All Stars Salsa Fridays (North London)

Fun cuban salsa!

The friendliest place to dance in London! The people attending this weekly event is like one big family, but they greet newcomers with open arms and you immediately feel very welcome, regardless of who you are, your dance experience etc.On several occasions, we've travelled all the way from Sweden in order to attend and we've never once been disappointed. Great price, great music and great teachers.The hostess Amanda, apart from being a fab DJ herself, also has a great selection of guest DJs and she lets DJs play that might not get a chance in other places. A big plus is also the free snacks that keeps you going for a full night of dancing, dancing, dancing!

Attended last night 1 September 2023.The reception was good and welcoming although you need to make it very clear that you are a beginner ( as I am) to Salsa. In terms of instruction this was extremely variable and v disorganised. Nothing is clear at all . There needs to be something written down with timings etc which you can refer to so that you know what’s going on and when so you can make a decision about which class to join- there are several that run simultaneously. I don’t know if this is a deliberate omission or a control thing / it’s v v odd. There should be a document that makes clear the structure of the evening : what time event class starts and what goes on in the breaks between classes.I was told to go into the bachata class as a beginner but this was not right at all as I have no experience. (misunderstanding? Who knows)Caution though the instructor of this class took delight in humiliating members of the class , was on some sort of narcissistic ego trip and was positively bullying in plain sight. He attempted intimidation and on the third occasion of this, I left to join another class. Two other women also did the same. Beware older larger white male. A bit rough and handsy too as part of my observation throughout the evening this was evident.Interestingly when he led the whole hall line dance or what ever it’s called his ego trip continued and vastly different in style to the other whole class leaders who was superb. This was really unpleasant to watch and observe,I then joined the Cuban dancing class -vastly better She is very accomplished and the style is clearly instructional, clean, collaborative and without taint.What I did notice is that this whole team of instructors are not keen on questions: interruptions UNLESS they ask you - I guess it’s all about the time and getting through the sequence. Clearly they have a structure. I tried to get clarification at the end of the lesson twice but was ignored.The music was good. Unnecessarily hectic at times as if the DJ was having a joke at our expense but it did get better. I kid you not!The actual people that attend ? Nice friendly bunch that all seem to know each other but that’s a minor point/ I would try it again but choose the lesson that you attend carefully - you will have to ask several times because it’s really not clear at all .Just know that these folks are not dance teachers they are instructors.I say all of the above as an academic teacher with 20 years pedagogical experience.Try it for yourself on the whole it’s ok for what they are doing , but you need a thick skin. I won’t be returning .

Lovely music, great DJ’s, delicious food and fantastic people all for £8.