Salsa!

July 5, 2004

Salsa!

Posted in: Drivel

When I first moved to London after the States I really enjoyed the couple of Salsa nights with Peter V in Islington's la finca. In one of those unexplained followings, we stopped doing it. "Hey, this is fun. Er, let's not keep going."

So at last after a search for "Salsa Wimbledon" revealed a class just up the road. Deciding on the spot to go, I invited a new friend and we were taught in the newbie class at D-Bar for an hour. Advantages: small (six) class, disadvantage: teacher seemed to have inconsistent focus, like drilled some aspects and barely covered others. Ah well, I think it'll work averaged over time and the other beginners were fun. Will do business again.

Met another guy there, swapped numbers with a plan to check out other salsa venues, e.g. Wessex House by Clapham Junction.

Also bumped into Segun, the CEO of the company I worked for six years ago, swapped details and will check out his new offices. Who says London's too big for this stuff!

Posted by Paul Makepeace at July 5, 2004 23:00 | TrackBack

Comments

Dear Paul,

My name is Chris Marques, my partner(Jaclyn Spencer) and I are the directors of Cuban Groove.
As we are the promoters of the Salsa night in Wimbledon at the Bar we would like to offer you and your friend a free class next time you wish to come along, we came accross your feedback on the net and very much appreciated it.

I hope that during your second "try" at the bar your will find your comments positively rectified

looking forward to seeing you around,
Kind regards
Chris Marques

Posted by: Chris Marques at July 29, 2004 17:10

Hi Paul,

I've got to disagree fella. I've started salsa about 5 weeks ago and found it really hard to find good, lively classes. Chris and Jackies venue is BY FAR the best one in south london (I know, I've tried most of them!). The Bar in wimbledon on wednesdays is pumpin with a class of at least 60+ (people attending not age group!!). The general age is 22 - 35ish and its not for the faint hearted as the moves are not your usual 'old style' salsa. lots of cuban/RnB style moves that make the ladies go "oooooooooh" or in my case "Ugh?!?!?" (Give me a break, I'm still learning!!)

Posted by: Simon at August 26, 2005 15:38

Simon (et al): just to clear up a confusion - the place I was referring to is D-Bar in Wandsworth (nr Southside), not Chris & Jackie's in Wimbledon.

I agree with you Simon - I've been to C&J's a few times and it was awesome!

Posted by: Paul Makepeace at August 26, 2005 18:52

Just to let everyone know that the D-Bar is officially under new management!!! soon to be called the Saigon Bar, it will also have many events to turn up for but at the moment a plus point for the new manager s that the beer is nicer and colder...

Posted by: linda at April 11, 2006 09:23

Hi there, can anyone tell me whether the salsa classes offered by Chris Marques & Jackie Spencer in Wimbledon are still on the go? If so could you give me the when, where & how much please? Or perhaps any contact details?

Posted by: Kay at January 11, 2008 21:51