Learn About the Latin Dance, Merengue!

Did you make a resolution for 2014 to add some excitement in your life and try something new? A promise to exercise more and get yourself in better shape? Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona can help you stick to your resolutions in a FUN way! At Dance FX Studios, you will learn a variety of dances like the fun, easy-to-learn Latin Bachata, the sensual Argentine Tango or the boot scootin’ Country Swing! While learning dance steps is obviously important while taking lessons, knowing the history of dances that you learn is vital to keeping their legends alive. It can also enrich your learning experience and create meaning behind the particular dance style and its music. One dance we teach at Dance FX Studios is the Merengue, which has a unique history unlike other dances. Let's explore more about the Merengue...

Merengue is a style of Dominican music and dance in which partners hold each other in a closed position with their knees bent slightly left and right. Throughout the song, the leader’s and follower’s hips move in the same direction. Merengue dancers may walk sideways or circle each other using small steps. They can switch to an open position and do separate turns while either continuing to hold hands or releasing one hand. Many choreographies of the Merengue are possible, but oftentimes intricate pretzels can be performed while dancers twist and tie their handhold. Although the tempo of the music may be a bit frenzied, the upper body is kept majestic and turns are slow.

The Merengue is one of two national dance and music styles of the Dominion Republic, established as so by Rafael Trujillo. Bachata is the other national style, which we also teach! There are a few theories of the origins of the Merengue.  One story alleges that the dance originated with slaves who were chained together and, of necessity, were forced to drag one leg as they cut sugar to the beat of drums. Another is that a great hero was wounded in the leg during one of the many revolutions in the Dominican Republic. A party of villagers welcomed him home with a victory celebration and, out of sympathy, everyone dancing felt obliged to limp and drag one foot. A different version states that the black slaves saw the ballroom dances in the Big Houses and when they had their own festivities started mimicking the "masters' dances". Hoping to incorporate excitement and their own flare to the European dances, the slaves added a special slight skip or hop provided by drums to the music. 

Dominican populations migrating to the United States brought the Merengue to New York City in the early 1900s. Migrating Dominican musicians played their music at local clubs and around the neighborhood, spreading the popularity of the traditional music. This also allowed for new types of music such as Hip Hop, R&B, Cuban and Puerto Rican styles to influence the music of Merengue. However, this does not negate the typical traditions associated with the early types of Dominican Merengue. Typical Merengue, which can be heard at Merengue Típico clubs and various areas on the East Coast with heavy Dominican influence, symbolizes the traditional and rural life of its place of origin. It relates to the dance and religious aspects of Dominican life, creating a musical history for Merengue dancers everywhere to enjoy. 

The history of all types of dance and their respective music styles gives reason and richness to the movements and emotions of each type. It is easy to simply learn dance steps and memorize movements and forget the emotions and stories behind dance styles. But, by learning about each dance, you can enrich your experience and get lost in the wonder that is dance! Join us at Dance FX Studios and you can let the wonder and history of dance enhance your life in 2014.