Rumba has Afro-Cuban origins in the late 19th century. Danced in 4/4 time to big band music, Rumba is a non-progressive dance and has a slow and sensual romantic feel. It is sometimes referred to as the “dance of love.” Rumba has Afro-Cuban origins in the late 19th century. Rumba...
Paso Doble
The Paso Doble was composed as early as 1780 as a military march for the Spanish Infantry. In the 19th century, the music was introduced to bull fights. Paso Doble is a fast dance with a march beat. The moves are sharp and quick and encompass elements of Flamenco and...
Mambo
Mambo developed from the Cuban dance Danzon, and was heavily influenced by Cuban Haitians and American Jazz in the 1940s. Characterized by strong Cuban Motion, Mambo is fast and spicy, with staccato movement and expression of rhythm throughout the body. Mambo is danced in 4/4 time, Mambo music features a...
Jive
The Jive originated with African-Americans in the United States in the early 1930s. The dance was born out of Jitterbug, another form of Swing dancing that was especially popular with the young. The Jive is a fast, happy, and boppy dance with lifted knees and rocking of the hips. It...
Cha Cha
Danced to faster 4/4 time music, Cha Cha is fun and flirtatious. It is a non-progressive dance that emphasizes Cuban Motion and expresses rhythm throughout the body. Cha Cha music is of Cuban origin, introduced by composer and violinist Enrique Jorrin in the 1950s. Cha Cha evolved from a version...
Bolero
Bolero originated in Spain in the late 18th century as a form of ballroom music. The rhythm is related to a slow son, another genre of Cuban music that influenced Rumba. Bolero is believed to have evolved from Afro-Cuban and Spanish folk dances such as Danzon, Beguine, and Fandango. The...