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Mambo is a Latin dance of Cuba. Mambo music was invented during the 1930s by Arsenio Rodríguez, developed in Havana by Cachao and made popular by Dámaso Pérez Prado and Benny Moré.

You have nothing to fear except for fear itself

The bug that is Salsa has bitten you. You have been going to classes. You have been steadily progressing. Sometimes though, you just feel like you have hit the proverbial wall. Maybe even regressed a little from the impact. What is happening?

TRADITIONAL ZOUK

style was first developed in Ilha Dos Pescadores in Rio de Janeiro around the mid 90's when Lambada songs stopped being composed.

He arrives at the club. 9:15pm. He looks good, really good. His dance shoes glisten, even in the dim club lighting. His tight black shirt strains slightly at the seams, hinting at the powerful masculine physique underneath. He quietly surveys the room, searching for the girl who will christen the dance floor with him tonight.

Salsa is the commonly used name for a form of music formally known simply as "Latin music". The Spanish word "salsa" means "sauce", and refers to the hot sauce commonly used in various Latin American diets. Nowadays salsa refers to music designed primarily for a dancing audience, while Latin Jazz refers to music that caters to more of a listening crowd.

Do you find it hard to maintain your graceful appearance as the night progresses? Are you worried that the garlic bread you had for dinner is repelling more than just Vampires? Do you feel like you are standing in a pool of sweat after an hour or two of dancing? Moreover, do your partners look like they just had a shower with their clothes on after dancing with you?

What do you mean salsa is "in four"?

You often hear that salsa is in four/four time. Well, what exactly does that mean and why do I need to know that? Read on and hopefully that will become clearer...

When you are new to salsa music, pick yourself up a compilation salsa CD from your nearest record store or an online store. Compilations allow you to sample a wide variety of salsa music and style from different artists. We can recommend compilation CDs such as Salsa Fresca, Salsa con Golpe, Salsa Legends Live, Salsa Hits, Mojito Passion, and Viva la Salsa to name a few.

When you first start dancing you quickly learn to recognise and distinguish two distinct styles, Merengue and Salsa. Soon you are able to distinguish Cha-Cha-Cha as well, although sometimes a fast Cha-Cha-Cha can sound very much like a slow salsa. But there are many more styles of Latin music out there and learning to distinguish all of them can add a whole new dimension to your dancing experience.

Here are a list of common musical terms that will help you with your learning.

Salsa! The very word gets your heart racing with anticipation. You've had your first unforgettable encounter, the rhythm is coursing through your veins and your feet are itching to embark on your newfound talent. You confidently approach the dance-floor. Yet, within a few steps, you exchange grace, skill and sensuality for awkwardness, clumsiness, and frustration.