Salsa dancing
Salsa has become one of the most popular dance styles in the world today and is known for its sexy sassy moves performed to hot Latin rhythms, but where does it originate from?
The history of salsa is not easily defined. Who invented salsa? The Cubans, Puerto Ricans? Truth is that salsa is a fusion of many Latino and Afro-Caribbean dances, which each played a large part in its evolution.
The contemporary New York salsa music and clave beats originated from the African bell and drum rhythms, which travelled to Cuba via slave ships in 1700s. Over the years this became blended in with Caribbean music, the Cuban son and in Puerto Rico with the Spanish sonero, and later with jazz.
| The music and dance styles travelled with the Hispanic immigrants to New York in the 1950s where it became more evolved and adapted as it was played in the clubs such the Palladium in New York City. |
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The term ‘salsa’ was created in the 60s when it became a popular nickname and marketing term referring to this new style of music with Hispanic influences including: Rhumba, Son, Mambo, Cha cha cha, Cumbia and Merengue amongst others
What style do you dance? A question of often heard in the salsa scene, as with the salsa music the dance has evolved and adapted according to the influences surrounding it.
The most common styles are New York also known as mambo, LA style and Cuban.
New York style
Along with LA style, New York style is one of the most popular styles that can be seen around the world today, as the name indicates this style originated in New York.
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In New York, salsa is also known as Mambo. This reflects the origins of salsa dancing in New York City. There it started as Mambo due to the legendary Eddie Torres 'the king of mambo dancing', who used to perform alongside Tito Puente, the 'Mambo King' himself. Eddie Torres has passed on the traditions of Mambo to modern salsa dancing.
One of the unique features of New York style salsa is that it is ‘danced on 2’, which means that the first step is taken on the second beat, as opposed to the first beat or as it is referred to in salsa ‘on 1’. |
LA Style
| As name implies Los Angeles, USA has developed its own characteristic style of salsa. It is one of the most popular salsa styles around today.
The primary influence in LA style is West Coast and Latin Ballroom, which is noticeable in the flamboyant moves such as the many dips, spins, drops and complicated entwining turn patterns … enough to dazzle any spectators' eyes. |
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Cuban style
Cuban Salsa, also known as 'Casino Salsa', involves dance moves which are characterised by complicated arm movements. The foot work in Cuban style involves a lot of circular motions where couples walk around each other while performing various intertwining turns.
Feel like dancing?
It is said that Scotland is the Latin of the north. This is evident in the number of salsa club nights happening around Scotland and the growing number of people attending salsa classes.
If you feel the Latin rhythm in you, why not contact your local dance centre to find a class near you, see links list to the right for contact details. | |