Dance and music of Latin America
Latin America thrives on its culture. Its dance and music is known as very sexy and promiscuous and recognizable by anyone familiar with dance. The history of the salsa and the more popular Latin dances were created and embraced into the culture in the early and middle 1900s. It is the music that shaped the dances into what they are today. It was the mariachi bands of Mexico that stirred up the quick paced rhythms and playful movements at the same time that Cuba was embracing similar musical and dance styles. Traditional dance was blended with a new modern way of moving and there becomes a whole new dance rage. The dances from those days evolved and were influenced by modern music and as sex and the hip gestures became more accepted. Everyone hears the stories how when Elvis performed live on television and could only shown from the waste up; I could only imagine how a Latin ballroom competition would have been broadcasted in the United States. \r\n \r\n America is very accepting today of these dances. You can find Latino night in most dance clubs. Ballroom studios teach lessons on these dances. And one can even find the cha-cha being done in honky-tonk country bars. Miami is a large contributor of the United StatesÃÂàinvolvement in Latin dancing. With such a huge Puerto Rican and Cuban population one can find Latin dancing and music in the streets at any time of day or night. \r\n\r\n The dances of Latin America are derived and named by the type of music it is done to. For example, mambo, salsa, cha cha, rumba, merengue, samba, flamenco, bachata, and probably most recognizable the tango are among the most popular. Each of the types of music has specific steps that go with the music, the counts, the rhythms, and the style. \r\n\r\n Style in Latin American dancing is very risquÃÂé. These dances for the most part are done with a partner as a social dance, but there is never a reason not to dance by oneself. The music is so inviting you would be hard pressed to hear a Latin beat and not see everyone feeling the rhythm. However, there are many conservatives that are offended by the extreme hip movement and the connection between partners. Many of the dances are done in a close embrace while others are more traditional to ballroom dancing and hold a stronger frame.\r\n\r\n All dancing evolves and Latin dancing has done a lot of contributing to other types of dances we have today. The music is still popular as well. Many popular artists are modernizing the music while there are many who hold true to their traditional roots. Either way there will be more Latin dancing to come, but luckily the traditional dances are being embraced and conserved just as strongly.