Victoria Day started off with a bang this year. With perfect weather, people were out in droves and the salsa scene led the way.

We headed out to The Left Bank to get some dancing in. We had not danced a single step of salsa since the April Berlin finals and were overdue for a good salsa fix.

Turning up around 9:15pm after a road trip to Paloma for gelato, the patio windows were open and we heard the tail end of Teddy's salsa lesson. The place was packed! Poking into the side room, you could not move! And it was not even 9:30.

We joined this vast herd for the trademark United Salsero group salsa cool down. The evening was now off and running. The night was electric with energy. People of all ages were dancing up a storm. I spotted some of the Salsa Team Canada people assisting with the lesson and sticking around dancing and simply enjoying the atmosphere. They are truly dedicated to salsa as we knew they had a long practice at Trinity church earlier that day after Oscar and Vanessa's dip, spin and turn workshop.

Another couple came up to us and ran through the very sexy routine they had just spent the last hour or so learning. We never saw them before, but their energy and enthusiasm was such a joy to behold. And the moves were very similar to Oscar and Vanessa's turn pattern that we ourselves spent an hour learning.

Shaking out the cobwebs, we quickly found our feet and our timing. We also tried out some of the dips and portions of the turn patterns we learned. Taking a short break during the merengue, we could not resist and proceeded to flirt ourselves silly and tie ourselves up in knots with arms and arms and more merenguearms. Other couples saw the shenanigans and our little corner really came to life.

A little chachacha and a lot more flirty moves got a few more people moving.

We were watching some of the United Salsero folks run through some interesting things. Some evenings we spend more time watching than dancing. The imagination that some people have is astounding and simply watching is worth the price of admission.

Another woman came up to us and started talking. People were so friendly. When people ask me for places to dance, I often recommend Sunday's at the Left Bank for the lesson and the easygoing atmosphere.

As we left, we had to push through the crowd of salseros and salseras on the sidewalk, yakking and chatting and enjoying the night. The Victoria Day long week-end opened Salsa season!