Salsa Z is teaching young Miamians how to salsa
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Salsa Z on June 21 at ZeyZey. Photos: Martina Hoyos
Standing on a stage in front of about 270 people — each looking to her for guidance — Elisa Baena demonstrated the basic step pattern of a salsa dance.
- "1, 2, 3 — relax your shoulders — 5, 6, 7 — smile on your faces," she said, with her back to the audience so they could mirror her feet. "I want your hips fluid. … Just watch me."
Why it matters: Each month, Baena leads a similar class, part of Salsa Z —the club and community she started at the year's onset.
- The name riffs on the Gen Z generation, because the group aims to teach young Miamians — specifically Gen Zers — how to learn salsa in a welcoming, fun and "non-viejuco" or "old" environment.
- It's for the "kids who grew up with salsa in our living rooms but were never taught," she wrote on social media.
Between the lines: While the group targets young folks, everyone is welcome — from people who've never before stepped to a beat of salsa, to experienced dancers looking to make friends and enjoy a night out.
- Each culture has its own way to dance salsa. Salsa Z, though, is Cuban.
State of salsa: Baena, a Miami native with Cuban roots, grew up a dancer, studying at the Miami City Ballet School and later dancing at the University of Miami while in college.
- But it was during the pandemic that she decided to formally learn salsa dance as a way to get out of the house and meet people.
There was just one issue: All of her classmates were old — "like old, old," she told Axios.
- "The only way to get better was to go to salsa socials and clubs, but it was the same scene. It was all viejos [older people]," she said. "It wasn't the vibe, and it wasn't the way I wanted to spend a Friday or Saturday night."
Yes, but: Bad Bunny released an album, "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," on Jan. 5 featuring two salsa songs. "This is my time," she said she thought.
- She hosted the first Salsa Z event in February at ZeyZey. To her surprise, about 120 people showed up.
How it works: The monthly ticketed event has changed — and grown — since launching. Ahead of last week's event, Baena announced a new structure:
- The first block is now the beginners and basics class for first-timers, those who've never taken a salsa class or for those wanting to review the basics.
- The second block is for the club's regulars, where new moves are introduced.
- On Saturday, after the session, attendees were encouraged to move inside to the disco to keep dancing to a live percussionist and vinyl set playing salsa music.
The bottom line: Baena didn't expect the club to grow this much, or this quickly; it simply started as a fun idea.
- "I love salsa, I love throwing parties, and I love Miami," she said. "I'm going to keep it going for as long as people want it."
What's next: The next class is on Thursday, July 24, at ZeyZey. Tickets cost $12.