A small, hardwood floor dimly lit by Asian lanterns becomes a passionate dance platform. Rhythmic music flows out of the speakers; drums and maracas balance a spicy tune.
A calming environment is brought on by low conversations and comforting décor. An exotic fish tank separates dancing from dining, where guests are casually enjoying fresh sushi and sake.
On Friday nights at Opal Restaurant and Lounge, the dinner tables are pushed aside and melodious music plays. The black leather couches that line the walls become a resting spot for Latin dance enthusiasts.
Located on the busy street corner of Ninth and Lincoln, a passer-by might look through the window and see a group of people dancing in sync with the music and instructor.
Fafa and Sylvia Gonzalez demonstrate salsa Jan. 29 at Opal Restaurant and Lounge. The restaurant has $5 salsa classes every Friday night 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Photo by Andie Gregier • agreiger@mscd.edu
The event — Salsa, Sushi and Sake — is named with alliteration to create a unique combination. Though salsa dancing, sushi and sake might seem like an unusual trio, Opal-goers don’t seem to mind.
Sake is a mildly alcoholic Japanese beverage made from rice, usually served with sushi or other Japanese dishes. At Opal, sushi is offered in the finest of styles, including shrimp, salmon and tuna.
Francisco Gutierrez, promoter and co-organizer of Salsa, Sushi and Sake, said he likes the idea of giving people somewhere upscale to salsa dance and wanted to give it a one-of-a-kind name.
“Once I saw the venue, I liked it and wanted to be involved,” Gutierrez said.
As a promoter, Gutierrez said it’s important to attract the right crowd for the event. He said a diverse crowd comes to Opal to participate. He has been promoting for Salsa, Sushi and Sake for two months and said he has high hopes that it will continue to be successful.
Gutierrez said he loves to dance, although he hasn’t always known how to salsa. He said his inspiration came from a trip he made to Japan. The people there assumed he knew how to salsa dance because he is from Chihuahua, Mexico. Since he didn’t, he was determined to learn.
The event is led by acclaimed Denver salsa dance instructor Fafa. When salsa dancing began at Opal, it was taught by someone else, but Fafa said managers contacted him and asked him to take over the lessons.
Gutierrez was not involved with the dancing from the start. It was later that Fafa asked him to help promote the event.
The rare blend makes for an elegant evening. Candle-lit tables and booths, complete with decorative throw pillows, complement the curtain-lined doorways.
Since Opal is considered a restaurant, all ages are welcome. Fafa said he has been teaching salsa for almost 10 years and loves to see everyone participate in his classes.
“I believe when you start early, you get a feel for the dance sooner. It takes adults longer to adapt,” Fafa said.
The Ghana native started dancing in Africa and went to London where he studied and learned a collection of styles.
The lessons he teaches at Opal are basic salsa, which includes steps from Mambo and Puerto Rican-style salsa.
Fafa said he enjoys seeing happy people, and he teaches the lessons out of passion.
“For me, it comes from the heart,” Fafa said.
Salsa, Sushi and Sake follows a nontraditional meaning of “put on your dancing shoes.” Ladies walk in holding strappy heels in hand and use the black leather couches to lace up for a night of sensual steps.
Sylvia Gonzalez, a regular at Salsa, Sushi and Sake, said she is a friend of Fafa’s and enjoys attending because of the emotion involved in the dance. Gonzalez also said she thinks it’s a perfect place to bring a date.
“It’s not a typical bar or club — it’s classy,” Gonzalez said.
After an hour-long lesson from Fafa, dancers are eager to hit the dance floor and show off their new moves. Kim Hutchinson said she comes to Opal almost every Friday with her husband and has fun attempting to salsa dance.
“We’re not Latin, so we say we have hopeless American hips.”
Hutchinson, who found out about Salsa, Sushi and Sake through a newspaper ad, said she comes to dance for fun and has brought her 16-year-old daughter before.
The restaurant offers specials, like two-for- one sushi rolls and various American cuisine. For $5 guests are able to participate in Fafa’s salsa lesson.
Fafa also teaches at other locations around Denver and hopes to start an online salsa school. But even for a long-time dancer, practice makes perfect.
“It’s not how many lessons you take, it’s how much time you spend on the dance floor,” Fafa said.
