Salsa originated in the Caribbean when the music of African slaves blended with the styles of local cultures. Known as the mambo, it was comprised of dancing styles from the Europeans and the Africans. When you see people doing the salsa, they usually have a partner. The meaning of salsa is “sauce”, or it could refer to a combination of ingredients.

In New York, Latinos brought over the mambo where it became an important part of the Puerto Rican community that resided largely in Spanish Harlem and the Bronx. It was not until the 1950s that Anglo Saxons recognized the dance it and became mainstream. Over time, members of the Puerto Rican community coined the term salsa as the music and dancing was modernized.

Salsa is danced in a four beat measure of music. There are different styles of salsa that are performed with the such as dancing “on1″ or “on2″. On2 is also known as the New York style. It involves dancers staying in what is called the “slot”. The slot is meant to efficiently make use of tight space in a crowded nightclub by keeping the dancers in a straight line as opposed to dancing around in circular motion. New York Style places more focus on “shines”. Shines is a salsa dance format where the dancers break from their partnerwork to perform solo movements.

New York salsa is lead in a position that is either open or closed. When the position is open, the two dances hold hands either one pair or both. For the closed position, the person who is leading places their right hand on their partner’s back The partner places their left hand and the leading person’s shoulder.

Stylistically, New York style distinguishes itself through precision movements, elegant styling, and spinning technique. This helps dancers execute firm patterns that are considered to be difficult for the average person to do. Dancers from elsewhere also use their components from New York and do it On 1.

Dancers in New York place emphasis on timing and the kind of music that is played. Dance socials play for the most part what is called “salsa dura”. Salsa dura is also known as “hard salsa”. Hard salsa is when the music is in the mid to up tempo range. You will hear more of the percussion and the band more than you will hear the person singing.

Not only do dancers in New York prefer to dance On2 but also many professional salsa teachers appreciate the timing, and precision of dancing On2. Dancers of the New York style are prominent in many cities all around the world.

Todd is the founder of Urban Salsa Dance Company located in Times Square. Urban Salsa offers weekly NYC Salsa Classes for both new and experienced dancers.

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