Latin Music and Dance

Everybody knows and nobody knows. Latin music and dance has been with us since the turn of the 20th century. And it first was Mexican music and dance because the Mexicans were already living in the United States. But of course, it mostly was "their music," just like the Negro music was "their music."

"Yes, you may find each day too short for all the thoughts you want to think -
all the walks you want to take -  all the books you want to read -
and all the friends you want to see."

It was not until the Roaring Twenties that the ruling class began to accept Negro music along with Latin. By that time too, there was an acceptance of the Cuban Rumba, the Brazilian Samba and the Argentine Tango. It was Latin music and dance but not really. Each was from a different country and each had a marked difference in style from the others.

As the Caribbean music and dance began to be introduced by the Portoriccans in New York and the Cubans in Florida, the entire East coast began to take notice. Latin music took on a definite Caribbean sound. Mexican music continue with increase diversification according to the different areas in Mexico. Musica Nortena is music from the northern part of Mexico and has the biggest base in the US, naturally, However there are people coming to the US from many different parts of Mexico with the resultant preference in music and dance.

Mexican music has been tried on Oahu but there were just too many different styles and they couldn't get an entire audience to enjoy it all. What is very loosely developing now among the American Style dancers is Latin music and dance based on the American Style, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Merengue, Mambo, Tango and perhaps Swing. Anything else to be added is gingerbread.

We have not heard of anyone in East Honolulu doing this type of dancing, except within their own parameters. Perhaps somebody will soon.