Stepping Out
By Kate Liebers |
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Photo: Chris Atwood
A pair of maracas pulsated in the distance. Above, a red glow emanated from the building's fogged windows. The moonlit street was quiet, except for a pair of heels clicking their way toward the red glow.
Inside, the vibrant crimson decor likened the restaurant to the inside of a heart. By this hour, the dining room was dead. The pulse was found upstairs. Tonight was Latin Night at La Fogata Grill and the place was packed. The beating heels climbed the stairs.
The newcomer came alone and - with her only prior dancing experience consisting of unfortunate outcomes of drinking - made her way to the bar. Judging from the empty bottles, she presumed the Coronas and Heinekens were tasting especially delicious. She squeezed herself between the other stationary bodies padding the walls and watched the music manifest itself through dancing hips.
She declined her first invitation to dance. She felt the beat, just not the buzz, and tried to disappear in the dark corner, watching. In a flash of blue, another dancer glided onto the floor, her long dress billowing and twirling with every elegant twist of her torso. She was Oana Lungu.
Lungu, 25, marketing coordinator for J.C. Entertainment and promoter of Latin Night has worked to promote Latin Night since its inception one year ago in March. She watched the event grow from attracting around 30 dancers a night to the current average of 200 dancers. Many, she said, are regulars who became hooked upon their first lesson (which J.C. Entertainment offers prior to the open dancing).
"Some see it as art, some see it as a hobby or sport," Lungu said about the followers of Latin dance. "I myself see it as a sport. It's a fun, creative way of keeping in shape every week, instead of sweating it out in the gym."
La Fogata Grill may not be a gym, but these fun, creative dancers are definitely still sweating. While some, like Lungu, may exhibit more elegance during the workout, others need not be intimidated.
"There are no show offs," Lungu said. "All the advanced dancers have been beginners at some point and they understand where beginner dancers are coming from."
Jesse Slater, 21, who is taking a social dance class at the Ohio State University, agreed.
"It's a very safe environment to practice dances," Slater said, acknowledging the more experienced dancers' willingness to teach beginners.
And this is not the drunken type of club-dancing friendliness. As Slater said, "It's rare to see someone dancing with a beer in their hand."
Of course, the physics of the Latin dance require holding your partner's hands instead of your drink, but even so, people do not generally come to Latin Night to get drunk - perhaps because there's no time. Kaila Walker, 25, barely had time to get a sip of water before another dancer requested her company on the floor.
Those stationary bodies padding the wall weren't lazy or disinterested; they were waiting. Most were males, as the gender ratio was a little unbalanced. There was hardly a female wallflower to be seen.
The newcomer was invited to dance again. She warned the dancer of her lack of experience, but - as Slater attested - the dancer patiently explained the basic two-step of the dance. Before she could make her way back to the wall when the song ended, another prospective dance partner stepped up. This time she learned the delightful default dance move for the unexperienced - lots of spins.
Crystiahna Fitzpatrick, 39, came not knowing a single person. "You make friends when you come."
Fitzpatrick said she came to Latin Night for the dance lessons, where dancers frequently changed partners. "When you take the classes, it gets you to be social with everyone else."
Latin Night provides an opportunity not only to meet new people, but new people from various origins. Some dancers were born in Mexico, others in the Dominican Republic. For Fitzpatrick, born and raised in Ohio, Latin Night is "the first multicultural experience I've had."
According to Juan Carlos (J.C.) Polanco, 35, president of J.C Entertainment, that's the idea.
"Music makes anybody of any culture, color, or country come together," Polanco said. In fact, it was dancing that brought Polanco and Lungo, his wife, together after they met at a salsa dance in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
In addition to the Friday night dance at La Fogata, J.C. Entertainment also hosts Latin night at the Bar of Modern Art (583 E. Broad St.) on Thursday nights. The two-hour lessons at both venues begin at 8 p.m. and cost $10, which includes admission to the free-style Latin dancing. Dancing lasts until 2 a.m. and costs $7 for non-students (at BOMA, dances cost $10 if a live band is featured).
What to know before you go
Dress Code: Comfortable, but classy - dress to impress. Baggy jeans, skullcaps and chains are discouraged.
Footwear: Most women wear heels, but all footwear is acceptable. The traction from rubber soles may inhibit graceful movements; shoes with leather soles work best.
Bar: $3 domestics, $4 imports. Limited mixed-drink menu, but three flavors of Patron tequila are available.
For more about dancing in Columbus, see Dance Card.
Originally Published: April 1, 2009
