Dancing with Anna and Anne Lene at La Isla

_MAL3759.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

After more than two months of salsa-abstinence, I hit the dance floor at La Isla last night. Anna joined me, and we took the drop-in course together. It was a bit of a weird lesson: at once too easy and a bit awkward. The dance floor was too crowded too. Oh well—I guess it can't be a great lesson every time.

After the lesson I stayed and danced with a bunch of friends I hadn't seen since before my trip to Austin. Around ten o'clock, Anne Lene showed up and we danced a few dances too. Her friend Felix was there too, and I got some nice photos of the two of them dancing. Here are all 13 photos from the evening.

La Isla Wednesday night

_MAL2027.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

Wednesday night I went dancing for a few hours at La Isla. I had a few nice dances with a nice girl named Catherine whom I hadn't seen in a while. She's a fun dancer and sweet too. Of course I also salsaed with my buddy Alexandra, who just keeps getting better ever time I dance with her. At about half-past-twelve I caught the last subway home. It was an exhausting and fun night!

I have posted 17 photos from the night.

Hot Salsa Wednesday

_MAL0413.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

Wow! Last night was fun at La Isla. There were so many good dancers there, and I danced with many of them. Johan was kind enough to take a couple of photos of Alexandra and me dancing. She had been traveling in Costa Rica for a while, and then I was on vacation in Massachusetts, so we actually hadn't danced in a few months. It's always nice to get reacquainted again.

Janaki was there, and we danced a couple of dances. I met her last week at Gröna Lund, and saw her again there on Tuesday. I also danced with Sofie, whom I met a long time ago but hadn't seen in ages. Malin also favored me with a dance or two, and I visited a bit with a French salsa dancer named Mouss. He is in Stockholm for just one week, and is trying to visit all the main venues for salsa dancing during his time here. Helena was also there. She's the photographer who lives on Tenerife. And Mark Anthony, the D.J. and dancer from Tornoto, was showing his stuff — I got a lot of photos of him.

Speaking of that, here are all 40 photos from last night.

A quick dance or two at La Isla

_MAL8478.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

At 23.00, Chicago shut its doors, so I went to La Isla for a bit more dancing — this time salsa instead of swing. I met a nice girl named Helena who lives on the Spanish island of Tenerife. We danced and talked about photography. I also danced with Sara, and Johan captured a few good shots of us.

I was only at La Isla for an hour; I had to leave in time to catch the last subway home. Allsix photos from the evening are online for your viewing pleasure.

Look who's dancing!

_MAL4339.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

My climbing buddy Anna is no stranger to dancing. She lived in Brazil for a while and picked up the samba while she was there. She hasn't danced in a while though, so Monday night she joined me for the drop-in salsa course at La Isla.

It was the first time I had been there on a Mondy. Unlike on Wednesdays and on the weekend, the club wasn't open to the public (just to folks taking the lesson). The place did remain open after the lesson, but only for an hour. Still, it's kinda nice because it's not too loud or crowded, and there aren't any drunk people.

Anna was quite impressive. After a few dances, she was really doing great, and I had a lot of fun dancing with her. She has agreed to tag along to this Saturday's installment of Djungelsalsa, so she apparently enjoyed it too! Here are the ten best photos from the lesson.

The lesson was fun, and I'm going to try to remember some of the moves when I go to the Sacuye salsa social at Chicago on Thursday!

What — dancing without photos?

I went to La Isla Wednesday night and had a good time dancing with lots of great dancers, including Emma, Lina, Alexandra, Åsa, Susanne, and Mia. But unfortunately for you, my dear readers, I neglected to put a battery in my camera when I packed my camera bag for the evening. So you'll have to wait until Saturday for the next dance photos.

That's when I'm planning to go to the first Djungelsalsa of the summer. Djungelsalsa, litterally “Jungle Salsa,” is just outdoor salsa dancing here in Stockholm, arranged by some friends of mine. The last time I went was back in 2004 — for some reason I didn't go last year. These gatherings are nice because one can bring one's own food and drink, and mix dinner and dancing in a fun, laid-back atmosphere. I plan to bring some bratwurst to cook on the grill, a baguette in which to eat it, some salad, and a few beers or a bottle of wine.

I've invited a few folks (some via my Facebook wall) and I'm sure it'll be lots of fun!

Dancing with Mia at La Isla

_MAL2800.jpg, originally uploaded by Michael A. Lowry.

On Wednesday I went to La Isla for a bit of salsa dancing. I danced with lots of great dancers, including Mia, a girl I've known through the Stockholm salsa community for a few years, and whom I've recently got to know a bit better. Sacuye dancer Rafael took this fun photo of the two of us dancing. Wednesday also marked the return to Stockholm of Alexandra, a good friend who has been away for several months traveling in Central America. Welcome back, Alexandra!

Here are all 28 photos from the night.

Salsa dancing

Once or twice a week, I take a salsa dancing lesson at La Isla. Friday after the lesson, I stayed on for a few hours to get some practice. It's fun but also quite a bit of work. Here I am dancing with a nice girl named Camilla.