York
style, but like the more professional style, like people
who actually take classes and stuff like that.
A lot of them will eventually learn on to.
My studio only teaches salsa on to.
Oh yeah. And so I actually did transition
(21:59):
and from on one and it's, you know, listening to different
parts of the music, like if you with salsa on one, you're like
you're learn, you learn a lot about the different instruments
when thinking about these ways of dancing salsa and so on one
is tracking with the cowbell, which hits on every odd beat of
the music. So like, if you think of music
(22:19):
scale one through 8, it's like 1357.
And then salsa on 2 is followingthe rhythm of the conga, which
is on the even beats, which is like 246 and eight.
That's not the best explanation,but essentially on the even
beats. And so you're listening for like
different beats in the music. And so you and it like depends
what like on on the even beats on onto that's when you step
(22:42):
forward or back your break step in on one, you step forward or
back on the cowbell beats. And so it's just kind of a
different way of listening to music and people have all
different theories about it at this point.
I can like, switch between the two and just feel the music.
And it's not that complicated. But it was a transition.
And I do, I think, you know, youcan learn to dance really well
(23:04):
on both. But like, focusing on onto in my
studio has really helped me growwith my technique as a dancer.
But yeah, that's what got popularized through New York.
And even in Colombia, I would see that the professional
dancers who taught classes were new to dance on to as well.
Wow. When when making this section, I
had no idea about this. I literally had no idea.
(23:27):
I was just like looking at like,you know, what is influential in
the salsa world and I just decided, oh, Mambo King, that's
a fun name. Let's see if Haley knows who
that is. And I had no idea your studio
literally uses on to the New York style salsa and also your
explanation of that helps me understand why it's called on to
(23:48):
on the even beats. That makes complete sense.
And then, yeah, I can teach thisstuff.
Now I can't. But I'm saying like, yeah, it's
so true. When you wrote that question, I
saw that question, I was like, wow, she doesn't even know how
relevant this is. No, my dance journey.
Yeah, I have no idea. OK, cool.
I think it's, yeah, it's, it's really interesting.
(24:08):
I mean, mambo itself is a bit more complex.
There's like technically onto some, it's called mambo style,
but there's like another more specific way to dance mambo and
a step called mambo. But yeah, once you go down this
rabbit hole, girl, you learn a lot.
Oh my gosh. I love that.
So, Haley, what is your take on structured versus social
(24:30):
learning in salsa? Yeah, that's a really good
question and something I think about constantly because, for
example, I don't normally go to class on Saturdays, but I don't
have much going on today. So it was like, I'll go, but
often times during the weekend I'm out social dancing, which
basically means, you know, just think of like a normal club,
like anyone that they put on an event and you're just dancing
(24:51):
with random people versus like aclass being an instructor and
picking up choreography and patterns and things like that.
I think you really need both honestly.
I think that social dancing is like also, well, I guess I
started with the class, but likehow I really fell in love with
the music and like, you know, would hear the songs that were
repeated and just like trying different things and feeling it
(25:14):
out. And that's also how you kind of
practice because if you learn a pattern in a class, you know
what's coming, at least for a follow, which would be, you
know, usually the female who's following the steps that the
lead or the male usually is, youknow, putting her through.
And so when you're out social dancing, you don't know what's
coming, so you can't plan for it.
So you really have to like lean into the music and use your
(25:35):
technique to kind of get throughthat.
But then the class, like that's where you really drill your
technique, you work on your footwork, you learn like the
different concepts that go into being a good dancer, all of
that. So I think you need both, but I
really don't think that you can advance that well if you don't
social dance. Like if people can get really
good at dancing, just social dancing, maybe they look up
(25:57):
videos on YouTube. But if you're and also that
isn't where the fun is that likethat's why I got into dancing
and loved it. Like it's a social thing.
You know, if you're just need for some people or just go to
class. But for me, like that's not the
whole point. The point is like be out there
with the people experience. Yeah, totally.
I've, I've seen something similar online.
It's something called improv dancing.
(26:19):
I don't think it's specifically like social dancing because it's
more of like a competition. So, and it doesn't necessarily
have to be salsa, but it's like basically there's a, you know,
you're in like a ballroom situation and like 2 random
people get paired up and they just play a song and they just
have to start dancing. Like they, they, these people
(26:40):
might not even know each other, but then they get judged on like
who was like the best, like improv dancing.
It just seems so crazy to me. Like if you don't even know the
person, you don't even know whatsong you're doing.
You don't even know what kind ofdance you're doing.
And like it just the things I'veseen just look so flawless.
It looks like they've rehearsed it.
(27:00):
So maybe they get all the practice with social.
Yeah, that's the ideal right to that you'll be able to become so
connected to music and the beatsthat like you can really move
your body to anything. But it's so funny to hear you
talk about this like as a non dancer because you're like, it
reminds me that if you're on theoutside looking and you're like,
(27:22):
what is this? I'm like, yes, that's a
competition, you know, or whatever specific type of
content. But that is normal.
Like that's what you do. I guess the plebs like go out to
the club and they Just Dance with their friends or like maybe
a cute stranger stranger. But like this is really the
whole point is like changing part.
It's about the dance. It's not about like and and
(27:44):
being social through that. It's not about like getting
drunk or like just you know, vibing or whatever.
And so you're always rotating, you're always meeting strangers.
That's like literally the whole point, which is funny.
The plebes, the plebians. Yeah, that's OK.
Yeah, I'm kidding. I mean.
I love it. Just to confirm, your dance
(28:05):
group teaches like you guys do, Like formal choreography
lessons? OK, got it.
And then like you memorize what they teach you.
Yeah, but for what's lucky in a way for follows that you don't
have to really memorize the patterns part that a partner
work because you're getting LED through it.
But there is choreography that'slike just footwork, which means
(28:27):
that it's just you alone that you could memorize or you know,
incorporate. So yeah.
OK, cool. So, Haley, if you could take a
class with anyone from salsa history, who would it be?
I was thinking about this today.I don't know.
Because like a class, you know, I mean, there's like people I
(28:47):
would want to see play live. Like salsa primarily is music.
So it doesn't necessarily mean that people teach it.
It would be sick to learn from Eddie Torres.
Like just based on what you said, you know, he started this
concept of like instruction and stuff.
But if I were to like see anyonelive playing salsa, I would love
to see Grupo Nietzsche. It's like the a very famous
(29:08):
Colombian salsa band and they'reactually playing in LA in
October. I might go.
I'm very excited for that. They won't be teaching, but
they'll be playing amazing musicand it always really connects me
to a place that I consider a second home and and the music
there. So I really love all their
music. Oh, that's awesome.
I guess if we want to rephrase the question, who would you want
(29:30):
to dance salsa with? Yeah, I mean, it would probably
be like Grupo Niche or with someone and I don't even know
the band members on it, but thatwould be pretty sick.
Section 3 The many flavors of salsa Trivia Question 3 How many
(29:50):
commonly recognized styles of salsa dancing are there?
Do I get options for this one? Yeah, you can get options.
I was waiting. I was like, I wonder if you know
this right off the bat, but I'llgive you the options 346 or
8:00. Give me the question one more
time. Trivia Question 3 How many
commonly recognized styles of salsa dancing are there?
(30:12):
346 or 8:00. I have no idea because this can
refer to a lot of things. Oh no, let's go see.
Yes. Really, I was just a guess.
OK, good job this podcast you. Won.
You won. You're the salsa expert.
(30:33):
OK, so we have on two on one Cuban salsa rueda de casino
Colombian style and then salsa choke.
Choke. I get why you would read it
though. Choke Choke chapter.
(30:55):
OK, E. Choke.
Thank you. So OK, we talked about New York
style on 2, which is, you know, you move on the cowbell.
No, no, you move on the drum beat, which is on the even
number. And according to the Internet,
this is like a smooth, elegant, emphasizes footwork and timing
(31:15):
sort of dance. LA style is on one, which is the
cowbell on the odd number beats,right.
And according to the Internet, again, flashy and fast with
dramatic dips and tricks. Yes.
OK. And then #3 Cuban salsa,
circular and fluid, rooted in traditional Cuban social dances
(31:37):
#4 Redda redda de casino. It's a group dance from Cuba
where dancers from a circle forma circle and execute moves in
unison, called out by the leader.
OK. And then Colombian style, high
energy, fast footwork popular inclubs and social settings.
And then salsa choque, A newer urban Colombian style that
(32:00):
blends reggaeton and hip hop with salsa rhythms.
There you. Go, you got it.
There might be more, but I've definitely heard of all of those
and SO. Good.
And have you danced all these kinds of different salsa?
Great question. I mean, we incorporate Cuban
style zone steps in class, but like, I guess I technically
haven't danced it because I've seen videos of the circularness
(32:24):
of it. And although I guess in one
social dance there was a guy whowas trained in it, I think we're
kind of dancing it. Then Ruella I've seen and it's
really cool, but I've never gotten the chance to be part of
it. But I know a lot of people who
dance it. But yeah, the rest of them,
yeah. Yeah, cool.
Yeah. So each style really reflects
different cultural values, musical traditions and even
(32:47):
personality traits. So different kinds of dance
here. And Haley, I think you mentioned
your dance group does on to. That's the only.
One. That's the only one.
Yeah, although there's influences because the 1st 2 are
more about how you step in, likeyour timing of the music, but
(33:09):
the other ones are more like styles, so there's overlap for
sure. OK, for sure.
And then which style do you lovedancing the most and why?
I don't know if I can pick. I mean, everything, as I said,
it's all overlapping. So I really can't pick.
Yeah, I'm not even going to try.I think.
I think though, something I'll say sometimes in the dance
(33:30):
community, we get so obsessed with like trying new tricks and
like I even find myself, you know, in my head like counting
or being like, did I get that turn perfectly or I should be
doing this better? And something I sometimes miss
about Columbia and sometimes I get social dancing here is just
simple like, and I associate that with more on one honestly,
but like just simple moves whereyou're just enjoying the music,
(33:53):
singing to the your favorite songs while you're dancing.
I think, you know, like any hobby, you can get kind of
intense about it or activity. And so I definitely miss that.
And I haven't danced also choking in a while, but it's
really fun. OK, cool.
Yeah, I love reggaeton, so I feel like that would probably be
my favorite, even though I've never seen it.
(34:13):
I just know I love reggaeton music so and like the beat, you
know? Right.
Yeah, it's tough. Yeah, when you're dancing, do
you ever mix elements from different styles into one?
I mean, I guess that is the nature of salsa, mixing styles
together. And the more styles you know,
the better your dance is for sure.
Are there any styles of salsa that you'd love to try or master
(34:36):
next? Good.
Question I actually think more like I'm focused on other types
of dance that would improve my salsa.
Like I think that, you know, I as I grew up like kind of what
we were talking about with the nature of dance and being so
intimate, like I grew up in a culture that, you know, is not
as comfortable with like intimacy, especially with
(34:58):
strangers and or like social intimacy, I would say.
And so I think in my dance that reflects of like this would be
what who know me would say personally about me too is I
have trouble relaxing and so I know I get that feedback from
dance partners. Like your shoulders are really
tense. Your arms are really tense, like
it makes it harder to move you and spin you.
(35:19):
And like also when I noticed my body movement when dancing like
more advanced dancers, you really see them like move with
the music and isolate different parts of their body.
And like I still feel that I'm missing that element, that
groove, that natural groove. And so I feel like there are
other types of dance that because salsa is very like in
(35:39):
some ways can be very structuredof how it's taught and how it
stands because like, you know, the counting can be kind of
complicated and some other dances are a bit more simple and
much more about just like being very loose.
So I think that I could really gain a lot from practicing those
other types of dance. Yeah, it sounds like you need
something that would be a littlebit more fluid to kind of help
(36:01):
you move more seamlessly and just kind of relax.
Exactly. Awesome.
Well, we've covered all of my questions, Trivia questions,
discussion questions, discussiontopics, and deep dives.
You've got three out of three correct?
You have mastered this trivia episode.
(36:22):
Round of applause. Yay.
So what was your favorite thing that we talked about during this
chat? Like what stood out to?
You. I'm just proud of myself that I
know these trivia questions are just like, it's just sometimes
it's so easy to not notice your own growth.
And then you get these moments where you get to check in with
(36:43):
like, what you've learned how like, wow.
I I know. I know some things.
Yeah. You.
Know a lot of things and all, thanks.
To Patrick now. Thanks to Patrick and and Diana.
Yeah, I I love this conversationoverall.
I'm. I'm trying to think like if
there was something specific. I like being reminded about the
history. I think that my teachers have
really drilled into me to like, remember that this dance comes
(37:06):
from rich traditions that are marginalized, you know, in our
society are not often credited with these things.
So remembering where it's from and like connecting to all of
that, I was really special. But also just it's cool that
talking about all this like lights me up, which I think is
how I know it's a passion of mine as it makes me feel happy.
Yeah, I can tell. I can tell.
(37:27):
That's awesome. My favorite thing that I learned
during this, I guess creating ofthe outline of this episode was
I had no idea that salsa was such a more recent and I'm not,
I guess the term salsa, right? Like we learned in the
beginning, it was born in. That's the version of salsa that
(37:48):
we know today was born in New York City in the 1960s and 70s.
Like that's not. That long ago.
That's a really good point. You're right totally, I thought.
For some reason, it was like a ancient historical dance that
has been around for like hundreds and hundreds of years.
But that's not right. Yeah, yeah, it's it's so true
(38:09):
that you say that. I mean, really good call out.
You're making me think too like as I'm pretty obsessed with how
many people probably are the latest Bad Bunny album and him
in general day Peter and much photos.
But he has a song on there called Baileno Viam that's a
salsa song and he didn't really produce that type of music in
the past. This album is gained so much
popularity and like who noted for incorporating some of those
(38:31):
older rhythms that you talked about like bomba and plena.
And what I think is so cool is like even older folks, if you
watch the music video, it's all about like many things in his
first dance with this woman, buthe it shows like him as an older
man remembering like his first dance with his kind of first
love and all this stuff. And I just in there's so many
videos on Instagram too, of likeolder folks listening to his
(38:54):
recent album, not knowing him really, but like, oh, wow, that
rhythm, like and just bouncing like a grandpa bouncing to it.
And so I think like, even thoughit's more recent, because it
pulls from these traditions, like there's so many people of
all ages who feel really, reallyconnected to it.
Yeah, I love that so much. And I can't believe I've never
seen you dance like, live. Oh, I guess we've, you know, in
(39:18):
that class together. We did.
And then there was like some dinner party that we went to in
San Francisco where there was dancing involved.
I'm excited to see you like dance with your dance group.
I did see a clip that you postedon Instagram and it looked
really, really good. Like, and I love all the
matching costumes and you guys look professional.
(39:40):
So I will definitely make sure to add that onto the Instagram
podcast or the podcast Instagramso the listeners can see that
too. Yes, and not to be, I mean, a
huge advertiser, but you should tag my studios their logo
Mellomano. But they yeah, I credit them
with so much. And as I said, my directors and
then I mean, we'll have more performances if you're if you
(40:01):
ever come to San Diego and I hope to keep joining teams and
just, you know, like, I think overall remembering like that I
love this and that, you know, it's a journey.
So coming up to the end of this chat here, Haley, I've had so
much fun with you. Thanks so much for coming on.
If you were to guess again, whatdo you think you'd want to be
quizzed on like another? Topic, yeah, maybe like places
(40:25):
in South America or languages ormaybe even like I'm trying to
make one of my other hobbies, like working out or something.
So yeah, any of those. But you know, I'm always
learning from your podcast, too,so I have to continue to be a
regular listener. Thanks and yeah, awesome.
Thank you so much for being hereof.
Course. My pleasure.
(40:51):
Thank you for listening to the show.
This is Trivia Tangents, where we cover various trivia topics.
We have new episodes released every Thursday, which I like to
call Trivia Thursday. I'm Lena and special thanks to
our guest Haley for sharing her awesome insights and trivia
tangents about salsa dancing with us.
Make sure to keep an eye out fornext week's episode all about
long distance open water swimming.
(41:12):
Thanks for listening. And learning.
If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a five star
rating or thumbs up. Follow or subscribe and share
with a friend for bonus content.You can find trivia tangents on
(41:35):
TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and of course all podcasts platforms
under Trivia Tangents Podcast. Check out our website at
triviatangentspodcast.com to purchase trivia starter packs
based on these episodes, perfectfor hosting your very own trivia
night.
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