This is my presentation on teaching a skill for the study lessons we have at uni, tis gonna be fun
A presentation by Ruth Bellamy
Salsa Dancing
Salsa refers to a fusion of informal dance styles having roots in the Caribbean (especially in the US, Cuba and Puerto Rico), Latin and North America.
Salsa is danced to Salsa music. There is a strong African influence in the music and the dance.
The name "Salsa" is the Spanish word for sauce, connoting (in American Spanish) a spicy flavour.
Salsa also suggests a "mixture" of ingredients, though this meaning is not found in most stories of the term's origin.
Salsa is usually a partner dance, although there are recognised solo steps and some forms are danced in groups of couples, with frequent exchanges of partner.
Improvisation and social dancing are important elements of Salsa but it appears as a performance dance too.
The Salsa aesthetic is more flirtatious and sensuous than its ancestor, Cuban Son.
There is debate as to whether the dance we call Salsa today originated in Cuba or Puerto Rico. Cuba's influence in North America was diminished after Castro's revolution and the ensuing trade embargo. New York's Latino community was largely Puerto-Rican.
The dance steps were influenced by many other Cuban dances such as Mambo, swing dances, Cha cha cha, Guaracha, Changuí, Palo Monte, Rumba, Abakuá, Comparsa and some times even Mozambique. Modern Salsa has elements of Jazz, funk, reggae, hip-hop and samba.
The following turns are used in almost all salsa dancing regardless of the basic used or style employed.
Outside Turn (Underarm Turn) - similar to the "arch turn" in swing and many other dances, follower turns clockwise
Inside Turn - follower turns counterclockwise (to her left)
Spot Turn - either, or often both, partners turn 360° remaining in the same spot
Extension - partners break in opposing directions to build arm tension between them. Often leads into a spot turn or an in-and-out.
In-and-Out (Copa) - From a cross-hand hold (left over right), leader creates an extension, then pulls the woman in with the right hand while leading the left hand over her head to the other side of her, causing her to turn 180° to her left. The follower is then pushed back out, and will do at least another half left turn to return her to facing the lead.
Solo salsa steps are called "Shines", a term taken from Tap dancing, which basically means that they are "show-offs" and they involve fancy footwork and body actions, danced in separation.
In tap, when an individual dancer would perform a solo freestyle move, it was considered their "moment to shine".
There are different styles of salsa, including:
Salsa Disco
Los Angeles-style
Puerto-Rico style
Casino
La Rueda
Mambo
Here is a clip I think would prove to you how fun and yet incredibly challenging the dance is
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S5oQXg2Ehbw&feature=related
Lets practice some steps
The basic
Side to side
Side to side ARMS
Twirl
Spin one another
pics on facebook + comment on CLOTHES!!!
Salsa Dancing
Salsa refers to a fusion of informal dance styles having roots in the Caribbean (especially in the US, Cuba and Puerto Rico), Latin and North America.
Salsa is danced to Salsa music. There is a strong African influence in the music and the dance.
The name "Salsa" is the Spanish word for sauce, connoting (in American Spanish) a spicy flavour.
Salsa also suggests a "mixture" of ingredients, though this meaning is not found in most stories of the term's origin.
Salsa is usually a partner dance, although there are recognised solo steps and some forms are danced in groups of couples, with frequent exchanges of partner.
Improvisation and social dancing are important elements of Salsa but it appears as a performance dance too.
The Salsa aesthetic is more flirtatious and sensuous than its ancestor, Cuban Son.
There is debate as to whether the dance we call Salsa today originated in Cuba or Puerto Rico. Cuba's influence in North America was diminished after Castro's revolution and the ensuing trade embargo. New York's Latino community was largely Puerto-Rican.
The dance steps were influenced by many other Cuban dances such as Mambo, swing dances, Cha cha cha, Guaracha, Changuí, Palo Monte, Rumba, Abakuá, Comparsa and some times even Mozambique. Modern Salsa has elements of Jazz, funk, reggae, hip-hop and samba.
The following turns are used in almost all salsa dancing regardless of the basic used or style employed.
Outside Turn (Underarm Turn) - similar to the "arch turn" in swing and many other dances, follower turns clockwise
Inside Turn - follower turns counterclockwise (to her left)
Spot Turn - either, or often both, partners turn 360° remaining in the same spot
Extension - partners break in opposing directions to build arm tension between them. Often leads into a spot turn or an in-and-out.
In-and-Out (Copa) - From a cross-hand hold (left over right), leader creates an extension, then pulls the woman in with the right hand while leading the left hand over her head to the other side of her, causing her to turn 180° to her left. The follower is then pushed back out, and will do at least another half left turn to return her to facing the lead.
Solo salsa steps are called "Shines", a term taken from Tap dancing, which basically means that they are "show-offs" and they involve fancy footwork and body actions, danced in separation.
In tap, when an individual dancer would perform a solo freestyle move, it was considered their "moment to shine".
There are different styles of salsa, including:
Salsa Disco
Los Angeles-style
Puerto-Rico style
Casino
La Rueda
Mambo
Here is a clip I think would prove to you how fun and yet incredibly challenging the dance is
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S5oQXg2Ehbw&feature=related
Lets practice some steps
The basic
Side to side
Side to side ARMS
Twirl
Spin one another
pics on facebook + comment on CLOTHES!!!