Latin Club Series

Latin club dances bring a level of excitement and fun to our lives. At The Dance Place our Latin Club program is tailored specifically to BRAND NEW dancers. In this 12 week course, you will be introduced to the basics of three latin dances popular in nightclubs all around the world. Currently we rotate from a list of 5 of the most popular club dances: Cha Cha, Bachata, Rumba, Merengue and Samba.

Cha Cha

First seen in the dance-halls of America in the early 1950’s, Cha Cha is the newcomer of the Latin American dances. Danced slower than the salsa the cha is cheeky and flirtatous.  This dance has wide application because cha cha music is popular in all music genres, including country, funk, and hip-hop. Popular mainstream artists such as Santana, Marc Anthony, and Jennifer Lopez are putting out great cha cha music. This is a party dance! Whereas the Rumba might have an intense expression, the interpretation of Cha Cha music typically produces a happy, carefree, party-time-like dance expression.

Bachata

Bachata is a sensual and sexy dance that originated in the countryside and rural, marginal neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic in the 1960's. The lyrics of Bachata songs are usually romantic and the body movements and steps of the dance are comparable to the Lambada. Bachata music is produced with the use of electronic instruments. The guitar, however, plays a major role in creating its characteristic rhythm. Bachata was influenced by Rhumba and Son, yet still holds its own distinctive sound.

Rumba

"To lead you must follow. To follow you must lead." In this class, explore the art of leading and following through the romantic Rumba. Originating in the tropics of Cuba, the Rumba was first introduced in the US in 1933 where it has remained a popular dance to the present. Rumba is a partner dance with one partner being the "leader" and the other being the "follower." This class explores the arts of
leading and following. It's a great class for singles! No partner needed to learn these most basic dancing skills. This class is open to singles and couples who want to learn how to lead and follow the basic Rumba dance rhythms.

Samba

As a ballroom dance, the samba is a partner dance. Ballroom samba is a form created for its suitability as a partner dance.  The samba is a lively dance made up of a combination of other dances with South American beats. The samba was inspired by the lundu, an African dance that resembles the Spanish fandango. The samba is known for its knee and hip movements as well as its rhythmic walking, bounces on the ball of the foot and wide open arms.  Samba is a lively, rhythmical dance of Brazilian origin in 2/4 time danced under the Samba music. However, there are three steps to every bar, making the Samba feel like a 3/4 timed dance.

Merengue

Merengue dancing is a style of partner dancing originating in the Dominican Republic. It is performed to merengue music, the official music of the Dominican Republic.  Merengue dancing first gained popularity in the Dominican Republic in the mid-19th century, though it was denounced by the upper classes in favor of native dance forms such as the Tumba. Merengue may have taken its name from one portion of a contemporary Cuban dance called upa.

Merengue dancing as traditionally performed is characterized by a stylized limping step, known as paso de la empalizada, or the "pole-fence step." Legend tells that the style was developed to imitate or flatter a wounded war hero or government leader who danced with a limp. The empalizada causes the dancers' hips to sway, and ideally, partners' hips move in sync with each other throughout the dance. A couple may perform slow turns, dance sideways, circle each other, and turn independently, in addition to other ballroom choreography. Merengue dancing is taught at dance studios around the world as a Latin nightclub dance, though the empalizada of the Dominican Republic is often replaced with the more exaggerated Cuban hip motion used in other Latin ballroom styles.