Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Downtown eateries dance after sunset

When Nicolette Pawlowski moved from Chicago to Pittsburgh, the first thing on her mind was not where she could shop or the best places to eat; it was where she was going to salsa.”About two and a half years ago, a friend of mine took me … to a salsa dancing club and I thought,  ‘Let’s just check it out,’ and I went and I fell in love with salsa and I’ve just been doing it all the time ever since,” Pawlowski said at Mexico City on Thursday, Sept 22.She met Agustin Garcia while out salsa dancing one night and the two decided to collaborate and begin teaching together at Mexico City, which is right down the street from Point Park University.Garcia and Pawlowski have a passion for salsa. Pawlowski admits to “falling in love” with Pittsburgh and was eager to get into salsa dancing in the area.  Every Wednesday and Saturday for the past two years, Mexico City has had a Salsa Social.  But about a month ago, she and Garcia decided to start teaching courses at the restaurant. “It can [range] from 80 to 150 people, especially on Saturday nights,” Garcia said.But before the Social officially starts, beginners can take a free crash course at 9:45 p.m. to learn the basics.  Despite being a new program, they usually have a turnout of anywhere from 25 to 30 people. While the beginner’s course is free, there are more advanced courses available.  Through Pawlowski and Garcia’s company, Los Sabrosos, participants can take part in a four-week course for $30.  But for students, it is only $5 a lesson.”A lot of students come in, but also we get a lot of locals that pop in, too,” Pawlowski said.Students from all over Pittsburgh have tried salsa dancing at Mexico City; Garcia said he has seen students from University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University and Point Park, and he loves seeing young students learning to dance.Jennifer Florentino, a sophomore dance major, has grown up with salsa in her life.  Her family is from the Dominican Republic and her father is a trained salsa dancer. “It’s the only thing I have around here that is around my culture.  So that’s why it’s really important for me to dance salsa,” Florentino said at the Point Cafe Saturday, Sept 22.She has danced at Mexico City over 10 times and has had great experiences dancing with her friends and also meeting professional ballroom dancers who dance there.While Mexico City is only two short blocks away from Point Park’s campus at 409 Wood St., there are a few other options for salsa dancing Downtown. Seviche, located at 930 Penn Ave., has salsa nights every Monday from 9 p.m. until midnight.  Starting at 9:30, customers can take part in a beginners course and learn the ropes before having the rest of the night to dance and enjoy the “hot food, hot music and hot dancing,” according to their website.Another option Downtown is Bossa Nova, at 123 7th St.  Bossa Nova has more of a club and lounge feel.  Customers have to be 21 or older to enter, but there is no cover charge.  It has dancing nights on Friday and Saturday, and the DJ starts playing music at 9 p.m.  According to its website, Bossa Nova is a “unique space that features cozy lounges, dramatic bar and eclectic blend of music, art and sculpture.”Salsa dancing is a booming part of the culture of Downtown Pittsburgh, and is continuing to grow.

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