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Salsa Styles

There are many characteristics that may identify a salsa style. These salsa styles are made up out of different step patterns, different timing of steps, particular movement on the dance floor (for example: slot, circular), dancer preference of turns and moves, attitude, dress code, and others.


Salsa New York Style and Los Angeles Style
The presence of one or more particular elements does not necessarily define a particular style. For example, many styles can be danced "On One" or "On Two". Dancing "On One" is also called LA Style. Dancing "On Two" is also known as the New York Style.


Cuban Style
Caracteristic for the Cuban Style is that the leader and follower circle around each other.


Reuda de Casino
For Rueda de Casino at least two couples are required. This salsa style goes by the name of 'Rueda de Casino' (Casino Wheel), due to the formation made up of several couples which, guided by a "leader", all make figures and exchange partners simultaneously.


The Merengue
The Merengue originates from the Dominican Republic. It is very similar to Méringue which is popular in Haiti. Merengue was made the official music and dance of the Dominican Republic by Rafael Trujillo, who coincidently had a Haitian grandmother.


Cha cha cha
The story on how the name came into being was with the help of the dancers. As the dancers moved their feet to this new rhythm, it had the sound of cha-cha-cha. From this sound the name was born.


The Bachata
The Bachata is definately part of the Latin American tradition, although it has only been around since the early sixties. Just as the Merengue, the bachata originated in the Dominican Republic.


Salsa Colombian Style
Salsa Colombian style originated from the northern region of Colombia and is heavily rooted in Cumbia, the national music and dance of the country. For this reason, salsa Colombian style can be danced to Cumbia music as well as traditional salsa.


Zouk
Zouk got its official start in 1979 with the formation of its biggest proponent, the band Kassav. The sound of zouk is hard to describe on paper, but contains a rhythmically and melodically dense mixture of brass instruments, tribal African drumming, electronic synthesizers, and rich vocal harmonies.


ZUMBA
Zumba fitness is the new fitness hype all around the world. Zumba is dancing and swinging on Latin music. You don’t even notice that you are actually burning calories and loosing wait, it is so much fun!


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