Filipino DI

By Carmelo Layugan, Ewa Beach:

With a couple of New night clubs in possible view in the West, a New Filipino DI may emerge. For some wealthy women in the Philippines, "ballroom" dancing has risen from a mere social pastime to being almost a way of sustaining life. The phenomenon has been chronicled in movies for the past 40 years. The lead is always played by a handsome young man who finds easy money working as a DI -- a "ballroom" dance instructor. His prime partners are the affection-starved, cash-rich matrons that Manila has in abundance.

"Social Dancers know that people are not going to dance the way you want them

to dance. They are going to dance the way they want to dance."

One after another, they fall for his charms and ply him with extravagant cash tips and gifts. A few have been doing this in downtown Honolulu for years under the term, - Semi Pro. Afternoon-tea gatherings of the blue bloods of Manila society, known as the "Sparklers," are rich with gossip about the ballroom scene. Which matron has fallen in love with which DI? Which one has bought her DI a new car? Sometimes it is just gossip. Sometimes the ballroom has clearly led to the bedroom. Says a known dance regular: "You can always tell who's having an affair. It's in their eyes and in the way they dance."

"Dahil Sa Yo" by Charmaine

Some are shocked, but not newspaper columnist Barbara "Tweetums" Gonzales. "I'd rather have my mother dancing the night away with her DI and having the time of her life than wasting away on her lonesome." Many Manila hotels offer ballroom dancing. Some hotel DIs are paid a regular salary. On top of that are the "hire charges" -- up to about $60 for an evening -- and tips. "You also have to feed him or her and provide drinks, like someone who drives for you, you feed your DI because they provide a service."

"Social dancers know that they must love dancing to stick to it. It gives you nothing

solid back, nothing but that those fleeting moments when you felt alive."

Latin Waltz

What is this thing? It's not something that was recently invented. I've never seen a class on it, but it's a classic three count folk dance dating thousands of years before the arrival of the first illegals and danced solo.They danced it in the traditional even step as is done in the "Civilized World," but they also used the rock step and the chassé. At present there is a ton of great Latin-American and Spanish Waltz music written in 3/4 time, with a fairly fast tempo. This particular form of waltz is ideal not only for Latin music, but for any fast music in 3/4 time.The slower ones can be danced easily in Night Clubs.

"Social dancers know that you dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams.

You want something more?"

Many of us have tried to dance Viennese Waltz socially. Many of our dance floors are small and crowded, and dancers who have learned Viennese Waltz in the American style or International-style know that at these speeds, collisions are inevitable. 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 floor craft to make way for those who do. Latin Waltz is a more solid way to dance to fast waltz music without becoming a hazard on the dance floor and without exceeding your own abilities.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Lisa Ono

Social dancers challenge themselves to have the maximum amount of fun. But dancers have to be aware of, and able to react to, everything happening on or near the dance floor. Fast social waltzes can be dangerous. We have all seen some scary falls, and know of others where people were really hurt. If you have any doubt at all about your ability to do continuous turns, or to travel consistently around the line of dance, learn the Latin Waltz and learn how to dance a fast waltz safely. This is also our chance in West Oahu to get in first with a style that could really catch on. Dance floors aren't getting any bigger, but we are getting more and more social dancers. Which I think is awesome.

“It is difficult, when faced with a situation you cannot control,
 to admit you can do nothing.”

Oahu?

It is becoming more well understood in blogging that "after" the shindig is more important than "before" the shindig. And it is something not yet well known in the newsletters of our dancing circles. The preliminary advertisement may contain some important communication of what the shindig offers but what happened during the big party is the real meat and potatoes of interest to the reader/dancers of a blog. The only thing that is missing is that few of our people are willing to share with our fellow dancers.

"Social dancers believe that lying, as in Trump, is terminological in-exactitude"

The night club business on Oahu is doing very well. It is not an easy one to master. There are permits, licenses, and bureaucracy to manage. It takes a tremendous amount of attention to create a venue that sizzles with dancers. If you're lucky enough to succeed, then you have to worry about staying relevant and keeping your fingers on the pulse of what the dancers want in the face of stiff competition. And seven days a week may not be a good solution.

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper  1983

"It's a really sexy business... but you're starting out with a very saturated competitive environment. Some people consider it best to have a tough door to get through. The young dancers and the more experience dancers have different preferences in the dance music. And you cannot have both, you must choose. Even so, the nightclub business, in particular, is highly lucrative if done properly. On Oahu the business is extending to the Outskirts, the shores. That environment will do wonders for this Island.

“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us.

And the world will live as one.” ― John Lennon

Oahu West

West Oahu is getting some first class dancers. I saw a man dance a beautiful International Tango with his wife and then later in the evening dancing a beautiful Filipino Tango with a lady friend. Most dancers just enjoy moving to the music that is usually played in our social dances and perhaps even in our Night Clubs. And in line dancing they are coming up with more men that can dance as easily as the young, by themselves. Of course many of the dances are just too dancy fancy. Everybody learns to dance to the music not the beat. It can be because they like the song for whatever the reason.

"Social dancers can feel that if the party is not that good,
the dancing can make up for it."

Then they develop on their own, just dancing and enjoying each dance, the "timing" for each dance. Anyone can step one, two, three on the Waltz, but very soon, the "rhythm" comes in and they want to stress the movement on the one count. Gradually they develop their own unique style, all on their own and they feel comfortable with the entire package, music, timing, rhythm and their own style. But there are over 500 documented steps in every dance. Wow! Tough!

 "Let's Dance" by David Bowie  1983

To dance socially and for fun, keep away from anything that smacks of too much intermediate or advance. That is for OP (Other People.) The usual story has people that want to be "dancers" and their primary intentions are not to learn to move to music. They learn the Bronze (beginners) and they are eyeing the Silver. They are hoping to be Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers overnight. When well into the Silver they are eyeing the Gold. And they finally get to the Gold division they realize they'd better go back to basics. Happens every time. LAGS (latest and greatest syndrome) is not entirely the fault of the dance teachers.

"Social Dancers will come and dance and go, but the dance lives on."

La Rumba

By Roberto Beltran, Kapolei
Latin music and dance originated in the Mexican Indian Civilizations and late by the Inca Civilizations in Peru.  The basics were pretty well established by the time the first illegal aliens arrived. The Spanish lower classes were the first modifiers of the Indian basic but very little during the 1500s. Later on the French, English and Dutch has some influence in their sectors.The slaves that arrived later learned everything from watching the Indians dancing and hearing their music. Because they had no common culture of their own.

"Social dancers believe that in the beginning, they start learning and moving towards it.
It is only a dream but their feet will begin to have the quality of dance.”

North African slaves couldn't even converse with South Africa. And the same holds true for East Africa and West Africa. But in the Americas they could all learn from birth, the new culture in the Americas,which included the new languages. Yes, it was modified, but by the Europeans mostly from the very beginning. But only the very low class Europeans. The black slaves were captured relatively young and had little culture compared to the Indians in their thirties and forties. But they could learn and they learned it very well.

"Contigo A La Distancia" por Takeo Murata.

Rumba, with a quick, quick, slow developed fairly early to the four count measure. The quick, quick being done in a rock step. The four count was accented on the two and the dancers "broke" on the two. That is they went forward on either foot and rocked back on the 3. That was "inherited" by the natives of the Caribbean 2000 years ago. Many different dances with the rock step and a slow were develop on the islands according to the Europeans in charge of the island. The newly freed slaves fourth and fifth generation, had some ideas of their own in the late 1800s.

“Our music may not need the language of words for it has

movements of our dance to do its translation.”

What Night Clubs? Where?

We are now in the process of seeking a new terminology for our Style of dance. We have been tarred with the same brush for too long. But our basics will remain the same, and pretty close the American Style of Dance. For a very long time it has been "Social Dancing." Then some in Canada and the US Mainland have used "Recreational Dancing." And now in Latin America too. And the preferred term that seems to be emerging on the mainland and Europe is "Cultural Dancing " which is what it is. It has been a big part of our culture.

“Social dancers can imagine, life to be a dance with different kinds of rhythms

depending on what music is playing in the background."

While the North Shore may be more famously known for its super-size winter waves, it’s gaining a reputation for its art galleries, boutiques and night life.  Here, you’ll find handcrafted jewelry, original watercolor paintings, natural soaps and lotions, made-in-Hawaii fashions and much more. And then there is the night. I must take the trip by bus one of these days just to case the joints. I know where I have to go. In Haleiwa, it is Stormy's, a bar, Uncle Bo's Bar, Breakers Restaurant & Bar, Breakfast & Brunch, The Surf Shack, Music Venues, Cholo's Homestyle Mexican Restaurant Mexican, Salad, Bar. Music by Son Caribe, Haleiwa,

"Like A Prayer" by Madonna  1989

Since Line Dancing has been really accepted as part of our cultural dancing on Oahu we must try to convince more men newcomers to get their feet wet in Line dancing. The old dancers should do as they wish. It is much too lop sided with ladies. Hopefully we can get someone with a good write up on the Line dancers. It will complement very nicely with the good blogging we have now. The Central Valley looking good. Come on Mililani and Waipio.

"Social dancers laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before they look. They may dance as though EVERYBODY is watching and march to the beat of their own drummer."

The Central Valley

This blog is getting more solid as the front running dance blog on Oahu. The kokua from Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club and Aiea Ballroom Dance will solify it even more. It helps their public relations with their items and photos of interest to the readers and the hits on the blog go up. The blogs gets to be more recognizable Makaha to Makapuu Point and from Kalealoa to Turtle Bay. I can plan the independence of the blog. My best blogs must go and the junk blogs will remain mine. I get too little information about the dance environment nowadays.

“For the Social Dancers, Only? - Relax - Refresh - Renew - Play - Sing -

Laugh -Enjoy - Forgive - Dance - Love - Hug - Share - Kiss -

Create - Explore - Hope - Listen - Dare - Trust - Dream."

Because of the terrible bus situation, I am getting more questions on Night Club dancing in this sector. People want to dance on the North Shore, but apparently not too much doing there and then only sporadic. Cholo's Homestyle Mexican has Son Caribe Band now and then. Dot's In Wahiawa has something going a couple times a week. Just Tacos in Mililani has Salsa on Saturday nights. Many dancers are aware of the bus situation to town from the Central Valley and would rather go to some place nearby, Salsa Dancers have asked me about dancing in Waikele -Waipio area.

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston - 1987

Many people are still trying get another Business Park in the Valley. Living, working and playing in their own kuleana would be really living in Paradise. "And I coulda been home in 20 minutes." Think of all the cars missing from the freeways or contributing to the horrible traffic in town. There are many smart people still trying to stop the "Gravy Train," but the Present Rail Party and the Big Bucks are still in Control. No one knows to this day, what happened to the first billion dollars. It's Easy Money, Sonny.

Yes, they told me about a strange occurrence at Mililani Shopping Center. Sam Stone and

Walter Wood were having a little conversation when a beautiful curvaceous blonde

appeared and went by. Stone turned to Wood, Wood turned to Stone, both

turned to Rubber, then the blonde turned into a dress shop.

Tango Argentino

Tango Argentino by Art Hemenway

I assume that most tangueros can recall seeing a dance performance that they consider the greatest of their lifetime. For me, I think it was at the Queen Elizabeth theater in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the legendary revue, Tango Argentino played after skipping my home town Seattle. of course, the show exceeded the expectations of all of us who drove north to see it. What dazzling displays of dancing, singing and music!

"Argentine dancers believe that Tango is not in the feet, it's in the heart."

I thought the high point of the evening was the low key dance of Milena Plebs and Miguel Angel Zotto dressed in black evening clothes for "The Continental." The couple appeared at stage right and glided slowly across the stage to the music La Comparsita. They just performed a tango walk, nary a turn, ocho or gancho. But when they reached center stage I was amazed to see the entire audience arise and give them a standing ovation, just for walking.

"Nostalgias" por Placido Domingo

Street Dancers

The audience response was almost as thrilling as the spectacle of the dance. Only the dancers in the audience could appreciate the extraordinary physical control that went into that smooth slinky walk. And I wondered how many professionals in the audience noticed that the couple was not dancing in time to the music. During the stage crossing each foot touched the stage about one half second after the beat. The dramatic suspense and relief as each foot of the couple stretched out and touched the stage slightly after the beat was devastating. * * *

"Social dancers believe that the beginning and ending of tango is the walk."

The Outskirts is Home

By Fred Oshiro, Waianae
On Oahu where we have worshiped Honolulu as the Mecca for decades, many have tended to accept living in bedroom communities without a place nearby to work and make a living. In Waianae the economics are a little more understood. Minimum wage on the Waianae Coast, the North Shore or Windward is ten times better than minimum wage in Honolulu and more, "I coulda been home in 20 minutes." The residents of the Waianae Coast, like the North Shore and the Windward Side, live in Paradise except for the drag of being permitted of having only a bedroom community.

"Great dancers are not great because of their technique,

they are great because of their passion.

 

Keep the country, country was not coined by country people. It was coined by the wheelers and dealers in  downtown Honolulu. Why? If you think about it you will know why, without a doubt. In too many sections the big bucks have been in the high end of the housing market, such as in Kapolei. Not enough normal people to warrant a large commercial district but they were designated as Second City. Then the Rail got in and goofed that up, they want people going to Honolulu. If you really want something you must go to Honolulu. Dumb Dodos.

"Fly Me To The Moon" by Jimmy Borges

But the 10 million dollar homes are usually vacant for a large part of the year. - They got the money, Sonny. - The high end of the housing market nearby has forced Campbell Industrial Park to charge as much as downtown Honolulu. The solution for many in West Oahu has always been, to have jobs available closer to home. Would be Paradise, live, work and play in our own kuleana. But, the Rail People will find ways of voting that nonsense down. And we all know why. They are making millions and millions of dollars daily. They call this Easy Money.

“Social dancers believe that you're not allowed to have legs and not use them. - Dance."

 

Wahiawa

After freezing days it feels like Spring has sprung in Pearl City and I had a few things to do and then get ready for the big Trip to Wahiawa. Got most of what I would need but I forgot the camera so I hope we can get some pictures. Some people send their pictures to Facebook and Facebook gets 50 million photos per day. Somebody might see your pictures? Maybe in Libya, or Estonia. and don't forget Lower Slobavia. In our blog the only people that see our pictures are our friends and neighbors on Oahu and maybe a few on the neighbor islands. That's Bad?

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

Got the new #51 bus and got off at Foodland a little after six. Got a cake and took a nice leisurely walk to the Wahiawa Recreation Center. Already at least a dozen people there helping Maile to make the set up. The music by Leland started before seven and naturally it was very well received. And after a couple of nice tunes a few couples took to the floor.

"Awesome feeling to dance with friends." ~ Amadeo

"Great camaraderie, great DJ and dancing with great friends." ~ Mae

It was almost eight when we had the ring of prayer led by Rodney. And the line for kau kau was easily formed. The potlucks in this club get better all along. And there something nice about getting some goodies that ran out too soon. Even you if did not get any of it. The different possibilities make it interesting.

"Sombras" by Javier Solis
had not heard it in a long time. Beautiful

All photos by Maile Yagi

They had nice crowd and introduced the first line dances. This group is eventually going to be the best in Men line dancers. They have not been excluded, they have excluded themselves.

"Happy St. Patrick's Day. It's a wonderful dance at the Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club."
~ Morris

I left a little before nine, in time to get the #51 bus back to Pearl City. Got home about ten and immediately proceeded to get into the dinner packed for me by Maile. Delicious as per usual. Then got on the computer and tried to remember as much as possible about the party. My memory not so good any more.

"Happy St. Patrick's Day to all at Wahiawa Ballroom. Having so much fun! Good food,

good fellowship, great music! Next stop, Aeia Balloom.! ~ Nani

Oahu Dance Scene

The entire dance scene on Oahu is slowly moving into the year 2018 and the Latin Rhythms have become pretty solid. The dance parties are opening up very nicely and the dancers are having their pick. We don't have much news on any new dance groups forming. Every thing is still in the What If stage. Maui? I can only hope we can get some news and feedback from the people interested in our dance environment. There are so many good people out there that have something to say. They have the opportunity of sharing it with our fellow dancers in these blogs.

“Social dancers sometimes realize that the dance is not as graceful as they might want.

But they can still enjoy the movement to their favorite music."

The one thing they have, that nobody else has, is their own personal opinion of dance including their view of Latin. Their voices, their minds, their stories, their visions. So they can send in whatever they want to share and whenever they feel like it. Just so they don't feel any commitment or obligation. They can email, written items/photos, - and play and dance and live as only they can. There have been fanatic admirers of dance throughout history. "Fans" as we know them today were referred to as such only in the twentieth century. The term "fan" originated as a simple abbreviation of "fanatic."

"At Last" by Glenn Miller

There has been an increasingly growing group of fans in our dance world, Kauai too in which they may not know much about dancing but "they know what they like." Most are fans of social dancing, but there are a lot of different dances out there and to each his own. This "show business" thing that has been marketed all over the world, is a pleasant dance - nice tricks to see but not for most of us. It just ain’t da reel teeng!

“Social dancers know that in our dance environment, much of what has been said

has not mattered, and much of what has mattered could not be said.”

Clubbing at Night

Most of the dance fans have jobs during the day and may be tied up in household duties on week ends. So that no one has to apologize for Dancing in the night. There are places where you can dance in the daytime and it should be acceptable to everyone. We could try not to let our differences divide us. Any way social dancers on Oahu have usually danced at night, in Malls, Gas Stations, Parks, School Cafeterias, Disrict Parks and Community Centers. We can live with that.

“Social dancers believe that in partner dance, the basic may bring

the partners together. But the next moves will be different and

each will do their own and it can set the both of them free.”

Our two main locations are the Dance Clubs and the Night Clubs. And there is a small difference in attitude and dance in these places. Some people in the Dance Club develop a somewhat rootzi tootzi attitude in which they regard night club dancers with less "class." Where as in the night club scene, there are some that regard dance club dancers as just a little too fancy. On Oahu, we seem to be accepting each other as dancers and to each his own.

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

We have two night clubs in the central valley and they get people from the dance clubs. Makes for a good time for everyone, including the club itself. And in our dance club socials no one cares and everyone dances as they please. And again, it makes for a happy time for all the dancers, including the club itself. That is the name of our game.

"Social dancers may be dancing to the beat of a different drummer."

The West Is Rising

Just Two and a half months into the New Year and Central Valley, along with Oahu - West, seems to be emerging as a very good place to dance. We can look for more action on the North Shore. Cholo's Homestyle with the Son Caribe band is a good start there. Tacos And More in Waianae with live music to listen to, is a good start. The next step is the dance floor. Kapolei may have something next year. Perhaps even a social dance studio.

"All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them."

Most people living in West Oahu are aware of the Rail Disaster. And a few will have to ride it even though it will be one big hassle and take longer to get to Honolulu. Nobody mentions Rapid Transit any more because it is not true. The freeways going into town will be more crowded. And the traffic situation in town will go from bad to worse. The people, the residents of West Oahu would rather live, work and play in their own kuleanas.

"Hey There" by Rosemary Clooney

"Success does not consist of not making mistakes, but in

never making the same mistake a second time."

The week is shaping up fairly nice and we have St. Patrick's Day on Saturday with many celebrations.  We are fortunate to have Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club and their Social at the Wahiawa Recreation Center.

This blog now in first place because of Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club and Aiea Ballroom Dance Association and one more client would clinch that section. Then there is other feedback, comments, information contributors and the big prize, the Guest Blogger. Patience, Rome was not built in a day.

Bachata

The entire social dance scene on Oahu is slowly moving very nicely into the Year 2018. The different disciplines are accepting the others and the fact, that every one should do as they prefer. As long as they not doing any intentional harm to anyone. West Oahu dance is expanding very nicely. I expect that we will be getting some dance news from the neighbor islands. We consider ourselves fortunate that we have had so many good dance instructors in the American Style of Dance.

"The door to the room of success swings on the hinges of the opposition."

We have accepted the Bachata in our social dancing and our DJs are really the berries when it comes to giving the social dancers what they want. Several years ago the Dominican group Aventura was probably the best known bachata group worldwide with its single "Obsesion" having dominated for a long time radio play both in Latin America, US Latino markets, and countries as distant as Italy and Sweden. The most popular of the modern bachateros has undeniably been Antony Santos. He was superseded in the international audience by Aventura, for the Dominican audience.

"Devorame Otra Vez" por Luis Miguel

The basic footwork of plain vanilla bachata is a series of simple steps that produce a back and forth or sideways motion. A schematic footwork would be as follows: starting with the right foot make a chasse to the right on counts 1,2,3. On 4, touch the left toe beside your right foot (alternatively, tapping the left toe in place, i.e., apart from the right foot, make an upwards jerk with the left hip). Then do the same from your left foot. The character of the dance is achieved through sensual hip and body movements. And of course, you can get fancier than that.

Yes we have been truly shocked that in Hawaii, we have some people that love
getting lectured about patriotism and morality by a draft dodging, racist,
adulterer, reality show star who colluded with our enemies.

A Good Size Dance Floor?

Dancing nights on the island of Oahu are getting better every day, When dance groups have a hundred people coming to their event with each one spending hours getting ready to have a good time and let loose, the group planners have made certain of the program for the evening. They will have made sure that the program will satisfy the crowd and get everyone excited dancing and socializing in a familiar environment. Big Bands and Big Ballrooms went out with the last century.

"Social dancers enjoy moving their bodies to music with ease and also have the satisfaction

of knowing that they can benefit from this "art" for as long as they live."

Some of our social dance clubs have a potluck and most dancers are familiar with our kind at our socials. Potluck dinners are events where the attendees bring a dish to the meal. They simplify the meal planning and distribute the costs among the participants. The only traditional rule is that each dish does not have to be large enough to be shared among all the anticipated guests. The dancers may bring in any form of food, ranging from the main course to desserts. Recent times have seen the growth of beautiful dinners for our special occasions.

"Maui Waltz" by Loyal Garner

What about other dance traditions? The traditions that will be discussed in our blogs are what we are familiar with, and what has been directly marginalized by the well publicized dominant dance and media-entertainment industry. So we invite those who know and care about the other forms and dance cultures to write about them. Some of the wheels in the dance community have to be dragged, kicking and screaming into the 21st century. we will not do that. If they do not want it they shall not have it. But the sign on the door we leave open still says "welcome."

“Social dancers that have been inspired by dance believe

there is no limit to what a person can do."

\

Update Good

Went to Wahiawa Ballroom Dance Club line dance classes on Wednesday and got a nice blog out of it. And the good news is that Platinum Horseshoe blog has been in first place since the beginning of the month. This is average hits per day. Town Dancer blog was in the lead for two decades. Now still solid but in second place. With just one Guest Blogger blogging twice per month, the hits would go through the roof and we could plan the independence. Patience.

Then we have Aiea Ballroom Dance Association coming up with their 63rd Anniversary Dance at the famous Palladium on April 14th. I will be there to blog'em and we can all appreciate the help I can get. A sentence or two, or a couple photos emailed. Makes the blog more "Social."

With another good client to blog this would be "The Dance Blog" on Oahu and I could resign and dedicate myself to make the next independent.

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Bruddah Iz

Barack, Hillary and Donald are standing in front of the throne of heaven. Almighty God looks at them and says, “Before granting you a place at my side, I want to ask you what you have learned and what you believe in.”

God asks Barack first: “Son, What do you believe in?” Obama thinks long and hard, looks God straight in the eye, and says, “I believe in hard work, and in staying true to family and friends. I believe in giving. I was lucky, but I always tried to do right by my citizens.” God can’t help but see the essential goodness of Obama, and offers him a seat to his left.

Then God turns to Hillary and asks, “And what do you believe in?” Hillary calculates for a while and then says, “I believe passion, discipline, courage and honor are the fundamentals of life. Like Barack I believe in hard work. I, too, have been lucky, but win or lose, I’ve always tried to be a true patriot and a loyal American.” God is greatly moved by Hillary’s eloquence, and he offers her a seat to his right.

Finally, God turns to Trump and asks, “And you, Donald, what do you believe in?” Donald replies, “I believe that, you are in my seat.”

Latin Dancing?

The music of Latin America refers to music originating from Latin America several millenniums back and from the original inhabitants. This was namely in the Romance-speaking countries and territories of the Americas and the Caribbean south of the United States. Latin American music encompasses a wide variety of styles, influenced in the beginning by the lower Spanish classes in the 1500s. Then there was some influence by the lower classes of the English, French and Dutch.

"Social dancers think they dance differently because they know they will live forever.”

Much later in the 1800s, it was influenced specially in the Caribbean by the freed slaves and spread by sailors throughout the Caribbean and even South America. In the early 20th century the basic styles were developed and spread to the US and Europe. Many such as Rumba, Samba and Tango were changed by American and British teachers to make the dances more acceptable to their customers. After WWI, many styles were influenced by the music of the United States giving rise to new music and dance in Latin America.

"El Reloj" por Luis Miguel

Mambo and then Cha Cha Cha were two very prominent dances that are still enjoyed by the more experienced dancers. Still later, genres such as Latin pop, rock, jazz, hip hop and reggaeton came and some went. It has been estimated that lambada "donated" over five billion dollars to American Studios. The music and dance also encompasses Latin American styles that have originated in the United States such as Salsa and Tejano. Latin Music and Dance will be a World of its Own.

“The only way to make sense out of change in our dance world is to

plunge into it, move to the music, and join in the dance.”

Pub's Note: We do not accept  "anonymous" in the comments section of the blog.

You may use a pen name if you wish.