Latin Waltz

So, what is Latin Waltz? Not many people know what this is exactly. Who invented it? I've never seen a class on it, but it's has been a classic folk dance for over one hundred years ago mainly outside the Caribbean, mostly in Mexico and Central America.

"Perfection may not be attainable, but in chasing it,

we may catch excellence."

This is going to look really obvious once we get started. Basically, it's a hesitation waltz danced to Latin music and you can dance American Style very nicely to it. There is a ton of great Latin-American and Spanish music written in 3/4 time.

Some of it with a fairly fast tempo more like a Viennese Waltz and danced with a chasse, similar to dancing Samba, which keeps the progression to a minimum. The results are two different Waltzes and danced according to the tempo.

"Maui Waltz" by Loyal Garner

This particular fast form of waltz is ideal not only for Latin music, but for any fast music in 3/4 time. Many of us have had fairly hideous experiences trying to dance Viennese Waltz socially. And we all know that not much is played by our terrific Djs.

Our local dance floors have been small and crowded, and dancers who have learned Viennese Waltz in the American style often stop short, right in the line of dance, to do one of the open figures that American style is known for.

Many dancers sit these out altogether. Also, unfortunately, many dancers who attempt Viennese Waltz do not have the speed or strength to dance continuously nor the floorcraft to make way for those who do. Latin Waltz is a legitimate way to dance to fast waltz music without becoming a hazard on the dance floor and without exceeding your own abilities.

"The Tennessee Waltz" by Patti Page

This is also your chance to get in first with a style that could really catch on. Unfortunately it will not happen until we get the first Latin Dance Club. Our local dance floors are slowly getting bigger, but there are more and more social dancers. Which I think is awesome. Let's break in a new approach to fast waltz that's ideal for the social dance floor. I'm looking forward to it.