International Latin: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive
The “Latin” division also contains 5 dances: The Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. We recommend the International Latin style if you love Cuban, Brazilian or Spanish music, prefer dances with more structure or are a more technically oriented dancer.
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: International Cha Cha
Samba:
We teach Samba only in the International style, and here is a dance both famed for its incredible music, which most people claim as their favorite of all dances, and for its difficulty, as it is one of the harder dances to learn.
We think learning Samba is worth it. Hailing from Brazil, the dance is derived from the Carnaval dance of the same name done by single dancers during the festival. The music is rhythmically textured, and the dance is famous for its rolls, Samba “bounce”, and unusual steps. We don’t think it will be long before you claim Samba as your favorite too! Click here for visual example: International Samba
International Rumba:
Derived from a Cuban dance known as the “Bolero-son”, our modern day International Rumba was developed and codified for the most part by an Englishman named Walter Laird, who is also the author of the book “Technique of Latin Dancing”. This dance is striking for its use of slow and very quick rhythms at the highest level, and is a favorite of many dancers. Its body rhythm and leg action is very developed, making it a very stylized dance as well. Click here for a visual example: International Rumba
Paso Doble:
Done only in the International syle, the Paso Doble is a unique dance from Spain and represents the Matador (leader) and his Cape (follower). Generally learned only for competitive purposes, the Paso Doble is danced to music generally played during the entrance of the matadors into the ring at the beginning of a bullfight. It is a highly stylized dance, with specific choreography containing typically Spanish arm styling as well as Flamenco elements. Paso Doble is a very entertaining dance to watch, and is taught only in Level 3 and higher at Portland Dancesport. Click here for visual example: International Paso Doble
Jive:
Taught in the International Latin style, the Jive originated in the United States from African Americans in the early 1940s. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing. Many of its basic patterns are similar to these of the East Coast Swing with the major difference being a higher speed and a greater use of kick sequences. The Jive is the fastest dance we teach, has fabulous Swing or Rockabilly music, and is fun to dance. Click here for visual example: International Jive
