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Latin Dance - Salsa Dance, Attire |
| What is Latin Dance? |
| by: Shawn Trautman |
| 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. |
| 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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