The “Rhythm” division contains 5 latin-type dances: the Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, and Mambo.
We recommend learning the American Rhythm style if you are interested in social dancing (vs. competitive), like knowing a wider range of dances, want to be able to latin dance, or prefer a latin type music to a more traditional “Ballroom” sound.
Cha Cha:
A dance of Cuban origin, the Cha Cha is one of the most fun and versatile of all the Latin dances. Danced to authentic Cuban Cha Cha music or more modern Latin rock, the Cha Cha takes it’s name from the syncopated (stressing a normally weak) beat in the music and also the sound the dancers feet make while dancing during this sycopation. Cha Cha is considered to be one of the faster Latin dances and is danced in both the American and International styles. The American tends to be slower and both styles have separate and distinct figures, or patterns. Click here for a visual example: American Cha Cha
American Rumba:
As recently as the second world war, the “Son” was the popular dance of middle class Cuba. It is a slower and more refined version of the native Cuban Rumba. Very small steps are taken, with the dancers producing a very subtle tilting of the hips by alternately bending and straightening the knees. The American Rumba is a modified version of the “Son”.
The tempo of the American Rumba is faster than that of the International style, its patterns are different and its action through the legs is more soft and less straight. Click here for a visual example: American Rumba
East Coast Swing:
This dance evolved from the Lindy Hop with the work of the Arthur Murray dance studios in the 1940s. The name East Coast Swing was coined to initially to distinguish the dance from the street form and the new variant used in the competitive ballroom arena (as well as separating the dance from West Coast Swing which was developed in California). While based on Lindy Hop, it does have clear distinctions. East Coast Swing is a fun and versatile dance that can be used in all formats of dance: weddings, social dances and competitions. It is fairly easy to learn and is done to great music, and for these reasons is very popular with beginners. Click here for visual example: American East Coast Swing
Bolero:
Done only in the American Rhythm style, the Bolero was originally a Spanish dance in 3/4 time. It has since changed to a 4/4 time and is danced to music that is a very slow type of Rumba. The slow dreamy music gives Bolero a very slow, smooth, powerful, romantic look and feeling. The foot patterns are similar to Rumba but have a very different feeling. It is a challenging dance to learn but has a great deal of style and finesse to it. Click here for visual example: American Bolero
Mambo:
At Portland Dancesport we teach the Palladium style Mambo in our American Rhythm classes. The Palladium style is the orginal style of Mambo danced in the United States beginning in the 1950s at the Palladium Ballroom in New York. The Mambo dance that was invented by Perez Prado and was popular in the 1940s and 50s Cuba, Mexico City, and New York is completely different to the modern dance that New Yorkers now call ‘Mambo’ .
The Mambo is a faster dance done to Cuban music and stylized with quick movements and small “freezes” which give a sharp look to it. It is a fun and sassy dance with music that is known across the world as some of the most rhythmically sophisticated and pleasurable music to listen to. Portland Dancesport is the only studio in Portland to teach the Palladium Style of Mambo. Click here for visual example: American Mambo
