Updated: 2 days ago
Your First Class at Mambo Bones: Everything You Need to Know!
Stepping onto the dance floor for the first time is exhilarating, but we know it comes with a few first-day jitters and logistical questions. To help you trade that nervous energy for some rhythm, we’ve put together a quick guide to frequently asked questions.
Consider this your roadmap to the dance floor!
💃 What are a "lead" and a "follow," and why do I have to choose when I sign up?
In partner dancing like salsa and bachata, roles are divided into two distinct parts:
The Lead: Initiates movement, guides the timing, and signals transitions or turns for the partnership.
The Follow: Interprets the lead's signals, maintains balance, styling, and rhythm, and responds dynamically to the guidance.
Anyone can learn to lead or follow! Dance roles are based purely on connection and movement—not gender or anything else—so feel free to choose whichever role you're excited to learn.
(Bonus tip: Many seasoned dancers eventually learn both roles, known as "switch dancing"—feel free to ask us how you can try both once you've got the basics down!)
Why do you have to choose during sign-up? To ensure a balanced classroom experience, we track lead and follow ratios during registration. While our group classes feature partner rotation so everyone learns how to connect and communicate with different dancers, knowing your preferred role ahead of time helps us keep class numbers even so everyone gets equal practice time on the floor! If you prefer to stick with your partner and not rotate, just let the dancers know during the rotation that you can be skipped for the rotation.
💃 Should I sign up for SalsaOn1 or SalsaOn2 course? What's the difference? Is one better for a beginner?
Neither style is inherently "better" for a beginner. These are two different types of salsa where dancers start their step on different counts of the music. For SalsaOn2, you take your first step on count 2. For SalsaOn1, you take your first step on count 1.
You are welcome to sign up for either course as a beginner, which are both designed to start off with basic steps and progress through solo footwork and partnerwork moves and technique. The Mambo Bones SalsaOn2 101 beginner course lasts six weeks. The Mambo Bones SalsaOn1 101 Beginner Course lasts four weeks.
For a fuller breakdown of the differences between SalsaOn1 and SalsaOn2, check out our blog post.
📍 Where are you located and where should I park?
We are located in the heart of Richmond in the Arts District at: 212 E Franklin St, STE A, Richmond, VA
Finding the Entrance: When you’re looking at the building, head to the door on the left. Once inside, we are located on the ground floor, the first door on your right.
Parking: We’ve got options! There is street parking directly in front of the studio which is free after 6:00 PM. If you prefer a covered spot or arrive early, there is a paid parking garage conveniently located right next door to the studio.
👗 What should I wear?
You don't need fancy ballroom attire! The goal is comfort and movement.
We recommend comfortable clothing you can move in (leggings, athletic wear, or a flowy skirt or dress). For shoes, flats or a low dance heel are great.
Avoid heavy boots or super-grippy rubber soles (like high-top sneakers), as they make spinning difficult. We also would save the stilettos for your night out after dance class.
Jeans or chinos with a comfortable t-shirt or button-down work perfectly. For shoes, try to wear something with a smoother sole (leather or hard rubber) so you can pivot without straining your knees.
🤝 Do I need to bring a partner?
No partner? No problem! In our group classes, we rotate partners every few minutes. This is the fastest way to learn because it teaches you how to lead and follow with different people—plus, it’s a great way to meet everyone in the class. If you do come with a partner and prefer not to rotate, just let the instructor know or the dancers know that you prefer to stick together during the rotation!
🎒 Should I bring water? Is there a place for my things or a spot to change?
We want you to feel right at home while you're training with us:
Hydration: We have a water cooler with some cups ready for you, but definitely feel free to bring a water bottle! Dancing is a workout, and you'll want to stay hydrated.
Storage: We have a designated area in the studio where you can safely tuck away your shoes, coats, and purses while you're on the floor.
Changing: If you are coming straight from work, don't worry—we have a bathroom available where you can quickly change into your dance gear.
🗓️ What if I miss a session in a course?
Life happens! If you can’t make all four sessions, don't worry about falling behind:
Demo Videos: Ask one of our instructors for access to demo videos of the material you missed.
Review Sessions: The final week of each course includes a longer dedicated review time to tie everything together and we recap the previous session each class.
Private Lessons: You can always book a private lesson to get one-on-one time and catch up on specific techniques.
Repeat & Master: Many of our students choose to repeat a course level. It’s a fantastic way to master the fundamentals and build muscle memory before moving up.
Practice Socials: We hold a beginner social at the studio each month. In addition, each class package includes another practice social where the studio stays open, you practice your moves with other Mambo Bone students and instructors while we play salsa and bachata. Mambo Bones instructors are on hand to answer any questions. This is a stress-free way to get a taste of the socials and catch up on anything from a class session that you may have missed!
Check the calendar to catch the next practice social!
✨ Am I ready to go to socials even if I'm a beginner?
Yes, of course! Socials are the best way to get that real-life experience outside the studio.
Jump In: Most socials begin with a basic lesson included in the cover charge, so you can warm up before the party starts.
We All Started Somewhere: At the Mambo Bones -hosted socials, we have instituted a beginner buddy system. See a dancer with a yellow highlighter wristband? That's a beginner buddy. They are more advanced dancers ready to dance with beginners - even if it's just basics. Go ahead and ask them for a dance! And as always, if you see the Mambo Bones team out, feel free to ask us for a dance.
Every advanced dancer was once a beginner. At any social, we always encourage dancers of every level to dance with beginners. Go and ask for a dance, even if it's someone you don't know. The best way to practice is to keep moving.
Dance Buddies: Your classmates are your fellow salsa and bachata journeymen. We highly recommend exchanging info and heading to socials together—it’s much more fun when you already know some great dance partners! Ask the Mambo Bones team about Watsapp groups.
✨ How do I know if I can enroll in the next, higher-level course?
The Mambo Bones team keeps a close eye on your progress in class, especially during the last session when we review and wrap things up. You'll hear from us if we feel like your progress may accelerate faster by repeating a course. If you're unsure which course best suits you next, reach out to us and we can talk it through!
💃 Where are the salsa parties in Richmond?
The social dance scene in Richmond and the DMV area is super active!
Stay Updated: Check our website event page or follow us on Instagram for regular updates on where the parties are. You can also follow the "Richmond Salsa Community" group on Facebook for updates. Ask the Mambo Bones Team about WatsApp groups.
Ask the Party Pros: Feel free to ask anyone on the Mambo Bones team for recommendations—we’re always out dancing!
👟 How can I practice more?
The best way to get better is to keep those feet moving between classes.
Practice Socials: We host a Mambo Bones Practice Social every third Tuesday of the month from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM and a Beginner Social just for beginners every third Friday 7-9PM. Both of these take place in the studio. Best of all? The Tuesday practice social is FREE for current Mambo Bones students!
The Mambo Playlist: Want to practice at home? We have a curated practice playlist with the perfect tempos for beginners. Just ask your instructor for the link!
🚀 I want to take my dancing to the next level!
If you’ve caught the dance bug and want to do more than just social dance, come talk to us. There are amazing opportunities to:
Join a Performance Team
Enter Competitions
Deep-dive with Intensive Training
Whatever your goals are, the Mambo Bones team is here to help you reach them.
See you on the dance floor!
