Bachata

                Bachata developed in the Dominican Republic around the 1960s. The name may refer to two things: partying/having fun or trash. Although, one might consider that the calling a dance trash has a negative connotation; actually, the roots for the denomination is rather deductive. Arriving home after a long day, rural workers let the steam out by dancing and playing music. On many occasions they utilized items found around the house as musical instruments like cans or the fence. That is why the music and the dance itself could have been labeled “trash”. However, this genre was despised by higher society because its roots. Moreover, they considered it offensive due to its intimacy. Later, with the deteriorating living situations of the lower-classes, Bachata’s reputation decayed rapidly. It was only in the 1990s that the middle-class became interested in the genre and that is how it started it gained a better reputation and started to spread all over the world. 

          Coming from a Latin American country, the fundamental musical instrument is the guitar:  “Bachata musicians drew upon the Cuban bolero, Mexican rancheros and corridos, Cuban son, guaracha and guajira, Puerto Rican plena and jibaro music, and the Colombian-Ecuadorian vals campesino and pasillo- as well as the Dominican merengue, which was originally guitar-based” (2step2.net). On of the most well-known musicians of the Bachata is José Manuel Calderón who is thought to be the first to record Bachata in his singles “Borracho de amor” and “Condena”.

 

          The position of the dancers is closer than in other dances. So, I would advise you to choose a partner carefully. The right partner would be someone who you emotionally confide in and who you let to lead. I observed two problematic of partner choice: 1.) The female might be reserved and distant, so the fusion of the couple in the dance cannot happen and the dance becomes spasmodic. 2.) Sometimes the female gives in to the leading male and it looks like the man is dragging his partner through the dance floor. You have to keep in mind that you must be open to the man’s guiding, but you have to focus on moving consciously without letting him dominate you.

 

 

          The dance itself is really sensual and sexual as well due to the hip movements, huddling, and leaning backs. As mentioned in an earlier post on Rumba and Salsa, the eye-catching and erotic movement of the hips can be achieved by shifting the balance from one leg to the other or by bending one whole extending the other knee. Also, if you want to improve your hip’s mobility you could exercise on the hula-hoop regularly, which, as a bonus, burns the muffin top too.

 

          The slogan of Bachata in my phrasing would be:  

 

 Want some hot nights with your partner? Try Bachata! 

Paso Doble

Paso Doble, meaning “two steps”, is the reenactment of bullfights in the form of a dance. The origins lie in the Torero’s (bullfighter) ritualistic entrance to the ring and his dramatic performance before the killing. Surprisingly, the dance was invented in Southern France not in Spain. However, while the names of the steppes are French; the music, the theme, and dance are highly influenced by the Spanish. It was in the 1930s’ Paris that Pierre Zurcher-Margolle and Doris Lavelle popularized Paso Doble among the upper classes (zimbio.com). The dance arrived to the US and other English speaking countries in the same decade, but did not gain much success because of its demand for experience.

          In the dance variant of the bullfight, the man personifies the torero, while the woman may change her roles between the bullfighter’s cape, a flamenco dancer, and the bull itself. The performers’ posture, movement, and attitude much resemble that of the Flamenco dancers’. The man acts proud, frightful, courageous, full of dignity, and undefeatable. On the other hand the woman is flexible, playful, and provocative; the skirt following her wimpling like a real cape. 

The music, the dresses, the dancer’s way of looking at each other, and their movements all contribute to the dramatic effect of the performance. The music is the typical music of bullfights with the lofty and combative effect triggered by the sound of trumpets. The opponents are looking deep into each other’s eyes with scrutiny like they were trying to figure out the other’s next step and were preparing for the next clash.  Their movements are very grandiose. All their muscles are tight throughout the performance not letting one moment of rest because it could result in losing the battle.

The dresses are traditionally red and black symbolizing war and blood.

The performers move in long steps, penetrating every inch of the dance floor. Even the arm movements are artistic and well-choreographed. 

Paso Doble is the intertwining of a national tradition, theatrical performance, and the art of dance. Its complexity makes it so brilliant. One can enjoy it on three different levels. This three equals four for those dancing it. 

Cha Cha

 Certain seedpods on the West Indies and a certain bell in Haiti are called cha-cha (dancelovers.com). However, it is not sure if the name of the dance originates from these two items. It can happen that the name is onomatopoeic and only resembles the three quick steps done to two beats (about.com).

In the 1930s the Cuban orchestra “American” slowed down the music of the Mambo, dancers started to do a triple step on the slow count, and that is how “Triple Mambo” or Cha Cha was born. “The Cha Cha was introduced to the United States in 1954, and by 1959 Americans were "gaga over Cha Cha", with dance studios reporting it to be their most popular dance” (dacelovers.com). 

It is quite funny that Mambo was slowed down because people complained about it being too fast, and as a result, an even more energetic dance was formed. Because Cha Cha roots from Mambo it has many similar steps to it. What differentiates Cha Cha is that the slow steps of Mambo are replaced by three fast steps. 

          Examine how stiff and straight the upper bodies of the dancers are. When the shoulders do a little circle it is completely deliberate, after which they occupy their original position and freeze again. In the meantime, the legs and hips move completely separated from the upper body as they were gone crazy and uncontrollable. I would like to emphasize again, as I have already done so in earlier posts, the essence to most dances is to be accurate in moves and to always end every step not letting the movements blur together.

          Please take my next words as a kind-hearted advice: be patient with yourself and your partner. Doing the Cha Cha requires concentration and practice for all dancers because of the simultaneous movements of the leg, arm, hip, and shoulders. First, you should start real slow and then, if you feel comfortable with your performance, you can speed it up gradually. 

Whatever you do, just start dancing and don’t give up!

26th International Summer Dance Course at the Hungarian Dance Academy

Those of you who are ready to try something modern, real, and professional here is a summer camp opportunity in Ballet and Modern Dance in Hungary organized by the Hungarian Dance Academy between 22 July and 3 August:

 http://www.mtf.hu/cm.php?f=hir_1357106269.ddf&l=eng

Mambo

          The origins of the name Mambo is quite ambiguous. It may simply mean “shake it” or “conversation with the gods”. It can also refer to voodoo priestesses in Haiti (life123.com).

In the early 1900's in Cuba, Oresta Lopez, a composer and cellist, created a piece known as the "mambo" mixing everyday Cuban rhythms with the African and south American aspects on the street. The result was a new fusion, and one that supported a continuous beat. (essortment.com)

          It was Perez Prado, a friend of Lopez and a bandleader in Cuba, who combined the movements of American Jazz and the Cuban rhythm labeling the dance “mambo” in 1943.The dance was first introduced in the USA in 1947 in New York City’s Park Plaza Hotel. Four years later, Perez and his company brought Mambo to the USA establishing a new craze (ehow.com, essortment.com).

          The music and dance can be called the successor of Rumba because it is similar in rhythm and hip movement (ehow.com). Also, Mambo is the predecessor of Cha Cha, but more about that next week. 

          Mambo is written to a music in 4/4 time; namely, 4 beats to a bar of music (oocities.org). If we examine the dance carefully, we can see that out of that 4 beats, it is only 3 that the performers fill with movement, every 4^th one is a pause (in professional circles it is every first that is the pause, but I think that is invisible for the viewers).  It is easy to notice that the movements in a bar of music alter in their speed. It is always “quick-quick-slow’ alternation.

          It is a common error of beginners’ that they concentrate on the steps and forget to move their hip along. Always keep in mind: If you shift your weight parallel to the steps, your hips will automatically follow the direction of the movement and this way you do not have to focus if your hip moves or not. Another thing: do not step casually, but point your toe. The difference between the two is the state of the knees. If you step but do not extend your legs during dancing, your legs will seem too flexible like jelly. However, if you always extend your legs and point with your toe at the direction you are stepping, the performance will look much tight. 

          The great part in Mambo is that we are all already familiar with the music. So check out Mambo #5, Mambo Italiano, and Papa Loves Mambo and Shake it!