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“ Salsa Alive in Portland! ”

by Dale Cutsforth

Salsa is “hot” everywhere, and especially hot in Portland. Most commercials have a background of Latin music. The hottest vocalists are Latin. The music is addicting, happy and just makes you want to move. Even small children have to get up and dance when the music begins to play. Although the music has been very popular in cities like Miami and New York because of the large Latino populations in those cities, it has now spread to even small towns with very small Latino populations. Young adults in colleges and even grade school has developed a taste for Salsa. Salsa outsells Ketchup now, you know.

Mambo is a Latin dance that most ballroom dancers are familiar with. Tito Puente when asked on national TV, “what is the difference between Mambo and Salsa”, his answer “hype, how to sell something old to a new generation”. Tito Puente is considered to be the God Father of Salsa. He probably knows.

Like all things that become new once they are old enough, Salsa changed a little from the days of Mambo. Mambo was danced breaking on the 2 beat just like Cha Cha. Salsa has evolved and is commonly danced breaking on the 1 beat. This is good news for beginner dancers because it is easier to hear the 1 beat which is a heavy beat, than to break on the 2 beat. However, the dance is now danced breaking on 1, 2, or 3 beat. The only thing to remember is that whatever beat you break on, you must be consistent and break on that beat. However, it is best to break on the one beat because that is what most dancers are doing. Hip action when breaking on the one beat is not as pronounced as when breaking on the two beat. Just like the Salsa you eat with Taco’s, Salsa the dance has become a mixture of cultures, rhythms and dances from all over the world. Dancers from different parts of the world puts a little of their moves and styling into the dance and call it Salsa. Salsa dancers from Columbia and Puerto Rico dance salsa with a kick and side steps. Cuban and Puerto Rican Salsa dancers, do a basic forward and back. Whatever Salsa style you prefer all Salsa dancers have one thing in common, to dance Salsa and make it fun, after all dance is a universal language. Or was that Love.

Casino Rueda is Salsa danced in a circle. This dance phenomena has spread all over the world because it is so much fun. One year ago Satin & Latin Dance Studio (See cover of photo of Casino Rueda group) brought Casino Rueda to Portland and as the popularity of Salsa has grown so have the Casino Rueda. The Salsa clubs are packed, it’s nearly impossible to walk let alone dance in these clubs. So a Latin dance will be held every Saturday night beginning November 27, 1999 at the beautiful Temple Ballroom. The ballroom will be filled with dancers who want to dance. This will be an alcohol and smoke free event with all ages welcome. A free dance class is included with admission. There will be a rotation of various teachers who will instruct the Salsa classes. There will be some great Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia dancers from as far away as Eugene and Seattle attending these dances. Try something different and spend a tropical night at the Temple Ballroom. Watch for some great Casino Rueda dancers and join the fun, get in the circle. New Casino Rueda classes are starting on November 4, 1999. Call Satin & Latin to register for classes in this new dance sensation.

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