Steamboat Pilot & Today

Beginning this summer, Robin Getter has hosted a Latin Night every Wednesday in her studio on 11th Street. In walked Colombians, Brazilians, Hondurans and Mexicans.

"They've been introducing me to new music and teaching me their national dances," Getter said. "It's a great exchange."

Anyone interested can take salsa and cha cha lessons from 8 to 9 p.m. before open Latin dancing from 9 to 11 p.m.

At first, Getter offered a beginning class every week, but "we could only do the basic steps each time because we had new people every week."

Starting this month, Getter has hired Polly Cogswell to teach Latin dancing in four-week sessions, becoming progressively difficult each week. Dropping in is possible, but they prefer dancers sign up for the entire month.

Salsa is the most accessible kind of ballroom-style dance for the inexperienced dancer, Getter said. "The music moves you. It's sexy and flirtatious because it uses your hips. It's not just about the steps that your feet do.

"You don't have to know complicated moves to enjoy it. You can just improvise on the basic steps and still look good."

A month of Latin dance costs $37.50 per person or $75 per couple.

Getter also offers swing dancing on Friday nights with lessons at the beginning of the night.

"I started (The Center for Movement Arts) as a venue for dance and exercise and as a social gathering place that could be an alternative to late-night bars and night clubs," she said. "It's still trying to become that. I'm still working on it."

For more information, call Robin Getter at 870-9977.