The Cha Cha is a dance that evolved from Mambo in the Palladium days in New York city. The Triple Mambo, a form of Mambo, was danced in night clubs in the Spanish Harlem, which had three quick changes of weight and sounded like 'cha-cha-cha'. By the 1950s, Triple Mambo was simplified and slowed down, and soon came to be known as a dance form of its own, called Cha Cha. The Cha Cha became the slower and methodical dance with much of style inherited from its parent dance, Mambo.
Street style Cha Cha allows for a natural movement of the hips that come from the shifting of weight. As opposed to its ballroom counterpart, street style is less structured and formulated, giving room for innovation and freedom of expression to the music.
Merengue
Merengue is the national dance of the Domnican Republic. The main characteristic of Merengue music its upbeat rythm and strong 1-2-1-2 pulse. The dance is characterised by its hip movement as weight is shifted from side to side. Merengue is danced as a couple and is regarded as one of the simpliest dances to learn.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Salsa dancing for Beginners - What to look out for
Summary: Salsa dancing in the club is great fun, it's also en eye-opening experience for most beginners who are eager to start dancing. In the frenzy, many female beginners let their guard down in the name of learning this sexy, saucy dance, only to find unfortunate encounters with sleazy men. Find out how to be alert while having fun on the dance floor.
Salsa is all about your connection with the partner you are dancing with. Unfortunately, sometimes you do stumble upon people who are all to ready to establish that connection, in fact, a very tangible one.
Truth be told, the lovely world of salsa is not spared from the occasional plague of opportunistic men, who dance for the thrill of getting a chance to deliberately misplacing their hands.
Opps, a brush across the chest 'cos she did not turn fast enough.
Or a convenient brush on the behind while trying to lead by the hips.
The fact is: 100% of men are hot-blooded males. 99.9% of men who dance salsa are decent, polite gentlemen. But it's that 0.01% that women have to be wary of, especially the newbies.
Most of the seasoned dancers avoid them like a plague, however, it is always the innocent and unsuspecting beginner ladies who are the unfortunate victims.
Here is some advice for the newbies out there:
1) Be a little more streetwise. If you would not let a suspicious, sleazy-looking man into your home, then do not let such men near your bosom. Trust your gut instincts (all women have it! just search deeper) Avoid men who give you the bad vibes, if you are unsure of his intentions, then turn him down politely first. If later on you realise that you have misjudged his character, then you can always ask him for a dance.
2) Do not feel obligued to continue a dance which makes you feel uncomfortable. If you find yourself wondering whether salsa is about allowing men to touch you in all the places your common sense tells you he should not, then stop. Because salsa is not a 'touchy feely' dance and the genuine dancers would never touch you in places other than your shoulder blades, hips and hands.
3) Be alert. If you have accepted a dance against your better judgement, then be vigilant at all times. Do not get to caught up with trying to following his crazy turn patterns, just keep your cool and keep your distance. If he tries to lead you into a compromising position, then don't do it. Just let go of his hand, go "oops" and pretend you did not get that lead.
Remember, men may initiate the lead but it is up to the ladies to accept it and choose to follow. Even though it may be a male-dominated dance, in a sense, there is always room for women's rights.
In the unfortunate event that an incident occurs, do not be afriad to speak up. 'Cos if you do not, nobody will be able to help you!
I hope this has not scared any of you beginners who are eager to start dancing. It really is not that bad, a few bad eggs does not spoil the whole basket. It is just a matter of raising awareness so women do not let their guard down just because they are learning a new dance.
Try going with your instructor to the salsa club for the first time, he/she will probably point out who to be wary of.
Salsa classes in Singapore at Dance Unlimited. www.danceunlimited.sg
Dance Chic - For the latest Salsa news and event highlights in Asia www.dancechic.com
Get your website on the top of Google, Yahoo & MSN with the Search Engine Optimization experts.
Salsa is all about your connection with the partner you are dancing with. Unfortunately, sometimes you do stumble upon people who are all to ready to establish that connection, in fact, a very tangible one.
Truth be told, the lovely world of salsa is not spared from the occasional plague of opportunistic men, who dance for the thrill of getting a chance to deliberately misplacing their hands.
Opps, a brush across the chest 'cos she did not turn fast enough.
Or a convenient brush on the behind while trying to lead by the hips.
The fact is: 100% of men are hot-blooded males. 99.9% of men who dance salsa are decent, polite gentlemen. But it's that 0.01% that women have to be wary of, especially the newbies.
Most of the seasoned dancers avoid them like a plague, however, it is always the innocent and unsuspecting beginner ladies who are the unfortunate victims.
Here is some advice for the newbies out there:
1) Be a little more streetwise. If you would not let a suspicious, sleazy-looking man into your home, then do not let such men near your bosom. Trust your gut instincts (all women have it! just search deeper) Avoid men who give you the bad vibes, if you are unsure of his intentions, then turn him down politely first. If later on you realise that you have misjudged his character, then you can always ask him for a dance.
2) Do not feel obligued to continue a dance which makes you feel uncomfortable. If you find yourself wondering whether salsa is about allowing men to touch you in all the places your common sense tells you he should not, then stop. Because salsa is not a 'touchy feely' dance and the genuine dancers would never touch you in places other than your shoulder blades, hips and hands.
3) Be alert. If you have accepted a dance against your better judgement, then be vigilant at all times. Do not get to caught up with trying to following his crazy turn patterns, just keep your cool and keep your distance. If he tries to lead you into a compromising position, then don't do it. Just let go of his hand, go "oops" and pretend you did not get that lead.
Remember, men may initiate the lead but it is up to the ladies to accept it and choose to follow. Even though it may be a male-dominated dance, in a sense, there is always room for women's rights.
In the unfortunate event that an incident occurs, do not be afriad to speak up. 'Cos if you do not, nobody will be able to help you!
I hope this has not scared any of you beginners who are eager to start dancing. It really is not that bad, a few bad eggs does not spoil the whole basket. It is just a matter of raising awareness so women do not let their guard down just because they are learning a new dance.
Try going with your instructor to the salsa club for the first time, he/she will probably point out who to be wary of.
Salsa classes in Singapore at Dance Unlimited. www.danceunlimited.sg
Dance Chic - For the latest Salsa news and event highlights in Asia www.dancechic.com
Get your website on the top of Google, Yahoo & MSN with the Search Engine Optimization experts.
Salsa festival passes sold online!
Salsa Congress/Festival passes are now sold online on Dance Chic!
We are currently selling passes for the Salsa India Festival coming up over the Good Friday & Easter weekend (5-8 April).
Coming up in August is the China Salsa congress in Beijing, from 8- 12 August, where they will be dancing on the Great Wall of China apparently.
It's both secure and convenient to get your passes online. You'll get an invoice emailed to you so you'll have a proof of purchase. All you have to do is bring it along with you to the event you'll be attending. We'll do the rest!
We are currently selling passes for the Salsa India Festival coming up over the Good Friday & Easter weekend (5-8 April).
Coming up in August is the China Salsa congress in Beijing, from 8- 12 August, where they will be dancing on the Great Wall of China apparently.
It's both secure and convenient to get your passes online. You'll get an invoice emailed to you so you'll have a proof of purchase. All you have to do is bring it along with you to the event you'll be attending. We'll do the rest!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Dance Chic Online Store
The Dance Chic Online Store will be coming your way very soon!
For greater convenience, you'll be able to pay online for festival/congress passes to various congresses or festivals around Asia! The next congress is the Syndey Salsa Congress, for event passes, email events@dancechic.com.
On top of festival passes, we'll also have isntructional DVDs from some of the most famous International instructors.
More in the works... so stay tuned for more!
For greater convenience, you'll be able to pay online for festival/congress passes to various congresses or festivals around Asia! The next congress is the Syndey Salsa Congress, for event passes, email events@dancechic.com.
On top of festival passes, we'll also have isntructional DVDs from some of the most famous International instructors.
More in the works... so stay tuned for more!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Welcome to the official Dance Chic blog!
For those who are new to Dance Chic, please visit our website to find out all about Salsa events happening all over Asia!
You'll also find information on various places to salsa throughout Asia just so that you Salsa-fanatics out there can add a lil' Salsa dancing to your travel itinerary. We're currently updating the locations to be sure that we're bringing you the most up-to-date information cos there's nothing worse than landing yourself in a hip-hop club when you're all psyched up for your Salsa fix. Currently, we have the most updated locations of Salsa Clubs in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia India and Taiwan. More locations to come!
Till the next post, sign up at www.dancechic.com for the latest Salsa updates!
You'll also find information on various places to salsa throughout Asia just so that you Salsa-fanatics out there can add a lil' Salsa dancing to your travel itinerary. We're currently updating the locations to be sure that we're bringing you the most up-to-date information cos there's nothing worse than landing yourself in a hip-hop club when you're all psyched up for your Salsa fix. Currently, we have the most updated locations of Salsa Clubs in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia India and Taiwan. More locations to come!
Till the next post, sign up at www.dancechic.com for the latest Salsa updates!
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