Back to normal - or abnormal for Fridays?

September 29, 2006

Playlist

Pedro Navaja – Willie Colon & Ruben Blades
La Agonia – Lebron Brothers
Sientate Ahi – Oscar D’Leon
Playa No More – Crystal Sierra (Spanish version)*
Siete Vidas – El Gran Combo*
Anacaona – Cheo Feliciano
Cua Cua – Tito Puente (Dancemania version)*
Si Tu Bailas – Grupo Latin Vibe*

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Un Poquito Mas – Jimmy Bosch*
Lindo Yambu – Cheo Feliciano*
Bamboleate – Eddie Palmieri & Cal Tjader*
El Swing De Fruko – Fruko Y Sus Tesos
Fragile – Massimo Scalici
Timba Temba Tumba – Los Van Van*
No Hay Cama Pa’ Tanta Gente – El Gran Combo*
Push, Push, Push – Joe Cuba
Alabanciosa – Manny Oquendo*

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El Menu – El Gran Combo*
La Pantera Mambo – La 33
Ran Kan Kan – Tito Puente (Mambo Birdland version)
Malanga Amarilla – Cachao
La Llave – Grupo Latin Vibe

22 songs total. 20 Salsa. 1 Cha Cha. 11 new songs I have not played before.

I think the group of Sergio, Cyrille, Zern, Euvian, Sam, Izzy, Richard et al (I'm not sure if they came in together) arrived around or after I played Los Van Van.

Quote of the day – “I’m going to dance with [deleted] girls.”

Surprisingly good night of dancing – at least for me. Any low expectation I had was shattered. I particularly enjoyed having danced to “Un Verano En New York” pretty satisfactorily for the first time. Another highlight was a song Vishal obtained via the UK Congress Salsa CD – I believe the song title may be “A Mans World.” Both Serap and Sergio commented that it was a good song. Vishal played several really nice songs.

A guy asked me about private lessons. At this point I don’t feel qualified enough. Besides he can dance Merengue much better than me (as well as with some other dances besides Salsa).

Stephanie is back – I hadn’t seen her in quite some time. She has improved a great deal. It’s great to have another excellent dance partner in Cambridge and with a lot of enthusiasm for dancing to boot.

Phrase of the day – “Furry cup”

Don’t ask. It was used at least 30 times - probably to get me in trouble.

I danced one Merengue early in the evening upon request. I don’t think I was particularly good. I was also on the dance floor late in the evening presumably for Reggaeton (but I’m not sure). My only defense (or sorts) is that Sergio was on the floor longer than I was.

Sey, Serap and Sam. I found Serap free for a dance, but the song that came up next was "Sey" by Africando. Vishal loves this song. I hate it. I asked Serap for a dance for the next song. I think Serap was ready to dance with me but with me reluctant she danced with Johnny instead. I took a brief look at the dance floor and stepped over to Sam and asked her to count the beats. Sam was confused at first. I think she thought at first that I was asking her for a dance and then that I might be asking her to lead me. No No. I clarified my question by explaining that I don't like this song because of timing issues. She then went, "one two three, five six seven." I said enough and good (both of us were in agreement). When I dance to this song, I end up getting frustrated most of the time because my partner and I go off in time all the time and it's no fun spending most of the time merely trying to stay in time. Sam then took a look at the dance floor for herself and commented, "Most of the people are off time." By the way, I picked on Sam in part because of a conversation we had about timing the other day. Eventually the song ended, and I found Serap for a dance.

Tony and I corresponded about his forthcoming Bachata tour earlier today. I touched base with Vishal at the end of the evening. It might happen.