April 13th, 2003 | The lowdown by Jeffrey Goodkind

SALSA! Club Salsero Mayor.

Strap on your dancing shoes, put on that flashy red shirt and take it to the dance floor at the Salsero Mayor, Granada's premier latin dance club. I had the privilege of being there last night, 14 September, for their Mexican Independence Day celebration (which is actually on the 16th).

The club has two floors, each with its own bar. Downstairs is probably the best place to dance, as there is a bit more room. The ambience of the place feeds the eye. On the television screen they had playing "Calle 54," a Latin Jazz documentary that I could not stop watching when I first bought it with Christmas money last year. On the wall are murals of latin musicians from all different periods of the music: Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, just to name a few.

Of course the place did not only just look good, it sounded good; the music last night switched off between salsa, Mexican Folklorico, and even a little samba, a tasty variety. For the musicians in the house, they had a cowbell lying around that a customer picked up and played. Spaniards like to get involved with the music they hear, whether it be live or through the speakers. (I'll be telling you about Granada's premier jazz-flamenco club, Eshavira later, where the customers beat the tables to the music) There was a conga standing on the bar, which I initially thought was for decoration - after all the entire place was decorated as such. However, to my little surprise I found some bar flies playing a few notes here and there in appreciation of the music.

We were there to dance however, which I looked forward too. My dancing skills are pretty nonexistent, and as I danced with awkward hip shakiness flailing arms stepping on women's toes, I regarded the sign on the wall advertising salsa dance lessons. Dance and dance I did and think and think I did about how bad I oughta learn how to dance. Fortunately there are lessons there on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, at 10:30 pm. This is a good thing.

For more info on how to shake that thing, go to www.salseromayor.com. If shaking's not your thing, then Salsero Mayor's a dangerous place. ¡Baila baila!