The Rumba in Waimanalo Rerun #86

By Robert Ching, Enchanted Lake.

In the beginning, many years ago, the Rumba was a dance that told a story of love and passion between a strong, male lover and a coy, teasing woman. And today the full sensual movements of the Rumba are considered by many to be the sexiest of the ballroom dances.

"Are you really happy or are you just really comfortable."

This dance of love remains one of the most popular ballroom dances and is seen around the world at nightclubs, parties, weddings and dance competitions in its many interpretations. And in present social dancing, Rumba is a slow, serious, romantic dance with flirtation between the partners.

The dance is fun to watch, as many of its basic dance figures of the dance have a teasing theme in which the lady flirts with and then rejects her male partner. The old Indian foot work of toe, heel for a two count slow seems to be disappearing though it is still taught in the Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire studios.

"Besame Mucho" by Julio Iglesias.

Yes, there are many good dancers of Rumba in the Waimanalo area. (East Honolulu) Mostly resembling the American Style of dance. Most will dance the Arthur Murray basic and the follow up moves that are very well known. Some will dance the Fred Astaire basic and the same follow up movements. It is mostly American Style.

And just beginning to invade Oahu, there are some who will use the alternate, the International basic. The man breaks on the dominant beat, and if it is on the 2, they will have the slow on 4, 1 count. The rest is American, the cross body lead, underarm turn, hand to hand, spot turn and all led, followed easily. It is a four beat measure and if you have quick, quick, slow or slow, quick, quick you will do just fine.

"Green Eyes" by Jimmy Dorsey

The Rumba can spotlight the lady's rhythmic body movements and hip actions that may result in intense, almost steamy, scenes of passion, more evident in exhibitions. The shine position, often used in Latin groups, in which the partners separate and while the man does his basic, she "shines" by doing her own interpretation of the moves.