Comments on The Unlikely Salsero - Don Baarns: Am I Too Old To Dance?

stares openmouthed Wow. That was just amazing....

2011-01-09T23:43:46.673-08:00

*stares openmouthed*

Wow. That was just amazing.
I feel the way I felt when I was privileged to see Eartha Kitt @ Carnegie Hall - these ladies are likely more than twice my age; I have NO EXCUSE. LOL.

Anonymous: Yea, I can see it could be demoralizing...

2009-09-13T20:50:25.667-07:00

Anonymous: Yea, I can see it could be demoralizing at points. I've had my nights when getting turned down regularly was more the norm.

If I go to a new club today, my turn-down numbers get very high temporarily as I become part of the new social scene. If I stick it out (usually a few weeks or so) it changes but there are moments where it's not always easy.

Being older I know I have to find a way to be better at something, so they enjoy our dances rather than simply put up with them. In my area there are so many strong leads, the ladies have lots of choices.

In some scenes, the ratios of leads/follows is out of balance, so that also can contribute to the issues. If there are lots of great follows, the younger ones do get more dances UNLESS we work at it.

I have to have regular attitude checks, as I get turned down by lots of follows even though they dance with guys who are not as strong. But those guys are closer to their dating age, and some want that factor as part of the dances. (I don't fit that situation...)

It can be tough... Please let us know what you do. Are you still going? Thinking of quitting? Finding ways to improve?

The hard part when you are an older women (even a ...

2009-09-13T20:19:13.896-07:00

The hard part when you are an older women (even a pretty one with a great body who looks much younger than her years) is getting asked to dance when there are many 18-25 year old young ladies in hot pants and heels all around the dance floor. This is how the NYC salsa "On 2" dance scene is. Although I am asked to dance, I have to ask more guys to dance than the number of guys who ask me to dance and it gets to be demoralizing.

I got the chance to ask Albert Torres about that c...

2009-03-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

I got the chance to ask Albert Torres about that clip (which I can't see at work, but I assume is the one with the older lady who starts out dancing bachata, then goes into a very energetic salsa routine with a much younger man). He said that she's in her 70's, is English, loved dancing as a teenager, but then married a man who prohibited her from dancing. After being widowed, she returned to her passion, and the result is pretty amazing. I believe he said the video was from a couple years ago, possibly at a Congress in Las Vegas.

BTW, I started dancing salsa a couple years ago when I'd turned 52. I go club dancing 3-4 times a week, and rarely sit out songs. It's amusing to hear people in their 30's talk about being too old.

I agree that LA Salsa Bob is such a great inspirat...

2009-03-02T22:32:00.000-08:00

I agree that LA Salsa Bob is such a great inspiration. Many ladies enjoy dancing with him including myself. But the lady in the clip is just unbelievably charismatic!!!

Thank you so much for this. I'm 55 and dance every...

2009-03-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much for this. I'm 55 and dance everywhere I go with men half my age. Dancing keeps you young!

Not to mention that Salsa Bob has even been in sal...

2009-02-26T23:24:00.000-08:00

Not to mention that Salsa Bob has even been in salsa performances at events! :) It is always a pleasure to see Bob.