Latin American rhythms at new club in Jakarta<\/p>\n
By Jules Bell<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Latin American pop music already is the next big
\nthing in Asia, and Indonesia is no exception. Hip-swinging
\nHispanic superstar Ricky Martin, and pop diva Jennifer Lopez, are
\nnow household names in Jakarta. MTV and local radio pulsate with
\nthe South American styled music; a fusion of Latin beats and
\nEnglish vocals.<\/p>\n
One place that epitomizes this trend, and where you can take
\nsome dance lessons and get with the action yourself, is the Salsa
\nClub on Jl. Kemang Raya, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
As a specialist Latin dance venue and Italian restaurant, the
\nidea for such a club in Jakarta originated with Teges Soraya, the
\nclub's marketing and communications manager, and her husband,
\nMatteo Guerinoni, the manager of a local Italian restaurant.<\/p>\n
\"We thought of opening a Latin dance club because we know that
\nLatin (dance and music) is booming in the world,\" said Soraya.
\nHer husband had seen how popular Latin clubs were in other parts
\nof the world she said, adding that the recent popularity of Latin
\nmusic stars such as Ricky Martin had really helped the club.<\/p>\n
Opened on May 15 this year, Salsa Club seems to have found
\nitself a real niche in Jakarta's entertainment scene.<\/p>\n
Friday or Saturday nights are always crowded and the dance
\nfloor is where you find the real action. The crowd is first
\nwarmed up by two resident instructors who demonstrate one of the
\nnumerous styles of Latin dance, such as the rumba, samba or
\nmerengue.<\/p>\n
By 11 p.m. on a busy night, the dance floor is usually packed
\nwith happy guests swinging a variety of Latin inspired dance
\nsteps. The atmosphere is very high energy, and the crowd
\nabsolutely love it.<\/p>\n
A strong feature of the club is its restaurant, an Italian
\nTrattoria, headed by Italian chef Mario de Carlini. Described by
\nSoraya as a casual and relaxed eating environment, a variety of
\nMediterranean dishes are available averaging Rp 35,000 (US$5).<\/p>\n
The restaurant serves food daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on
\nweekdays, and until 2 a.m. on the weekend. After 11:30 p.m.
\nthough, the menu is restricted to pizza.<\/p>\n
The eatery is very popular on the weekend, so book at least a
\nweek in advance for a table. On weeknights patrons can usually be
\nseated without booking, said Soraya.<\/p>\n
If dancing is not your style, or you need a break from the
\ndance floor, Salsa Club has other rooms and areas. The Cuban Bar
\nis a typical barroom with a pool table and usually standing room
\nonly. Soon to open on Aug. 1 is the Cigar Room where guests will
\nbe able to drink cognac and buy cigars. A VIP room is also
\navailable at the club for functions and group bookings.<\/p>\n
Salsa Club has two resident native Cuban dance instructors,
\none male and one female. Dance lessons in all styles of Latin
\ndance are available weekday afternoons by appointment, and
\nevenings at 6 p.m., 7 p.m, and 8 p.m. Classes last one hour, have
\na maximum of seven to 10 students and are available in freestyle
\n(on your own) or as a couple.<\/p>\n
\"A lot of Indonesian women come and learn on their own,\" said
\nSoraya, \"because husbands and boyfriends are very shy.\" Classes
\ncost Rp 200,000 ($30) for one level, which equates to four
\nclasses. A free first trial class is also available.<\/p>\n
Although tired and hot from their freestyle dance class, Angie
\nand Rina have had a good time. \"It was fun,\" they said. \"At first
\nI was shy but now I am fine,\" continued Angie. They rated their
\nfirst class in Latin dancing as medium in difficulty, and said
\nthat they would probably come one night and practice their new
\nsteps in the club.<\/p>\n
Entry to Salsa Club is free, and a good time to arrive on a
\nbusy night is around 9:30 p.m. to avoid the later crowds. On such
\nnights you have an option to buy your first drink as you enter, a
\ngood idea if you are thirsty and would rather not go straight to
\nthe bar.<\/p>\n
Weeknights are also an option, when the DJ still spins tunes,
\nbut the crowds are small, meaning more dance-floor space. Another
\nbonus on weeknights is that you can dance with the instructors
\nand pick up some tips for free.<\/p>\n
Salsa Club's drink prices are average for a Jakarta venue at
\nRp 10,000 ($1.50) for a Pepsi, Rp 18,000 ($3) for a glass of
\nBintang beer and approximately Rp 40,000 ($6) for a bottled beer.<\/p>\n
If you buy two glasses of Bintang you receive one free at the
\nclub this month. Next month's promotion will get you one free
\nbottle of Corona when you buy three. Wine, spirits and Cuban
\ncocktails are also available.<\/p>\n
The crowd at Salsa averages 25 years of age, said Soraya, and
\nincludes a complete mix of nationalities -- Indonesians,
\nWesterners, Indians, Chinese and Koreans to name the most
\nprevalent. It is also important to the club that families feel
\nwelcome, said Soraya.<\/p>\n
Being only two months old, Salsa Club is yet to hold its grand
\nopening festivities. Soraya is also planning to book a live
\nColombian or Cuban band at some point in the future.<\/p>\n
Ricky Martin's number one song, Livin' la Vida Loca,
\ntranslates as living a crazy life. Considering the nightly dance
\nfloor action and atmosphere, it seems that the Salsa Club crowd
\nhave appropriated this theme for themselves. With a little help
\nfrom the club of course. So get out your dancing shoes get down
\nthere, pronto!<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/latin-american-rhythms-at-new-club-in-jakarta-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}