Dance Styles
Latin American Section:
Cha Cha Cha
This is a fun dance originating from Cuba. It is a syncopated Rumba and
the name comes from the rhythm of the feet on the dance floor. This
dance is used when competing at an international level.
Rumba
Again originating from Cuba, this is a sensual and passionate dance
with pulsating rhythms. This is a dance of love and is featured
strongly in the International Dance Competitions.
Samba
Originally a work dance and today is still danced in the streets of Rio
de Janeiro and is featured in their famous carnival. It is danced in
the Latin Section of International dance competitions, but is now very
different from the original Brazilian dance.
Paso Doble
During this dance the dance floor becomes the Spanish bullfighting
arena, the man is the matador and the lady the flowing cape that
entices the bull. Many of the bullfighting passes can be recogonised
and many Spanish Flamenco steps have also been introduced. Again this
dance is included in the International Latin Competitions
Jive
The Jive has had many different styles which have been adjusted to the
various musical phases from the 1920's Lindy Hop, 1930's Jitterbug and
Boogie. 1940's Swing and in the 1960's Rock’n’Roll. These are all
styles of Jive. It has been standardised and included as one of the
dances in International Dance competitions.
Salsa
This is a fun and flirtatious dance. Popular for all-night partying.
Salsa movements originate from the Cuban Son dancing of the 1920s with
a rich blend of Latin-American and Western influences. Salsa is
normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such
as line dancing!(suelta) and Rueda de Casino where multiple couples
exchange partners in a circle. Salsa can be improvised or performed
with a set routine.
Mambo
Mambo is a Latin dance of Cuban origin. Mambo music was invented in
1930s Havana by Cachao and his contemporaries with heavy influences
from Jazz musicians that the Italian-American gangsters, who controlled
Havana's casinos, brought to entertain their American customers.
Merengue
The Merengue is a Caribbean Dominican Republic party dance. Many of the
arm movements are similar to the Salsa but it is danced at a much
slower tempo, and therefore easier to pick up.
Rock and Roll
This is similar to the standardised Jive but does not have the ‘chasse’
or ‘triple step’. It is much faster and also includes jumps and lifts
as well as the normal kicks and spins.
Bossa Nova
This is a latin dance reminiscent of the old square rumba. Fun to dance
and the music is not quite as complicated as some of the more recent
latin rhythms making the execution of this dance easier for the
beginner.