Discover Salsa Dancing in Arizona!

The history and depth of Latin American art forms are spectacular! Music and dance are an important part of Latin American culture, and an important part of the arts in countries like Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba, and more! Salsa music and Salsa dancing has been an influential aspect of Latin America – it is now enjoyed internationally! Let’s explore where the Salsa originated and how it made its way to clubs and studios around the world.

Salsa dancing is a form of partner dance that is enjoyed to Salsa music.  How Salsa dancing came to life is a subject of debate for many musicologists and historians.  Most seem to believe it came to be through many decades of dancers gradually accepting the name as many styles of music and dance steps became melded together. Another theory is that Salsa music began centuries ago in the islands of the Spanish Caribbean, in a context of slavery and colonialism.   

Though they may disagree on its birthplace, they do agree that Salsa dancing is connected to the growing, thriving Latino community that was present in New York City in the late 20^th century. After the Spanish American war came to an end in 1898, Puerto Rican agricultural workers migrated from rural to urban areas, and from island to island. The transplanted workers from Havana, San Juan, Santo Domingo and other areas brought all of their traditional sounds to New York City.

The word “salsa” means sauce in Spanish, analogous to “flavor” or “style” when describing dance or music. Styles of music travelling from Cuba and Puerto Rico fused their various cultural rhythms together as they migrated into New York between the 1940s and the 1970s. With the combined elements of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, African, and other music styles, Salsa music can typically be recognized by the complicated percussion rhythms and the faster tempos.  The sounds are vibrant and inviting and attract dancers of all levels straight to the dance floor. There is a debate as to which country is the home of Salsa – Cuba or Puerto Rico.  Since Salsa is one of the main dances in Puerto Rico and is known world-wide, many people give Puerto Rico the credit.  However, the dance steps currently being used to Salsa music come from Cuba.  Those steps, though, were influenced by many other Cuban dances such as Mambo, Cha Cha, Guaracha, Rumba, and others.  Thus, the debate continues.

Salsa dance is exciting, full of variety, and appealing to almost any social dancer looking for fun and exhilaration! Get your fix of Latin dances like the Salsa at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. As a social ballroom dance studio here in Arizona, we will give you a taste of the Latin culture on the dance floor. We offer Salsa group classes and private Salsa lessons for you to choose from. Our Introductory Offer is a blast and a great way for you to come check us out at next to nothing cost-wise. Come explore Salsa dancing with us and get awesome dance tips and techniques that will ignite the Latin flare in you! Call us at 480.968.6177 today; you will be glad you did.