Uncategorized

By  Takeshi Young If you’re new to salsa dancing, you may not be aware that there are actually a few different types of salsa dance that are danced around the world. The music that they are danced to is usually the same (although there are a few exceptions) but that the styles are different enough that if you only know one style of salsa, you may have trouble dancing with someone dancing another style. This can get pretty confusing, so we’ve put together this guide to teach you about the different styles of salsa dancing that are out there. By the end of the article you’ll learn what the different styles of salsa look like, maybe discover some new styles, and find the style of salsa that’s right for you! How many types of salsa dance are there There are 6 different styles of salsa danced around the world. Salsa dancing originated in New York, but has evolved into different forms in different countries. You can learn more about the different styles of salsa below. The different styles of salsa dancing: New York Style Salsa (Salsa On 2) Salsa music as we know it today originated in New York, and New York-style salsa is the style of salsa that originated there. New York-style salsa is sometimes called “linear salsa” or “linea” by dancers of other styles because it is danced in a line (or “in the slot”) similar to Hustle or West Coast Swing, from which it was influenced. New York-style salsa is often referred to as “Salsa On 2” or “On2 Salsa” because the break step in New York style happens on the second beat of the music. On2 salsa was popularized by Eddie Torres, and on2 dancers argue that their style is more musical because it more closely aligns with the tumbao & clave, two common musical patterns found in salsa music. Salsa On2 has grown in popularity in recent years, and is a popular way of dancing for advanced dancers and at international dance festivals. Because of its similarity to LA Style Salsa, most On2 dancers can also dance On1, although they may prefer the former. LA Style Salsa (Salsa On 1) LA-style salsa is probably the most popular form of salsa dancing in the world. It is the style of salsa that is taught most broadly, and most dancers of other styles of salsa dancing will have at least some familiarity with it. If you want to learn the most broadly applicable form of salsa, LA-style salsa is a good choice. LA-style salsa, like its name suggests, orginated in Los Angeles, California, and was popularized by the Vazquez brothers. LA-style salsa is danced in a line, similar to New York style salsa, but dancers break on the first beat of the music (on 1) rather than on 2. Many newer dancers find this timing more intuitive. Cuban Style Salsa (Salsa Cubana) Cuban-style salsa or Salsa Cubana is a type of salsa that originated in Cuba. Cuba-style salsa, unlike New York or LA-style, is danced in a circular motion similar to East Coast Swing, rather than in a line. The turn patterns in Cuban salsa typically are in a constant circular motion, with lots of hand tricks and movements. Salsa Cubana is often danced to a genre of music known as “timba”, which is a form of salsa music that is popular in Cuba. Cuban dancers also often incorporate Afro movements into their dancing, although this is increasingly a popular trend in New York and LA-style salsa as well. Salsa Rueda (Rueda de Casino) Salsa rueda, also known as Rueda de Casino is another type of salsa that originated in Cuba. “Rueda” in Spanish means “wheel”, and in salsa rueda a group of couples dance together in a giant circle, rather than as individuals. In salsa rueda, there is one leader who calls out what move to do, and all the couples in the circle execute the move simultaneously. The moves are similar to those of Cuban-style salsa, and a salsa rueda dance involves a coordinated dance of synchronized movement, partner switches, and intricate turn patterns. Colombian Salsa (Salsa Caleña) Colombian salsa, also known as Salsa Caleña (named after Cali, Colombia, where the dance originated) is one of the rarest forms of salsa. Outside of Colombia there are very few cities in the world where Colombian salsa is danced regularly. Inside Colombia, however, is another matter entirely. Cali, Colombia calls itself “La Capital Mundial de Salsa” or the “world capital of salsa”, and it has valid claims to that title. The city by some estimates has over 200 salsa academies, more than any other city in the world. Every year the city hosts a massive festival called the Feria de Cali, with thousands of dancers, and the city is host to a number of massive salsa dance competitions. Salsa Caleña is similar to Cumbia, another Latin dance which originated in Colombia, and like Cuban salsa is danced in a circle. Colombian salsa is characterized by extremely fast footwork and quick knee movements, as well as acrobatics and lifts at the performance and competition level. Salsa Choke Salsa choke (pronounced “cho-que”) is another style of salsa that originates from Colombia. Unlike other styles of salsa, salsa choke is danced individually, but in a group, where one dancer leads a step and the others in the group follow. Salsa choke is danced specifically to salsa choke music, which is a type of music that sounds a little like a cross between salsa music and reggaeton. Hopefully that overview of the different styles of salsa dance gives you a better idea of the different salsa variations that are out there! If you still have any questions, leave it in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer it. Share this:  Event Homepage Articlepopular PreviousTop 10 Salsa Songs by DJ Felipe NextJohnny Pacheco, the Co-Founder of Fania, Dies at 85 About the author Takeshi Young Takeshi young is salsa dance instructor, choreographer and competitor with over 20 years of salsa dance experience. He is passionate about all things salsa and

Who is the best salsa dancer in the world? That’s a difficult question to answer these days since the world has exploded in salsa talent in recent years. But we polled our readers and put together this list of the top international salsa dancers. Since salsa is a partner dance, we decided to highlight the world’s best salsa couples. For our list of best individual dancers, check out our articles on Best Male Salsa Dancers and Best Female Salsa Dancers. Dance of course is a subjective art form, so if we missed including your favorite salsa couple, let us know in the comments! 1) Ricardo Vega & Karen Forcano Hailing for Santiago, Chile, Karen Forcano and Ricardo Vega are two of the best known salsa dancers in the world. They are best known for their cabaret-style salsa which incorporates acrobatic lifts and tricks as well as their incredible energy and showmanship. The two have won virtually every international salsa competition, including the World Latin Dance Cup and World Salsa Summit, and were finalists in NBC’s World of Dance. Karen and Ricardo more recently have turned the tables and started judging at international salsa competitions as well. Karen & Ricardo are in-demand performers for salsa congresses around the world, and are almost always the headliners at any event they attend. 2) Fernando Sosa & Tatiana Bonaguro Fernando Sosa and Tatiana Bonaguro are the directors and choregraphers for Tropical Gem dance company, one of the top salsa teams in the world, based out of Milan, Italy. Their team has won multiple international salsa competitions and is recognized, and they are recognized for their incredible creativity. The pair are known for their incredibly fast and intricate partnerwork, as well highly musical footwork and body movement that accentuates all the key moments in the music. 3) Jefferson Benjumea & Adrianita Ávila Jefferson & Adrianita hail from Cali, Colombia, the city that has been dubbed the “World Capital of Salsa”, and the pair are some of the well known dancers from that city. The two have competed and won major salsa competitions such as the World Latin Dance Cup, World Salsa Open, and World Salsa Summit, and have also made appearances on TV shows such as World Of Dance. Jefferson and Adrianita are exemplars of Colombian-style salsa mixing lightning fast footwork with incredible acrobatic tricks. More recently the pair have started training and competing in Ballroom dance, combining the finesse and technique of Ballroom dance with the pure energy of Colombian salsa to create their own unique style of dance. 4) Junior & Emily Alabi Junior and Emily Alabi are a brother and sister duo based in LA and known throughout the world for their exploisve energy and amazing spins. The two started dancing and competing at a young age, and have competed at the World Salsa Championships and have appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Their signature move is the tornado spin, and the two have developed some incredibly difficult variations of the classic salsa move. Emily Alabi is also an actress, and has made appearances in numerous TV shows including Teen Wolf and NCIS. 5) Rafael Barros & Carine Morais Rafael and Carine professional salsa dancers, competitors, and instructors hailing from Brazil. Like many of the dancers on the list, they are multi-World Champions, holding titles from the World Salsa Open, World Latin Dance Cup, and World Salsa Championships. The pair are known for being champions in the LA-style salsa division, dancing On1, their high energy partnerwork, for their incredible single-legged spinning technique. 6) Jorge Martinez & Maria Catalán Jorge and Maria are world salsa champions hailing from Oaxaca, Mexico. They are the directors of several dance teams and are also the organizers of the Oaxaca Salsa Festival. They are known for their intricate partnerwork and energetic footwork. Jorge & Maria are 3-time world salsa champions, holding titles from the World Latin Dance Cup and Euroson Latino. They are also both winners of the Salsa Na’Ma competition, a 1v1 footwork competition organized by Fernando Sosa of Tropical Gem. 7) John Narvaez & Dahlia Lazcares Hailing from Mexico and the San Francisco Bay Area, John and Dalia are two-time World Latin Dance Cup champions in the Salsa On2 division. John is a veteran salsa dancer with decades of experience as the director of Salsamania Dance Company, and has won numerous World titles with his team. He also won the World Latin Dance Cup three years in a row in the same-gender division along with Andrew Cervantes, and was featured on America’s Got Talent. Dalia is a young dancer out of Oaxaca, Mexico who started dancing at a young age and quickly gained international attention for her speed, precision, and dancing technique. Together the pair are a dancing powerhouse winning competitions around the world. 8) David Zepeda & Paulina Posadas No list of top salsa dancers would be complete without mentioning David & Paulina. Although the two have not competed together in a number of years, during their competing days they were unstoppable, winning the World Latin Dance Cup 4 years in a row in the On2 division, as well as other world titles including the World Salsa Open and World Salsa Summit. Hailing from Mexico, the pair are known for their unique and original choreography, and intricate turn patterns. 9) Adrian Rodriguez & Anita Santo Rubin Adrian & Anita are 6X world salsa champions from Barcelona, Spain. They have won top salsa competitions around the world, most notably the World Salsa Open in Puerto Rico which they won a number of years in a row. The two have a big social media presence on social media, and are sought after performers and instructors around the world. They also offer online classes and are organizers of local salsa dancing events. 10) Oliver Pineda & Luda Kroiter Oliver Pineda and Luda Kroiter from Australia have won 10 international salsa dancing titles, including the ESPN World Salsa Championships. The couple are a legend in the competitive On2 salsa scene, absolutely dominating the division globally for years. Though the couple are not active competitors anymore, the pair are still some of the most famous dancers in the competitive salsa world. 11) Simone Sanfilippo & Serena Mase Simone and Serena

By  Takeshi Young Salsa and bachata are two of the most popular partner dances that are danced today. Many clubs and socials play both salsa and bachata music at their events, which can be confusing to newcomers just getting started with Latin dancing. However, the two dances are actually quite different. See below for the ways in which salsa and bachata differ from each other and how you can easily tell the difference. What Is The Difference Between Salsa And Bachata? There are six main differences between salsa and bachata: 1) Tempo Salsa is known for its high speed and energetic dancing, and is usually danced to quicker tempo (usually in the 160-220 bpm range). Salsa dancing involves lots of quick turns and fast footwork: Bachata on the other hand is known more for being slow and romantic, with lots of close holds and dips (typically in the 108 and 152 bpm range): The one exception here is Dominican Bachata, which is danced at a much quicker tempo and involves lots of quick footwork: 2) Music Salsa and bachata are actually danced to two completely different types of music. Salsa is danced to salsa music, which originates in Cuba and was popularized in New York. There are many differences between salsa and bachata music, the main one being speed. There are also two distinct beats that set salsa music apart from bachata: the clave and tumbao. This video provides a good visual representation of both: Bachata music on the other hand comes from the Dominican Republic and is a slower tempo than salsa. Remixing pop songs is also common in bachata music: It can be hard to explain the differences between salsa and bachata music without getting too technical. The best way to learn to disitinguish between the two is to listen to lots of salsa and bachata songs. 3) Dance Salsa is usually danced in a forward-backward motion along a line (known as “the slot”). Salsa dancers dance on the counts of 1-2-3 and 5-6-7, pausing on the 4 and 8. The exception to this is Cuban style salsa and Colombian style salsa. See our article on the different styles of salsa dancing. Bachata on the other hand is danced in a more circular fashion, with side-to-side steps. Bachata dancers step on the 1-2-3 and 5-6-7, similar to salsa, but do a distictive tap on the counts of 4 and 8. 4) Distance Another way to distinguish between salsa and bachata is that salsa is usually danced further apart, with intricate turn patterns and spins. Bachata on the other hand is generally danced much closer, with bachata dancers dancing hip-to-hip with lots of movement in the upper body. 5) Body Movement Both salsa and bachata incorporate body movement, but the movements are quite different. In salsa there is a lot of shoulder movement and shimmies, as well as a figure-four motion with the hips. More recently, salsa dancers have also started to incoporate movements from other styles of dance, such as Afro Cuban. Bachata on the other hand incorporates a lot of side-to-side hip movement as well as upper body movement such as body rolls and dips. 6) Vibe Overall, salsa is known for being fast, energetic, playful and flitatious, whereas bachata has a reputation for being slow, sexy, and sensual. The two dances have a completely different vibe, and many dancers prefer to dance one over the other. Is Bachata Easier Than Salsa? Bachata is typically considered easier to learn than salsa, because the music and dance is a lot slower. Salsa also requires more athleticism. However, mastering bachata is no easy feat, and requires learning difficult body movement, connection, and the intricacies of bachata music. Learning one dance can help with learning the other, so start with one and work on learning both. Most Latin dance events include both salsa and bachata dancing, so learning how to do both means you get to dance more dances! Share this:  Event Homepage Articlepopular PreviousMask Mandates Return to the Bay Area NextTop 11 Salsa Competitions in the World About the author Takeshi Young Takeshi young is salsa dance instructor, choreographer and competitor with over 20 years of salsa dance experience. He is passionate about all things salsa and is the coach and director of the college salsa dance team, Spartan Mambo. Instagram  YouTube  Threads Related Posts Cuban Dance Styles: The Complete List History of Salsa Dance Latin Dances Mambo vs Salsa: What’s the Difference? 1 Comment Leave a Reply https://jetpack.wordpress.com/jetpack-comment/?blogid=154231990&postid=914&comment_registration=0&require_name_email=1&stc_enabled=1&stb_enabled=1&show_avatars=1&avatar_default=simple_local_avatar&greeting=Leave+a+Reply&jetpack_comments_nonce=90d85b52ab&greeting_reply=Leave+a+Reply+to+%25s&color_scheme=light&lang=en_US&jetpack_version=15.2&iframe_unique_id=1&show_cookie_consent=10&has_cookie_consent=0&is_current_user_subscribed=0&token_key=%3Bnormal%3B&sig=338e3c283c1d9828993a3fc16f0c7db4c0dc2e27#parent=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.salsavida.com%2Farticles%2Fsalsa-vs-bachata%2F

By  Takeshi Young Salsa dancing is a popular form of Latin dance that is danced around the world, and you’ve probably seen people dancing it in the movies or at your local club. But there’s more to salsa dancing than meets the eye! Here are seven things you probably didn’t know about salsa dancing: 1) Salsa is the Most Popular Partner Dance in the World Salsa dancing isn’t just popular, it’s the most popular form of partnered dancing in the world! According to data from Facebook, there are over 200 million people that like salsa dancing around the globe– that’s more than the next three popular dances (bachata, swing dance and tango) combined! Salsa dancing schools and clubs can be found around the world, not just in the US and Latin America, but across Europe, Asia and the rest of the world– almost every major city in the world has some salsa dancing. 2) Salsa Originated in the United States Although salsa has Latin roots, the term “salsa” was first coined and popularized in New York City in the United States. Many of the best salsa dancers in the world live in the US, with salsa hot spots in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and the San Francisco Bay Area. 3) Salsa Originated in the 1960s The term “salsa” was first coined by Fania Records, a record-label founded by Dominican-born composer Johnny Pacheco and Italian-American lawyer Jerry Masucci in 1964. Fania combined the different styles of Latin music being played in New York under the single label of “salsa”, and helped to market and popularize the music around the world. The dance style to compliment the music soon followed, with early pioneers such as Eddie Torres and Johnny Vazquez helping to formalize the steps and teach them through dance schools. 4) Salsa is a Mix of Different Dances “Salsa” means “sauce” in Spanish, and like its namesake, salsa dancing is a mixture of many different ingredients. Some of the dances which have influenced or have been incorporated into salsa include mambo, cha cha cha, Cuban son, pachanga, swing, hustle, jazz, and Afro-Cuban rumba. Many salsa dancers continue to experiment with the dance, incorporating elements of ballet, gymnastics, hip hop and other genres to continue taking salsa in new directions. 5) There are Six Different Styles of Salsa Dancing Beginners often don’t realize that salsa isn’t just one dance, there are actually six distinct styles of salsa that are danced around the world! The six different styles are: New York style salsa, LA Style salsa, Cuban salsa, Rueda de Casino, Colombian salsa, and Salsa Choke. A few of the styles are similar enough that dancers of one style can dance with another, but others are completely different styles of dance. 6) There are Different Styles of Salsa Music If the different styles of salsa dancing weren’t confusing enough, there are also many different styles of salsa music. Some of the different salsa music styles include Salsa Dura (“hard salsa”), Salsa Romantica (romantic salsa music), Latin Jazz, Timba (salsa music from Cuba), pop salsa, and salsa choke. 7) Salsa Dancing is Good for Your Health Salsa dancing is one of the fastest paced social dance styles out there, which means it’s a great way to get your body moving and burning calories! Salsa music typically ranges anywhere from 150 BPM (beats per minute) to 220 BPM, which translates to 300-400 carlories per hour burned dancing salsa. Training in salsa can also improve your flexibility and strength, and learning new salsa movements is even good for your brain! Those are our seven salsa dancing facts you probably didn’t know! We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about salsa and learned something new! If you have any interesting facts we missed, leave them in the comments! Share this:  Event Homepage Articlepopular PreviousWorld Latin Dance Cup 2023 Dates Announced NextMambo vs Salsa: What’s the Difference? About the author Takeshi Young Takeshi young is salsa dance instructor, choreographer and competitor with over 20 years of salsa dance experience. He is passionate about all things salsa and is the coach and director of the college salsa dance team, Spartan Mambo. Instagram  YouTube  Threads Related Posts Cuban Dance Styles: The Complete List History of Salsa Dance Latin Dances Mambo vs Salsa: What’s the Difference? Leave a comment Leave a Reply https://jetpack.wordpress.com/jetpack-comment/?blogid=154231990&postid=1060&comment_registration=0&require_name_email=1&stc_enabled=1&stb_enabled=1&show_avatars=1&avatar_default=simple_local_avatar&greeting=Leave+a+Reply&jetpack_comments_nonce=d43d22ed92&greeting_reply=Leave+a+Reply+to+%25s&color_scheme=light&lang=en_US&jetpack_version=15.2&iframe_unique_id=1&show_cookie_consent=10&has_cookie_consent=0&is_current_user_subscribed=0&token_key=%3Bnormal%3B&sig=8b26647035aaff70d6c926f06821cbc2ce0b023d#parent=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.salsavida.com%2Farticles%2Fsalsa-dancing-facts%2F

 Takeshi Young June 21, 2022 One of the questions I frequently receive from my students is what is the difference between mambo vs salsa? The question is tricky to answer, because “mambo” can mean different things in different contexts. 1) Palladium Mambo Mambo was a music genre and dance that was originally created in Cuba, and popularized in New York City in the 1940s and 1950s. The center for mambo dancing was the Palladium Ballroom in NYC, which attracted the best mambo musicians and dancers. The style of dancing that originated in the Palladium is sometimes referred to as “Palladium mambo”. The mambo that was danced in the Palladium is similar in many ways to salsa today, because salsa borrowed many of the steps from that dance. Many modern salsa dancers also incorporate mambo styling into their salsa dancing to give it an old-school flavor, further blurring the lines between salsa and mambo. 2) New York Style Salsa New York-style salsa evolved from mambo, and has the same timing as mambo with dancers breaking on the second beat of the music. Because of this, the term “mambo” is sometime used as a synonym to New York-style salsa. In fact, Eddie Torres who helped to formalize salsa dancing steps and teach them throughout the world, is often referred to as the “Mambo King”. So in this case there is no difference between mambo and salsa, because the terms are being used interchangeably. 3) Ballroom Mambo The term mambo is also used in the world of ballroom dance, where it is one the dances included in the American Rhythm category. Like most ballroom dances, ballroom mambo is highly stylized, with sharp movements and flare similar to ballroom cha cha and rumba. Ballroom mambo is also danced on1 (break step occuring on the first beat), as opposed to on2, so it is more similar to LA-style salsa, although the styling is distinctly ballroom. So what is the difference between mambo and salsa? In summary: Palladium mambo is very similar to New York-style salsa, and the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Ballroom mambo is danced on1 like LA-style salsa, but with ballroom dance styling. Hope that helps clarify the difference between mambo vs salsa! If you still have any questions about mambo or salsa, leave them in the comments! Share this  popular Previous7 Facts You Didn’t Know About Salsa Dancing NextWorld Salsa Summit Cancelled About the author Takeshi Young Takeshi young is salsa dance instructor, choreographer and competitor with over 20 years of salsa dance experience. He is passionate about all things salsa and is the coach and director of the college salsa dance team, Spartan Mambo. Instagram  YouTube  Threads Related Posts Cuban Dance Styles: The Complete List History of Salsa Dance Latin Dances 7 Facts You Didn’t Know About Salsa Dancing Leave a comment Leave a Reply https://jetpack.wordpress.com/jetpack-comment/?blogid=154231990&postid=1089&comment_registration=0&require_name_email=1&stc_enabled=1&stb_enabled=1&show_avatars=1&avatar_default=simple_local_avatar&greeting=Leave+a+Reply&jetpack_comments_nonce=90c4b724d4&greeting_reply=Leave+a+Reply+to+%25s&color_scheme=light&lang=en_US&jetpack_version=15.2&iframe_unique_id=1&show_cookie_consent=10&has_cookie_consent=0&is_current_user_subscribed=0&token_key=%3Bnormal%3B&sig=f54578f9c12975112d62c210ff019a1179b101a8#parent=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.salsavida.com%2Farticles%2Fdifference-between-mambo-vs-salsa%2F

By  Takeshi Young Latin dance has exploded in popularity in recent years. Originating mainly from South America and the Caribbean, Latin American dancing has spread around the world, surpassing American and European partnered dances such as Swing and Waltz in popularity. There are more than a dozen Latin dance styles out there and if you’re new to dance the wide array of dances can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this complete list of Latin dance styles, with helpful descriptions and videos of each Latin dance. Once you finish this article you’ll have a complete overview of what’s out there so you can find the dance style that’s right for you! Latin Dances List Latin social dances A list of Latin dances that are danced in social settings: Latin ballroom dances A list of Latin dances from the competitive world of dancesport: Latin Dance FAQ Frequently asked questions people often have about Latin dances. Salsa Salsa is by far the most popular Latin dance style and is also the most popular partnered dance in the world, with dance schools and clubs found in almost every major city on nearly every continent. Salsa was born in the United States in the 1960s, developed mainly by Puerto Ricans and Cubans living in New York City. The dance style and music borrows heavily from other Latin dances that came before it such as the mambo, cha cha, son and Latin hustle. Salsa is known for its fun, flirtatious and energetic movements, although there are slower and more romantic salsa songs as well. There are also many different styles of salsa dancing, so even within salsa dance there is quite a bit of variation. The different styles of salsa dancing are: Salsa is primarily a social dance, with many clubs and dance studios hosting salsa nights. Performance is a big aspect of salsa as well, with many festivals around the world where dancers go to perform choreographed routines. There are also international salsa competitions where dancers compete to see who is the best dancer. Bachata Bachata is another incredibly popular form of Latin-style dance, that has grown in popularity in the last few years, especially among the younger crowd. Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic, and is known for typically being slower and more sensual than salsa dancing (see our article on the differences between salsa and bachata). Like salsa, there are a few different styles of bachata, the main ones being Dominican or Traditional bachata which has simple turns and focuses more on footwork, Sensual bachata, which incorporates more body movement and sensual moves, and Urban Bachata or Bachata Fusion which incorporates other styles such as hip hop. Bachata dancing can usually be found in many of the same venues that offer salsa, and bachata has grown in popularity to the point that there are now entire festivals and events dedicated just to bachata. Argentine Tango Argentine tango is a popular hispanic dance that originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with roots in Spain and Cuba. Tango is strongly influenced by traditional European ballroom dances, and is danced upright with a close connection, with litle in the way of hip movement. Tango has a reputation for being intense and passionate, and many dramatic poses and holds (including the one at the top of this article) come from tango. Tango is typically danced more slowly than salsa, but Argentine tango incorporates flicks and kicks which can be quite rapid. Tango is danced socially at events called “milongas” and is also performed on stage as well. Merengue Merengue, like bachata, is a social dance that originated in the Dominican Republic– in fact, it is the national dance of the country! Merengue is very similar to bachata in that it is danced with a side-to-side movement with a lot of hip movement. However, merengue music tends to be a lot faster than bachata and merengue is known for being fun and energetic rather than sensual like bachata. Merengue is a popular dance among the Latin American community, particularly amongst Mexicans and Dominicans, and is often found in Latin dance clubs although it is rare to see it danced in salsa socials or festivals. Merengue is easier to learn than most Latin American dances, and most merengue dancers don’t have formal training and just pick it up by watching and dancing it. Cumbia Cumbia is a South American dance style that originated in Colombia, and has grown in popularity in Latin American, particularly in Mexico and Peru. Cumbia is danced in a circular motion, with the basic step being characterized by a short kick followed by a rock step, similar to East Coast Swing. Cumbia bears some similarities to Colombian style salsa, which was strongly influenced by cumbia, although cumbia is danced much slower. Like merengue, cumbia is a dance that is rarely formally taught in dance schools. It is occasionally taught in night clubs, and most dancers pick it up just by watching. Quebradita Quebradita is a high energy partner dance that originated in Mexico. It is known for being an incredibly energetic dance, with the dancers performing many acrobatic lifts and tricks. The style of dance was popular in Los Angeles in the 1990s, but is a niche dance that is mostly limited to the Mexican community. Because the dance requires incredible athleticism from both the lead and follow, it is rarely danced socially. There are quebradita competitions where couples compete to outdo each other with their tricks and lifts, and quebradita is occasionally incorporated into dance performances. Mambo Mambo confusingly is a word that can refer to a few different dance styles (see our article on mambo vs salsa). Mambo was originally developed in the 1940s in Cuba and popularized in New York in the famed Palladium Ballroom. The style borrowed from earlier dance styles such as son and danzon and evolved in the active dance scene of NYC. Traditional mambo is rarely danced anymore, although mambo led directly to the creation of salsa, which borrows many of its moves and elements. In fact, New York-style salsa is occasionally referred to as “mambo” because the break step happens on the second beat of the music, as was

Origins of Salsa Dance Salsa dancing today is the most popular partner dance in the world. However, not many people are familiar with the complex history of how the dance originated. In this brief history of salsa, we’ll explore the origins of the world’s most popular Latin dance, from the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico to the global phenomenon that it is today. Who Invented Salsa Dancing? Who invented salsa dance? This is a common question that many beginners who are curious about the dance want to know. The simple answer is that no one person invented salsa dancing. Salsa dance (like many other dance forms) evolved organically over the course of many years from a mixing and remixing of earlier dance styles, and the unique expressions of thousands of different dancers. Even today the dance is not formalized and continues to evolve as new dancers continue to explore new expressions and movements. Because salsa originated as a mixture of earlier dances, to fully understand how salsa dance evolved we have to first look at the dances that came before it and influenced its creation. Mixing of Cultures in the Caribbean The word “salsa” in Spanish means “sauce”, and like the name implies, salsa dance and music is a mixture of many different ingredients. The place where the disparate ingredients came together to create the unique blend we know today is in the Caribbean islands, particularly the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico. It was here that three vastly different cultures began to mix together for the first time starting in the 1500s, during the course of the Atlantic Slave Trade. 1) Taino – Indigenous Tribes The first ingredient of Latin dance and music is the native peoples of the Caribbean, known as the Taino or Taino-Arawak. These were the people that first inhabitted the Caribbean prior to the hispanic conquests. Not much is known about the Taino people’s music or dance, but it is believed to have been simple in terms of melody and structure, and employed instruments such as wooden drums known as mayohuacanes, as well as rattles (similar to maracas), güíras (scrapers), and various types of flutes and whistles. Many of these instruments are commonly used in salsa music to this day. 2) Spanish Conquerers The second ingredient of salsa dance and music is European, particularly the Spanish who first colonized the Caribbean islands. The Spanish brought with them their traditions and cultures, particularly partnered dancing, which was a new concept in the Caribbean. European partnered dances such as the waltz were much more formal and favored straight lines and stiff posture compared to the Latin dances that we know today, but provided the foundations of lead and follow and partner dance technique. The Spanish also introduced new instruments for music such as the guitar, as well as more complex arrangements of melodies, rhythms and vocals. 3) African Slaves The final ingredient of early Latin music was the rhythms and movements of Africa, which were brought over to the Caribbean in the form of slave labor by the Spanish. Unlike in the United States, the Africans that were brought over to the Caribbean were able to preserve their unique cultural heritage through music and dance and influenced the development of new art forms. African dances, unlike European dance, favored more curved shapes, bent knees, and an emphasis on hip and body movement, which has grown to become one of the hallmarks of Latin dance. African religions also influenced the development of Latin dance, with movements taken from the Yoruba religion being regularly incorporated into salsa dance even today. African drums (congas and bongos) and rhythms (clave and tumbao, also greatly influenced the development of Latin music. All of these unique ingredients came together for the first time in the Caribbean islands, and gradually started to mix together over the course of centuries to build the foundation of Latin dance and music that we know today. Cuba – The Epicenter of Latin Music & Dance Many countries in the Caribbean have contributed to the development of Latin music and dance, namely Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, but the country that has influenced salsa the most is Cuba. During the early 20th century, Cuba was the epicenter of Latin music. Many of the music styles which directly led to salsa such as Son Cubano, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Pachanga, Guaracha, Guajira and Guaguancó all originated in Cuba. Prior to the embargo of Cuba by the United States, many Latin dances and music would originate in Cuba, spread to the US & Mexico, and then spread to the rest of the world, such as the Cha Cha Cha and Mambo crazes of the 1950s. Many of the core movements and connections that are used in salsa dancing to this day come directly from Cha Cha Cha, Son and most notably Mambo. Mambo – The Precuror to Salsa Of all the Latin dances, the once with the most direct connection to salsa dance is the Mambo. Mambo music originated in Cuba in the late 1930s and became a craze in the US in the 1950s. The mambo dance form and music was developed to its pinnacle in New York City in the famed Palladium Ballroom. It was in the Palladium Ballroom that dancers competed and showcased their talent, and started to create a unique dance style mixing together various other dance forms. The Palladium offered mambo dance lessons (taught by Frank “Killer Joe” Piro), but much of the dance was improvised, with dancers drawing from their own dance experience. Some of the dances that influenced the development of mambo include Latin dances such as Son, Afro Cuban rumba, and Danzón as well as American and European dances such swing, hustle, ballet, Jazz, and tap dancing. Some of the most well known and influential mambo dancers of the Palladium Ballroom era include Audie and Margo, Pedro Aguilar (aka “Cuban Pete”), Millie Donay, as well as groups such as the Mambo Aces (Joe Centeno and Andy Vázquez) and Cha-Cha Aces. The Palladium was

Cuba’s dance and music have had a tremendous impact on Latin music, social dance, and global popular culture. The island has long been a cultural melting pot of Indigenous Taíno heritage, Spanish colonial influence, and powerful West & Central African traditions, whose mixing (under difficult historical circumstances) sparked remarkable creativity in music and dance. This fusion sits at the heart of cuban culture and the wider Caribbean, shaping both cuban music and movement. Salsa dance owes much of its roots to Cuba, with rumba, cha-cha-chá, pachanga, mambo, and many other dances influencing how salsa is danced today. While the term “salsa” was coined in the United States, so much of the music, rhythms, and movement vocabulary trace directly to Cuba via cuban musicians who carried these sounds across Latin America and beyond. If you’re new to Cuban dance—or just want a clean, definitive reference—this guide walks through every major Cuban style, grouped by category with short descriptions. By the end you’ll have a complete overview of what’s out there so you can find the Cuban dance styles that are right for you! Think of it as a field guide to the most popular dance forms from Cuba and the Caribbean. Cuban Dances List Popular / Salon (Social) Dances Partner/social dances you’re most likely to see on today’s floors—core pillars of cuban music and social life: Afro-Cuban (Folkloric) Classic street/stage folkloric forms with African diaspora roots—the foundational afro-cuban dances that inform much of cuban culture: Afro-Cuban (Religious) Ritual/staged traditions that inform Cuban movement vocabulary and the soundscape of cuban music across the Caribbean: Traditional / Regional & Rural Older campesino and regional forms that predate or parallel son—living links between Cuba and Latin America’s countryside traditions: Salon Classics & Precursors Historic salon forms that seeded many modern Cuban dances and influenced popular dance trends across the Caribbean: Casino (Cuban Salsa) Casino is Cuba’s signature partner dance, born in 1950s Havana from son, cha-cha-chá, and mambo figures. The name comes from the mid-20th-century “casinos deportivos”—Cuban social clubs and dance halls in Havana where the style took shape. Dancers said they were “bailando en casino” (dancing at the casino), and the name stuck. Outside Cuba it’s often called Cuban salsa since it is often danced to salsa music along with timba. The movement is circular, similar to East Coast Swing, rather than in a slot like New York or LA-style salsa. It is generally fast and energetic, with incorporation of Afro-Cuban elements that reflect everyday cuban culture. Rueda de Casino Rueda de Casino is the group form of casino: couples dance in a circle and swap partners as a caller announces synchronized moves. It emerged in mid-century Havana and is now a global social staple, with different moves and calls being created depending on the region—another export of cuban music and dance to the Caribbean and Latin America. Cha-cha-chá The cha-cha-chá was introduced in early-1950s Havana by composer Enrique Jorrín, evolving out of danzón-mambo. Its triple “cha-cha-chá” step gives the dance its name and bounce. The cha cha spread to the US in the 1950s, leading to a brief “cha cha craze” and to this day is a staple of ballroom dance competitions and social scenes across Latin America. Son Cubano Son Cubano, also known as Cuban son, is the elegant ancestor of many Cuban partner styles, originating in eastern Cuba in the late 19th century. Dancers often break on the second beat (contratiempo) with close connection and precise phrasing. Because son dancers break on2 following the tumbao, many New York-style salsa dancers have incorporated son movements into their dancing. Its instrumentation and feel are emblematic of classic cuban music crafted by generations of cuban musicians.Son Cubano Son Cubano, also known as Cuban son, is the elegant ancestor of many Cuban partner styles, originating in eastern Cuba in the late 19th century. Dancers often break on the second beat (contratiempo) with close connection and precise phrasing. Because son dancers break on2 following the tumbao, many New York-style salsa dancers have incorporated son movements into their dancing. Its instrumentation and feel are emblematic of classic cuban music crafted by generations of cuban musicians. Mambo Mambo developed from danzón-mambo in late-1930s/40s Cuba and exploded internationally via the big-band era. Mambo reached its height in New York at the famed Palladium Ballroom, where legends such as Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez elevated the music to a new level. The mambo dancing in the Palladium was a direct precursor to salsa when it burst onto the scene in the 1960s, powered by touring bands and cuban musicians who shaped popular dance across the Caribbean. Bolero The Cuban bolero is a romantic salon partner dance that flourished from the late 19th century and later fed ballroom “rhumba” styling. It moves slowly with expressive weight transfers and lyrical phrasing. The music has some similarities to cha cha, but is slower and more elegant—an enduring favorite in Latin America. Pachanga Pachanga is a playful late-1950s charanga-era dance with a bouncy knee action and gliding footwork. It has been revived in recent years by salsa artists such as Eddie Torres and Tito Ortos and is a staple in salsa shines. Pachanga is strongly associated with the Palladium years in New York and ties directly to charanga ensembles central to cuban music. Rumba (Yambú, Guaguancó, Columbia) Afro-Cuban rumba is a cornerstone folkloric complex with three principal styles: Yambú (slow, often elder/soft), Guaguancó (flirtatious couple game with the vacunao “vaccination” gesture), and Columbia (fast, traditionally solo/male). Rumba’s rhythms and body language permeate Cuban movement across genres, including casino and increasingly salsa. As one of the most recognized afro-cuban dances, rumba links social life, ritual, and street performance throughout the Caribbean. Yoruba/Orisha (Santería) Yoruba-derived sacred dances personify the Orishas, gods/spirits of the Santería religion. There are deities that each have their own unique dance style, including Changó (thunder), Yemayá (sea), Ochún (fresh waters), Elegguá (crossroads), Ogún (iron). The Yoruba dances have religious significance, but they are also taught by many teachers as folkloric dances, and Yoruba styling is often incorporated into casino, salsa and other dances. These roots are essential to understanding cuban culture and the evolution of cuban