Sexy, energetic and intense are all things one would think of when they hear the word “salsa,” but Sacramento State’s Salsa Loca Club is all of that and more.

Salsa Loca President Junior Naranjo said the club helped him go from a shy, small town student to somebody more social thanks to the active, relaxing, inspiring and fun environment.

For nearly seven years now, Salsa Loca has been providing free Latin dance lessons for students and the Sacramento community every Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the University Union Redwood Room. Lesson dancers are also encouraged to stay for free social dancing from 8:30-10:50 p.m.

The welcoming, laid back environment allows dancers – and aspiring dancers – of all levels to participate in a night of stress relief. People of all ages and ethnicities socialize and get to meet people they never would have met otherwise.

“We take pride in the fact that we could welcome anyone whether they have no dance experience, some or even a world dance champion; we greet you with open arms,” Naranjo said.

Throughout, all of the participants have a different story on how they discovered Salsa Loca.

“I work in the back (near the Redwood room) so I always hear it,” said freshman criminal justice major Cindi Ceja. “I was washing dishes and dancing at the same time.”

Styles of dance lessons provided by the Salsa Loca team include Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Kizomba and Cumbia. Every night the club meets, it makes sure to play music that fits all of the dance styles to accommodate what everyone prefers.

Promptly at 7:30 p.m., the instructor of the night begins with some simple, awesome steps to help everybody loosen up about busting a move in front of others.

In a room filled with close to 100 people, feet step, arms tangle and hips shimmy as bodies move in sync – or at least attempt to – all around the room as everybody begins to get comfortable and feel the beat.

“I love it a lot,” said junior math major Kimberly Hall. “Everyone should try it at least once.”

After everybody lets loose, people are paired in couples to share awkward and exciting bonds that allow them to have someone else to blame when a step is missed.

“The fact is that this can change people’s lives,” Naranjo said when describing what he loved most about Salsa Loca. “In the aspect of gaining a healthy habit, being more social, experiencing a new culture, meeting a lot of wonderful new people, building your confidence, relieving stress and finding a new outlet of having fun that extends in other parts of the world.”

The club will have Kristoffer Layug, a member of Sacramento Touch and a performer at many bachata festivals and previous club president Brianna Perini, give participants the first bachata lesson of the year at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 12, in the University Union.

Anisca Miles can be reached at [email protected]