Free Salsa Night by CDC at University Centre on the eve of Bachata event unveiling

November 3, 2005

Close to one hundred people were at the beginner lessons, which were offered for free as well.

The floor was alright - not as good as the Sports Centre on Mill Lane but still better than Club Salsa for the moment. Here's my personal ranking for floor quality I have been to recently.

Excellent
1. Sports Centre on Mill Lane (site of Johnny & Serap's Party - like an ice rink)
2. Mary Ward Hall (SOS - London)
3. Saffron Walden H.S. Gym (never danced there - based on moving around in basketball shoes)

Very Good
4. St. Paul's School (site of CDC Ballroom classes on Wednesdays)
5. Club Salsa (at its best)

Good
6. University Centre (bonus for large space)
7. Greens (bonus for large space)

Fair
8. St. Columba's Hall (CDC Ballroom and Beginner's practice, cracked floorboards)
9. Po Na Na Cambridge (wooden floor part only - penalty for beams in the middle of the floor)

Poor
10. Club Salsa (with varnish problem right now)
11. Soul Tree - penthouse level (faux wood floor?)

Failure
12. Po Na Na Cambridge (stone floors part - how do people dance there???)

It has been a while but Fisher Hall and Parkside Gym probably would qualify as very good or better. I also thought the non-wood floor at Waitrose Cambridge could be really good too.

Sound system was probably the biggest shortcoming; too weak and probably poorly placed. Then again, I have never been to a CDC Salsa class or event with good sound system; the best of the lot was Latin Night from last (Easter) term, which was between good and fair. In fact, I could argue that I have never been to any Salsa venue with superb sound system.

Good
Johnny & Serap's Big Party at Sports Centre
SOS
Soul Tree

Fair
Club Salsa (if there is no skipping … unfortunately it might be getting worse)

Poor
Po Na Na (often too loud - this could be DJ's fault)
Greens (sound just disappears into thin air)

Failure
University Centre (tonight)
pretty much any event with poorly-placed/amateurish sound system (too many to list)

This was a nice event. I had invited five friends to come, and two showed up. I think they were big plus for the event (even if they caused me to miss about 1 1/2 dances).

Public unveiling of the Bachata event will go on full blitz tomorrow. Planning and preparing for this event could end up being half the fun (or more) for me.