Salsa dancing originated in the sunny Caribbean, but the Bradley Salsa Club is keeping it alive and well in the rainy Midwest.
Salsa Club meetings are on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Markin 30. Students are taught by professional dancers Ed and Beverly Caballero, who have been dancing professionally for 20 years and have been teaching in Peoria since 2007.
Usually, dancers cycle among partners, practicing a specific move with a couple different individuals.
“That way you kind of get that move in your head,” said sophomore international business major Rebecca Gomez, the club president. “People dance differently, so it’s good to get … that foundation.”
Even couples that attend together usually rotate partners.
“Something that we do is ‘Casino,’” Gomez said. “You get in a circle … then you have one person who’s the leader, and they call out a variety of different moves and you have to do it in synchronization. You gotta think fast.”
Sophomore nursing major Jacelyn Jackson, the club’s vice president, described it as “the most chaotic game of ‘Simon Says’ ever.”
In addition to regular meetings, the club has a performance team for the more advanced members, with a special instructor to help with choreography. They attend the occasional competition, but more often they perform at local charity events and various Latinx organizations. They have also given lessons at sorority and fraternity exchanges.
People can go at their own pace in the club. Some of the more experienced members, like Gomez, often dance in heels, but that’s not necessary either.
“I don’t know how she does it,” said Jackson. “I dance in, like, Chucks.”
Film and media often portray salsa as a “sexy” dance, but Gomez promises that’s not always the case.
“[Salsa dancing] can be sensual, but it shouldn’t be sexualized,” she said. “I was watching ‘Dancing with the Stars’ yesterday … and I got so angry, because they only did like three basic steps … It’s so sexualized on TV.”
The club does not require any dancing experience to attend salsa club meetings and they are always glad to have new members. No teammate or equipment is required.
“I started out dancing my freshman year here,” Gomez said.
“Some of the previous members … were just overall really welcoming,” Jackson added. “All levels of experience are welcome. From ‘I did ballet for twelve years’ to ‘I do Dance, Dance Revolution.’”
“You don’t need a partner,” said Gomez. “You don’t need to dress up. Just bring yourself.”
The club is trying to fundraise for real salsa costumes, and intends to sell churros during finals week.
