The business card cannot be any more enticing: first you see an image of a couple performing a dance step “de salon” [ballroom]. Then, the words “Salsa” and the forever attractive “Free!” are highlighted. Finally you see: “Learn to dance.” The message is complete and the mind interprets: Learn to dance salsa free!

A salsa school! That’s where I’m going...

It’s Saturday, the day of the 116th Street Festival and the day before the National Puerto Rican Parade. El Barrio is swept up in the event. Even so, some 20 savvy dancers have taken a break from the party to follow Ray Vega’s dancing steps, while giving instructions: “Five, six, seven... Now... one, two, three... One, two, three... Watch again. You go up and down... and come back, do this...”

Days ago, in front of the Museo del Barrio, many of these students dropped some steps with skill, as if more than hearing the music of the Harbor Latin Youth Ensemble and Harbor Salseros del Barrio, they felt it running through their veins, provoking a “flow,” a rhythm of the hips and legs. And to think a year ago, some of them settled for the little dance they picked up as adolescents!

That Saturday the group is diverse. The majority are Hispanics, but there’s also a Chinese, an Indian, several Afro-Americans and two Jews in the crowd. Although many are from El Barrio, others have come from Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Some take classes in other schools and want to learn what Vega teaches here.

It all started four years ago. Ray Vega taught swimming in El Faro/Beacon Community Center, located in the Junior High School 45, 2351 First Avenue (entrance on 120th Street between First and Second avenues). A group of students at the school, who knew that Vega danced, asked him to give them lessons. Vega willingly agreed and started to meet Saturdays with some 10 of them. Several adults, who also attended the community center, saw the classes and asked about them. Vega invited them to participate. The director of the center, Santos Negron, asked him to give classes to other groups and Vega accepted.

Nowadays, there are three groups of students. Those who are beginning to dance their first steps attend Tuesdays. Thursdays are for the intermediate level students and Saturdays for those who really know their stuff. Glady Delgado, who said that the school has played a significant role in his life, belongs in this last group.

“It has given me a lot of confidence. When I go to the clubs I know the steps and the routines,” he said.

Speaking for herself, Wanda Burgos said that she began classes when she didn’t know a thing; now she dances with a musical group.

Classes ended on June 15, but will start up again in September. However, Vega is forming a group to teach during the summer. He will have to pay for the use of a space (classes will not be held in El Faro), and will charge $10 per class. The telephone number for those who are interested is mentioned below.

Vega’s plans include forming a group to do performances. At the moment it is uncertain if he will change location, but there are strong reasons to remain in El Barrio’s El Faro/Beacon.

“For me, the atmosphere of brotherhood that exists here gives me great pleasure and I’m always going to be giving free classes to the people in our community,” says Vega.

So Ray Vega and his salsa classes are contributing not only to the physical and emotional well-being of dozens of people, but uniting people of different racial and ethnic groups more effectively than a thousand speeches.

For more information call Ray Vega at (646) 643-9033 or email: rayvega@netzero.net.