The Dances
The Cha Cha is probably the most popular Latin dance in the US. An offshoot of the Mambo, the Cha Cha (originally the cha-cha-cha) evolved out of popular movement in slow-tempo Mambo called the Triple Mambo. By 1954 it had evolved into a dance all its own. It's a must style to know, the all time favorite Latin dance.
Created in 1912 by Harry Fox, the Fox Trot was the first dance that permitted people to hold each other closer than arm's length. It became America's most popular dance and remains today as the standard of social dances. Some people refer to the Fox Trot as a "Conversational Dance" because of it's closeness and conversation ability at the same time. The Fox Trot is good for developing "smoothness" and "ease of movement" and The Fox trot is enjoyed by young and old.
Disco has strong roots in Swing, Samba, Cha Cha, Mambo, Merengue, Fox Trot and Tango. The most popular version, the Hustle (of "Saturday Night Fever" fame), is believed to have originated in New York in 1970. This free form style is still one of the most popular at all night clubs and socials.
The exciting rhythms of the Merengue inspire dancers all over the world to move to the intoxicating beat, which was considered too scandalist when introduced to the U.S. in1941. There are two schools of thought as to how this captivating dance began. One says it started as a peasant dance in the Dominican Republic by African slaves. The dragging of one leg relieved chafing of leg irons. Another says a returning war hero, a General Maringie, danced, dragging an injured leg. It contains elements of both cultures, and is an exciting Latin dance.
In the 1940's Americans became fascinated by Latin American rhythms. The Mambo combined American Jazz with Afro-Cuban beat. For dancers, the Mambo was an exciting challenge, a merge of Swing and Rumba. Today, the Mambo is exciting to watch and even more exciting to dance.
The Rumba began the Cuban and Latin American dance crazes. Danced to music inspired by African rhythms and Spanish melodies, the Americanized Rumba was the basis for the Mambo and Cha Cha in the U.S. as well as the free style of disco and night club dancing. The Rumba sometimes substitutes for those in-between tempos and features a subtle or relaxed (lateral) hip motion and Latin styling.
A peppery version of the Mambo laced with steps from other Latin dances. The Salsa is performed to a fiery, faster tempo. Some call it a form of Latinized Rock and Roll. It's high-energy and all fun.
The national dance of Brazil, often called, "The South American Waltz" became the rage of Brazilian society in the 1930's but began as an exhibition dance in Paris in 1905. Movie star and singer Carmen Miranda is credited with making the dance popular in the United States in the early 1940's. It is extremely popular today because it is easily adaptable to today's rhythms.
With the birth of Swing music in the late 1920's Swing, first known as the Lindy Hop (in honor of Charles Lindberg and his historic hop across the Atlantic), climbed the social ladder. The dance craze swept the nation, and its name changed- depending on where you lived. It was the East Coast Jitterbug, the Lindy, or the West Coast Swing. Swing is filled with lively rhythms and big band excitement.
Rudolph Valentino danced this Latin import into nationwide popularity beginning in 1910. Although widely believed to have originated in Argentina, it actually may have come from Spain. It's dramatic and passionate, and known as the Dancer's Dance. The Tango with all its staccato movements, greatly improves a man's lead or a woman's ability to follow (respond) and develops a strong sense of feeling for music.
The Waltz began in 17th century. It arrived America in the early 1800's and was the first social dance in which a woman was actually held in a man's arms. Learning to Waltz is elegant. The Waltz develops "graceful movement" and "poise". It is the basis for many dances and is popular today all over the world. Every wedding reception, social "black-tie" formal and holiday party includes Waltz steps. The grace and elegance of the Waltz can and should be enjoyed by all.