Salsa Dance Craze Sweeps the Tundra

At 7 pm on Fridays in February, people in Bethel have the opportunity to have fun while learning the basic moves of one of the most popular dances in the world: Salsa! Bethelites can join salseros from all over the world in dancing this exciting dance, with it origins in the Caribbean.

Wherever you travel in the world of salsa, from Puerto Rico, New York, San Francisco, Caracas, Venezuela; Zurich, Switzerland; Greece, and even to China and Japan, you will hear the expression, “Todo bien” among the dancers at salsa classes, clubs and concerts. “Todo bien,” which means “All is well” in Spanish, emanates like a mantra reflecting the positive, happy energy of the salsa music. Salseros forget the daily troubles of life and have fun, responding with the affirmation, “Todo bien” with a smile.

Here on the western edge of Alaska, locals are fortunate that dance maestro, Chester Mark (and also a Physician Assistant for YK Health Consortium) is here to share his love for Latin rhythms with the people of Bethel. In the weekly salsa dance classes, there is an atmosphere “Todo bien” that recreates the sense of fun and “All is well” with the world.

Salsa dancing is great exercise; not only does it develop a sense of rhythm and coordination, but it also develops flexibility in muscle groups that are not often used in many other exercises.

Salsa has a quick, quick, slow pattern, with three steps in a four count beat. This is the heartbeat of the music that provides the structure as dance partners make the fun turns and spins look easy. Occasionally dancers will open up and begin freestyle moves while maintaining the three steps in four beats of the music. As the speed of the music increases, the fourth beat becomes a short pause, leaving a distinctive pattern to salsa music. The Latin orchestration adds complexity and beauty to the rhythm of the music. A variety a percussion instruments can be heard along with a mix of horns, wind and string instruments, as well as piano.

Salsa began in the 1920s and 30s, mixing Latin rhythms, including mambo, charanga and rumba, with Afro Cuban beats a big band sound. The tropical salsa beat captures the essence of these Caribbean flavors so clearly you can almost hear the waves crash on the Malecon and see the palm trees sway in the wind as you listen to the music.

Coming to Salsa class in Bethel is like entering another world, where you can hear these beats and learn new steps in expression to the music. Mark plays a variety of music during the classes, including bands and salsa artists, such as Celia Cruz, Max Ruiz, Juan Lebron, Charango Habanera, Los Van Van, Havana NRG, Maraca, bands which continue to demonstrate that the rhythm of salsa continues to emanate from the Caribbean. Yet the salsa dance craze has spread across the globe and it clearly has found its way to Bethel, Alaska.

So if you are looking for a rhythm that echoes from the palm trees, beaches, and crashing waves along the Malecon of Havana, come down to the “Blueberry Ballroom” for lessons in this rhythmic Caribbean dance, that will definitely help you forget your troubles for a while and discover that feeling of “Todo bien,” --All is well in Bethel...in spite of the cold.