Salsa "On1"

The history of "Salsa" dance is peppered with hearsay and contradiction. Although few would disagree that the music and dance forms originate largely in Cuban Son, most agree that Salsa as we know it today is a North American interpretation of the older forms. New York's Latino community had a vibrant musical and dancing scene throughout the '50s but found limited success with the 'Anglo' mainstream. In the 1970s, adoption of the term "Salsa" reduced the linguistic and cultural barriers to mainstream adoption of Latin music and dance.

The modernization of the Mambo in the 1950s was influential in shaping what would become salsa. There is debate as to whether the dance we call Salsa today originated in Cuba or Puerto Rico. Cuba's influence in North America was diminished after Castro's revolution and the ensuing trade embargo. New York's Latino community was largely Puerto-Rican. Salsa is one of the main dances in both Cuba and Puerto Rico and is known world-wide.

Distinctive moves & characteristics

• Basic: Forward and back (from Mambo). Exectued within an 8-count bar and stepped over 6 counts. Breaking steps on 1 or 2 and 5 or 6.
• Cross body lead: (from West Coast Swing) Where the leader opens up counter-clockwise allowing a slot for the follower to cross and change positions.
• Two-handed partnerwork: Turnpatterns are common for many dance styles, however two-handed turnpatters is very characteristic for salsa.
• Body Movement: Shoulders, hips, ribcage movement and isolations are characteristics all salsa dancers strive to master.
• Shines: Solo footwork sequences with influences from afro-cuban rumba, pachanga, tap, cha cha and more.

The word "Salsa" means something different to everyone. It is a term that encompasses a number of different things such as Latin dancing, the music, the culture, the style and flair, etc. Salsa is very cross-cultural and has to be respected. Although many countries around the world listen to the same salsa music, everyone dances it differently. In some Latin American countries, people interpret the music in their own particular way and dance salsa using their own unique blend of regional steps, styling, and turn combinations.

Salsa dancing is unique because it can absorb so many steps from all other dances. A salsa dancer in Cuba may not dance the same way as a salsa dancer from Colombia or a salsa dancer from Mexico or New York, Los Angles or Italy! However, everyone dances to the same music, may use the same steps, but look different because they add their own style or "flavour" from their region! Different salsa dance styles have developed due to this and you will hear people talking about "Salsa on1", "Salsa on2", "Cuban salsa", "Colombian style salsa", "Puerto Rican style salsa" etc. But we are dancing the same genre - Salsa!

There is no "correct" text-book method on how to dance social salsa. What matters most is dancing to the rhythm of the music. Despite the differences in style, all who dance salsa obey the underlying 8-beat rhythm. For competition style salsa, each competition will have their own guide lines on what style of salsa is allowed. Having said that, at Latinissimo we have created the most structured and most comprehensive salsa curriculum we have ever come across. Our instructors follow this curriculum to make you the best salsa dancer you can be!

ATTENTION: All salsa courses at Latinissimo are taught in the Modern Mambo/Salsa "on2" timing.

 

At this level you will learn all the key elements and fundamentals of "linear" style salsa (on2). This course is aimed for the student who has little or no experience in salsa. We start from the very beginning with all the salsa basics, rhythm, timing & salsa instrumentation. We will then continue with the fundamentals of partner dancing, basic lead and following techniques, turns and how to put it all together into basic figures and fun easy flowing variations.

Throughout this course, your goal is to learn the basic terminology, understand the 7 fundamental basic salsa steps and be able to lead (if you are the leader) OR be able to follow (if you are the follower) the basic figures and variations taught in the course. The basics taught in this fundamental course are absolutely vital as they will follow you throughout and always be referred to in higher levels. You will also learn basic salsa shines that we believe are appropriate for this level to get you moving and grooving on your own and help you develop ability and agility for holding your own on the dance floor. Additionally, you will learn about salsa music and how to connect your dancing to salsa instrumentation. In return developing a skill to listen and follow salsa percussion.

Level 1 will set your all your fundamentals. Once completed the full program, you may book a free 15-min Salsa level 1 assessment to progress to level 2.

Pre-requisite: None

Beginners PLUS is for those who have completed Level 1 (Beginners Salsa) and feel they are ready to move on, or may have done a salsa beginners course elsewhere and are not sure where they fit in. This course will explore how you can change the look of the basics you have learned in Level 1 without changing the actual basic steps.

Basics boring...?! No way! It is here you will creatively explore the beginners level further and find out how much fun it can really be with the simplicity of the basics and its variations! This course will also give you an even more solid foundation and understanding of the basics and build your confidence to prepare you for Level 3 (Improvers). Please note that this course is not suitable for absolute beginners as it is assumed that you have full understanding of the basic steps and terminology.

Pre-requisite: Successfully completed Salsa Level 1 assessment

In this course you will learn to combine and create variations of the fundamentals taught in the beginners course, taking your salsa dancing to a new level - Improvers. You will learn how to make your dancing flow with simple, fun and interesting concepts and moves.

Basic salsa styling is introduced. By the end of the course, you should be able to dance to slow and normal salsa music, lead and follow improver level combinations and keep the timing while dancing.

Pre-requisite: Must have full understanding of Absolute Beginners & Beginners PLUS+ (levels 1 & 2).

These classes are for dancers who are familiar with and are comfortable with all the steps, turns, partner fundamentals and variations of beginners & improver levels. We will continue with exciting combinations by incorporating even more variations of all the basic fundamentals. You will learn new skills and fundamentals that an intermediate salsa dancers should posses and master.

We will also focus on, and enhance your lead/following technique. New footwork variations working on timing, weight transfer, speed, technique, balance, body movement, arms and more. Also introduction to lead and follow multiple spinning. This level will use all the key aspects of the previous levels to prepare the you for the more challenging variations and shines of advanced (level 5).

Pre-requisite: Must have full understanding of beginners & improvers (levels 1, 2 & 3)