1940 and 1950 in New York City, Salsa emerged from fusion of Afro-Cuban Mambo and Big Band Jazz.
Suede bottom shoes to pivot and turn
Skirts and light weight T-shirts for women
Hair worn up and out of the way
Makeup that stays on when you sweat
Light weight slacks and shirts for men
Dance to “Oye Como Va” by Tito Puente
Spanish vocals
Warm resonant tone of six stringed guitar
High-pitched sounds of Conga and Bongo drums
Bright, penetrating clicking sound of claves
Low bass sounds
Bright shrill sound of piano
Sound waves for ukulele
Exuberant horns
Echo of Cow Bells
Thin hollow sound of Timbales
Flute
Hear and feel the strong beat
160 to 220 beats per minute
Step on one two three, don’t step on four, step on five six seven, don’t step on eight
Quick quick slow, quick quick slow
Basic steps: Stepping forward and backward with first foot, then stepping with the other foot to meet it
Side step: same as basic step only performed side to side
Rotations and turns: rotating the follow dancer, Cross Body Lead, and Cross Body Lead with Inside Turn
Break steps: pauses that happen on specific counts within the eight-count music pattern, often used to transition between steps or change direction
Six-step pattern with an eight-count music beat with variations and turns
Timing: can be danced on 1 (break forward on 1, break back on 5) or break forward on 6, break back on 2) depending on timing
Use your hips
Break apart
Step on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Hot, hot, hot
Remain in your slot
Fast-paced nature
You are moving
Hot and sweaty
Switch places from one side of slot to the other
Dancers circle around each other
Endorphins
Feel Alive
Invigorating
Free and liberating
Footwork, arm work, body movements
Spins
Body isolations
Shoulder shimmies
Body rolls
Hand styling
Acrobatics
Lifts
Here we go
Channel your feelings through movement
Relieve your stress
Positive vibes
Discover your own style
Express yourself
Leave the floor feeling fulfilled, connected and energized
Cuban chicken, pork mojo
Fried plantains
Black beans and rice
Lime juice, paprika, smoked chili powder, oregano
Onions, tomatoes, cumin,jalapeno,cilantro
Fresh pineapple salsa
Mojito using a sugar-based syrup with mint leaves and lime
Great fun, great workout, great food
“Spice and Sauce” Salsa