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Bachata is a style of social dance from the Dominican Republic which is now danced all over the world. It is connected with bachata music.
| | This article needs additional citations for verification .(April 2015) |
Bachata is a style of social dance from the Dominican Republic which is now danced all over the world. It is connected with bachata music.
Bachata is a social couple dance with a lead and follow that can be performed in open, semi-closed or closed position. The basic step involves an eight-count side-to-side movement, with many variations and styles that can be added. On counts 4 and 8, bachata includes an exaggerated hip check that gives it a characteristic look and differentiates it from bolero or son dancing. [1] Counts 1 to 3 are moving to the lead's left, starting with the left foot, and counts 5 to 7 are moving to the lead's right, starting with the right foot. The hip check can be performed as a tap or slight lift of the foot for beginners. [2]
The basic dance sequence can incorporate turns and hand movements from other ballroom dances like salsa or cha-cha. [1]
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From the late 1990s, dancers in the Western world started creating novel dance forms inspired by bachata music. The most well-known example of this is the made-up basic step commonly referred to as the "side-to-side step", which is sometimes accompanied by an exaggerated "pop” of the hips during the tap. These novel western dance forms were mostly created copying dance moves from other partner dances of various origins, Latin and non-Latin alike. Many such dances exist today, with the first of these often referred to as “Western side basic step”.
Often referred to in the West as "authentic / Dominican" bachata, the original social dance was created in the Dominican Republic during the 1960s and was danced only in closed position, like the bolero, often in a close embrace [ citation needed ], often involving skin-to-skin belly-to-belly contact. [2] Bachata basic steps are performed by moving within a small square (side, side, forward and then tap with your toes, then side, side, back and tap). This step was inspired by the bolero basic step, but evolved over time to include a tap and syncopations (steps in between the beats), helping dancers express the more dynamic music being commonly played. The hand placement can vary according to the position of the dances, which can range from very close to open to completely open.
Bachata is still danced today in the Caribbean and all over the world, and has been evolving for several decades. It is increasingly danced to faster music, adding more footwork, simple turns and rhythmic free-styling with alternation between close (romantic) and open position. Bachata is danced with soft hip movements and a tap or syncopation (1, 2, 3, tap/syncopation). It can also be danced with or without bouncing (moving the body up on the beats and down again in between the beats by adding slight spring to ones legs).
At some point in the late 1990s, dancers and dance schools in the Western world began using a side-to-side pattern instead of the box steps. The basic steps of this pattern move side to side, changing direction after every tap. Characteristics of this "early" dance school dance are the close connection between partners, soft hip movements, tap with a small "pop" of the hip on the 4th step (1, 2, 3, tap/hip), and not including many turns/figures. Most of the styling in this dance is from ballroom dance and show moves like dips are commonly used. This was the first novel dance to bachata music that was popularized by dance schools outside the Dominican Republic.
Another dance was developed shortly after the western "traditional" and was called Bachatango. [3] This is a fusion dance from Turin, Italy, consisting of short sequences taken from western "traditional" steps combined with different Tango steps and danced like tango. The "pop" count is used to add elaborated sensuality and varied Latin ballroom dance styles and also includes the characteristic kicks from tango. The turns are like in the "western traditional" dance. Although in the past this dance was danced exclusively to bachata music, it has recently been danced to tango music as well. Even though bachatango is unheard of in the Dominican Republic, bachata's country of origin, the dance enjoyed a period of popularity among foreign dance instructors outside the Caribbean. Still, nowadays the dance is not often seen on the social dance floors.
A dance was developed by the Mexican dancer [4] Carlos Espinosa [5] around 2005 based on the "western traditional" basic elements. The basics are the same as the "western traditional" dance, but with added dance elements and styling from Brazilian Zouk, Salsa, tango and garifieira samba ballroom. In this dance, [6] couples typically move their torsos more and greatly exaggerate (especially the ladies). The most direct influence on the modern/moderna dance comes from the adoption of salsa turn patterns; these, together with dips became the core of the dance.
The Sensual dance style was created in Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain, by Korke Escalona and Judith Cordero. [7] [8] [9] [10]
Korke learned the basics of western "traditional" in 1998, but with no more information than the basic step (four steps to the side) and inspired by bachata music, he merged the traditional bachata dynamics with Brazilian zouk dances styles, [11] developing his own dance style inspired by soft bachata songs of Juan Luis Guerra and natural "waving" movements in close position with a partner [12] and by understanding how the leader (traditionally a man) could lead the body of the follower (traditionally a lady) to interpret the music. [13] The result is a novel, independent dance form with strict principles of leading and following, with mostly circular movements and body waves similar to Brazilian Zouk, and with isolations and dips when the dancers feel the music calls for it. [14] [15]
Korke is the creator of the BachataStars competition, in which participants get a random song and show ability to improvise, while showing their dance skills and musicality.[ citation needed ]
Ballroom style is yet another dance developed in the West, primarily for dance competitions rather than social dancing, with very extreme hip movements and much ballroom dance styling. The basic step is based on western "traditional" dance.
RoleRotation was created between the countries of Spain and Portugal by Felipe Ramírez and Tiago Adegas.
During the decade of 2010, Felipe and Tiago discovered that there was a new way of dancing bachata and other social dances. [16] In social dances there exist two well-defined dance roles, the "Leader" (the person who guides the dance) and the "Follower" (the person who follows the commands of the leader). If one person guides the whole dance during one single song, that person is imposing their ideas on the follower, the dance becomes a sort of interrogation. The innovative new concept that was born as "role rotation" allows both dancers to exchange ideas and the lead between them to transform a dance into a more dynamic and interesting conversation.
Traditionally, it has been thought, in general, that the man leads the dance, but social dances, nowadays popular all around the world, evolve with society. Dance roles are not divided anymore as in the previous century by gender (a man leads and a woman follows) but, they can choose to drop the usage of dance roles according to gender roles. [17] New professional dance couples are formed everyday, a woman can lead, a man can follow, and they might even decide to do "Rolerotation", [18] in search of a more egalitarian dance where the use of power and guidance is equal between the dancers.
There are other Western dances, pioneered and promoted by different teachers around the world, each with its own distinct flair. Whether these are considered completely different styles or simply variations of the main styles above is often argued by teachers and students alike.
Ballroom dance is a set of European partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world, mostly because of its performance and entertainment aspects. Ballroom dancing is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television.
The music of Latin America refers to music originating from Latin America, namely the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking regions of the Americas south of the United States. Latin American music also incorporate the indigenous music of Latin America. Due to its highly syncretic nature, Latin American music encompasses a wide variety of styles, including influential genres such as cumbia, bachata, bossa nova, merengue, rumba, salsa, samba, son, and tango. During the 20th century, many styles were influenced by the music of the United States giving rise to genres such as Latin pop, rock, jazz, hip hop, and reggaeton.
Salsa is a Latin American dance, associated with salsa music. It originated in the late Eastern Cuba in the 1940's and gained popularity in New York in 1960.
The Music of Puerto Rico has evolved as a heterogeneous and dynamic product of diverse cultural resources. The most conspicuous musical sources of Puerto Rico have primarily included African, Taino Indigenous, and European influences. Puerto Rican music culture today comprises a wide and rich variety of genres, ranging from essentially native genres such as bomba, jíbaro, seis, danza, and plena to more recent hybrid genres such as salsa, Latin trap and reggaeton. Broadly conceived, the realm of "Puerto Rican music" should naturally comprise the music culture of the millions of people of Puerto Rican descent who have lived in the United States, especially in New York City. Their music, from salsa to the boleros of Rafael Hernández, cannot be separated from the music culture of Puerto Rico itself.
Modern social round dance, or round dancing, is a choreographed and cued ballroom dance that progresses in a circular counter-clockwise pattern around the dance floor. The two major categories of ballroom dances found in round dancing are the smooth and international ballroom styles and the Latin dances. It is not to be confused with circle dancing, which is a type of folk dance in which dancers are connected in a circular chain.
This is a list of dance terms that are not names of dances or types of dances. See List of dances and List of dance style categories for those.
Merengue is a style of Dominican music and dance. Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic and is also important to national identity in the country. It is a type of danced walk and is accessible to a large variety of people with or without dance experience. The music of merengue draws influence from European and Afro-Cuban styles and mainly uses instruments like guitars, drums, and a charrasca or metal scraper. The dance originated as a rural dance and later became a ballroom dance. Merengue has three distinct sections: the paseo, the merengue proper, and the closing jaleo which includes improvisation.
Bachata is a genre of music that originated in the Dominican Republic in the 20th century. It contains elements of European, indigenous Taino and African musical elements, representing the cultural diversity of the Dominican population.
Rhumba, also known as ballroom rumba, is a genre of ballroom music and dance that appeared in the East Coast of the United States during the 1930s. It combined American big band music with Afro-Cuban rhythms, primarily the son cubano, but also conga and rumba. Although taking its name from the latter, ballroom rumba differs completely from Cuban rumba in both its music and its dance. Hence, authors prefer the Americanized spelling of the word (rhumba) to distinguish between them.
The cha-cha-cha, is a dance of Cuban origin. It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by the Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrin in the early 1950s. This rhythm was developed from the danzón-mambo. The name of the dance is an onomatopoeia derived from the shuffling sound of the dancers' feet when they dance two consecutive quick steps that characterize the dance.
The term forró refers to a musical genre, a rhythm, a dance and the event itself where forró music is played and danced. Forró is an important part of the culture of the Northeastern Region of Brazil. It encompasses various dance types as well as a number of different musical genres. Their music genres and dances have gained widespread popularity in all regions of Brazil, especially during the Brazilian June Festivals. Forró has also become increasingly popular all over the world, with a well-established forró scene in Europe.
Mambo is a Latin dance of Cuba which was developed in the 1940s when the music genre of the same name became popular throughout Latin America. The original ballroom dance which emerged in Cuba and Mexico was related to the danzón, albeit faster and less rigid. In the United States, it replaced rhumba as the most fashionable Latin dance. Later on, with the advent of salsa and its more sophisticated dance, a new type of mambo dance including breaking steps was popularized in New York. This form received the name of "salsa on 2", "mambo on 2" or "modern mambo".
In Cuba, a popular dance known as Casino was marketed abroad as Cuban-style salsa or Salsa Cubana to distinguish it from other salsa styles when the name was popularized in the 1970s. Dancing Casino is an expression of popular social culture in Cuba and many Cubans consider casino a part of their social and cultural activities centering on their popular music.
The coladeira is a music genre from the Cape Verde islands in the central Atlantic Ocean.
Bachatango is a style of dance that fuses the four-step Dominican bachata with Argentine tango moves, including elaborated kicks, dips, turns, ganchos, leg wraps and long pauses. The dance is characterized by sensual hip and body movements. Partners hold each other in a closed position where the female's inside right thigh is in contact with the inside of the male's right thigh, while using the hand placements of typical Latin style dances.
Brazilian Zouk is a partner dance which began in Brazil during the early 1990s. Brazilian Zouk evolved from the partner dance known as the Lambada. Over time, Zouk dancers have experimented and incorporated other styles of music into such as R'n'B, pop, hip hop and contemporary.