Babalu

I just realized that I've never written about this place. And since I'm not really being productive in terms of creative ideas for funny posts lately, might at least get some useful information out there. If you've never been to Babalu, and you're a Salsa dancer, make sure you go visit. There is no reason you shouldn't -- it's free on Wednesday nights (make sure you support them though, Salsa nights almost closed down once already! Don't let it happen again).

The atmosphere at the small lounge is warm, cool, mysterious and exotic all at the same time -- whatever you make of it. That's the best thing about Babalu -- on Salsa nights pretty much anything goes. You won't feel out of place whether you're mega dressed up for a night out or stopping by after walking around Greenlake in your sweats. Whether it will be crowded or not can be somewhat predicted based on whether or not it's a special day -- like St. Patricks, Valentines or April Fool's. Otherwise there's no telling whether the place will be packed, empty or right at perfect balance.

The dance floor is pretty much stone tile, and although dance shoes are still your best bet, don't get too excited about pulling off multiple spins easily. And this is actually the one place where your favorite comfy Puma's won't work. (But Converse WILL.) Don't bother showing up anytime before 10:30, which is when things kinda start to get going. One warning I will give out is that if you don't know any favorite leads who are going, there is some serious risk you might end up sitting out and watching the entire night (unless it's the crowded night and everyone is out.) It is the hub of the Bravo dance team, and they generally tend to like to dance with each other and the people they know. As a result, at times those leads who are not part of the team might be reluctant to join them on the dance floor. But that's your worst case scenario.

Usually Babalu has at least a couple good leads who come for the entire night and dance with everyone. It's also a perfect place to meet up with friends if you need to talk -- it's never too loud. Or to bring a date after coffee or dinner and spend the night dancing with only them at a place where crowds of people don't generally show up to observe. It's located on 45th Street across from QFC and right next to Selena's. Technically 21+, I've never actually seen anyone check ID's at the door. But bring one anyways, just in case.

How to Kill Your Cool in 2 Minutes Or Less

Within the past couple days I’ve had a chance to witness several (unsuccessful) attempts to take me home or get my number. Not that I’m that stingy with my number. It just doesn’t go out to random strangers I’ve just met. That said, some of those attempts were totally legit, despite the fact that the attempters walked away with no new digits in their devices. Others, on the other hand, provided some wonderful material for a new post! Surprisingly, the amount of cuteness the attempters possessed did not directly correlate with the amount of suave. One hot face who had potential to work the room in any way he wanted managed to kill his cool in under 30 seconds! If you’re tired of girls throwing themselves at you and need advice on how to appear like a total idiot, read on!

1. To prepare for the ultimate kill, previously to talking to the girl turn a normally/potentially unobtrusive dance (like a Salsa) into a grinding fest.

2. Come up to the girl, look her up and down while biting half your lip, and tell her how fine/hot/sexy she is, embellishing it with ample cussing.

3. Say it as dramatically as you can. Use all of your theatrical experience learned to date!

4. After you notice a disgusted look on the girls face, keep talking! Mumble your words (either because you’re too drunk or because you’re too lazy to learn English) so she can’t understand half the things you’re saying.

5. Don’t leave her alone even after she’s physically tried to position herself away from you.

6. When the girl responds to your invitation/phone number request with a solid “No,” attempt to change her mind.

7. Tell her that you are a great guy. As if she can’t tell by now on her own.

8. If that fails, tell her that she will be sorry and might miss out.

9. If she says that she has a boyfriend, claim that she is lying. Clearly you are the only man on earth who finds her attractive.

10. If, in an attempt to get you away, her friend tells you that she’s married (gracias amigo ;), use the opportunity to prove to the world that you’re an ultimate creep: look into her eyes deeply, unnaturally and aggressively and dramatically tell her in front of everyone that they’re the most gorgeous eyes you’ve ever seen. Bite your lip, look her up and down once again and show the biggest look of sorrow on your face that you can manage.

11. Walk away not realizing that you’ve just made a complete fool of yourself.

12. Repeat as needed.

Selena's

A few of you might have wondered where the heck I disappeared to on Saturday nights. And the answer to that is “Selena’s” – the hotspot of Seattle’s rapidly expanding Cuban Salsa scene. (Is it just me, or did it go from just a handful of happy individuals doing Casino Rueda by Gasworks on Sundays to a packed weekly schedule of activities and events in just under a year?! But then again, I might have been oblivious while dealing with the drama on the L.A. side of things… I wish I stuck with that Rueda last summer!)

The first time I stepped into Selena’s it felt like being in another city. Heck. Another country! I knew almost no one except the girl that I came with, and everything felt different. The people were different. The music was different. The atmosphere was different. And of course, the dance itself was different as well. Knowing that it’s best to observe before you conquer, I proceeded to try and figure out who keeps the rhythm well. But smiling at my carefully selected victims didn’t help – Cuban salseros turned out to be a tight community in which you have to KNOW people. (Working on it!) So I ended up dancing with a couple of the familiar leads who have migrated over from Century for most of the night. Then the girl I came with got bored, so I felt it was my duty to find us both suitable leads to dance with. What ensued was an evening of giving the randomest people a chance and introducing them to one another if they happened to be decent dancers. Not too bad for a first time in an unfamiliar city. Oh wait. This was still Seattle.

Why do I keep going back? I’m not sure. Maybe it’s a challenge of adjusting to an unfamiliar situation. Maybe it’s the fact that I get to meet new people every time, which I love. It’s probably also the fact that I fell in love with Cuban style of Salsa. I know that most people who started dancing L.A. style don’t like Cuban. But at this point I’d have to say that I love both about the same! There’s something playful about the dance that this style brings out. It’s the way the movement flows with both dancers going off of each other’s inertia vs. a lead just spinning a follow around. It seems more natural somehow. Less formal. Easygoing. Rhythmical. Relaxed.

If I made you at least a little curious, feel free to join the fun on Saturday nights. Selena’s will be my spot for a while…

An Update on When I'll Be Back to Writing

I can’t get back to consistent writing because the thoughts occupying my mind have been all about love, heartbreak, etc. Actually let me rephrase that. I can’t get back to blogging. Because I’ve been writing consistently – every day there is a page or even two created that helps me sort through feelings and emotions. Through confusion and clarity. Through guilty happiness and liberating heartbreak. Through letting go and getting attached. But the contents of those pages just aren’t for everyone to see – I wish they were. Maybe one day they will. When all the events will pass and nobody will care anymore about those feelings and emotions. Or at least when I won’t care if people find out. I’m sure we’ve all been there… So hang in there my wonderful faithful blog-reading Salseras and Salseros patiently awaiting another post – I’m sure I’ll soon come up with an entertaining topic and relate all the hilarious details of it to the world.

(Please keep in mind that the dramatic elements added to this paragraph are solely for literary enhancement and I am not actually THAT heartbroken or in love. :)