Latin–American Dances

Latin–American dances are extremely perky and create one of a kind atmosphere. They require a positive attitude and high energy. They emphasize the individuality and uniqueness of each partner. Martha's Dance Center offers:

Click here to find out about Standard Dances.


Salsa

Salsa is a thrilling dance and helps to forget daily problems. Salsa was born in Cuba in the forties from the combination of Afro–Cuban and Caribbean rhythms under a big influence of jazz. It is a quick dance that requires a lot of physical abilities as well as sensual body movements. It doesn’t constitute of clear, steady figures — the essence is to play with a partner, seduce through one's natural motions. Salsa belongs to improvised dances and there are not so many rules to it.

Salsa will make your body more flexible and your movements more graceful. You will to have no fear anymore to dance on a party. It guarantees having a great time.

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Cha–Cha

Cha–Cha is relatively young dance with the Cuban origins. It directly comes from Triple Mambo which is characterized by clear beats and it’s easy to count.

As in all Latin rhythms, cha–cha music is based on strong drums division. This dynamic, joyful and flirting dance is suitable for anyone, any age.

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Samba

Samba is an integral part of Brazilian culture — it's the music and dance of the nation. Each year, in February, for five days and nights the carnival lasts.

There are many different versions of Samba and each type has their own pace, bounces and spirit. The Brazilian rhythms are exceptionally diverse and exciting. In order to capture the character of Samba, the dancers should dive into the flirting atmosphere of carnival dance. One has to control body movements, especially hips.

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East Coast Swing

Also called The Jitterbug, East Coast Swing is the official "sock hop" swing dance for jump blues. East Coast Swing is a circular, rotating swing dance that has many wraps, tunnels, and turns. The basic step is: triple step, triple step, rock step.

The music is diverse and includes oldies (Elvis and Chuck Berry), jump blues, country, big band, and top 40. East Coast Swing is a versatile dance suitable for both the ballroom and the bar room. With a wide range of music to choose from you can swing to almost anything.

Since this is a quick dance, the steps should be small and light. The basic step is tough at first. Fortunately, it's like learning to jump rope: initially it's awkward, but eventually it becomes smooth and nearly effortless.


Rumba

Rumba is a dance of Latin America; it's Afro–Cuban dance of fertility. In Cuba, the word "rumba" itself refers to folk dance and means same as music, dance and times when it’s danced. It’s a very spectacular dance, where man and woman dance only for one another. Mutual seduction and the attempt to flirt are the permanent elements of this dance.

Rumba is danced almost in one place and expresses the affection of both partners. It's a dance of high level of erotism, full of unexpected movements of hips, arms and the entire body.

To see a video click here.


Jive

Before Jive was known, there were Jittebug and Boogie-Woogie, which were widespread all around the world by American Soldiers in 1940.

Jittebug was a dance full of expressive movements and acrobatic dance evolutions. Musical rhythms of Jittebug had unusual magic to enter the state of euphoria. In England the dance was tempered but the rhythms stayed unaffected. That's how Jive was born — dance of extraordinary vigor for all of those who always want to be young.


Paso Doble

Paso Doble is Spanish dance that brings the atmosphere of arena and bullfights. Man plays a role of a bullfighter who holds a red fabric – a woman. Both partners move around imaginary bull where sometimes the woman also takes a role of the bull.

The character of music expresses an increasing tension until the accent which arouses the enthusiasm in the last beat. Paso Doble is the only dance that does not allow any shortcuts in the presentation. It is a spectacular dance where dancers entertain by taking various poises and manifesting their artistic expressions.