Dances Defined

Salsa Dance Styles of the World

By: Edie "The Salsa Freak" Espinoza

American Style Rhythm

A type of ballroom dancing, which evolved from social dancing and is now a fully recognized competitive style of dance. Rhythm style consisting of Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero and Mambo.

American Style Smooth

A type of ballroom dancing, which evolved from social dancing and is now a fully recognized competitive style of dance. The Smooth style allows the dancers to be in open positions allowing for a very ?Fred and Ginger? style.

Swing

East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Jive, Lindy Hop, Single Time Swing, Jitterburg, Balboa, Shag, St. Louis Shag, Charleston and Charleston.

Other Popular Social Dances

Merengue, Bossa Nova, Club Dancing, Night Club Two-Step, Argentine Tango, Salsa and Hustle.

International Style Latin

Latin American dances are danced to a Latin American beat. ?Latin? is the term for International Style, ?Rhythm? is the term for the American Style.

International Style Standard

The term ?Standard? has replaced ?Modern? as the name for the International Style dances. ?Smooth? is the term used for dancing in the American Style.

Styles of Argentine Tango

Many find Argentine Tango quite challenging, commanding an advanced knowledge of dance skills for partner dancing.