Portrait of Salseros - The Ball and Chain - by Jack El Oso, translated by feliz

Another familiar face in the salsa community. Certain salsero(a)s, for the most part notorious salsaholics, have the particularity of being ’taken,’ which means that they are engaged in a serious relationship with some who does not share, not one iota, their passion. The ball and chain is the name given to this other half of the salsaholic couple. While the other goes out and dances with everyone, the ball and chain sits at the bar, face stretched by ennui and anger so long that their chin scrapes the ground. In the middle of the party, as the fiesta is at its hottest, the ball and chain wants to go home : they’re tired. By pure miracle this often corresponds to the exact moment at which the salsaholic’s favorite song hits the turntables, and he/she leaves in a state of unquenchable frustration. Domestic turbulence guaranteed. Some Ball and chains end up staying at home, or going out with their non-salsa friends. Others try to interest themselves in salsa, starting beginner’s classes while their partner spins with his friends in the advanced stages of the disease. The ball and chain isn’t very good, their partner is bored stiff while dancing with them, and to put it bluntly, it doesn’t work. Re-domestic turbulence. Certain salsaholics seem to persist stubbornly to date Ball-and-chains, and are therefore eternally unlucky in love. Others discover salsa once they’re already ’taken’ and their partner becomes a ball-and-chain by evolution. In either case, the situation is hopeless. Salsa is wonderful, but one should know in advance that it can be a home-breaker. Sigh.



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