It is a favorite of dancers, as it incorporates many techniques similar to other dances to create a slow, sensual, romantic dance. This dance is often said to have the rise and fall of Waltz, the contra-body motion of Tango, and the rhythm of Rumba. It is now present as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. Originally a Spanish dance in ¾ time, it was changed in Cuba into 2/4 time and then eventually into 4/4 time. The Bachata has close ties to the Cuban Bolero. The dance is a direct reflection of the music being played in the night clubs during the 1960s. The Bachata originate in the countryside of the Dominican Republic. Its point of origin is uncertain both Haiti and the Dominican Republic claim it, and it contains elements of both cultures. MerengueĬonsidered too scandalous when it was introduced to the United States in 1941, the Merengue went into eclipse until 1957 when Xavier Cugat resurrected it. Introduced by band leader Anselmo Sacaras in 1944, the Mambo – a merger of Swing and Rumba – didn’t really catch on until the 1950s and it remains very popular today. Rumba hip movements are used in most of the popular Latin dances as well as the free-style of disco and nightclub dancing. The Rumba sometimes substitutes for those in-between tempos and features a subtle or relaxed (lateral) hip motion and Latin styling. The Rumba is an ever increasingly popular romantic Latin dance dating back some 400 years ago, and is better known as the Latin get acquainted dance or the dance with the wiggle. It’s a must style to know, the all time favorite latin dance. By 1954 it had evolved into a dance all its own. Cha ChaĪn offshoot of the Mambo, the Cha Cha (originally the cha-cha-cha) evolved out of popular movement in slow-tempo Mambo called the Triple Mambo. Some call it a form of Latinized Rock and Roll. The Salsa is performed to a fiery, faster tempo. Adding the graceful lilt of the flowing skirts we have today’s Viennese Waltz.Īdditional Dances: Peabody Latin Dances SalsaĪ peppery version of the Mambo laced with steps from other Latin dances. The steps became smaller with the turns smoother and more compact. With such wonderful composers as Johann Strauss and others, the Waltz became more and more refined. When this lively music is accompanied by a proficient understanding of acceleration and change of speed, the couple portrays the ultimate combination of agility and elegance. QuickstepĪs you study the Quickstep, you will soon understand why this speedy dance is the light-hearted favorite of all accomplished dancers. The Tango with all its staccato movements, greatly improves a man’s lead or a woman’s ability to follow (respond) and develops a strong sense of feeling for music. It’s dramatic, exciting and known as the Dancer’s Dance. Although widely believed to have originated in Argentina, it actually may have come from Spain. Rudolph Valentino single-handedly danced this Latin import into nationwide popularity beginning in 1910. The Fox Trot is good for developing “smoothness” and “ease of movement”. Some people refer to the Fox Trot as the “Slow Dance” or the “Two-Step”, or a “Conversational Dance” because of its closeness and conversation ability at the same time. Today it’s still the most popular of all social dances. The Fox Trot was the first to be tagged “indecent behavior”. If you think the term “dirty dancing” was a product of the 80s, think again. Fox TrotĬreated in 1912 by Harry Fox, the Fox Trot was the first dance that permitted people to hold each other closer than arm’s length. Every wedding reception, social “black-tie” formal and holiday party includes Waltz steps. The Waltz develops “graceful movement” and “poise”. It arrived in America in the early 1800′s and was the first social dance in which a woman was actually held in a man’s arms. This “mother of all dances” originated in Italy in the 1600′s as a round dance called the Volte.
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