After writing that whole post about dancing yesterday, I realized that I've not even addressed what kinds of dancing are done!
I think I've mentioned Salsa, yes?
Well this is indeed The Dance of Latin America. It's done in 8/8 timing, as far as I can tell, and is probably the most complex of all the dances I've tried. (Which includes, Israeli Folk Dancing, American Folk Dancing, Square Dancing, English Country Dancing, Swing Dancing, both 20s and 40s Charleston, Lindy Hop, and Blues. Although 40s Charleston is the one exception: I find it a bit more difficult than Salsa.) The music used for Salsa is the kind that makes you want to tap your feet and clap your hands. Salsa is done almost entirely with a partner, and can be either slow, medium-speed, or fast. At first it appears to be a bit more strict when it comes to form and steps, but after a few weeks I've realized that there is no end to the steps and styles that are included under the name "Salsa."
The second most common dance here is Bachata. It's done in 4/4 timing (again, not an expert here, just going off of the music I've been dancing to.) and is quite a bit simpler than Salsa. Bachata can be an extremely sensual type of dance, but can also just be very fun in its simplicity and ease of use. Most music used for Bachata is not as much toe-tapping as it is, well, I've never wanted to move my shoulders more in my life. Weird, I know. But the music, and the dance, is normally very smooth, rhythmic, and catchy. Due to its simplicity and the close proximity normally used in the dance, Bachata is much easier to follow than Salsa - good for both the lead and the follow!
The final kind of dance done here is not one done in dance clubs, but is the traditional dance of Peru: Huayno. Typically done as a festival is coming to an end when most people have already danced plenty of Salsa and Bachata and drunk plenty of Cusqueña (just guess what that is...). Huayno is fast and upbeat, great for people who aren't sober anymore, and almost as fun for those who are, tho I'm fairly certain without alcohol no one has the stamina to dance Huayno for more than a few songs...
So there you have it. An incomplete and unprofessional overview of Peruvian dances.
I think I've mentioned Salsa, yes?
Well this is indeed The Dance of Latin America. It's done in 8/8 timing, as far as I can tell, and is probably the most complex of all the dances I've tried. (Which includes, Israeli Folk Dancing, American Folk Dancing, Square Dancing, English Country Dancing, Swing Dancing, both 20s and 40s Charleston, Lindy Hop, and Blues. Although 40s Charleston is the one exception: I find it a bit more difficult than Salsa.) The music used for Salsa is the kind that makes you want to tap your feet and clap your hands. Salsa is done almost entirely with a partner, and can be either slow, medium-speed, or fast. At first it appears to be a bit more strict when it comes to form and steps, but after a few weeks I've realized that there is no end to the steps and styles that are included under the name "Salsa."
The second most common dance here is Bachata. It's done in 4/4 timing (again, not an expert here, just going off of the music I've been dancing to.) and is quite a bit simpler than Salsa. Bachata can be an extremely sensual type of dance, but can also just be very fun in its simplicity and ease of use. Most music used for Bachata is not as much toe-tapping as it is, well, I've never wanted to move my shoulders more in my life. Weird, I know. But the music, and the dance, is normally very smooth, rhythmic, and catchy. Due to its simplicity and the close proximity normally used in the dance, Bachata is much easier to follow than Salsa - good for both the lead and the follow!
The final kind of dance done here is not one done in dance clubs, but is the traditional dance of Peru: Huayno. Typically done as a festival is coming to an end when most people have already danced plenty of Salsa and Bachata and drunk plenty of Cusqueña (just guess what that is...). Huayno is fast and upbeat, great for people who aren't sober anymore, and almost as fun for those who are, tho I'm fairly certain without alcohol no one has the stamina to dance Huayno for more than a few songs...
So there you have it. An incomplete and unprofessional overview of Peruvian dances.
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