Wednesday nights are meant for dancing, and nobody knows that better than the Latin dance community of both Laredos. For many, Wednesdays, the middle of the week are only a few days closer to the promised fun of the weekend. For dancers like me, however, Wednesdays are an opportunity to rendezvous at Hal’s Restaurant Bar for a night of music and social dancing.
Walking into the building is like stepping onto the stage as you ascend the incline to the main bar area where the tables have been pushed to the edge to create space for the dance floor. There is a sense of homecoming there, as if you have been greeted at a reunion with all of your favorite family members.
The night begins around 10:00 as dancers dust the soles of their shoes with baby powder to reduce friction and dance more smoothly. Aalisai Dance Academy instructors Rosemary Casas and Mauricio Ramos Duran offer free beginner-friendly classes, which alternate each week between Salsa and Bachata lessons.
The class starts with a “shine” or “solo footwork,” and then transitions to partner work. Dancers take turns rotating between partners, so there is always a chance to dance with someone. There is a light-hearted atmosphere, with a judgment-free zone reinforced throughout the night.
“It’s a worry-free environment,” said Lorenzo Solis, a regular of the Latin dancing socials. “It’s about dancing. You don’t have to worry about anything else,” he added.
Once the lessons are over, the real fun begins as the lights dim and DJ Gio takes over, playing a mix of the best traditional and modern Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and Cumbia. Men and women will approach one another to dance. They may find themselves dancing with strangers, which may sound intimidating, but can lead to unforgettable experiences and connections. By the end of the night, the dance floor is covered in baby powder shoeprints.
“A mi me gusta ir mucho los miércoles porque interactúo con una comunidad de la que integra mi sociedad. Me da mucho gusto ir porque también es comprender, a través del arte, a otras personas, que pueden existir otras formas de pensar, pero al final nos une una misma razón. Es una manera sana de experimentar la noche,” said instructor Duran. (Wednesdays at Hal’s allow him to meet and connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds. Latin dance, he said, is a safe and healthy way to enjoy the night.)
Instructor Casas, a Latin dance pioneer in Laredo, recounted her favorite part about the socials at Hal’s. “Seeing how much people love it makes me happy, just observing, sitting back, taking it in, because in the end, that’s your project, those are your babies.”
Referred to as “Ma,” Casas continues to advocate for people to dance. “Keep on dancing, no matter what it is, or where, but keep on dancing, keep on moving, because I think that is what keeps us young,” she said.
If you are passionate about dance, want to try a new hobby, or be part of a wonderful community, stop by Hal’s at 6510 Arena Blvd. for an unforgettable Wednesday night. Decorate the dance floor with your shoe prints.
(Marian Márquez is a borderland writer, educator, scholar, and dancer born and raised in Laredo. She holds a B.A. in English from TAMIU and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Children’s Literature at Hollins University. She has interned for the non-profit organization Writer’s League of Texas and is an active member of the Children’s Literature Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She has published a co-authored article in the Journal of Latinos and Education, and is the award recipient of the Shirley Henn Award for Critical Writing. Follow her on Substack @crushonthevalet.)
