Dance Styles

SALSA

Salsa is a mixture of Latin dance moves having origins in the Caribbean and Latin regions of South America. The word Salsa implies a spicy mix and that’s exactly what the dance is.Salsa is a partner dance traditionally danced to an 8 beat (for you ‘musos) Afro-Cuban rhythm. This music itself is a mixture of traditional Cuban and Puerto Rican music, influenced by Spanish and African rhythms and movements.

The result is an infectious musical sound and dance style, which has spread to North America, Europe and Australasia bringing both traditional dance moves and local interpretations.

There are a number of other Latin dances which tend to loosely group themselves under the Salsa banner. Salsa Parties and Festivals tend to feature a number of these other dances within the programme of dances.

Salsa Club will occasionally run workshops on these dance styles to supplement our Salsa dance programme.

BACHATA

A sexy partner dance with a smooth style, originating in the Dominican Republic (another Caribbean country).  The music is distinctly guitar oriented and if you can understand Spanish you will hear that it is very bluesy and heart-breakish in content.

Bachata dance differs from salsa in its rhythm; the main characteristic of this dance is the small hip movement on the 4th beat.

MERENGUE

Merengue is danced predominantly in the closed-hold to a 2-step beat. Again this can be a sexy dance style and it incorporates a number of the basic salsa moves and turns but in a somewhat “slowed-down” version. The music is unique in its beat.

RUEDA

Can be literally translated as “Wheel” This dance has its origins in Cuba.
It is performed by pairs of dancers who arrange themselves in a circle, (the wheel). The dance involves exchanging partners within the circle to the call of a Leader. Many of the moves are traditional Salsa moves and this dance is a lot of fun.