Salsa

Hearing the word ‘salsa’, many associate it with the spicy sauce. That is exactly how the dance genre got its name. Just like the sauce, the dance essence lies in the mixture and harmony of ingredients i.e. the various dance forms.

It was the English and the French who brought their country dance and African workers to the Caribbean.  The European dance form and the African rhumbas (Guaguanco, Colombia, Yambú) influenced the local Cuban dance called Són, and that is how Salsa was born.

The term Salsa was first used to coin a group of dances from Hispanic influence such as Rhumba, Són Montuno, Guaracha, Mambo, Cha cha cha, Danzón, Són, Guguanco, Cubop, Guajira, Charanga, Cumbia, Plena, Bomba, Festejo, Merengue etc. Later, the individual dances separated, while some fused into today’s Salsa. 

As the dance spread across the continent, different styles evolved in the different regions such as: 

Los Angeles /L.A./ Style (danced on the first beat) incorporates elements of Mambo, Swing, Tango and lifts from ballet.

New York Style is more elegant than the L.A. version and is danced on the second count.

Casino Style was born in the Cuban dance halls of the mid-20^th century and this style is considered the “original” form.

Colombian/ Cali Style was influenced by Colombian dance rhythms. Its features are quick steps and skipping motions.

You can read more about the various styles on salsalessons.tv or torontodancesalsa.ca or dancecrazy.hubpages.com

The dance itself is loaded with turns, so I advise you to practice them at home because it won’t be easy to keep your balance when you have to turn immediately after a hip movement or step forward after the turn. So, if you have a few minutes to spare: Start from one end and whirl across the room on tiptoe. Your hands should shape a huge circle and when you start a new turn you can gain dynamism by opening the circle with your outer hand. Always locate your glance on one particular point in the distance, and turn your head only last minute. Regarding the steps, whatever direction you leap always put a bit of hip movement to it because that is how the performance becomes playful and more flexible.

I deliberately waited with introducing Salsa until late-spring because how I imagine the best setting for this dance would be: open-air dance floor, live music, cool breeze, and cocktails.