 Salsa is both a dance and a type of music. On a typical salsa night you should also be listening to some Merengue and maybe some Bachata and Cumbia and nowadays Reggaeton! Why do I hate Reggaeton so much?
Quote:
"As is the case with hip-hop music in the United States, reggaeton appeals primarily to youths. In Puerto Rico, youths were inspired to create reggaeton, after hearing Panamanian artists performing raps in Spanish styled after Jamaican dance-hall raps, adding native bomba and salsa, rhythms."
So that's why it gets on my nerves after a short while! There must be a lot of good stuff (musn't there? - someone please help...) but please don't inflict too much of it upon us. Since DJs seem to live in their own autocratic little world there might be some danger.
For an extensive overview of weekly timetable and have a go!
Where to listen?
Did you know you can listen to salsa and latin music radio stations if you have broadband access? One of the most well known is Elvismen. Use a program like iRadio, it's more efficient.
How to dance?
Apart from lessons you need inspiration and example. Naturally, latin people dance the best salsa or rather move their bodies as they should be moved - lots of hip, not stiff, relaxed and not slavishly following rules. It's hard for Brits because we are born stiff!
You can find video clips all over the internet -even YouTube. But try to study the movements of the Latins who are sure to be doing Salsa in your local club. You will find that Columbians dance differently to Puerto Ricans or Cubans. They all have a different style and yet the basic body movements are similar. And by Latin I mean Latin America, not Spain.
Men, it's tough at first, the women are hard and without patience so persevere at home with some music. |
