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The Various Styles of Dancing Salsa
Today, Salsa dancing can be divided into several styles defined by the
geographic region from which they come. Generally, these styles are
identified as L.A. style, New York style and Miami style. Although
these are not "official" styles, most salseros today identify the
styles by these three names.
L.A. Style
L.A. style is very linear. It uses dips and arm styling. It can look
like the Hustle or ballroom dancing. L.A. style is very flashy incorporating
many of ballroom's flips and dips. L.A. style dancing is a pleasure
to watch and a pleasure to dance.
New York Style
New York style is more like Mambo. It makes use of body waves,
free style footwork, shines, rib cage movements and shimmying.
Mambo style is sometimes referred to as "dancing on two". All this
means is that instead of beginning to step on "one", the first beat, the dancer takes
the first step on "two", the second beat of a measure. While this
definition may seem trivial, it drastically changes the dynamics of
how one dances salsa. Although this is called New York style, the
styles danced in New York dance clubs are fairly diverse.
Miami Style
Miami style Salsa is based on Cuban style. It is also known as Classico
Cubano style or Casino style.
The basic step of Miami style salsa comes with a
"tap" between measures. This "tap & step" is a characteristic of
Miami style salsa and you'll know it when you see it.
Miami style salsa
makes use of "ganchos" or arm-hooks, which is when one elbow is hooked
over the partners elbow to create a kind of arm lock giving the leader
leverage to move his partner via the arm.
Miami style salsa also makes
use of "alardes" which are quick taps of the hand on the neck or shoulder
while dancing. Alardes create quick flashy hand movements that decorate
the dance moves being performed.
Dancers dance in a slot and do many
flowing continuous circular turns. It also makes use of many pretzel-
like holds, and as such, Miami style salsa becomes very intricate and
complex-looking at its most advanced level.
Stylin'
No style is definitively better than the other. It's all really a
matter of taste. They are all fun to watch and exciting to dance.
Many salseros take the time to learn all the different styles and even
incorporate their own personal inventions to create their own style.
Salsa has no boundaries so many of the styles' combinations overlap,
blurring the line between one style and another. The style taught at
Dance Connection is predominantly, but not limited to, Miami/Casino
style.
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