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Latin Dance - Salsa
Dance, Attire |
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| What
is Latin Dance? |
| by: Shawn Trautman |
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| Latin
couples dancing is the hot and spicy corner of the dance world.
Just as the dances and subcultures vary in different parts of
Latin America, so the Latin dances and related dance subcultures
vary across the globe. The Latin dances include Cha-Cha, Salsa,
Mambo, Samba, and several others. |
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| Where
to Learn and Attire for Learning |
| You
can find Latin dance instruction at many ballrooms; however, once
you have the hang of the basic timing and some of the foundational
moves, you might want to broaden your horizons. If you want to
learn the truly Latin versions of the dances and dance in the
subculture, you might be better off seeking out a specialized
dance studio or a freelance instructor who teaches salsa, meringue,
bacchata, or cha-cha at a local Latin nightclub or even restaurant.
The dress code might be dictated by where you are learning to
dance and whether you will be staying out dancing to practice
following your lesson. That being said, you should strive to be
comfortable when learning the Latin dances; you will be getting
an aerobic workout, especially with salsa. When learning, wear
as comfortable of shoes as possible. Save your feet for when you
go out dancing. |
| Where
to Dance and Attire for Going out Dancing |
| Salsa
clubs are the most popular place to go out Latin dancing. Prepare
yourself for a high-energy evening followed by a day of very sore
feet. When Latin dancers, particularly salsa dancers, show up
to party, they get down to business and go until the wee hours
of the morning. Be prepared to dress to the nines in your club
wear—ladies, this is the only dance subculture where strappy
sandals are not only acceptable, but the norm for footwear. A
few words of caution for the ladies regarding footwear: Try not
to twist or break your ankles, and try to protect your toes from
errant feet of other dancers. Gentlemen, dress sharply and wear
polished shoes. Your clothing will most likely be dictated by
your local climate and the season for both ladies and gentlemen. |
| Most
Popular Dances |
| The
most popular Latin dance is the salsa. There are several types
of salsa out there, some of them being “called” dances,
similar to a square dance, except they are performed in a circle
(no corners necessary). However, the rumba, tango, meringue, bacchata,
cha-cha, mambo, and samba also fall into the Latin dance category. |
| Of
Special Note |
| As
you dive into the Latin dancing subculture, keep in mind two key
descriptive terms: fun and sensual. The Latin dances are often
described as the most fun and sensual of all four social dance
subcultures. As with any of the dance subcultures, it is important
to be sensitive to cultural differences as you get out and embark
upon new communities of people—everyone is out dancing to
have a good time. If you are not Latin American by birth or heritage,
keep in mind that you are immersing yourself in a corner of someone
else’s heritage for the evening, so be respectful of that. |
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