Re: Mambo - What's A "Proper" Mambo Step?

Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2003 16:39:03 -0700
Newsgroups: rec.arts.dance
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"Matthew Lybanon" <email-address-deleted> wrote in message
news:email-address-deleted...
> An instructor gave a good explanation (which I won't attempt to
> reproduce in full) about the difference between tempo and rhythm in
> dancing--specifically, with regard to the difference between Salsa and
> Mambo.
:
Since the subject is still alive, here you are:
From http://www.socialdancestudio.com/Descriptions/salsa.htm
<<<<<<
There are several main styles of Salsa:
1. Cumbia style is most common in the Central and South American countries.
The Cumbia step (or the back basic) is typically danced on 1 or 3. The
leader steps back with his left foot on the 1st beat and back with his right
foot on the 5th. Cumbia is characterized by a very bouncy style with each
partner doing alternating left turns. Because Cumbia is very popular in
Mexico and since the Latin community in the Twin Cities is largely Mexican,
Cumbia is the most common style of Salsa danced in Minneapolis.
2. Ballroom mambo style is primarily done in ballroom competitions. It is
danced on 2 and the count is 2,3,4,pause,6,7,8,pause. This dance is
characterized by very sharp, dramatic movements. Ballroom mambo can be
difficult to lead socially, but is optimally designed for choreography and
competition.
3. Casino style salsa is based in Miami with strong Cuban influence. It's
danced on 1 with a forward and back basic and cross-body lead. The forward
and back basic is different from the other styles because the leader steps
forward with the right foot while the follower steps forward with the left.
Casino style can be danced by couples or in a very large group called a
"Rueda" or wheel. In these Ruedas, a caller calls or hand signals each move
and the entire wheel does the move simultaneously. Both the men and the
women continually rotate around the wheel, switching partners. In Miami,
wheels can be several hundred people large and is an awesome sight to see.
4. New York style salsa has strong Puerto Rican influences. While there are
some people in NY who dance on 1 or on the Ballroom 2 (also called the
Palladium 2 or RazzMTazz 2), NY is especially known for their own
distinctive style, known as Mambo Typico. The beat is for Mambo Typico is
1,2,3,pause,5,6,7,pause, but the breaking step is on 2. This timing gives
the dancers an extra beat to do their moves and results in a smooth style
characterized by lots of spins. The proponents of this timing are quite
enthusiastic and there are many people who go out dancing wearing t-shirts
with the "On 2" logo.
5. Los Angeles style salsa is danced on 1. Like the NY style, the LA basic
step is the forward and back basic and the cross-body lead. LA style is
characterized by very dramatic, flashy moves. Both men and women have a
great deal of styling that is smoothly integrated into the dance making it
even more sensual. The first annual Salsa Congress was held in LA in 1999
and now it has become the largest Salsa convention, bringing together over
3000 dancers from all over the world.
>>>>>
;mikkalai
''''