Dance You Can't Connect With?

[ShyDancer]

So often you hear people say that you need to be able to connect with and express the emotion of the dance.

I find this simple enough with most dances , but with Rumba I just cant do it. It makes no difference who Im dancing with either, I just cant get into the feel of the dance, and lately Ive started having a break when a Rumba comes on.
I find it quite sad as I absolutely love to watch Rumba being danced..it moves me when I see it but I cant generate the same feeling when I dance it.

So.. Is there a dance that you dont connect with? Do you want to or doesnt it matter?

[Laura]

I don't connect with any of the latin dances, and so I rarely dance them socially. I mostly don't care any more anyway.

[dancin_feet]

I know I'll probably be shot for saying this, but salsa just leaves me cold. Much prefer Mambo.

Could be just lack of practice, I dunno, but I have never really liked it.

Edit: Could also be the bad experiences I have had at "salsa" clubs?

[motardmom]

Rumba. Totally. I just don't feel it.

Salsa to a lesser degree. I can do it and its ok, fun I suppose. It just isn't my favorite. I would much rather do mambo or samba.

[ShyDancer]

I have to agree with both dancin_feet and motardmom...give me Mambo any day over salsa!
I didnt like my club experience with salsa either and as a result I stopped doing it altogether (until a few weeks ago when I danced one and couldnt get into it..it was awful and just set imy mind further in stone to just stay away!)

Im glad Im not the only one who cant feel Rumba motardmom!

[danceguy]

HUSTLE!!!!!!!!!! :headwall: :headwall: :doh:

The one dance I just can't stand...I've given it several tries and just hate it! I'm not a big fan of Waltz either... :?

[DancePoet]

I am intrigued by Laura saying she just can't connect with the latin stuff, and wonder why?

I really have problems connecting with Merengue. I can't fully explain it, but the style just seems unnatural to me, the music is definitely not my favorite, and not being able to feel much through the music makes it tough for me to dance.

I have been learning a bit more Mambo, and have finally begun to appreciate more. I'm wondering if I will have the same experience when I take up some salsa. The same with Samba, yet this one seems to border on my dislike of Merengue.

Yet I really like Cha-Cha and Rumba, and have begun to get into Bolero as well. I might even give Paso Doble a whirl sometime.

[peachexploration]

....I really have problems connecting with Merengue. I can't fully explain it, but the style just seems unnatural to me, the music is definitely not my favorite, and not being able to feel much through the music makes it tough for me to dance.....
Note to self: Must merengue with DancePoet. :raisebro:

Not feeling foxtrot, quickstep, jive or waltz. Love to watch others do it but doesn't do it for me. :(

[DancePoet]

peachexploration quoted DancePoet: "....I really have problems connecting with Merengue. I can't fully explain it, but the style just seems unnatural to me, the music is definitely not my favorite, and not being able to feel much through the music makes it tough for me to dance..."

And wrote: "Note to self: Must merengue with DancePoet. :raisebro:"

Are you kidding? I am horrible at this. But if you have something to show me, and can lead me, I'll try to be open to the experience. Ok?

And then wrote: "Not feeling foxtrot, quickstep, jive or waltz. Love to watch others do it but doesn't do it for me. :("

Oh my, must dance a waltz with Peach. Besides, if I waltz with you on a beach before breakfast in an old fashioned inn before that proposal, (remember?) you'll need to know at least alittle bit. ;)

[peachexploration]

....Oh my, must dance a waltz with Peach. Besides, if I waltz with you on a beach before breakfast in an old fashioned inn before that proposal, (remember?) you'll need to know at least alittle bit. ;) Well, for that I WILL waltz. ;) :lol:

[DancePoet]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Cool!

Peach, have you ever heard the "A River Runs Through It" waltz? It is one of my favorites! :)

[peachexploration]

Nope, can't say I have. Anything to do with the movie? :lol:

[DancePoet]

Why of course! And the movie is very good as well! I highly recommend it. :)

[love2swing]

Rumba is currently one of my favorite dances to do. I used to think it was so-so, but after finding some great music to rumba to my opinion has really changed. I now "feel" the music so well and when I'm dancing with a partner who feels it as well wonderful things happen. But, in keeping with the spirit of the thread I also don't really connect with Merengue.

[SDsalsaguy]

Hate to say it, but foxtrot... I just cannot connect with either the music or the dance... :oops: :(

I'm not a huge hustle or merengue fan myself, although I had one breakthrough hustle at the Reno Dance Sensation (with you know who Vince! :wink: ), and I have encountered a handful of people I actually enjoy dancing merengue with (my current girlfriend being one of them).

I'm not a particularly big fan of jive either but, seeing as how I've never really done that much of it, I'll hold off on saying that I don't connect with it.

[Sagitta]

I like salsa, merenegue, bachata, cha cha.....Can't feel waltz, unfortunately, though. :)

[MacMoto]

I really have problems connecting with Merengue. I can't fully explain it, but the style just seems unnatural to me, the music is definitely not my favorite, and not being able to feel much through the music makes it tough for me to dance.
I have a few merengue tracks I really like, and I also have a favourite merengue partner (who is difficult to dance salsa with but great for merengue -- very playful).

I have been learning a bit more Mambo, and have finally begun to appreciate more. I'm wondering if I will have the same experience when I take up some salsa.
So when is this happening then? :wink: :lol:

Rumba is currently one of my favorite dances to do. I used to think it was so-so, but after finding some great music to rumba to my opinion has really changed.
I had the same experience with bachata -- used to think it was boring until I found music I could really get into :).

[bjp22tango]

The only dancing I have had a problem with is Country and Western style dancing. It feels very "flat" to me. It's not the music, because there is some good Country Two Step music out there. It is just the dance style. I think is has something to do with the lady twirling all the time while the guy just walks. 8)


I can't think of any of the latin, swing, ballroom, or nightclub dances that I don't like. They all have something that I can express with my personality. I especially love Rumba, Samba, Quickstep, Paso Doble, NC2Step, all the Swings, Casino Rueda.... Oh, just let me dance :wink:

[Kitty]

samba and jive feel like taking up too much energy for a social dance, so at a social I might have problems connecting to these. I can never connect to paso.

previously I couldn't really feel rumba and salsa/mambo, but now these are actually my most favourite latin dances to dance at a social (for competition my order of priorities deifferent: it is rumba jive and then chacha).

I agree that foxtrot is hard. Hard to understand, hard to connect. Especially if you don't know it (I don't really know it!). But I love some of foxtrot music!

[Angelo]

Polka and Merengue.

[Vince A]

Lindy . . . mainly because it teaches me the opposite of what I've been taught in WCS, and being an avid WCS dancer, Lindy feels quite the opposite - although I've been told that that is "in my head."

Even ECS and Jive seem to fit OK. It's just Lindy. And believe me I've the "greatest" teachers . . . but I will get back into it!

[sunderi]

Add me to the "can't connect with Merengue" list. I just don't *get* it in a ballroom dance setting. Socially, it's fine.

[Spitfire]

Add me to the Merengue "no can do" bandwagon, Foxtrot and Hustle.

[MacMoto]

I'm beginning to feel sorry for merengue... it doesn't seem very popular :(. It can be a lot of fun for social dnacing.

Mind you, I remember someone saying that ballroom merengue is not like club merengue at all...

[Phil Owl]

Good topic:

West Coast Swing: A WEIRD beast for me, I actually LOVE watching this dance but I tell ya, I have the WORST time with the feel of it, not very natural for me and I just have to THINK too much about every step. Otherwise I'd enjoy it a lot more. I can manage to fake it sometimes witha forgiving partner if need be.

Quickstep: ARRRRRRGH!!! I guess it's in part, tied to having to endure watching that horrid corny Lawrence Welk Show as a youngin' and my lifelong dislike of corny, overblown Broadway showtues and musicals (Hello Dolly was my first toxic experience), the music just turns my stomach with its in-your-face corniness, it's that insistent whitebread cut-time (2/2) rhythm that GRATES on me (it was used A LOT in show tunes and the like). I don't think I'll EVER like this dance, just too many toxic associations with it. :headwall: :evil:

Meringue: To me, the Latin equivalent of Quickstep. Cannot stand it, just toooo corny for me!

Polka: Similar to my intense dislike of Quickstep. Growing up in Western PA, it was POLKA-LAND!!!!!! AAAARRRRRRRRGH!!! :headwall: :evil:

[SDsalsaguy]

Add me to the "can't connect with Merengue" list. I just don't *get* it in a ballroom dance setting. Socially, it's fine.
Oh, merengue in a ballroom setting is another matter entirely... it's just ridiculous!

[Vince A]

I'm not a huge hustle or merengue fan myself, although I had one breakthrough hustle at the Reno Dance Sensation (with you know who Vince! :wink: ), and I have encountered a handful of people I actually enjoy dancing merengue with (my current girlfriend being one of them).
Yea . . . I had fun dancing with her too! She did well . . . WCS and 2 Step in one weekend! Tell her next lesson is in Monterey in January! We all can share a room if you can make it . . .

Oh, and your Hustle is fine . . . I "saw" you doing it! I keep an eye on you DF peeples :wink:

[SDsalsaguy]

Didn't say I couldn't do it Vince, ...just that I really don't connect with it! :wink:

I don't know what it was about that one hustle at Reno either... and befor you just say "Heidi," I actually enjoyed that *dance!* :shock: :lol:

Anyway, I'll keep the Monterey thing in mind, but Anna has her kids three weekends/month, so getting away is dificult. Any news yet on whether you and Care are in for Reno?

[cocodrilo]

LOVE the avatar, Spitfire! :D

ANYTHING ballroom, I can't see my self freezing up like that(although I will admit some dancers look smooth & beautiful) and the hustle or line dance. Let me shake my butt to anything LATIN, partner or no partner, and I'm happy! 8)

[rails]

I'm beginning to feel sorry for merengue... it doesn't seem very popular :(. It can be a lot of fun for social dnacing.

Mind you, I remember someone saying that ballroom merengue is not like club merengue at all...

For me, merengue is the "go find a pretty beginner" dance. Yeah, I'm not a big fan either.

Even though I don't know much bachata I liked the music and the dance from the beginning. Well, I like bachata music for dancing, but haven't found that I like to listen to it on its own so much.

[TemptressToo]

That's easy....bolero. I have to be in a rare mood to do this successfully. If I'm not in that mood, forget about it.

[DancePoet]

love2swing wrote:"Rumba is currently one of my favorite dances to do. I used to think it was so-so, but after finding some great music to rumba to my opinion has really changed. I now "feel" the music so well and when I'm dancing with a partner who feels it as well wonderful things happen. But, in keeping with the spirit of the thread I also don't really connect with Merengue."

I've really been feeling Rumba recently! I'm actually going to be taking an additional Rumba class this December becaue I'd like to learn more. (Gee, duh, why else would one take it. Shall we say I'm not being very poetic today. It must be late. ;) )

[DancePoet]

Phil Owl wrote: " ... Quickstep: ARRRRRRGH!!! I guess it's in part, tied to having to endure watching that horrid corny Lawrence Welk Show as a youngin' and my lifelong dislike of corny, overblown Broadway showtues and musicals (Hello Dolly was my first toxic experience), the music just turns my stomach with its in-your-face corniness, it's that insistent whitebread cut-time (2/2) rhythm that GRATES on me (it was used A LOT in show tunes and the like). I don't think I'll EVER like this dance, just too many toxic associations with it. :headwall: :evil:"

Well, that's a bummer. I actually wasn't thrilled with this originally, but somehow decided to give it a try. Now I enjoy it very much! However, sometimes the music really isn't that good.

And then wrote: "Meringue: To me, the Latin equivalent of Quickstep. Cannot stand it, just toooo corny for me!"

Oooh! I never heard it called that before. Hmmm ... and I'm not a big meregue fan either.

[DancePoet]

MacMoto wrote: "I have a few merengue tracks I really like ..."

Which ones are your favorites?

And then quoted DancePoet: "I have been learning a bit more Mambo, and have finally begun to appreciate more. I'm wondering if I will have the same experience when I take up some salsa."

And wrote: "So when is this happening then? :wink: :lol:"

As soon as I can fit it into my schedule. If you plan on making a trans-atlantic flight any time soon, I'll be fitting it in sooner. ;)

[tacad]

Oooh, that would be west coast swing. Probably because I don't like the music. but it's funny that I like to watch people dancing it though.

[ShyDancer]

We might need a Merengue Haters thread soon :lol: :lol:



Oh, merengue in a ballroom setting is another matter entirely... it's just ridiculous!


So true! I am blessed with the pleasure of watching a ballroom merenge and salsa competition next week,...... Im sure it will provide some amusement!

[tacad]

Add me to the "can't connect with Merengue" list. I just don't *get* it in a ballroom dance setting. Socially, it's fine.
Oh, merengue in a ballroom setting is another matter entirely... it's just ridiculous!

Yeah, it is lacking a certain fire in ballroom. I'll do it but I feel a bit silly.

[SDsalsaguy]

....but I feel a bit silly.
As well you should! :wink: :lol:

[Sagitta]

We might need a Merengue Haters thread soon :lol: :lol:



Oh, merengue in a ballroom setting is another matter entirely... it's just ridiculous!


So true! I am blessed with the pleasure of watching a ballroom merenge and salsa competition next week,...... Im sure it will provide some amusement!

I vote this proposal down. No merengue haters thread.

[SDsalsaguy]

Ummm, Sagitta... I think it was said in a bit of jest. Do, for instance, note the :lol: and the second :lol: after SD's "proposal." :wink:

[ShyDancer]

Ohh yes, I was just joking! :oops:

[DancePoet]

Anybody have other problems connecting with a specific dance?

[SDsalsaguy]

Ohh yes, I was just joking! :oops:
Now if she had said "we may need a ballroom merengue haters club" I would have been the first in line to say "where do I sign up?" :wink:

[DancePoet]

But hate is such a strong word.

[SDsalsaguy]

Ok, point taken. So how about a "vehement dislikers of ballroom merengue club," or a "have you ever seen anything more foolish than ballroom merengue club"?

[Sagitta]

Ok, point taken. So how about a "vehement dislikers of ballroom merengue club," or a "have you ever seen anything more foolish than ballroom merengue club"? Okay, that's al'right. :)

[youngsta]

I know I'll probably be shot for saying this, but salsa just leaves me cold. Much prefer Mambo.
What? They're one and the same, salsa is just a different label for mambo. Anyway, to answer the question Ballroom feels like a sterile hospital room adorned in stainless steel to me! :lol:

[BeefHero]

Absolutely no interest in hustle.

I have to hold back on merenge. It is very weird to dance merenge in a ballroom scene; they just don't click. On the other hand, it's a whole other feeling to dance merenge in a club. I actually feel the music and the groove. I really like that "time to dance with a pretty beginner" concept because I do that a lot, too. :ladiesma:

Recently I am beginning to lose salsa, too. I guess it's because I haven't learned a new move for like a year. Another reason is that "almost" all salsa music sounds then same... :?

I actually am quite fond with foxtrot. I learned some gold american syllabus and had to say it is pretty interesting. Now I am all fired up to learn international style foxtrot. However, it is one of those dances that are almost impossibly to lead properly in a social scene.

Samba is another dance that's almost impossible to lean in a social environment either despite however a good and fun danec it is. Leading it feels like leading quickstep... :headwall:

[Chris Stratton]

I actually am quite fond with foxtrot. I learned some gold american syllabus and had to say it is pretty interesting. Now I am all fired up to learn international style foxtrot. However, it is one of those dances that are almost impossibly to lead properly in a social scene.

It can be challenging, but all you really need is a partner with the right reflexes, and a good grasp of your options - which ultimately include not just the international syllabus material, but the open turns and such favored as closed basics in american style. Oh, and practice.

[DancePoet]

SDsalsaguy wrote: "So how about a "vehement dislikers of ballroom merengue club," or a "have you ever seen anything more foolish than ballroom merengue club"?"

Ah! the DBMC ... Dislikers of Ballroom Merengue Club! I'll join it, although I did see one guy tonight work he and his partner through cool looking merengue.

[DancePoet]

youngsta wrote: "What? They're one and the same, salsa is just a different label for mambo. Anyway, to answer the question Ballroom feels like a sterile hospital room adorned in stainless steel to me! :lol:"

Ouch! There's so much feeling in things like tango and waltz if you let it flow like the emotion that can flow through salsa! :)

[tacad]

I have to hold back on merenge. It is very weird to dance merenge in a ballroom scene; they just don't click. On the other hand, it's a whole other feeling to dance merenge in a club. I actually feel the music and the groove. I really like that "time to dance with a pretty beginner" concept because I do that a lot, too. :ladiesma:
Totally agree with you BeefHero. I haven't actually been in a club here in USA but in Costa Rica a merengue would come on and everybody would run out on the floor to dance it. Totally different feel. Hmmm. Interesting concept about the pretty beginner!

[tacad]

What is it about ballroom merengue that is so off? It does feel like youngsta's sterile hospital.

[SDsalsaguy]

Yongsta, I'm not sure but I think the distinction being made is between salsa (that we'd also call mambo) and ballroom mambo. If that is the case than I might concede that they're differnt dances, albeit colsely related ones.

tacad, I think the problem is that the ballroom version has an identity crises... trying to have/do an "apropriate merengue" just doesn't work... :?

[Sabor]

Anyway, to answer the question Ballroom feels like a sterile hospital room adorned in stainless steel to me! :lol:

lol.. yep.. and with a scary looking nurse! :lol:

[DancePoet]

Sabor quoted youngsta: "Anyway, to answer the question Ballroom feels like a sterile hospital room adorned in stainless steel to me! :lol:"

And then wrote: "lol.. yep.. and with a scary looking nurse! :lol:"

So are you guys only talking about ballroom merengue? Perhaps I misunderstood that youngsta was referring to ballroom in general when I wrote my line on Tango and Waltz above?

[youngsta]

Tango when translated into it's ballroom style does nothing for me. Neither do waltzes or quickstep.

[DancePoet]

youngsta wrote: "Tango when translated into it's ballroom style does nothing for me. Neither do waltzes or quickstep."

Well, just as I suspected. :( Probably V.Waltz and Foxtrot, too.

Hmmm ... youngsta, would you include the latin and rhythm dances in this catagory as well? And does this mean you enjoy Argentine Tango?

[cocodrilo]

Recently I am beginning to lose salsa, too. I guess it's because I haven't learned a new move for like a year. Another reason is that "almost" all salsa music sounds then same..

:shock: Perhaps you should make some new additions to your latin music collection, then! To me, the old school stuff sounds pretty similar, but there are so many new, innovative artists now that ther is quite a wide range of sounds! 8)

[dancin_feet]

I know I'll probably be shot for saying this, but salsa just leaves me cold. Much prefer Mambo.
What? They're one and the same, salsa is just a different label for mambo. Anyway, to answer the question Ballroom feels like a sterile hospital room adorned in stainless steel to me! :lol:

I do all ballroom type dances (I guess). I wouldn't have any idea of the difference between ballroom and street salsa, mambo. Yes they are similar except salsa is QQQtap and mambo is QQS. Mambo is also more into the ground. I probably prefer it because of it's similarity in rhythum to rumba (except faster). I'm OK in slower salsas, but when they speed up, I lose my tap, and consequently my foot timing.

As I say, it could have nothing to do with the dance at all. Could be lack of practice or the fact whenever I go out to a "salsa" club, all the salsa people seem to look down on you if you want to dance something else. The salsa scene is very "stuck up" in my area. Waiting for some DFers to come over here and give me the "salsa experience"! :D

[Sagitta]

I know I'll probably be shot for saying this, but salsa just leaves me cold. Much prefer Mambo.
What? They're one and the same, salsa is just a different label for mambo. Anyway, to answer the question Ballroom feels like a sterile hospital room adorned in stainless steel to me! :lol:

I do all ballroom type dances (I guess). I wouldn't have any idea of the difference between ballroom and street salsa, mambo. Yes they are similar except salsa is QQQtap and mambo is QQS. Mambo is also more into the ground. I probably prefer it because of it's similarity in rhythum to rumba (except faster). I'm OK in slower salsas, but when they speed up, I lose my tap, and consequently my foot timing.

As I say, it could have nothing to do with the dance at all. Could be lack of practice or the fact whenever I go out to a "salsa" club, all the salsa people seem to look down on you if you want to dance something else. The salsa scene is very "stuck up" in my area. Waiting for some DFers to come over here and give me the "salsa experience"! :D

One of these days. I have danced with some ballroomers. They play mambo music at the ballroom dances and I danec salsa. It amuses me no end. :lol:

[HothouseSalsero]

The partner dances I've tried that I least connect with? East Coast Swing (haven't tried WCS) and Argentine Tango.

[MacMoto]

I wouldn't have any idea of the difference between ballroom and street salsa, mambo. Yes they are similar except salsa is QQQtap and mambo is QQS. Mambo is also more into the ground. I probably prefer it because of it's similarity in rhythum to rumba (except faster). I'm OK in slower salsas, but when they speed up, I lose my tap, and consequently my foot timing.
Hmm, is the tap always necessary in salsa? I don't always tap -- only when I feel it works for the particular music and move. I think it's perfectly fine to do QQS instead, especially if adding a tap affects your timing.

[HothouseSalsero]

Some styles of salsa actually scorn tapping. I have a friend who takes classes with a Cuban instructor and when my friend starts to put taps in, the instructor complains that she looks "too South American" or something like that.

FWIW, the tap seems very common among Puerto Rican dancers where I live (the Philadelphia area).

[dTas]

The partner dances I've tried that I least connect with? East Coast Swing (haven't tried WCS) and Argentine Tango.

ARGENTINE! yeah... there's a dance that really throws me off. that and hustle. just cant do a 3 count step to a 4 count beat. 4 count hustle is ok but seems slow and monotonous.

[SDsalsaguy]

Hmm, is the tap always necessary in salsa? I don't always tap -- only when I feel it works for the particular music and move. I think it's perfectly fine to do QQS instead, especially if adding a tap affects your timing.
I could be wrong but, again, I think that it's the Australian ballroom "street Latin" version of salsa that DF is talking about here, yes?

[london1996]

I had been dancing intensively for 5 years and have 1 year of teaching experience.My favourits are salsa and cha-cha-cha and the dance and a music I don't particularly enjoy is Marengue.It's not that I cannot get a step but I find it boring and cannot express myself through the dance.

[SDsalsaguy]

Welcome tot the Dance Forums drazenka nikolic! :D

[Vin]

I have come to the conclusion that the reason so many salsa dancers hate merengue is that so few dj's know how to play a good merengue selection. If you are a salsa dj and need to get some merengues in I suggest yes stick with the favorites, Elvis Crespo, Juan Luis Guerra, but don't overdo it. Mix in some merengue by traditional salsa artists, Ihave heard merengues by Willie Colon, Gilberto SantaRosa, Celia Cruz, and Jose Alberto among others. These Merengues by primarily salsa dancers are often more popular among the salsa crowd.

Back to topic, I could never connect to hustle.
I liked east coast swing and Lindy but Charleston always seemed to contrived for me. The basic is fine but the movements always seemed to ambiguous to lead.

Haven't tried enough other dances to make any other judgements.

[youngsta]

It's one thing to say you like ballroom mambo better than salsa, I can visualize the distinction there. But the original wording was just mambo which completely confused me since salsa is mambo. That's where you had me confused df.

DancePoet, yes I do love to watch Argentine Tango. To me everything that is "ballroomized" (forced into a ballroom syllabus and style) loses its life. That's just my opinion though...

[cocodrilo]

I agree with what Vin says about mixing merengue tunes & salsa tunes and also about the choice of artists!

I always tap when I'm doing a basic because I like the fast steps. A basic without the tapping is boring for me. I've only noticed a couple other people doing the tapping thing over here. I just do it 'cause it's natural to me, I didn't "learn" it & I don't think about adding taps(I have to think about NOT adding them if I'm showing someone some shines :( ).

[SDsalsaguy]

It's one thing to say you like ballroom mambo better than salsa, I can visualize the distinction there. But the original wording was just mambo which completely confused me since salsa is mambo. That's where you had me confused df.
I understand your confusion R but, as I understand it, both salsa and mambo arte part of the "street Latin" division in Australia so, for the original poster, there's a differnt distinction than the one you and I would make.

NOTE: Someone from down under, PLEASE clear this up for us and correct me if I'm wrong! (I'm only commenting based on what I think I've understood the case to be from various posts here in the DF... :oops: )

[dancin_feet]

It's one thing to say you like ballroom mambo better than salsa, I can visualize the distinction there. But the original wording was just mambo which completely confused me since salsa is mambo. That's where you had me confused df.
I understand your confusion R but, as I understand it, both salsa and mambo arte part of the "street Latin" division in Australia so, for the original poster, there's a differnt distinction than the one you and I would make.

NOTE: Someone from down under, PLEASE clear this up for us and correct me if I'm wrong! (I'm only commenting based on what I think I've understood the case to be from various posts here in the DF... :oops: )

You are correct SD. At our studio, dances like Mambo, Salsa, Samba, Lambada, AT and Merengue are classed as "South American" and not part of the "Ballroom / Latin" syllabus. As I say, the difference between street and ballroom styles eludes me in these dances because the style I know is the only style I have been exposed to. I would guess I have been taught more of a ballroom style, I don't know. I take SA groups from time to time for a bit of fun. I do tend to drop off the tap in faster salsas which strictly speaking would make my footwork sloppy according to the studio syllabus. Some steps are based around QQS but only once you get higher in the syllabus. For me this style is just for fun, thankfully I don't take exams in it!

[SDsalsaguy]

OK, than it is as I thought... phew! I was afraid I was losing it... :oops:

[DancePoet]

youngsta wrote: "DancePoet, yes I do love to watch Argentine Tango. To me everything that is "ballroomized" (forced into a ballroom syllabus and style) loses its life. That's just my opinion though..."

I do better understand your view point, but now that I'm beginning to learn the International style Tango, I can see in the way I am being taught how it overlaps alittle with Argentine in that both use small pieces of steps to make up the dance. In fact, as I learn more of both, I'm beginning to wonder if I will be able to create new combinations in both through learning the other. And although such creations may not be permited in the lower level classifications of competition, this type of creativity could be very useful socially or when creating performances.

Someday I hope to meet you, and maybe you can show me some creative stuff in salsa, and maybe, if I get much better then I am today, you will get a chance to see some of mine in tango and be entertained whether or not it is Argentine or Ballroom. :)

Besides, you seem like a cool person. 8)

[Dancegal]

At our studio, dances like Mambo, Salsa, ...and Merengue are classed as "South American" and not part of the "Ballroom / Latin" syllabus....

Sounds like there needs to be some geography education as these three are Caribbean-tropical dances (Cuba/ Puerto Rico/ Dominican Republic) and NOT South American. I suppose it's easy to miscategorize Latin dances and/or lump them all in one spot.