Name that dance

[danceguy]

Tonight I was out dancing and for the first time I was able to tell the difference between a Merengue and a Cumbia...and then this really strange song came on. I was watching the people's feet...and it was something I had not seen before.

Having no idea at all what people were doing, my only thought was that had to be Bachata. Sure enough, I asked one of the DJ's and she confirmed it...now if I could only learn how to dance it! :P

I was surprised to hear that a lot of people didn't like the dance...but the music kind of spoke to me...does anyone here know more about it?

[SDsalsaguy]

Heya SG, it may or may not have what you're looking for, but here's an older thread on batchata (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=762).

[danceguy]

Thanks SD..."get a drink of water" "escort my lady to her vehicle" eh? I get the impression its not that popular...hmm.

The music seemed really sad to me...but I love that kind of stuff! But it is a bit tough when you want to do Salsa and the DJ seems to be on a Merengue/Cumbia spree...ok folks, you've had your booty shake, now stop being a balboso and play some MORE SALSA! :shock:

I'll ask my teachers about it, I'm sure they'll show me how to do it. :)

[Sagitta]

Tonight I was out dancing and for the first time I was able to tell the difference between a Merengue and a Cumbia

Great!! :)

I was surprised to hear that a lot of people didn't like the dance...but the music kind of spoke to me...does anyone here know more about it?

Bachata is romantic...can be sad...can be more upbeat...the music speaks to me too. I prefer it over merengue, actually. Salsa is still is number one, though.

Don't waste your time on getting lessons from teachers SG. Seriously!! It is the easiest possible dance to learn. I've taught bachata to many people. I just showed bachata to a friend on Saturday night, then I taught it to a group of folk dancers on Sunday. Starting with your right foot, R,L,R, L hip up w/ L foot tap, then L,R,L, R hip up w/ R foot tap. Practice that going side to side, forward and back, in place, in a tight clockwise circle, anticlockwise circle...Get some obvious bachata music, such as an aventura CD, and practice to that...

[vey]

It’s wonderful, SG, that you’ve discovered bachata !

It might lack the diversity, versatility and complexity of salsa but if you like this passionate music, you’ll enjoy this dance a lot.

I agree that you, probably, do not need to take lessons in order to learn the basic step. However, to become a sought after, enjoyable bachata leader (not the one that just plasters a girl against his body and does basic step for the duration of an entire song :( ), you’ll definitely need guidance. There are at least 3 different ways to move the hips on the last count, there are turns, stationary, little dips, real dips, cross step, numerous hand positions and motions, etc... If you want to sweep a girl off her feet, take lessons from an instructor who REALLY KNOWS and LOVES bachata.

[youngsta]

Vey is on point! Bachata is my best dance. When I went to LA in November I was one of only a few guys that could dance it to begin with and was by far the best on the floor. The girls started calling me El Rey de bachata!! :lol: There's so much you can do with it.

[vey]

The girls started calling me El Rey de bachata!! :lol:
Wow, Youngsta :!:

(I wish you weren't living so far away... :( :))

[danceguy]

There are at least 3 different ways to move the hips on the last count, there are turns, stationary, little dips, real dips, cross step, numerous hand positions and motions, etc... If you want to sweep a girl off her feet, take lessons from an instructor who REALLY KNOWS and LOVES bachata

I really enjoyed watching it the other night, and I do love sad romantic songs. My teachers were doing the dance and they looked awesome...finished with a really beautiful dip that had everyone clapping.

Bachata is definitely next on my 'to learn' list! :)

I get the impression that Bachata lessons are nearly non-existant...but since I know people who do it, I should be able to pick it up. :wink:

[Sagitta]

So what dances have you done? I'm actually working on forro and some other dances as they get played at latin night on Tuesdays, and of course I don't like to sit down. I call forro the bunny hop!! :) Perhaps once I reaolly get into it I won't find it so funny!!