Author/s: Kimberly J. Hamilton
Issue: July, 2001

Magazine publisher savors sexy salsa dancing

Salsa is hot and sexy and it's also Jamie Foster Brown's passion several nights a week. The Sister 2 Sister magazine publisher says her urge Its salsa can't be tamed, whether she's at home in Washington, D.C.; sashaying across the dance floor of Club Zanzibar, in her custom-made Carmen Jones dress: or traveling on business in Los Angeles, stepping out with a flower in her hair to the Conga Room. Name a city and chances are. Jamie can point out the spicy salsa spots.

This Chicago-native got her first exposure to salsa at home. Jamie who grew up with two sisters and one brother, says her parents adopted Latin cultural tradition, in which parents and children bond through dance. "The parents taught us to dance at home, and then they'd take us out dancing with them." Jamie recalls. "We would go with them to Giles Post which was a club for former veterans or other clubs which they belonged to, and we would actually, dance in, front of our parents."

Those at-home dance lessons had a profound impact on Jamie. Almost everywhere she has lived, from Europe to Washington, D.C., she has sought and located venues to satisfy her desire to dance.

According to Jamie, the salsa dancing experience is even spicier with the right attire. Common attire for ladies includes short flare dresses and off-the-shoulder tops. I lip-hugger pants, paired with e snug-fitting top that gently trims the bosom and a flower accent in the hair also add flavor to salsa dancing.

The gentlemen generally wear a crisp shirt and a pair of slack and sometimes a suit jacket, although with the heat that salsa stirs, jackets are often left at home.

"One of the things that I love about salsa dancing is that when you're with a really good partner, it's aerobic exercise." says Jamie. who is in her 50s. "It's the only exercise that I do consistently. It's not like running and pounding your legs. When I exercise, my mind is still on my business: I'm still taking phone calls. But when I'm dancing, I'm dressed up; I make sure that I look good, smell good, and that my hair is nice. [Plus,] I can eat whatever I want, because I dance it off two to three times a week."

Getting started

* TAKE A CLASS. In most major cities and in many smaller towns, salsa dance classes are offered at Latin clubs, local colleges or universities, or at dance studios.

* HEAD FOR A CLUB. Check out: Lu Lu's, Washington, D.C. (22nd and M streets, N.W.; 202-861-5858); the Conga Room, Los Angeles (5364 Wilshire Blvd.; 323-938-1696); the Excalibur, Chicago (632 N. Dearborn St.; 312-266-1944); Copa Cabana, New York (West 57th St. between 11th and 12th avenues, 212-582-2672); and the Havana Club, Atlanta (247 Buckhead Ave. NE, 404-869-8484).

* WATCH A VIDEO. Dance Hot Salsa Video 1, Dance Hot Salsa Video 2, both by Josie Neglia. Obtain a copy by calling 877-725-7284. The cost is $49.95 for the set plus shipping and handling.

* READ UP. Let's Dance by Paul Bottomer (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers Inc., $19.98).

* CHECK THE INTERNET FOR RESOURCES. Salsaweb.com offers information on salsa throughout the United States and the world, including classes, videos, events, and salsa health and fitness information. LatinDance.com includes information on the hottest salsa videos, music, and even the history of salsa.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Earl G. Graves Publishing Co., Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group