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Salsa is the type of music and dance that changes your mood.

Inside the rectangular bar of Danielle's Restaurant, young Frederick professionals have started to meet regularly to learn how to salsa with Frederick Salsa Meetup, a new group that formed in March.

Established through Meetup — a worldwide network of social groups online — nearly 30 people arrived at Frederick Salsa Meetup's first event on April 29 at Danielle's Restaurant on North East Street.

An hour before the salsa lesson began on the narrow, wood floor, dancers of all levels mingled over drinks and appetizers. Women dressed in high heels and jeans and men sporting dress shirts then took to the dance floor for a free beginner lesson by Barbara Bernstein of Dance in Time Productions.

"You will never look on the dance floor and see anyone unhappy," said Scot Wilson of Harper's Ferry, W.Va. Wilson has taken salsa lessons on and off two years in Frederick, and has organized other Frederick Meetup groups for whitewater rafting and hiking.

According to Aaron Ferrufino, organizer of Frederick Salsa Meetup, there is no other place in Frederick for people to salsa.

Though most opportunities to salsa are in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Ferrufino believes Frederick Salsa Meetup will be a big hit. "We can definitely get a decent crowd once a month," he noted.

Frederick Salsa Meetup is a private, online group, where interested members have to sign up on the group's Web site. Though the first event was free, the group charges $10 in advance or $15 at the door for upcoming salsa meetings.

Tania Lombo of Buckeystown chatted with a friend before the lesson began and noted that she likes to learn new styles of salsa, like rueda.

Lombo, who is Colombian, said she wasn't surprised that Frederick Salsa Meetup formed. Frederick is growing, she noted, and there is a need for social activities for young, single professionals.

Salsa is difficult in the beginning, Lombo said, but you have to listen to the beat and learn how to lead or be lead. "It all depends on your personal rhythm—how you feel the music in your body," she said.

To learn more

www.fredericksalsa.com

E-mail Katherine Mullen at kmullen@gazette.net.