If you thought Central London was the only place on earth to get down in style on Sundays, you’re missing out on Surrey’s biggest monthly Salsa party night at the Oceana Club, 154 Clarence Street in Kingston.
   OK chicos, it’s on the borders of Surrey and there be dragons but you won’t fall off the edge of the world (although you might get trapped forever in the whirlpool that is Kingston one way system).
   Oceana is the centre piece of the Surrey Salsa scene: the venue is humungus, with two separate clubs and five themed bars. It’s friendly, so you’ll have no trouble getting a dance. There’s a sprung wooden floor, with enough room to dance without having to call out St John’s Ambulance to get stilettos surgically removed from your feet. Classes kick off at 7.30pm, with serious party dancing from 8.30pm ‘til midnight.
   There’s an open air car park just minutes away on the one way system by Gala Bingo (free on Sundays after 6pm) and Kingston mainline station is two minutes walk. Be warned: Kingston is a no park zone so make sure you park legally.
More info from: www.mundolatinouk.co.uk email: mundolatinouk@aol.com or call Carlos Paz on 0777 5624089

While Salsa at the Bulls Head Hotel in Chistlehurst, Kent on Tuesday nights is popular with women, guys are in short supply.
Why the club has not been able to attract more salseros is a puzzle to Salsabrisa’s  promoter Angela Chandler. “We have an excellent teaching team so our women are up and dancing to a good standard. Come on, you guys, if you’re living in the area, get down here and dance!”
Held in the Hotel’s plush ballroom, the venue has a sprung wooden floor, bars and air conditioning. UKA qualified teachers Ned and Steve are the business,

teaching a fusion of smooth Cuban with a touch of LA style.
For more: call Angela on 01689 818795 or visit:www.salsabrisa.co.uk

Above: Osbanis performing with Iris de Brito. Catch Osbanis at the Afro-Cuban Dance Day
Photo by Mike Payne.

Funky Salsa at Pineapple Studio

With only one chance every week to catch them, hot-foot it along to Joseph Koniak and Iris de Brito’s funky Salsa dance class at Pineapple Dance Studios at 7 Langley Street, Covent Garden on Wednesdays.
With two world Salsa champions teaching a unique fusion of Jazz and Latin styles, this has got to be one of the most glitzy and glamorous classes in town. With classes for all levels from 7.00-9.00pm, Joseph provides the missing link between Salsa and Lambada, while Iris’ command of fluid Cuban body styling makes her one of Salsa’s hottest mamas.
Joseph, probably best known as the face on the Beeb’s Salsa trailer, is back on the box again with Iris as specialist coaches on Strictly Dance Fever with Graham Norton. Meanwhile, Iris is working with the Cubans - Janet, Rafael and Osbanis on a new routine “Obara” and has a Ladies Styling workshop planned for 21st May in London – more details to follow.
More from: www.pineapple.uk.com Email: studios@pineapple.uk.com Tel: 020 7836 4004. 
Top tip: they’ve got more crumpet there than Hovis guys, so get yourself kitted out with a pair of leg warmers and gloves with no fingers and get yo’ butt down there!

Tooting Goes Latin!

Captain’s log, Stardate,Tuesday evening, Tooting, South London: It’s deadsville, man. Even the Bushmen of the Kalahri have more places to go to shake their booty.
Well, now things are looking up. South African-born Marchant Birch – one of the UK’s most popular Salsa instructors - teaches on Tuesdays in Tooting with Salsita’s Nadia and Koorosh (Cyrus). SORRY GUYS - Marchant’s now in Chiswick on Thursdays - butotherwise  the club’s still there!! 22/2/06)
The setting is the Classic Club, 28 Upper Tooting Road, newly refurbished to the tune of £250,000. Now a swanky, 250 capacity venue with a sprung wooden floor, air conditioning and a hip bar for posing, it’s just two minutes walk from Tooting Bec station. Beginners and improvers classes at 7.00pm, with intermediates and advanced at 8.00pm. More: 07905 608 970 or visit www.salsita.co.uk

Left: Marchant and Nadia snapped by Mike Payne.

Veteran ballroom dancers Frank and Peggy Spencer would be proud. The former home of their world famous formation team – the Royston Ballroom in Penge, south London – is once again hosting dance events, only this time it’s Salsa!
Chris Ward and Debbie Genet’s (left) Salsa Dance Club attracts a 60-strong crowd on Monday nights to learn London style Salsa in a fun and friendly atmosphere. The venue benefits from a huge, sprung wooden floor, a cheap bar and easy parking. The venue is tricky to find – it’s tucked away at the far end of Royston Road – but it’s well worth checking out.For more information call: 07957 644979 or 07814 579562. Nearest BR stations, Kent House and Clock House; tram stop, Beckenham Road.
Save ££££! First-timers coming with a friend qualify for a 2-4-1 Special Entry price for classes! Regulars bringing a new friend qualify for £2.00 off. Click HERE to print off your Special Offer voucher!!!

Eight Salsa instructors have partnered up to launch a new co-operative venture called London Salsa.
The new club is at the Two Brewers, 114 High Street, Clapham on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The team comprises Nicolas Angitano (Salsoteca), Mark Waters (Salsa-UK), Newton Brown (SOS), Ify Hague (Salsa Motion), Maria McDermott, Althea Finch and others. 
The Two Brewers is friendly, unpretentious and relaxed. Classes start at 7.30pm with club dancing 'til 11.00pm. Nearest tube is Clapham Common, although you may need to scout around for parking.

Above: London Salsa’s Mark Walters with Maria Palmieri. Maria now teaches with Boogaloo Barry (see weekly listings) .

I’m at the Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden doing a pole-dancing class.
     I feel I’m in a sci-fi movie where

& Cameron...