History
Salsa music is a fusion of traditional African and Cuban and other Latin-American rhythms that started in New York, somewhere between the 1940s and the 1970s, depending on where one puts the boundary between "real" salsa and its predecessors. The dance steps currently being danced on salsa music originate from the Cuban Son, but has influences from many other Cuban dances such as Mambo, Chá, Guaracha, Changüí, Lukumí, Palo Monte, Rumba, Yambú, Abakuá, Comparsa and some times Mozambique even. It also integrates swing dances. There are no strict rules of how salsa should be danced, although one can distinguish a number of styles, which are discussed below.
Normally Salsa is a (Click link for more info and facts about partner dance) partner dance, danced in a handhold. However advanced dancers always include shines, which are basically "show-offs" and involve fancy footwork and body actions, danced in separation. They are supposed to be improvisational breaks, but there are a huge number of "standard" shines. Also, they fit best during the mambo sections of the tune, but they may be danced whenever the dancers feel appropriate. They are a good recovery trick when the connection or beat is lost during a complicated move, or simply to catch the breath.
The music of the heart is a mixture of Rhythms from the Caribbean with African and Latin influence. Salsa emerged in the 1960's in New York, arising mainly from Son but also from Montuno, Guaguanco and Guaracha, blended with Puerto Rican Plena and Bomba and North American jazz, to produce its distinctive sound.
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Since 1930 merengue is a nacional dance of Dominican republic. The origin of merengue is not very clear. It is not sure which is the born place of this dance. To figure out this dance we have to make diference between the historical roots of the music and the nostalgy of the dance. Like music it is conected with the cuban "Upa", which has a part called "merengue". But the dance descend of the island now is calling Haity and rest - Dominican Republic.
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Bachata is a popular guitar music from the Dominican Republic. While bachata is based on the bolero rhythm, bachateros have traditionally included other kinds of music like son, merengue, vals and ranchera in their repertoires. The influence of all of these styles, and particularly that of merengue, can be felt in the rhythms, harmonies and melodies of bachata proper.
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Kizomba is a new kind of latino-style dance. It is a unique experience to watch excellently coordinated movements of partners, especially lady´s upper body movements underlined by her long hair. It is often an art in itself.
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