Cuban Salsa vs. New York Style

What is Cuban Salsa?

Cuban Salsa, also known as Casino, is a vibrant and energetic dance style that originated in Cuba. It is deeply rooted in the Afro-Cuban culture, incorporating various elements of Son and Rumba music and dance.

Afro-Cuban Roots

Cuban Salsa draws its essence from the rich African culture brought to Cuba through the transatlantic slave trade. The fusion of African rhythms, melodies, and dance styles with the European influences created a unique and captivating art form.

Influence of Son and Rumba

Son, a popular Cuban music genre, heavily influenced the development of Cuban Salsa. The syncopated rhythms and melodic patterns of Son music form the foundation of the dance. Rumba, with its expressive and sensual movements, also plays a significant role in shaping the style of Cuban Salsa.

Characteristics of Cuban Salsa

• Energetic and Playful: Cuban Salsa is known for its infectious energy and joyous spirit. The dancers exude enthusiasm and passion, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere on the dance floor.
• Partnering and Social Interaction: Unlike other salsa styles, Cuban Salsa emphasizes the importance of social interaction and connection between partners. It is a social dance where dancers interact, exchange energy, and engage in playful improvisation.
• Circular Patterns: Cuban Salsa is characterized by circular movements, with partners moving around each other in a circular fashion. These circular patterns symbolize the unity and interconnectedness of the dancers.
• Footwork and Body Isolation: Cuban Salsa incorporates intricate footwork combined with body isolations. Dancers move their hips, shoulders, and arms independently from each other, creating visually captivating and expressive movements.

Basic Steps and Partnering Techniques

To get started with Cuban Salsa, it is essential to learn the basic steps and partnering techniques. Here are the foundational elements:

Basic Steps

1. Guapea: This is the basic step of Cuban Salsa, where partners face each other and step side-to-side in sync with the music.
2. Dile Que No: In this step, the leader brings the follower back to their original position after a series of moves.
3. Enchufla: This step involves the leader guiding the follower to move from one side to the other by passing behind the leader.

Partnering Techniques

1. Cuban Motion: Cuban Salsa emphasizes the use of hip motion. Both partners should engage their hips and move them in a circular and rhythmic manner.
2. Hand Connection: Maintaining a strong and flexible hand connection is crucial in Cuban Salsa. It allows for clear communication and enhances the connection between partners.
3. Improvisation: Cuban Salsa encourages improvisation and creativity. Dancers are encouraged to add their own style and movements, making each dance unique and personal.

Benefits of Cuban Salsa

• Provides a fun and engaging way to exercise and stay active.
• Enhances coordination, balance, and body awareness.
• Boosts confidence and self-expression.
• Promotes social interaction and builds connections within the dance community.

Cuban Salsa is a lively and captivating dance style that brings people together through its infectious rhythm and joyous spirit. Whether you are a seasoned dancer or a beginner, embracing the vibrant world of Cuban Salsa can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

So put on your dancing shoes, let the music guide you, and immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of Cuban Salsa!

Origins in the Vibrant Salsa Scene of New York City

When it comes to salsa dancing, one cannot ignore the significant influence of the New York City salsa scene. In the 1960s and 1970s, New York City became a melting pot for Latin American cultures, attracting immigrants from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. These diverse communities brought with them their unique styles of music and dance, contributing to the rich tapestry of salsa in the city.

Fusion of Different Dance Forms

The New York Style of salsa is known for its fusion of different dance forms, most notably Mambo and Swing. Mambo, a Cuban dance style, is characterized by its energetic footwork and intricate turns. Swing, on the other hand, brings a smooth and elegant quality to the movements. The combination of these influences creates a unique and dynamic style of salsa that is captivating to watch and exhilarating to dance.

Smooth and Elegant Movements

One of the defining characteristics of the New York Style of salsa is its emphasis on smooth and elegant movements. Dancers in this style strive for fluidity and grace, aiming to create a seamless connection with their partner and the music. The movements are often more linear and controlled compared to other styles, yet they still maintain a sense of energy and passion.

Technique and Musicality

In New York Style salsa, technique and musicality are highly valued. Dancers focus on mastering the fundamentals of footwork, body movement, and partner connection. This attention to technique allows for greater control and precision in executing the intricate patterns and turns that are characteristic of this style. Moreover, dancers in the New York Style pay close attention to the music, interpreting its rhythm and melody through their movements. This emphasis on musicality adds depth and expression to their dancing.

Benefits of New York Style Salsa

To summarize the key points of New York Style salsa, let’s take a look at the benefits it offers:

• Fusion of different dance forms, creating a unique and dynamic style
• Smooth and elegant movements that create a seamless connection with the partner and the music
• Emphasis on technique and musicality, allowing for greater control, precision, and expression in dancing

In conclusion, the New York Style of salsa is an exciting and captivating dance style that has its roots in the vibrant salsa scene of New York City. Its fusion of different dance forms, smooth and elegant movements, and emphasis on technique and musicality make it a popular choice among salsa enthusiasts. So why not give it a try and experience the joy and passion of dancing the New York Style salsa?

Comparison of Cuban Salsa and New York Style

Salsa is a vibrant and energetic dance style that originated in the Caribbean, specifically in Cuba, and later made its way to New York City. As the dance spread across the globe, it underwent various transformations, giving rise to different regional styles. Two of the most popular styles are Cuban Salsa and New York Style. In this blog section, we will delve into the unique characteristics of each style, highlighting their differences in footwork, body movements, musical interpretation, and overall feel. We will also explore the cultural and historical factors that have influenced the development of these two distinct salsa styles.

Footwork

Cuban Salsa:

• Emphasizes circular movements and small steps.
• Dancers often maintain close contact throughout the dance.
• Basic steps involve shifting weight from one foot to the other, either in place or moving in a circular pattern.
• Incorporates intricate footwork patterns, known as “ruedas,” where couples form a circle and execute synchronized moves.

New York Style:

• Places a greater emphasis on linear movements and larger steps.
• Dancers often break away from each other and then reconnect during the dance.
• Basic steps involve forward and backward movements, side steps, and spins.
• Incorporates intricate footwork patterns, known as “shines,” where dancers execute solo steps and turns.

Body Movements

Cuban Salsa:

• Features a more relaxed and fluid style of body movement.
• Dancers utilize their hips and shoulders to create a sensual and rhythmic motion.
• Movements are often circular and incorporate a lot of hip swaying and torso rotations.
• Couples maintain a close connection, allowing for subtle lead and follow cues through body movement.

New York Style:

• Exhibits a more linear and precise style of body movement.
• Dancers maintain a more upright posture with controlled body isolations.
• Movements are often sharp and crisp, with a strong emphasis on arm styling and body lines.
• Couples maintain a connection through the arms and maintain a clear lead and follow communication.

Musical Interpretation

Cuban Salsa:

• Dances closely follow the clave rhythm, which serves as the foundation of Cuban music.
• Dancers focus on interpreting and expressing the various rhythms and instruments present in the music.
• Emphasis is placed on connecting with the music and improvising movements that match the musical accents and breaks.

New York Style:

• Dancers follow the “on1” rhythm, which is characterized by stepping forward on the first beat of the musical phrase.
• Dancers often accentuate the strong beats in the music, incorporating syncopated movements and footwork.
• Emphasis is placed on musicality and executing precise movements that align with the musical accents and breaks.

Overall Feel

Cuban Salsa:

• Reflects the lively and exuberant nature of Cuban culture.
• Dances are often playful, intimate, and filled with spontaneous interactions between partners.
• The focus is on enjoying the dance and connecting with the partner and the music.
• The overall feel of Cuban Salsa is relaxed, joyful, and full of improvisation.

New York Style:

• Reflects the fast-paced and dynamic energy of New York City.
• Dances are often more structured, with a focus on executing intricate patterns and footwork.
• The focus is on precision, technique, and showcasing individual skills.
• The overall feel of New York Style is vibrant, energetic, and polished.

Cultural and Historical Factors

• Cuban Salsa originated in Cuba, where it evolved from a blend of African and Spanish dance styles. It reflects the rich cultural heritage and vibrant music scene of the country.
• New York Style salsa emerged in the 1960s and 1970s when Latin American immigrants brought their music and dance to the vibrant salsa clubs of New York City. It represents the fusion of various Latin dance styles with the urban energy of the city.

Choosing Your Style

When it comes to salsa dancing, two of the most popular styles are Cuban Salsa and New York Style. Both have their unique characteristics and appeal to different dancers. In this blog section, we will explore the factors that can help you choose between these two styles. By considering your personal preferences, music preferences, and dance goals, you can make an informed decision about which style suits you best.

Personal Preferences

One of the first things to consider when choosing your salsa style is your personal preferences. Each style has its own flavor, energy, and movements. Here are some factors to consider:

Footwork Complexity

• Cuban Salsa: Known for its intricate footwork patterns and fast-paced movements.
• New York Style: Focuses more on smooth and elegant movements, with simpler footwork patterns.

Body Movement

• Cuban Salsa: Emphasizes hip and body movements, allowing for a more expressive and sensual style.
• New York Style: Focuses on partner connection and intricate arm styling, with less emphasis on body movements.

Energy and Social Interaction

• Cuban Salsa: Often danced in a circular motion with a lot of energy and lively interactions between partners and within the group.
• New York Style: Generally danced in a linear fashion, with a smoother and more sophisticated energy.

Consider which style aligns better with your personal preferences and the type of dance experience you are looking for.

Music Preferences

Another important factor in choosing your salsa style is your music preferences. Both Cuban Salsa and New York Style have their own unique musicality. Here’s what to consider:

Rhythm and Timing

• Cuban Salsa: Typically danced to traditional Cuban music, with a strong emphasis on the clave beat and syncopated rhythms.
• New York Style: Often danced to a variety of salsa music, including classic salsa, mambo, and Latin jazz, with a focus on the on2 timing.

Instrumentation and Style

• Cuban Salsa: Features traditional Cuban instruments such as congas, bongos, and timbales, creating a lively and vibrant sound.
• New York Style: Incorporates a wider range of instruments, including brass sections and piano, resulting in a more polished and sophisticated sound.

Consider which style’s music resonates with you and makes you want to move to the rhythm.

Dance Goals

Your dance goals and aspirations should also be taken into account when choosing your salsa style. Here are some considerations:

Social Dancing

• Cuban Salsa: Ideal for social dancing in a more casual and relaxed environment, where improvisation and interaction with other dancers are key.
• New York Style: Well-suited for social dancing in a more structured and formal setting, often seen at salsa congresses and performance showcases.

Performance and Choreography

• Cuban Salsa: Offers more opportunities for improvisation and freestyle dancing, allowing for creativity and spontaneity in performances.
• New York Style: Often involves complex choreographed routines, showcasing intricate partner work and synchronized movements.

Consider whether you are more interested in social dancing or exploring performance opportunities, as this can guide you towards the appropriate style.

Making Your Choice

By weighing your personal preferences, music preferences, and dance goals, you can make an informed decision about which style suits you best. Remember, there is no right or wrong choice – both Cuban Salsa and New York Style have their own unique appeal and can provide a fulfilling salsa dance experience.

Take your time to explore both styles, attend classes and social dances, and most importantly, have fun on the dance floor. Happy salsa dancing!

[Comparison Table]

Note: Keep in mind that while this comparison table provides a general overview, individual instructors and dance communities may have variations within each style. It’s always a good idea to try different classes or workshops to get a better sense of the specific style taught in your area.