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Salsa
Salsa is a very energetic dance. The basic step is identical to the Mambo, but we break on the 1 beat instead of the two. Although this is the way most people will dance salsa there are many fascinating timing variations of this dance. The basic step in Salsa is, rock step forward, collect, rocks step back, collect. Some of the fun timing variations of salsa are: "New York Salsa" this particular timing change is done by starting on the 5 count, there is also the Clave Beat which is a more traditional South American timing change. This timing either syncopates the forward or back rock of the step depending on how it is being led. We count the Clave beat: tat tat tat, ta tat tat. Each of the tat's signifies a step. The "ta" is the syncopated movement that we use.
Salsa as a dance is not just Cuban, although much of it's history and development can be credited to Cuba. In Cuba the Contra-Danze (Country Dance) brought by the French who fled Haiti began to mix itself with the Rhumbas of African origin (Guaguanco, Columbia, Yambu). Then when the "Son" (a dance of the Cuban people) is added to this mix a rich colorful dance began to develop; the African drum beats and flavora and a partner dance to the beat of the clave.
This syncretism of different variations of music and dance styles was also occurring in the Dominican Republic, Columbia, and Puerto Rico among other countries that were also developing in South America around the same time. Bands from these varying countries brought there music with them to Mexico City in the time when the biggest films of the country were being developed and release (Most famous is Perez Prado). Shortly after similar movement of music and dance went to New York. In these two cities, more syncretism and promotion of the dance occurred (many say New York style salsa has a flavor like no other) because there was more investment. New York (go figure) created the name Salsa (although if you use this term in South America they will think you need sauce for your burrito). This term became very popular as a nickname to refer to many styles of music from a variety of Latin and Hispanic countries: Rhumba, Son Montuno, Guaracha, Mambo, Cha cha cha, Danzon, Son, Guguanco, Cubop, Guarija, Charanga, Cumbia, Plena, Bomba, Festejo, and Merengue, among many many others. Many of these still exist as individual dances (Mambo, Merengue, Cumbia, Cha cha cha, to name a few) and the rest had a fusion creating "Salsa".
If you are listening to a modern day salsa you are still most likely hearing the base of son, and you will hear Cumbia, as well as the Guaracha rhythm. You will also hear some earlier Merengue rhythms built in with other beats of some different songs. There will all ways be many of the old styles built into modern day salsa rhythms. Salsa tends to be very regional and may vary even from city to city. In New York, for example, new instrumental innovations and extra percussions are added to some Columbian music so that New Yorkers - that dance the Mambo "breaking on the two" - can feel comfortable dancing as well; this is mostly because the original arrangement is not all ways easily distinguished. They call this "finishing," to enter a local market. This "finish" as it is called, does not occur because the Columbian does not play Salsa, but it does not play to the Puerto Rican/Post Cuban Salsa rhythm. I am saying Post-Cuban because the music in Cuba has evolved to an equally flavorful sound.
Now if Salsa is a tree it has many roots, as well as many branches, and still one trunk that unites us all (the love of dance). The important thing is that Salsa is played throughout the Latin American and Hispanic world and the dance has received many varying influences from the countries and the people that helped develop it. Salsa has become a staple in dance. It is a part of us all, and as our culture and our music evolve so will our dances, but all ways remember the roots. ;) Viva La Salsa ;)