Ahora Con La Clave
Every Sunday at Piedmont Park

By "Nanette D. Massey" <Nanette.Massey@mindspring.com>

Picture this. You're walking along one afternoon in a park with your family strollin', chillin', minding your own business. Hark, is that drumming you hear to the left off in the distance? You mosey on over in that direction and you see a big crowd standing around like there must have been an accident or something. As you and yours get closer, lo and behold, you happen upon a group of people dancing salsa---and obviously having a marvelous time! "Am I dreaming?" you ask yourself.

Nope, you're at piedmont Park in midtown Atlanta. There is a group of regulars from the Atlanta salsa scene that meet there every Sunday the weather permits. This is fast becoming my favorite dance venue of the week! (Which may be the kiss of death for it seeing as how I was also such a strong advocate for the now defunct Friday nights at Riviera and the Tropicana Club.) What is so unique and great about this venue is that it is like water in a glass. The water takes on the shape of whatever glass you put it in. Different glass, different shape. This outing has a life completely of its own and each week it takes on the shape of the participants that show up. April or Ed Gilroy usually supply the "sound machine" and anyone is welcome to contribute whatever CD gets their feet moving. Salsa, cha-cha, sometimes a rueda breaks out of nowhere. The spot they occupy has for years been the Sunday Mecca of the Atlanta drumming scene so different drummers show up every week to accompany the festivities and lend more variety. And usually they're really good, making this a fantastic learning ground for the "rhythmically impaired". One afternoon a guy showed up with five huge conga drums and bells on his ankles. "He came to play!" as sports announcers are so fond of saying. His presence, superior skill, and rhythm allowed for some free-style African dancing and other things.

The core group of regulars is small but, like I said, the outing is really formed by any and everyone that shows up. The music and dancing attracts a huge crowd of people and some are eager to go from spectators to participants. These people watch like they're at a Broadway performance, they usually clap after every song. Come on, admit it. You know you're dancing suddenly jumps up a notch or two when it is infused by appreciating spectators, don't "front"! The brave join in and are grateful to receive instruction from those that are willing. Couples happen upon the gathering who do dance salsa and suddenly realize it's been way too long since they've been out. And what are "The Piedmont Park Rockettes?" Don't ask, you just gotta' be there. Carol R. usually has a bag full of things like a clave', a cow bell, maracas, and things for people not willing to try dancing but do want to participate. The toddlers are given things from her bag that shake, rattle, and roll. They trot around smiling, rattling, and it's absolutely heart warming to see them enjoying feeling like they're a part of all the noise.

Further more, what shoots this venue to the top of the list is that is is missing everything you hate about the club scene. No drunks, no attitudes, no worries about your shoes or your hair. Everyone dances with everyone, and I often see pairs that normally wouldn't normally have the opportunity to speak to each other at T&G or Sanctuary. Dancers happily swap moves, give away secrets...something about the trees, the birds, the sun on your face just makes you feel all sharing-like and everything. The atmosphere is very casual and free flowing. Some bring chairs, some bring bongos, some bring beer, some bring dogs. There is a paved, flat surface for dancing--but it is a park and not a ballroom.

The buzz among participants I talk to is that they intend to keep coming until it gets too hot. So if you've been planning to "get around to" checking it out, don't wait too much longer. Sunday afternoons starting at 2:00 and usually ending around 5:30-6:00. Come in at the Charles Allen Gate entrance on the 10th Street side of Piedmont Park, across the street from Grady High School, and you'll see the grouping right away. The parking lot of Grady's sports stadium makes parking a no-brainer. It is very family friendly so forget about paying a baby-sitter. And don't be shy about bringing your drums, tambourines, or casinets if you have them.

See ya' out!

Nanette