How To Dance Salsa (A Funny Story & The Fastest Video Lesson)

Jai Catalano & Desiree Dicupe

A Little Backstory
Rob Beiner, ESPN's producer of the World Salsa Championships, is the type of person to never lose control or raise his voice no matter how bad the situation. In fact if the building he were standing in was burning he would calmly get up and evacuate. He has taught me a lot. So much so, that between the 2 of us we have 12 sports emmys. 

Rob has 12 and I have 0.        :)

Rob Calls Me The Night Before The Show
I was working day and night to get all of my facts in order for the 4 shows. I would watch all the dance clips of the semi finalists, memorize facts from everyone's bio and pray to God that I didn't butcher the dancer's names. If I am not mistaken I was praying to God at that very moment when the phone rang.

Jai
Hello

Rob
Jai. It's Rob. How many times have you taught salsa?

Jai
Oh I don't know Rob. 5000 times give or take 2 or 3. (Laughing by myself)

Rob
What's the fastest class you have ever taught?

Jai
I taught a class in San Francisco once for 12 minutes. Why?

Rob
Because I need you to teach people how to dance the salsa basic in 2 of the 4 shows.

Jai
Of course Rob. How much time do I have?

Rob
You have about 30 seconds give or take 2 or 3.
(Laughing by himself)

The Day Of The Show
They say you can do a lot in 30 seconds however I only needed 22. I have never taught a faster basic step in all of my life. 

Until Tomorrow

Jai