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| {{Short description|Dance form}} | |||
| {{for|the music Salsa|Salsa (music)}} | |||
| {{More citations needed|date=August 2018}}{{Not to be confused with|Salsa (food)}}]]] | |||
| {{This|the dance|Salsa (disambiguation)}} | |||
| '''Salsa''' is the name for ] that are danced to ]. Salsa is one of the most popular types of Latin dance that is practiced worldwide,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Takeshi |title=7 Facts You Didn’t Know About Salsa Dancing |url=https://www.salsavida.com/articles/salsa-dancing-facts/ |website=Salsa Vida |publisher=Salsa Vida |access-date=10 December 2024 |date=22 June 2022}}</ref> and is typically danced with a partner, although there are elements of solo footwork as well. There are several distinct styles of salsa that are danced around the world. | |||
| ==Origin== | |||
| {{Refimprove|date=July 2008}} | |||
| The term "salsa" was coined by ] in the 1960s in New York, as an umbrella term for Cuban dance music being played in the city at the time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inventing salsa |url=https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/journeys-innovation/historical-stories/inventing-salsa |website=USPTO |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref> Salsa as a dance emerged soon after, being a combination of ] (which was popular in New York in the 1950s) as well as Latin dances such as ] and ] as well as American dances such as swing, hustle, and tap.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Salsa Dance |url=https://www.salsavida.com/articles/history-of-salsa-dance/ |website=Salsa Vida |date=26 June 2023 |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref> | |||
| As salsa music spread to other countries, different styles emerged.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Djebbari |first=Elina |date=2020-01-02 |title=Dancing salsa in Benin: Connecting the Creole Atlantic |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14788810.2019.1697579 |journal=Atlantic Studies |language=en |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=110–134 |doi=10.1080/14788810.2019.1697579 |issn=1478-8810}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Carwile |first=Christey |date=September 2017 |title="The Clave Comes Home": Salsa Dance and Pan-African Identity in Ghana |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/african-studies-review/article/abs/clave-comes-home-salsa-dance-and-panafrican-identity-in-ghana/43ADD4E3675CDFAF393E3ED9B3F78A12 |journal=African Studies Review |language=en |volume=60 |issue=2 |pages=183–207 |doi=10.1017/asr.2017.6 |issn=0002-0206}}</ref> | |||
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| '''Salsa''' is a syncretic dance genre created by ]-speaking people from the ]. Salsa dancing mixes African and European dance influences through the music and dance fusions that are the roots of Salsa: essentially Puerto Rican and Cuban ], but also with influences from ], ], ], ], ], Puerto Rico's ], and ].<ref>{{cite | |||
| | author = Waxer, Lise A. | |||
| | title = The City of Musical Memory: Salsa, Record Grooves, and Popular Culture in Cali, Colombia | |||
| | publisher = Wesleyan | |||
| | date = 2002 | |||
| | page = 93–94 }}</ref> | |||
| ==Description== | |||
| Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms, line dancing (]), and ] where groups of couples exchange partners in a circle. Salsa can be improvised or ] with a set routine. | |||
| Salsa dance steps can be done individually, but salsa is most popularly known as a partnered dance where the lead takes the follower through a series of spins and turn patterns to music. Salsa's tempo ranges from about 150{{nbsp}}bpm (]) to around 250{{nbsp}}bpm, although most dancing is done to music somewhere between 160 and 220{{nbsp}}bpm.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-08 |title=Salsa vs Bachata: What's the Difference? |url=https://www.salsavida.com/articles/salsa-vs-bachata/ |access-date=2021-09-08 |website=Salsa Vida |language=en-US}}</ref> The basic salsa dance rhythm consists of taking three steps for every four beats of music. Salsa dancers can also break apart to dance solo, known as "shines". | |||
| The two main styles of partnered salsa dancing are linear and circular. In linear salsa, dance couples remain in their "slot", with each dancer switching places from one side of the slot to the other, similar to West Coast Swing—] salsa and ] salsa are both danced this way. The second style of partnered salsa dancing is circular salsa. Here, dancers circle around each other, reminiscent of East Coast Swing. Both ] and ] follow this circular pattern. | |||
| Salsa is popular throughout ], and also in the ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| Incorporating other dance styling techniques into salsa dancing has become very common for both men and women: foot work, arm work, body movement, spins, body isolations, shoulder shimmies, body rolls, hand styling, acrobatics, and even lifts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dance Styles |url=http://salserosmcgill.weebly.com/dance-styles.html |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Salseros McGill |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| The name "Salsa" is the Spanish word for sauce, connoting (in American Spanish) a spicy flavor.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| | title = American Heritage Dictionary | |||
| | publisher = Houghton Mifflin Company | |||
| | date = 2000 | |||
| | url = http://www.bartleby.com/61/62/S0046200.html | |||
| | accessdate = 2007-07-31 }}</ref> Salsa also suggests a "mixture" of ingredients, though this meaning is not found in most stories of the term's origin. (See ] for more information.) | |||
| == |
==Venues== | ||
| Salsa dance socials are commonly held in night clubs, bars, ballrooms, restaurants, and outside, especially if part of an outdoor festival. Salsa dancing is an international dance that can be found in most metropolitan cities in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salsadancecongresses.com/ |title=Salsa & Latin Dance Congresses |publisher=SalsaDanceCongresses.com |access-date=2013-12-04}}</ref> Festivals are held annually, often called a "Salsa Congress", in various host cities aimed to attract a variety of salsa dancers from other cities and countries. The events bring dancers together to share their passion for the dance, build community, and share moves and tips. These events usually include salsa dance performers, live salsa music, workshops, open dancing, and contests. On the other hand, salsa dancing is also done in very informal settings, such as parties in a home or backyard. Salsa dancing is often seen as an important cultural expression by persons living in certain Hispanic regions or people whose family heritage comes from those regions. | |||
| ] | |||
| The basic step of all styles of salsa involves 3 weight changes (or steps) in each 4 beat measure. The beat on which one does not step might contain a tap or kick, or weight transfer may simply continue with the actual step not occurring until the next beat, some individuals may insert an actual pause. The option chosen depends upon individual choice and upon the specific style being danced. One of the steps is a "break step" a little bit longer than the other two. Different styles of Salsa are often differentiated by the direction and timing of the break step ("on 1" or "on 2" for example). After 6 weight changes in 8 beats, the basic step cycle is complete. While dancing, the basic step can be modified significantly as part of the improvisation and stylings of the people dancing. | |||
| ==Styles== | |||
| As a salsa dancer changes weight the upper body remains level and nearly unaffected by the weight changes. Caught in the middle are the hips which end up moving quite a bit--the famous "Cuban hip movement." | |||
| ]]] | |||
| ] | |||
| Over the years, many different styles of salsa dancing have evolved around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-15 |title=Most Popular Types of Salsa Dance – The Modern Dancer |url=https://themoderndancer.com/types-of-salsa-dance/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |language=en-US}}</ref> Many of them are compatible with each other, but others are different enough to make dancing between dancers of different styles difficult. | |||
| Salsa has many similarities with other partner dances, the styles and skills learned in salsa can be applied to another Latin dance like ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salsa or Bachata, Which is Easier to Learn? |url=https://www.moversandshakersdance.com/post/salsa-or-bachata-which-is-easier-to-learn |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=Movers and Shakers Salsa & Bachata Dance Academy|date=26 September 2023 }}</ref> Incorporating other dance styling techniques into salsa dancing has also become common, with dancers of one style incorporating styles and movements of others to create new fusions of dance styles. | |||
| The arms are used to communicate the lead in either open or closed position. In open position the two dancers hold one or both hands, especially for moves that involve turns, or putting arms behind the back, or moving around each other. In closed position, the leader puts the right hand on the follower's back, while the follower puts the left hand on the leader's shoulder. | |||
| ===New York style=== | |||
| In some styles, the dancers remain in a slot (switching places), while in others the dancers circle around each other. | |||
| "On 2" style salsa originated in New York and is often referred to as New York style. It is a linear form of salsa, where dancers dance in a slot, similar to LA style salsa. Unlike other styles of salsa, however, New York style is danced on the second beat of the music ("on 2"), and the follower, not the leader, steps forward on the first measure of the music. There is also often a greater emphasis on performing "shines" in which dancers separate themselves and dance solo with intricate footwork and styling—a phenomenon that likely has origins from Swing and New York Tap. | |||
| New York style is first style of salsa to emerge following the birth of salsa music in New York, and is a mixture of Cuban dances, such as ], ], ], and ] as well as American dances such as ] and ]. | |||
| ===Rhythm=== | |||
| Music suitable for dancing ranges from about 150 beats per minute (bpm) to around 250 beats per minute (bpm), although most dancing is done to music somewhere between 160-220 bpm. Every Salsa composition involves complex African percussion based around the ] (which has 4 types), though there can be moments when the clave is hidden for a while, often when quoting ] or ]. The key instrument that provides the core groove of a salsa song is the conga drum. The conga drummer slaps (high pitch) on the 2nd beat of each ] and strikes twice with an open tone (often on a 2nd lower pitched conga) on the 4th beat (see ]).Every instrument in a Salsa band is either playing with the clave (generally: congas, timbales, piano, tres guitar, bongos, ] (instrument), strings) or playing independent of the clave rhythm (generally: bass, maracas, güiro, cowbell). Melodic components of the music and dancers can choose to be in clave or out of clave at any point. However it is taboo to play or dance to the wrong type of clave rhythm (see ]). While dancers can mark the clave rhythm directly, it is more common to do so indirectly (with, for example, a shoulder movement). | |||
| One of the most influential figures in New York style salsa is ] (known as "the Mambo King"), who is credited with helping to formalize the on 2 salsa timing (based on ]) and helping to popularize it by teaching it in dance studios in New York and through early instructional tapes. | |||
| ===Salsa styling=== | |||
| Incorporating styling techniques into salsa has become very common. For both men and women, shines, leg work, arm work, body movement, spins, body isolations, shoulder shimmies and rolls, and even hand styling have become a huge trend in the salsa scene. | |||
| New York style salsa emphasizes harmony with the percussive instruments in salsa music, such as the congas, timbales, and clave, since many or all of those instruments often mark the second beat in the music. | |||
| ==Salsa styles== | |||
| Since salsa has its roots in so many dances and is open to improvisation, salsa styles are very fluid. Dance styles are associated with their original geographic area that developed that style. There are often devotees of each of these styles outside of their home territory. Characteristics that may identify a style include: foot patterns, body rolls and movements, turns and figures, attitude, dance influences, and the way that partners hold each other. The point in a musical bar music where a slightly larger step is taken (the break step) and the direction the step moves can often be used to identify a style. | |||
| ===Los Angeles style=== | |||
| ===New York, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua and Panama=== | |||
| ] | |||
| Found on the East Coast of North America, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and certain parts in Central America. | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] style salsa (LA style) is danced "on 1" where dancers break forward on the first beat of the ], in contrast to ] style which is danced on 2. LA style salsa is danced in a line or "slot" with dancers exchanging positions throughout the dance, unlike Cuban salsa which is danced in a more circular fashion. | |||
| New York style emphasizes efficiency of movement, elegance, and body isolations. By focusing on control, timing, and precision of technique, dancers aim for smooth execution of tightly woven complex patterns. In New York City this style is danced strictly On 2, although dancers around the world often integrate elements and repertoire from New York into their dancing On 1.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} | |||
| The two essential elements of this dance are the forward–backward basic step and the cross-body lead. In this pattern, the leader steps forward on 1, steps to the right on 2–3 while turning 90 degrees counter-clockwise (facing to the left), leaving the slot open. The follower then steps straight forward on 5–6 and turns on 7–8, while the leader makes another 90 degrees counter-clockwise and slightly forward, coming back into the slot. In total, the couple turned 180° with the follower and leader switching places. | |||
| On 2 timing emphasizes the conga drum's tumbao pattern{{Fact|date=September 2008}}, and encourages the dancer to listen to percussive elements of the music. Advocates of New York Style consider this to more accurately reflect the Afro-Caribbean ancestry of the music{{Fact|date=September 2008}}. | |||
| The "Vazquez Brothers" (Luis Vazquez, Francisco Vazquez, Johnny Vazquez and Rogelio Moreno) are credited for the early development and growth of LA Style. | |||
| Many also refer to this style as "Mambo" since it breaks on beat 2 of the measure, though there are other dance forms with a more legitimate claim to that name. See (].) Mambo has been taught in ballroom schools throughout the world since the 1950s. For years ballroom competitions have featured Mambo as a competition dance. N.Y. style salsa therefore, has dominated Mambo and Salsa competitions over the years, although other styles are gaining respect and are sometimes danced as alternate competition categories. | |||
| <ref>{{cite book |last1=McMains |first1=Juliet |title=Spinning Mambo Into Salsa |date=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199324644}}</ref> Luiz Vazquez was the co-founder of Los Angeles's first salsa dance team, Salsa Brava. The Vazquez Brothers drew influence from stage dances such as ] and helped develop LA style's reputation for flashy moves and acrobatics. | |||
| The etiquette of New York style is strict about remaining in the "slot" and avoiding traveling. | |||
| Other prominent figures in LA style salsa include salsa promoter ], who created the LA Salsa Congress, the first ] in the United States and for many years one of the largest salsa events in the world. Later dancers such as ], Christian Oviedo, and ] are also credited with developing the LA style of dancing as we know it today.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} | |||
| New York style tends to place a greater emphasis on performing "shines" where dancers separate and dance solo for a time. | |||
| ===Cuban style / Casino=== | |||
| New York style dancers are typically very serious about the musicality and timing of their dancing. To satisfy their tastes, "socials" are often held that cater to almost exclusively playing "salsa dura" (lit. "Hard Salsa"){{Fact|date=September 2008}}. This is mid-to-up-tempo salsa with an emphasis on percussion and band orchestration rather than the vocals. | |||
| {{Main|Cuban salsa}} | |||
| In Cuba, a popular dance known as Casino was marketed as Cuban-style salsa or Salsa Cubana abroad to distinguish it from other salsa styles when the name was popularized internationally in the 1970s. Dancing ''Casino'' is an expression of popular social culture; Cubans consider ''casino'' as part of social and cultural activities centering on their popular music. The name ''Casino'' is derived from the Spanish term for the dance halls, "Casinos Deportivos" where much social dancing was done among the better-off, white Cubans during the mid-20th century and onward. | |||
| Historically, ''Casino'' traces its origin as a partner dance from ], Cha Cha Cha, Danzón and Guaracha. Traditionally, Casino is danced "a contratiempo". This means that no step is taken on the first and fifth beats in each clave pattern and the fourth and eighth beat are emphasized. In this way, rather than following a beat, the dancers themselves contribute in their movement, to the polyrhythmic pattern of the music. At the same time, it is often danced "a tiempo", although both "on3" (originally) and "on1" (nowadays). | |||
| The longest-running social in New York is the Jimmy Anton social, which is held every first, third and fifth (if there is a fifth) Sunday of the month.{{Fact|date=September 2008}} | |||
| What distinguishes this style is the understanding and spontaneous use of Afro-Cuban dance vocabulary within a "Casino" dance. In the same way that a "sonero" (lead singer in Son and salsa bands) will "quote" other, older songs in their own, a "casino" dancer will frequently improvise references to other dances, integrating movements, gestures and extended passages from folk dances. This is particularly true of African descended Cubans. Such improvisations might include extracts of rumba, dances for African deities, the older popular dances such as Cha Cha Chá and Danzon as well as anything the dancer may feel. | |||
| While the New York style is the predominant style found in the eastern United States, the style finds favor with professional salsa dancers and salsa teachers the world over. Thus, it can be seen at salsa congresses all around the world. | |||
| === |
====Miami-style Casino==== | ||
| Developed by Cuban immigrants to Florida and centered on Miami, this dance style is a fusion of Casino and elements from American culture and dances. The major difference that distinguishes the Miami-style from other North American styles is the "Atras" or "Diagonal", back breaking steps performed backwards diagonally instead of moving forwards and backwards as seen in the New York style. Dancers do not shift their body weight greatly as seen in other styles. Instead, dancers keep their upper body still, poised and relaxed, focusing on foot movement. The dancer breaks mostly On1. | |||
| {{main|Casino (salsa dance)}} | |||
| A major difference between Cali Style and Miami-style is the latter is exclusively danced on the downbeat (On1) and has elements of shines and show-style added to it, following repertoires of North American styles. Miami-style has many adherents, particularly Cuban-Americans and other Latinos based in South Florida.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-stories/article131785764.html|title=Longtime dance instructor talks salsa, both 'Cuban style' and 'Miami style'|last=Amanda Rosa|website=miamiherald|language=en|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| Danced in Cuba and Miami, but also popular in Europe and China; there are many dedicated small communities all over the world often organized to dance Rueda as well. | |||
| ====Rueda de Casino==== | |||
| Cuban-style salsa (also called ''Casino'') can be danced either on the down beat ("a tiempo") or the upbeat ("a contratiempo"). Beats 1, 3, 5 and 7 are downbeats and 2, 4, 6 and 8 are upbeats. | |||
| {{Main|Rueda de Casino}} | |||
| In the 1950s, Salsa Rueda or more accurately Rueda de Casino was developed in ], ]. Pairs of dancers form a circle ("Rueda" in Spanish means "Wheel"), with dance moves called out by one person. Many of the moves involve rapidly swapping partners. | |||
| "Rueda de Cuba" is original type of Rueda, originating from Cuba. It is not as formal as Rueda de Miami and consists of about 30 calls.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}} It was codified in the 1970s.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}} | |||
| An essential element is the "Cuba step" (also known as Guapea), where the leader does a backward basic on 1-2-3 and a forward basic on 5-6-7. Usually the fourth beat is not counted. The follower does the same, thereby mirroring the leader's movement. Another characteristic of this style is that in many patterns the leader and follower circle around each other. | |||
| "Rueda de Miami" originated in the 1980s from Miami, is a formal style with many rules based on a mix, and is a hybridization of Rueda de Cuba and North American dance styles, with some routines reflecting American culture (e.g. Coca-Cola, Dedo, Adios) which is not found in the traditional Cuban-style Rueda. | |||
| The cross body lead is an essential step in this style too and is referred to as Salida Cubana or as Dile que no in ] Dancing. This move becomes essential in the more complex caca derivative of Cuban Casino leading to the many moves of Rueda, or wheel dance. Here multiple couples exchange partners and carry out moves synchronized by a caller. | |||
| === |
===Colombian / Cali style=== | ||
| {{main|Rueda de Casino}} | |||
| In the 1950s Salsa Rueda (Rueda de Casino) was developed in ], ]. Pairs of dancers form a circle (Rueda in Spanish), with dance moves called out by one person. Many of the moves involve rapidly swapping partners. | |||
| Cali-Style Salsa, also known as Colombian Salsa and Salsa Caleña, is based around the Colombian City of ]. Cali is also known as the "Capital de la Salsa" (Salsa's Capital); due to salsa music being the main genre in parties, nightclubs and festivals in the 21st century. It is also worth noting that Cali's style of Salsa has been heavily influenced by the nature of its social scene, where in the 90s most nightclubs, named Disoctecas after the record discs used to play older Salsa music, had a period of time where they would transform into a Viejoteca, a nickname for point of time in which nightclubs would play the Salsa equivalent of Golden Oldies.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Waxer |first=Lise Aerinne |title=The city of musical memory: salsa, record grooves, and popular culture in Cali, Colombia |date=2002 |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |isbn=978-0-8195-6441-2 |series=Music/culture |location=Middletown, Conn}}</ref> | |||
| There two main types of Rueda de Casino: | |||
| #Cuban-style - "Rueda de Cuba" (Original type of Rueda, not so formal) | |||
| #Miami-style - "Rueda de Miami" (Formal style, many rules, based on a mix, hybridization of Rueda de Cuba and Salsa Los Angeles-style ) | |||
| The elements of Cali-Style Salsa were strongly influenced by dances to Caribbean rhythms which preceded salsa, such as ] and ]. Cali has the highest number of salsa schools and salsa teams in the world. Many of the competitions are held in Colombia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salsavida.com/sf/colombian-style-salsa/|title=Colombian Style Salsa|website=Salsa Vida SF|access-date=27 July 2020}}</ref> | |||
| a | |||
| The central feature is the footwork which has quick rapid steps and skipping motions called "repique". Colombian style may execute Cross-body Leads or the "Dile Que No" as seen in other styles, but would rather step in place and displace in closed position. They include various acrobats such as partnered flips to entertain with these stunts. Their footwork is intricate and precise, helping several Colombian Style dancers win major world championships. Cali hosts many annual salsa events such as the World Salsa Cali Festival and the Encuentro de Melomanos y Coleccionistas. | |||
| ===Cali Salsa Style=== | |||
| The Colombian city of Cali is also known as the "Capital de la Salsa" (World's Salsa Capital); it's one of the few cities where salsa is the main genre in parties, nightclubs, and festivals in the 21st century. Almost all famous Salsa singers and bands have visited this city, which has a huge Salsa following with a unique set of styles very rarely found outside of Colombia. Every year Cali holds Salsa festivals such as "Encuentro de Melomanos y Coleccionistas", where experts of salsa history, lovers of this genre and music collectors meet in a famous park in Cali. Salsa is also well recognized and celebrated in December, when festivals are held every year. The unique Cali Salsa Style consists in keeping the upper body still, poised and relaxed while the feet execute endless intricacies. | |||
| == Research situated in salsa dancing == | |||
| ===Los Angeles=== | |||
| Academic researchers have used salsa dancing as a productive research site in the ] and ]s. For example, researchers in the natural sciences studied the mathematics of salsa dancing moves.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=von Renesse |first1=Christine |last2=Ecke |first2=Volker |date=2011-03-01 |title=Mathematics and Salsa dancing |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/17513472.2010.491781 |journal=Journal of Mathematics and the Arts |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=17–28 |doi=10.1080/17513472.2010.491781 |s2cid=120939987 |issn=1751-3472}}</ref> In the social sciences, researchers have studied salsa dancing to understand, for example how the Latino identity is connected to salsa dancing.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dormani |first=Carmela Muzio |date=2020-07-07 |title=So You Think You Can Salsa: Performing Latinness on Reality Dance Television |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpcu.12929 |journal=The Journal of Popular Culture |language=en |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=720–738 |doi=10.1111/jpcu.12929 |s2cid=225829802 |issn=0022-3840}}</ref> The study of salsa dancing has been studied as a ] to understand emotional and ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hewer |first1=Paul |last2=Hamilton |first2=Kathy |date=2010-03-29 |title=On emotions and salsa: some thoughts on dancing to rethink consumers |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cb.308 |journal=Journal of Consumer Behaviour |language=en |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=113–125 |doi=10.1002/cb.308}}</ref> Salsa dancing has been shown to manifest "moments of luxury" in which people use hedonistic ] to leave momentarily the constrains of ordinary normal life.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Holmqvist |first1=Jonas |last2=Diaz Ruiz |first2=Carlos |last3=Peñaloza |first3=Lisa |date=2020-08-01 |title=Moments of luxury: Hedonic escapism as a luxury experience |journal=Journal of Business Research |language=en |volume=116 |pages=503–513 |doi=10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.10.015 |s2cid=211427257 |issn=0148-2963|doi-access=free }}</ref> and, researchers have also used salsa dancing to study the ] of social groups.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Diaz Ruiz |first1=Carlos A. |last2=Penaloza |first2=Lisa |last3=Holmqvist |first3=Jonas |date=2020-01-01 |title=Assembling tribes: An assemblage thinking approach to the dynamics of ephemerality within consumer tribes |url=https://doi.org/10.1108/EJM-08-2018-0565 |journal=European Journal of Marketing |volume=54 |issue=5 |pages=999–1024 |doi=10.1108/EJM-08-2018-0565 |s2cid=216399732 |issn=0309-0566}}</ref> | |||
| In Cuban based rhythms, the strong beats are on 1 and 3. L.A. style is danced on 1, in a slot. It is strongly influenced by the ], ] and ] styles of dancing. L.A. style emphasizes sensuousness, theatricality, ], and most importantly, musicality. The two essential elements of this dance are the forward/backward basic as described above, and the cross-body lead. In this pattern, the leader steps forward on 1, steps to the right on 2-3 while turning 90 degrees counter-clockwise (facing to the left). The follower then steps forward on 5-6, and turns on 7-8, while the leader makes another 90 degrees counter-clockwise. After these 8 counts, the leader and follower have exchanged their positions. | |||
| The L.A. style as it is known today was pioneered by what many consider some of the most famous and influential people in dance. ], ] and ] rightfully deserve much of the credit for the early development and growth of L.A. Style Salsa.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} Later, such dancers as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] are often credited with developing the L.A. style of Salsa Dancing as we know it today.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| * ] – a popular form of salsa dancing from Cuba | |||
| *] | |||
| * ] – a dance style which heavily influenced salsa dancing | |||
| *] | |||
| * ] – a New York City venue that helped popularize Latin music and dance during the 1940s and 1950s | |||
| *] | |||
| * ] – a ballroom dance that heavily influenced salsa | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | * ] – the music to which salsa is danced | ||
| * ] – a list of international competitions for salsa dancing | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| <references/> | |||
| Pietrobruno, Sheenagh (2006) Salsa and Its Transnational Moves. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, Inc. | |||
| ==External links== | == External links == | ||
| * {{Wikivoyage inline|Salsa dancing in Latin America}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 03:14, 13 December 2024
Dance form | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Salsa" dance – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Salsa is the name for Latin American dances that are danced to salsa music. Salsa is one of the most popular types of Latin dance that is practiced worldwide, and is typically danced with a partner, although there are elements of solo footwork as well. There are several distinct styles of salsa that are danced around the world.
Origin
The term "salsa" was coined by Johnny Pacheco in the 1960s in New York, as an umbrella term for Cuban dance music being played in the city at the time. Salsa as a dance emerged soon after, being a combination of mambo (which was popular in New York in the 1950s) as well as Latin dances such as Son and Rumba as well as American dances such as swing, hustle, and tap.
As salsa music spread to other countries, different styles emerged.
Description
Salsa dance steps can be done individually, but salsa is most popularly known as a partnered dance where the lead takes the follower through a series of spins and turn patterns to music. Salsa's tempo ranges from about 150 bpm (beats per minute) to around 250 bpm, although most dancing is done to music somewhere between 160 and 220 bpm. The basic salsa dance rhythm consists of taking three steps for every four beats of music. Salsa dancers can also break apart to dance solo, known as "shines".
The two main styles of partnered salsa dancing are linear and circular. In linear salsa, dance couples remain in their "slot", with each dancer switching places from one side of the slot to the other, similar to West Coast Swing—New York–style salsa and LA-style salsa are both danced this way. The second style of partnered salsa dancing is circular salsa. Here, dancers circle around each other, reminiscent of East Coast Swing. Both Cuban and Colombian salsa follow this circular pattern.
Incorporating other dance styling techniques into salsa dancing has become very common for both men and women: foot work, arm work, body movement, spins, body isolations, shoulder shimmies, body rolls, hand styling, acrobatics, and even lifts.
Venues
Salsa dance socials are commonly held in night clubs, bars, ballrooms, restaurants, and outside, especially if part of an outdoor festival. Salsa dancing is an international dance that can be found in most metropolitan cities in the world. Festivals are held annually, often called a "Salsa Congress", in various host cities aimed to attract a variety of salsa dancers from other cities and countries. The events bring dancers together to share their passion for the dance, build community, and share moves and tips. These events usually include salsa dance performers, live salsa music, workshops, open dancing, and contests. On the other hand, salsa dancing is also done in very informal settings, such as parties in a home or backyard. Salsa dancing is often seen as an important cultural expression by persons living in certain Hispanic regions or people whose family heritage comes from those regions.
Styles
Over the years, many different styles of salsa dancing have evolved around the world. Many of them are compatible with each other, but others are different enough to make dancing between dancers of different styles difficult.
Salsa has many similarities with other partner dances, the styles and skills learned in salsa can be applied to another Latin dance like Bachata. Incorporating other dance styling techniques into salsa dancing has also become common, with dancers of one style incorporating styles and movements of others to create new fusions of dance styles.
New York style
"On 2" style salsa originated in New York and is often referred to as New York style. It is a linear form of salsa, where dancers dance in a slot, similar to LA style salsa. Unlike other styles of salsa, however, New York style is danced on the second beat of the music ("on 2"), and the follower, not the leader, steps forward on the first measure of the music. There is also often a greater emphasis on performing "shines" in which dancers separate themselves and dance solo with intricate footwork and styling—a phenomenon that likely has origins from Swing and New York Tap.
New York style is first style of salsa to emerge following the birth of salsa music in New York, and is a mixture of Cuban dances, such as mambo, son, pachanga, and rumba as well as American dances such as swing and tap.
One of the most influential figures in New York style salsa is Eddie Torres (known as "the Mambo King"), who is credited with helping to formalize the on 2 salsa timing (based on mambo) and helping to popularize it by teaching it in dance studios in New York and through early instructional tapes.
New York style salsa emphasizes harmony with the percussive instruments in salsa music, such as the congas, timbales, and clave, since many or all of those instruments often mark the second beat in the music.
Los Angeles style
Los Angeles style salsa (LA style) is danced "on 1" where dancers break forward on the first beat of the music, in contrast to New York style which is danced on 2. LA style salsa is danced in a line or "slot" with dancers exchanging positions throughout the dance, unlike Cuban salsa which is danced in a more circular fashion.
The two essential elements of this dance are the forward–backward basic step and the cross-body lead. In this pattern, the leader steps forward on 1, steps to the right on 2–3 while turning 90 degrees counter-clockwise (facing to the left), leaving the slot open. The follower then steps straight forward on 5–6 and turns on 7–8, while the leader makes another 90 degrees counter-clockwise and slightly forward, coming back into the slot. In total, the couple turned 180° with the follower and leader switching places.
The "Vazquez Brothers" (Luis Vazquez, Francisco Vazquez, Johnny Vazquez and Rogelio Moreno) are credited for the early development and growth of LA Style.
Luiz Vazquez was the co-founder of Los Angeles's first salsa dance team, Salsa Brava. The Vazquez Brothers drew influence from stage dances such as tap dance and helped develop LA style's reputation for flashy moves and acrobatics.
Other prominent figures in LA style salsa include salsa promoter Albert Torres, who created the LA Salsa Congress, the first salsa congress in the United States and for many years one of the largest salsa events in the world. Later dancers such as Alex Da Silva, Christian Oviedo, and Liz Lira are also credited with developing the LA style of dancing as we know it today.
Cuban style / Casino
Main article: Cuban salsaIn Cuba, a popular dance known as Casino was marketed as Cuban-style salsa or Salsa Cubana abroad to distinguish it from other salsa styles when the name was popularized internationally in the 1970s. Dancing Casino is an expression of popular social culture; Cubans consider casino as part of social and cultural activities centering on their popular music. The name Casino is derived from the Spanish term for the dance halls, "Casinos Deportivos" where much social dancing was done among the better-off, white Cubans during the mid-20th century and onward.
Historically, Casino traces its origin as a partner dance from Cuban Son, Cha Cha Cha, Danzón and Guaracha. Traditionally, Casino is danced "a contratiempo". This means that no step is taken on the first and fifth beats in each clave pattern and the fourth and eighth beat are emphasized. In this way, rather than following a beat, the dancers themselves contribute in their movement, to the polyrhythmic pattern of the music. At the same time, it is often danced "a tiempo", although both "on3" (originally) and "on1" (nowadays).
What distinguishes this style is the understanding and spontaneous use of Afro-Cuban dance vocabulary within a "Casino" dance. In the same way that a "sonero" (lead singer in Son and salsa bands) will "quote" other, older songs in their own, a "casino" dancer will frequently improvise references to other dances, integrating movements, gestures and extended passages from folk dances. This is particularly true of African descended Cubans. Such improvisations might include extracts of rumba, dances for African deities, the older popular dances such as Cha Cha Chá and Danzon as well as anything the dancer may feel.
Miami-style Casino
Developed by Cuban immigrants to Florida and centered on Miami, this dance style is a fusion of Casino and elements from American culture and dances. The major difference that distinguishes the Miami-style from other North American styles is the "Atras" or "Diagonal", back breaking steps performed backwards diagonally instead of moving forwards and backwards as seen in the New York style. Dancers do not shift their body weight greatly as seen in other styles. Instead, dancers keep their upper body still, poised and relaxed, focusing on foot movement. The dancer breaks mostly On1.
A major difference between Cali Style and Miami-style is the latter is exclusively danced on the downbeat (On1) and has elements of shines and show-style added to it, following repertoires of North American styles. Miami-style has many adherents, particularly Cuban-Americans and other Latinos based in South Florida.
Rueda de Casino
Main article: Rueda de CasinoIn the 1950s, Salsa Rueda or more accurately Rueda de Casino was developed in Havana, Cuba. Pairs of dancers form a circle ("Rueda" in Spanish means "Wheel"), with dance moves called out by one person. Many of the moves involve rapidly swapping partners.
"Rueda de Cuba" is original type of Rueda, originating from Cuba. It is not as formal as Rueda de Miami and consists of about 30 calls. It was codified in the 1970s.
"Rueda de Miami" originated in the 1980s from Miami, is a formal style with many rules based on a mix, and is a hybridization of Rueda de Cuba and North American dance styles, with some routines reflecting American culture (e.g. Coca-Cola, Dedo, Adios) which is not found in the traditional Cuban-style Rueda.
Colombian / Cali style
Cali-Style Salsa, also known as Colombian Salsa and Salsa Caleña, is based around the Colombian City of Cali. Cali is also known as the "Capital de la Salsa" (Salsa's Capital); due to salsa music being the main genre in parties, nightclubs and festivals in the 21st century. It is also worth noting that Cali's style of Salsa has been heavily influenced by the nature of its social scene, where in the 90s most nightclubs, named Disoctecas after the record discs used to play older Salsa music, had a period of time where they would transform into a Viejoteca, a nickname for point of time in which nightclubs would play the Salsa equivalent of Golden Oldies.
The elements of Cali-Style Salsa were strongly influenced by dances to Caribbean rhythms which preceded salsa, such as Pachanga and Boogaloo. Cali has the highest number of salsa schools and salsa teams in the world. Many of the competitions are held in Colombia.
The central feature is the footwork which has quick rapid steps and skipping motions called "repique". Colombian style may execute Cross-body Leads or the "Dile Que No" as seen in other styles, but would rather step in place and displace in closed position. They include various acrobats such as partnered flips to entertain with these stunts. Their footwork is intricate and precise, helping several Colombian Style dancers win major world championships. Cali hosts many annual salsa events such as the World Salsa Cali Festival and the Encuentro de Melomanos y Coleccionistas.
Research situated in salsa dancing
Academic researchers have used salsa dancing as a productive research site in the social and natural sciences. For example, researchers in the natural sciences studied the mathematics of salsa dancing moves. In the social sciences, researchers have studied salsa dancing to understand, for example how the Latino identity is connected to salsa dancing. The study of salsa dancing has been studied as a metaphor to understand emotional and cultural economies. Salsa dancing has been shown to manifest "moments of luxury" in which people use hedonistic escapism to leave momentarily the constrains of ordinary normal life. and, researchers have also used salsa dancing to study the ephemerality of social groups.
See also
- Cuban salsa – a popular form of salsa dancing from Cuba
- Mambo – a dance style which heavily influenced salsa dancing
- Palladium Ballroom – a New York City venue that helped popularize Latin music and dance during the 1940s and 1950s
- Rhumba – a ballroom dance that heavily influenced salsa
- Salsa music – the music to which salsa is danced
- World Salsa Championships – a list of international competitions for salsa dancing
References
- Young, Takeshi (22 June 2022). "7 Facts You Didn't Know About Salsa Dancing". Salsa Vida. Salsa Vida. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- "Inventing salsa". USPTO. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- "History of Salsa Dance". Salsa Vida. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- Djebbari, Elina (2020-01-02). "Dancing salsa in Benin: Connecting the Creole Atlantic". Atlantic Studies. 17 (1): 110–134. doi:10.1080/14788810.2019.1697579. ISSN 1478-8810.
- Carwile, Christey (September 2017). ""The Clave Comes Home": Salsa Dance and Pan-African Identity in Ghana". African Studies Review. 60 (2): 183–207. doi:10.1017/asr.2017.6. ISSN 0002-0206.
- "Salsa vs Bachata: What's the Difference?". Salsa Vida. 2021-08-08. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
- "Dance Styles". Salseros McGill. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- "Salsa & Latin Dance Congresses". SalsaDanceCongresses.com. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- "Most Popular Types of Salsa Dance – The Modern Dancer". 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
- "Salsa or Bachata, Which is Easier to Learn?". Movers and Shakers Salsa & Bachata Dance Academy. 26 September 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- McMains, Juliet (2015). Spinning Mambo Into Salsa. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199324644.
- Amanda Rosa. "Longtime dance instructor talks salsa, both 'Cuban style' and 'Miami style'". miamiherald. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
- Waxer, Lise Aerinne (2002). The city of musical memory: salsa, record grooves, and popular culture in Cali, Colombia. Music/culture. Middletown, Conn: Wesleyan University Press. ISBN 978-0-8195-6441-2.
- "Colombian Style Salsa". Salsa Vida SF. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- von Renesse, Christine; Ecke, Volker (2011-03-01). "Mathematics and Salsa dancing". Journal of Mathematics and the Arts. 5 (1): 17–28. doi:10.1080/17513472.2010.491781. ISSN 1751-3472. S2CID 120939987.
- Dormani, Carmela Muzio (2020-07-07). "So You Think You Can Salsa: Performing Latinness on Reality Dance Television". The Journal of Popular Culture. 53 (3): 720–738. doi:10.1111/jpcu.12929. ISSN 0022-3840. S2CID 225829802.
- Hewer, Paul; Hamilton, Kathy (2010-03-29). "On emotions and salsa: some thoughts on dancing to rethink consumers". Journal of Consumer Behaviour. 9 (2): 113–125. doi:10.1002/cb.308.
- Holmqvist, Jonas; Diaz Ruiz, Carlos; Peñaloza, Lisa (2020-08-01). "Moments of luxury: Hedonic escapism as a luxury experience". Journal of Business Research. 116: 503–513. doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.10.015. ISSN 0148-2963. S2CID 211427257.
- Diaz Ruiz, Carlos A.; Penaloza, Lisa; Holmqvist, Jonas (2020-01-01). "Assembling tribes: An assemblage thinking approach to the dynamics of ephemerality within consumer tribes". European Journal of Marketing. 54 (5): 999–1024. doi:10.1108/EJM-08-2018-0565. ISSN 0309-0566. S2CID 216399732.
External links
Salsa dancing in Latin America travel guide from Wikivoyage
