La Rumba

One of the classiest dances in existence for the cultural dance scene is the Rumba, American Style which is for fun only. Yes, it can be competitive but that is not its raison d'etre. In its present form for more than a hundred years it will evolve little in this century. And the music continues to be the absolute greatest.

"Everything that happens to us leaves some trace behind;

everything contributes imperceptibly to make us what we are."

There are many interpretations of its beginnings but generally, the music and dance came with the natives that came from Mexico (only 90 miles away) and generally from the Olmec civilization, three thousand years ago. They took with them the chassé and the rock step along with the slow and fast step. Movements that had been developed even prior to the rise of the Olmecs.

"Te Extrańo" - Luis Miguel

Other indians came from Florida (only 90 miles away) and some came from the Northern part of South America (only 90 miles away.) These people had over 2000 years to develop their music and dance before the first illegal aliens arrived. And it was certainly quite different in different areas.

In Cuba, the dominate step in partner dancing developed from the rock step and the accent on the 2 count. So they "broke" on the 2 count. If it was accented on the 3 count, they would break on the 3. All other movements were somewhat similar to the American and the International styles in the Bronze division.

"Y Volvere" - Lucero

Arthur Murray is generally credited with using the slow, quick, quick Rumba box step (from the Waltz) and is used in all the Arthur Murray studios. Fred Astaire was sued in court for using the "Arthur Murray" box and he lost.  He change his to quick, quick slow and it is used in all the Fred Astaire studios. It was closer in rhythm of the Cuban style when they broke on the accent. It was a combination forward and side rock.

In this century in places that are not official studios of Arthur Murray or Fred Astaire, they use the "alternate" basic, closer to the original Cuban rock step and similar to the International.  The rest is almost the same. Cross body lead, reverse cross body lead, underarm turn, hand to hand and a spot turn. No problem.

"Eres Todo En Mi" - Ana Gabriel

The music has evolved from the Indian to Spanish bolero and back again. At present the only clear difference in the bolero and the rumba is the speed. But a good basic Rumba outshines any dance in our cultural dance scene specially when danced to the music not the steps.