19 Salsa dancing facts for beginners

Salsa dance was created fairly recently, mixing many different dancing styles. It all started in Cuba at the very end of 19th century. Tweet This

In the U.S., Salsa dance had its peak of popularity in 1970s, coinciding with the influx of many Dominican and Puerto Rican immigrants. Tweet This

Salsa dance was popularised by Johnny Pacheco, Fania All-Stars, Reuben Blades and Willie Colon. Tweet This

Nowadays, Gloria Estefan is among the most effective Latin music promoters in the U.S. Tweet This

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Most popular styles are: Los Angeles (“L.A.”), New York, Cuban style / “Casino”, Miami style Casino, Colombian / Cali, Rueda de Casino and Ballroom Salsa. Tweet This

The solo breaks during the performance are known as “shines” because it looks as if the male dancer is shining his shoes on his trousers. Tweet This

Cuban style is the most traditional salsa dance style. Tweet This

Salsa helps shy people deal with their insecurities. Tweet This

Salsa is usually a lead-and-follow partnered dance, although solo forms like line dancing (Salsa Suelta) do exist. Tweet This

While dancing Rueda de Casino, groups of couples exchange partners in a circle. Tweet This

Celia Cruz was dubbed the “Queen of Salsa”. Tweet This

The beat of Salsa music is 4/4 however there are only three weight changes in each measure. What happens during that extra beat differs a lot from style to style. Tweet This

Colombian Style is also known as Cali-style salsa. Dancers stick very close to each other while performing unbelievably fast and complex footwork and tight spins. Tweet This

L.A. Style can be traced back to the Cuban immigrants to the U.S. who borrowed plenty of elements from Mambo and Swing. Tweet This

In the late 1970s, dance instructor Eddie Torres developed New York style Salsa. Tweet This

In Miami style Salsa there are lots of shines and show-off. Tweet This

Cuban genre of music Salsa Cubana is actually called Timba. Tweet This

West African style Salsa is called Salsa Mbalax. It has more African than Latin features. Tweet This

Cuban music in fact originates from West Africa. Many wonderful African rhythms were transferred to the New World during the era of slave trade. Tweet This