With a huge bank holiday weekend of parties and workshops nearly upon us, there is going to be a lot of exhausted dancers looking to chill out on Monday.

For new readers and members, I'd mention that www.londonsalsa.co.uk contains a wealth of activities and this newsletter merely acts as an appertiser. 

London enjoys many visitors this month, who join our thriving throng on the dance floor. I don't have to remind you, but will, that part of the recipe that makes salsa so addictive, is that anyone can invite anyone to share a dance to any track. So this week, salseros and salseras, I encourage you to dance with a stranger.

Bank holidays are a perfect opportunity to take up cuban, crossbody or cali style salsa or to brush up on your skills, you'll find plenty of choice all over town.

If you fancy learning bachata, kizomba, cha cha, merengue or any of dances associated to the social dancing scene, this weekend there are dedicated workshops as well as sessions during the bigger events.

Afrolatina, at Gem Bar on Beak St, this Thursday signals the launch of London Latinfest, with salsa lessons then party dancing till 2am to Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton, Choke, Merengue, Latin House and Latin Pop.

Assuming the weather holds up, there is free open air salsa in Spitalfields around 6pm on Thursday night.

Friday night in Putney is a mixture of salsa and bachata lessons followed by a social dance.

There is a Free Funky Friday night in Stratford, East London, with DJ Hughie.

In Paddington, Caramelo host a Saturday aimed at beginners and improvers, where you can learn salsa in a day or bachata in a day.

Bank holiday Saturday brings the continuation of the London Latinfest at ULU, near Euston/Warren Street.  International stars of salsa, bachata, kizomba and Urban Kiz teach workshops from 1pm, with a night of social dancing till 2am.

Claim £2 off on Sunday's live salsa band at the Stoke in Guildford.

You should enjoy the double bubble offer made by Latin Collective for their scalalatina Bank Holiday Sunday Alldayer and Allnighter in Kings Cross.

You can claim £25 off the advertised price of a full day pass. 1.30-7.30pm choose from 45 workshops in XBody Salsa On1 & On2 partnerwork & technique, shines, styling, Cha Cha, Cali Style, Bachata (Sensual & Dominicana), Kizomba, Semba & Urban Kiz delivered by an international line up of teachers.

Just fancy the evening party till 6am?
Then claim your discount for the 4 rooms of dance, 9 showcases, with the very best Djs in town.
NB - you will need to print off your proof of discount.

If you have friends who deserve the joy of dance in their lives, then please point them to the 100s of lessons that can be found throughout London and the outskirts. Whether they are looking to shed a couple of lbs, put on whilst on holiday, or because salsa is a good way to make new friends, just point them towards the site.

Take Tuesday for instance :- Just in North London the site could point you towards Rueda and salsa in Camden, Pexava in Northfields, the salsa and bachata lessons and party in Temple and there is a special offer in Pinner.

There is a free first timer beginners lesson in Hammersmith on Wednesday, along with multiple levels and a social.

Salsa Smile in Hornchurch host a salsa evening this Wednesday.

Once a month Pexava take over Conway Hall in Holborn for an after-work social. Thursday 30th needs to be in your diary.

September promises to be another vintage month of dance. You really can plan your other activities around salsa. 

The Roots of Rumba UK Tour reaches London on 15th September.
Ella Mesma brings performances from the very best of local, national and international dance theatre representing dance of the African diaspora. With elements from Rumba, Tango, Afro-Brazilian, Hip Hop and Capoeira.
Book Now.

If you fancy treating yourself to a bit of luxury then the Let's Salsa version in October at Chateau Lou Casteou in France could be the ticket. 

Happy Dancing, 

Leigh and the London Salsa team