Saskatoon Salsa soars
Traveling the world to dance may seem a lofty dream, but Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company (SSDC) has proven that for many of its students, travel is not only possible, it is vital. From annual Havana trips that see each participant paired with a professional Cuban dance instructor to visiting locations like Las Vegas and New York, SSDC owner Kimberley Parent and her students agree, there’s more to the school’s excursions than simply dancing in another time zone.
“Travel in dance is important for many reasons,” explains Parent. “Travelling immerses our students in the culture, it brings perspective and inspiration, offers growth to dancers, and creates incredible memories to last a lifetime. Also, in salsa, so- cial dancing is a huge component so dancing with others from around the world is an amazing opportunity.”
Though a common thought is that one must have a partner to join salsa dance classes, in reality, many “singles” get their footing at Saskatoon Salsa, partnering with fellow dancers at local events or with a professional teacher on a trip like the Havana Dance Excursion. There, the structure is one-on-one, with every participant’s experience individually tailored to their level whether they have had years of training or are brand new to dance.
Student Sage Butler, who is currently competing in the international Las Vegas Salsa Bachata Super Congress with the school’s semi-pro team, is one of those “single” dancers, travelling alone to various events. “Being a part of the SSDC, there is always someone to work through dance patterns with, to share costs with and, of course, to laugh and share new experiences with,” she explains.
The social side is also appreciated by student Alanna Miller, who made the SSDC Havana trip alongside her husband. “We experienced a different way to travel,” she says, “with a group of 20 people instead of the usual allinclusive trip, and we developed strong, lasting friendships.”
Along with those relationships, Miller brought back new skills. “Travelling with SSDC was life-changing, and we returned with a confidence we lacked before.” Miller and her husband used that newfound confidence to dance for their daughter’s wedding in Ireland. “It took a lot for us to get up in front of the wedding crowd made up of our new son-in-law’s family but once we were performing, we forgot all about being the only couple on the dance floor. They say you are never too old to learn something new. Well, we sure have!”
Parent says the trips are impactful for her, too. “I enjoy bringing people to Havana to show them what I love about salsa and Cuban culture – it’s an experience rich in art, music, and dance. Watching people fall in love with salsa brings me joy, so facilitating these trips is extremely rewarding.” Saskatoon Salsa’s Havana Dance Excursion takes place February 2019 and is open to all adult students regardless of experience. The school also offers a children’s travel program for ages nine and up which, this year, will see the youth head to New York City and in 2019, to Las Vegas.