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Salsa Kitchen Dancers
What is Salsa?
Salsa is a fantastic way to meet new people and get fit whilst learning this amazing dance!
Benefits of salsa:
In the Uk there are two main styles of salsa:
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New York (cross body lead) style salsa - This is danced in a straight line. Partners swap positions using a cross body lead. This can be danced On1 or On2 and there is also a large emphasis on shines (individual footwork).
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Cuban style salsa - This is where partners travel around each other in a circular motion. the 'Rueda' is another form of cuban dancing meaning 'wheel' this can be danced in large groups with partners travelling around in a large circle.
Origins
Salsa is a dance genre created by Spanish-speaking people from the Caribbean. Salsa dancing mixes African, Puerto Rican, Cuban and Spanish dance influences to name a few.The name "Salsa" is Spanish for the word sauce, suggesting a spicy flavour. Salsa also suggests a "mixture" of ingredients which is certainly a factor when it comes to salsa dancing.
Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms, line dancing (suelta), and Rueda de Casino where groups of couples exchange partners in a circle. Salsa can be improvised or performed with a set routine.
Basic movements
After 6 weight changes (steps) in 8 beats (1,2,3, ,5,6,7, ,) the basic step cycle of salsa is complete. This basic step can be significantly modified by improvisation and styling.
The arms are used to communicate the 'lead' in either open or closed position. In open position the two dancers hold one or both hands, especially for moves that involve turns, or putting arms behind the back. In closed position, the leader puts the right hand on the follower's back, while the follower puts the left hand on the leader's shoulder.
Incorporating styling techniques into salsa is very common. Both men and women use shines, leg work, arm work, body movement, spins, body isolations, shoulder shimmies and rolls. Even hand styling have become a huge trend in the salsa scene.
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