Salsarito

A quasi professional salsa dancer, typically of non Latin origin. Salsaritos follow the Anlgo North Americna tradition of gentrifying anything and everything that is cultured, wholesome and dynamic. The typcial non Latin Salsarito is obsessed with "proper" technique and choreography. These and other obsessions can be seen by Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans, Columbians or Latin New Yorkers as rehearsed, mechanical and fake. The typical Salsarito is so obsessed with pre rehearsed choreographed steps that they are often spotted dancing completely offbeat. In turn, ironically, within Salsarito communities, there can be deep factionalism due to the varying interpretations of what "proper" salsa consists of. This factionalism highlights a failure to recognize that this dance is nuanced and subjective. Further, the choreography obsessed Salsarito fails to recognize that at its core, Salsa is rooted in some very basic principles that can include but are not limited to; a desire to express energy, an appreciation and celebration of life, and companionship. Furthermore, the Salsarito fails to appreciate the melody of sounds that make up a typical salsa band which includes special reverence being given to the percussion instruments that are directly rooted in traditional West African rhythms that often provide a foundation of the movement of the body and feet - in addition to the base guitar.

- We went to that Salsa club on Dundas Street. The band was awesome and the crowd was fun. Then, a group of Salsaritos showed up and began showing off their skills. When they realized no one was paying attention to them, they left.

- I had a great time at this Latin club except for when I danced with a Salsarito. He literally stopped me in the middle of the song and started giving me dance lessons. He then gave me his card for private tutorials. It was so awkward; and he wasn't even Spanish.

by World Citizen November 30, 2025