Salsa Dance

Salsa is perhaps the most popular of all Latin dance styles and is danced by millions of people around the world. It is an excellent starting point if you are new to Latin dance.

Salsa (music and dance) has a rich history with many influences but basically came to be in New York as the result of the mixture of Cuban music and Latin Jazz in the 1940’s and 50’s. Although it has been influenced by countries such as Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela and of course the city of New York over the years, unmistakeably Salsa has its roots in Cuban music and culture.

It is a partner dance and consists of a 4/4 beat or rhythm, with a pattern of six steps danced over the eight counts of music.

It’s fun and rhythmic and includes lots of intricate footwork, turns and spins, dips and combinations. Salsa works on a lead and follow system where one person leads – traditionally the male with his female partner following his signals and being led into all the moves. It is considered a street-style dance which basically means that there is no set choreography. It is all about spontaneity!

The dance has changed and progressed through the years becoming more sophisticated and stylish due to the fusion of many other dance genres but its essence will always remain the same – upbeat, rhythmic, sexy and fun but it can be romantic, energetic, smooth and debonair.

There are several styles of Salsa which exist and danced all over the world – Salsa On 1 (also known as LA Style), Salsa On 2 (NY Style or Mambo) as well as Cuban Style. At Latino Grooves, our classes are taught On 1 however you will also find Salsa On 2 (Mambo) on the timetable throughout the year.