Brooklynites and tourists, who love to dance, were in for a treat last Wednesday, when the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership kicked off its first dance event, in their ‘Bust a Move’ series of free outdoor dance classes. It happened at Willoughby Plaza, just off Adams Street and the Fulton Mall, with DJ John John and the Salsa Salsa Dance Studios spinning the music and teaching the basics of salsa dancing.
And it wasn’t long before this arts & culture reporter got into the groove and took the beginner’s Salsa lesson with several other pedestrians on a beautiful late afternoon day, as we all did the basic salsa moves including lots of repetitions.
After the lesson, people were free to just dance, and lack of a partner was not an obstacle, as some people found partners, and some danced solo. Some came from afar, as a man I met lives in Queens.
A representative from the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, who was at the event, told me the organization bring various events to Willoughby square as well as Albee Square, during the year. According to her, funding comes from a combination of sources, including grants, local businesses, and board members of the organization. Also, at this particular event, the dance instructor, Hose, of Salsa, Salsa dance studio, taught for free.
The next “Bust a Move” event will feature “the Hustle” dance.The last event’s dance genre is yet to be decided; you can vote for your choice on their website below!
So boogie on down at 5 p.m. this Wednesday to Willoughby Plaza, and do the Hustle. You can find more information about the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership as well as the rest of the “Bust a Move” dance series at: Downtown Brooklyn | Home.
