Salsa Dance Styles
Originating in the Afro Caribbean music and dance traditions of Cuba, Salsa took shape in the New York City Latin clubs of the 1940’s and ’50’s during an intense period of engagement with American Swing and Jazz innovations. As it continued to develop, Salsa absorbed influences from Latin communities throughout the Caribbean and South America as well as the vibrant Puerto Rican community in New York.
Although at first called Mambo, a fast dance was sometimes referred to as a Mambo con Salsa (with hot sauce!) and eventually Salsa became the word used for the music and its dance. Sexy, playful, fast and high-spirited, Salsa is the embodiment of joyful rhythm.
Salsa on 1
There are several ways for the dancer to interact with the music. One of the most popular is called dancing “on 1”, and when we dance this way, we accent, or “break” into the music on the first beat (the down beat) of the musical phrase. Rhythmically strong, this is a very clear way to dance the beat!
Salsa on 2
Salsa on Two started in New York City and has become the most dominat rhythm in the city’s top Latin clubs. When we dance “on 2” we move the accent from the first to the second beat of the rhythmic phrase, producing a wonderful musicality as we dance. Sophisticated and exciting, Salsa on Two is coming on like a tidal wave and we want you to be able to participate in this important trend.
