Salsa dance is one of the most popular Latin dance styles in the World. If you are new to Salsa dancing, you will be surprised to know that there are many different styles of Salsa dancing. In this article, you will learn what those styles are and how they differ from each other.
I will provide you with examples of all Salsa dance styles, and you may discover a style that works the best for you. I have tried Cuban and La Salsa styles so far, and I have fallen in love with LA style, although the Cuban style has its charms as well.
There are 6 Salsa dance styles:
- Afro-Latino Salsa Style
- Columbian or Cali Salsa Style
- Cuban Or Casino Salsa Style
- Miami Salsa Style
- La Salsa Style
- New York Salsa Style
Let’s dive deeper into each Salsa dance style.
Afro-Latino Salsa Style
Afro-Latino style is most prevalent in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the Caribbean. What separates this style from others is that some songs incorporate African language and instruments that give a slightly different rhythm. Other than that, it is very similar to other Salsa styles.
Example of Afro-Latino Salsa style:
Colombian Or Cali Salsa Style
Colombian or Cali Salsa style originates and is danced mainly in South American country, Colombia. Cali is the city in Colombia that is extremely popular with Colombian Salsa style with lots of Salsa dance schools. It is also called “Salsa Capital” because Colombian Salsa originates from Cali. Cali is not very popular outside of Colombia.
Cali’s style is very fast and energetic! Cali DJs play music twice the normal speed to match the fast upbeat. Cali Salsa dancers took the basic steps of Cumbia style and went a step further by adding fast skips, kicks, twists, and swifts.
Salsa Cali style is all about fast footwork. It is playful, energetic, and more explosive, and not very romantic or intimate. Colombian style turn patterns follow a circular pattern similar to the Cuban Salsa style, and the steps’ timing is generally on 1.
Here is an example of Cali Salsa style:
Cuban or Casino Salsa Style
Cuban or Casino Salsa style was discovered in Havana in 1950. A group of young people wanted to create their own Salsa style that is danced in large circles.
Cuban Salsa is danced in endless circles rather than a back-and-forth-motions, like in regular Salsa. Partners are stepping and twirling around each other.
The most famous style of Cuban Salsa is Rueda De Casino. This style is synchronized among partners where one person yells out moves to the rest of the group. Women are passed along from partner to partner, and it is beautifully synchronized and improvised.
Here is an example of Cuban or Casino Salsa Style:
Miami Salsa Style
Miami Salsa style became very popular in Florida in 1970 and beyond that. Miami style was originated from the Cuban style but was developed and changed in Florida.
Miami Salsa style is also known under other names such as Casino, Cubano, and Classico.
Miami dancers have evolved the moves from basic Cuban style while emphasizing longer and more complicated steps blended into longer movement sequences. In Miami style, motions are more circular than linear.
While the follower in Cuban Salsa must have limber arms, the follower in Miami Salsa must demonstrate complete body flexibility. The moves are complicated and “pretzel-like.”
Here is an example of Miami Salsa style:
La Salsa Style
La Salsa dance style has become extremely popular in Los Angeles and is danced in the slot. It is very similar to New York Salsa style, but the main difference is that it is danced on 1 rather than 2.
This is the reason why La Salsa style is commonly called also “Salsa on 1”.
La Salsa style has lots of acting, is very flashy, and very Hollywood. As I mentioned, it is danced at 1, which means dancers change directions of the basic steps in the beat of 1 and 5 in 8 beats phrase. It has Cuban roots, but it also has a Hollywood vibe. LA Salsa style is eye-catching, fast, and very sharp. The moves are mostly linear, and dancers do lots of acrobatics to grab attention.
Here is an example of the LA Salsa dance style:
New York Salsa Style
New York Salsa style is danced in “figure 8,” where partners face each other most of the time. Unlike LA style, New York style is danced on 2 where “follower” steps forward on the first music measure.
As with Mambo dance, in New York salsa style dancers change direction on the second music measure. New York’s Salsa style moves are smooth and clean.
New York style is danced in close proximity while avoiding dancing with many turns, spins, or any unique styling.
Here is an example of the New York Salsa dance style:
What Is The Most Popular Salsa Dance Style?
The most popular Salsa dance style Worldwide is LA style. It is commonly called “Salsa on 1” because it is danced on the 1 where dancers break forward on the first beat of the music.
The main reason why the LA style is so popular is that it is very easy to learn. LA Salsa style is a great starting point for someone with little or no previous experience dancing.
Perhaps, this could be the reason why I love LA style so much.
The linear aspect of LA style makes it easy to keep track of where you are at. You will master this style very quickly by knowing the basic turns and spins! Traditional LA Salsa style has more dips, lifts, and drops because they entered the scene from the more conventional Latin styles.
Why Are There So Many Different Styles Of Salsa Dance?
There are many different variants of Salsa dance because of the geographic and cultural influence. Salsa has become very popular in the 1970s across the World. Since then, different Salsa styles have emerged to adapt to particular geographical or cultural needs.
Original Salsa dance comes from Cuba, and other styles have developed in other parts of the World to adjust to contemporary needs. Salsa music and dance have evolved hand in hand.
Final Words
Salsa is one of the most popular Latin dances across the World, and no matter what style you choose to learn, you will have lots of opportunities to dance socially. I would strongly recommend trying more than one style to get a feel for them. Once you do that, then stick to the Salsa style you like the most. As I mentioned earlier, my favorite is LA Salsa style.
Happy Dancing!
