Rodney Aquino, featured by Inside Bay Area

UNION CITY — Grab a partner and hit the dance floor — it’s time to salsa.

Rodney Aquino, a well-known salsa dancer, is bringing sexy back to little ol’ Union City.

Using pelvic gyrations, quick feet and spinning transitions, Aquino, who likes to go by “Rodchata,” teaches salsa and another dance form called bachata all over the world. Recently, he traveled to Australia to perform and teach.

Now he has brought his love for dance to the Tri-City area.

For $12, visitors can drop by the Tahini Dance Studio at 30987 Watkins St., off Smith Street near Union City Boulevard, to learn some basic salsa steps and fundamentals.

“It’s a perfect class designed for beginners,” Aquino said.

Last Saturday, the first scheduled class of about 10 people learned some of those basics. The demonstrations consist of Aquino explaining each move and the reason behind it.

“It makes it easier for students to learn,” he said.

In addition, he will teach men how to lead women — or vice versa.

However, “We need more men,” Aquino said. “I don’t know what’s up with the guys, but maybe they are just shy … I don’t know.”

Like most dance styles — except for the twist (for you oldtimers) and the running man — salsa requires a partner to perform the moves. Ironically, Aquino admits that when he was younger and went to clubs, he was a wallflower.

“I was very hesitant to ask women to dance,” he said.

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