In Their Own Words: Women of Rogue Bachata
One of the things we care about most is making sure women feel genuinely welcome on the floor — not just invited, but at home. So this week we sat down with three women from the Rogue Bachata community and asked them the same questions: why did you start, and what almost held you back? Here's what they told us, in their own words.
On finding Rogue Bachata
"I am a solo contemporary dancer, and I wanted to learn bachata. I was specifically looking for a class that would teach me the principles of following — something I didn't have as a solo dancer but knew I needed through partner dancing. When I found Rogue Bachata's website, I saw they emphasize following as something in the moment and improvised, not prelearned routines. That's exactly what I was looking for. I started with a private lesson with the instructor, and I really liked their principles. They encouraged me to join the group classes too. What I loved most was that the leaders were soft with their leads yet knew what they were doing. Even newer leaders were encouraged to try different movement concepts while staying soft and experimental. That combination — being soft yet experimental — is something I really appreciated, and that's why I keep coming back."
On the apprehension around a close-stance dance
"For girls who are apprehensive about getting into bachata because of the close stance — which is essential to the dance — Rogue Bachata really emphasizes levels of comfort. That's what addresses the apprehension around proximity. The leaders are encouraged to listen to the body language, movement, and state of being of their followers, and that's something that gets reemphasized in the classes. As a follower, I really appreciate that. You never know who will attend the social, but the instructors at Rogue Bachata try their best to give both leaders and followers an understanding of what levels of comfort mean and how to read your partner and what they're comfortable with. I appreciate this aspect so much, and I'm able to attend more classes knowing that the social and the organizers actively encourage this understanding of comfort and consent within bachata."
On the community itself
"I feel the community at Rogue Bachata is very relaxed, whether it's at King's Cross or at Clapham. Whenever I can attend, whichever days I'm free, I make it a point to attend at least once a week at one of the two locations. I feel this is very unusual in the city of London, to have this sort of community. It's something I experienced when I was living in a small town, where people weren't only dancers connected on the dance floor, but also had real connections that lasted outside of it. I feel that Rogue Bachata creates the atmosphere where this is possible within London, and that's quite special for me. It's something I really missed in London. I've made connections not only with the guys I dance with, but also with the girls whose faces I see regularly at the socials."
Three different starting points — a solo dancer looking for connection, someone working through the apprehension that comes with a close-contact dance, and someone missing the kind of community she'd found elsewhere — and the same thread running through all of it: comfort, being listened to, and a community that holds together off the dance floor too. If any of this sounds like what you're looking for, come find us on a Tuesday or Wednesday. No partner needed.
Come as you are — beginners always welcome, no partner needed.