Couple starts moving with salsa, bachata
A year ago, Desiree Joachim and her husband, Anthony, were looking to find an activity to do as a couple.
The Canyon Country residents decided they would take on something rather new for both of them — salsa and bachata dancing.
“This is literally the only dancing I’ve ever done. I’ve never danced in my life,” said Desiree. “I was always a wallflower, but I decided to give it a year and I really like it.”
As they began their journey through the dancing community, the Joachims would attend dancing events among hundreds of people at clubs throughout the Los Angeles area.
At first, the couple struggled with following the “compas,” or beat of the music, but they kept practicing.
“During social dance hour, people would ask my wife to dance, and I would see how they would dance with her and I said, ‘I have to get my act together,’” said Anthony.
Both began to learn, as his wife also had trouble with step patterns.
The Joachims now enjoy showing off their fancy footwork throughout Los Angeles, and most recently in Santa Clarita.
“We’ve been dancing at Bunker Hill Bar and Grill in Valencia for about two months with the instructor, Nicole Gil, but the intention, once we get enough people, is to move to The Canyon or Black ‘N Blue,” said Anthony.
The couple says that dancing salsa and bachata has helped them make new friends with similar interests.
“The salsa community is a really tight-knit community, because we see each other at different places,” Desiree said.
Being able to share the same hobby has inspired the Joachims to invite others into the world of salsa and bachata dancing.
“There’s really nothing here in Santa Clarita for salsa or bachata dancers, and our friends here won’t leave Santa Clarita,” added Desiree.
Those who would like to attend the classes and don’t have a partner are still encouraged to attend, as partners are constantly rotating during the class.
“I remember the first time I went dancing, I actually went by myself,” said Nicole Gil, a dance instructor.
The couple, along with other local residents, gather on Wednesdays from 8 to 9 p.m. for the beginners class. The intermediate class runs 9-10 p.m., with social dancing following at 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.
On Sundays, dancers can gather for the beginners class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and the intermediate class from 7:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. Social dancing begins at 8:30 p.m. until midnight.
There’s a $10 fee for instruction, which covers both classes on the same day, as well as a complimentary drink, according to Gil.
Those who have questions about the dance classes can contact Nicole Gil at 818-681-2781 or 2nightsofdance@gmail.