Latin Sampler

Students will learn 3 dances with Latin roots throughout this course: Cha Cha, Rumba, and Salsa. Ballroom dance shoes are not required, but encouraged! 

Instructor: Sherry Lynn Harshberger

All Log Art Dance group courses are PRICED PER COUPLE, and require a $40 deposit at registration, followed by the remainder of the balance being paid before the first lesson.

ABOUT THE DANCES:

Cha Cha:

The Cha Cha is an offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo, there was a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step the “Triple Mambo.” Eventually, it evolved into a separate dance, known today as the Cha Cha. Cha Cha is defined by its sharp angles and precise foot placements. The dance moves through two tracks on the floor. One track moves in a precise sideward direction. The other track moves in a precise forward and back direction. One of the most common mistakes that dancers tend to make in the Cha Cha is to move diagonally. This makes the dance hard for the lady to follow. Cha Cha dancers remain “grounded” at all times through the dance. This prevents the Cha Cha from looking bouncy like a Polka. Cha Cha music is defined by a rhythm of 1, 2 and 3, 4 and 1. Most Cha Chas have a very sharp crisp sound. However, there are some Cha Chas that have a smoother, almost Rumba feeling.

Rumba: 

The word Rumba is a generic term for a type of West Indian music or dancing. There are two sources of the dance: one Spanish and the African. Although the main growth was in Cuba, there were similar dance developments which took place in other Caribbean islands and Latin America generally. The “Rumba influence” came in the 16th century with the black slaves imported from Africa. The native Rumba folk dance is essentially a sex pantomime danced fast with exaggerated hip movements and with sensually aggressive attitude on the part of the man and a defensive attitude on the part of the woman. Typical Rumba music sounds very sensual and contains a constant tapping or a clave rhythm. Listen for the rhythm of & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 being tapped out lightly in the background of the music. 

Salsa:

The origins of Salsa are not easily defined. Who invented Salsa? The Cubans, the Puerto Ricans? Salsa is a combination of many Latin and Afro-Cuban dances. Salsa is similar to Mambo in that both have a pattern of six steps danced over eight beats of music. The dances share many of the same moves. In the Salsa, turns and wraps have become an important feature, so the overall look and feel are quite different from those of Mambo. Salsa is often danced smoother than traditional Mambo. Salsa has a similar rhythm to Mambo but does not contain the prominent conga drums.

Never danced before? No problem! Sherry Lynn Harshberger has professionally taught ballroom dance for over 30 years, and is dedicated to taking the fear out of learning to dance for individuals, couples, friends, and all! Beginner students can expect to learn 3 dances during this multi-week class: Slow Dance, Jitterbug, and Rumba. Ballroom dance shoes are not required, but encouraged!

Instructor: Sherry Lynn Harshberger

All Log Art Dance group courses are PRICED PER COUPLE, and require a $40 deposit at registration, followed by the remainder of the balance being paid before the first lesson.

ABOUT THE DANCES:

Slow Dance:

One of the most useful and versatile social dances, the Slow Dance can be danced over a large area or over a small area. It is most often used with contemporary love songs and fits better than any other ballroom dance. Slow Dance is a combination of Foxtrot, Tango, Bossa Nova, and Samba movements. This gives the dance three distinct rhythms, but transitioning from one rhythm to the next takes a little practice. Slow Dance music should feel like very slow, romantic Foxtrot music. Like Foxtrot, the music will be accented on the 1st and 3rd beats.

Jitterbug:

The history of the Swing / Jitterbug dates back to the 1920’s when the black community, while dancing to contemporary Jazz music, discovered the Charleston. In the mid 1930’s, a bouncy six beat variant was named the Jitterbug when band leader Cab Calloway introduced a tune in 1934 called “Jitterbug.” Soon after, Swing / Jitterbug music evolved with the help of Benny Goodman’s music. Dancers soon incorporated jazz steps into their dancing.

Jitterbug music is essentially very fast Swing music. As such it is accented on beats 2 & 4 and should feel very energetic.

Rumba:

The word Rumba is a generic term for a type of West Indian music or dancing. There are two sources of the dance: one Spanish and the African. Although the main growth was in Cuba, there were similar dance developments which took place in other Caribbean islands and Latin America generally. The “Rumba influence” came in the 16th century with the black slaves imported from Africa. The native Rumba folk dance is essentially a sex pantomime danced fast with exaggerated hip movements and with sensually aggressive attitude on the part of the man and a defensive attitude on the part of the woman. Typical Rumba music sounds very sensual and contains a constant tapping or a clave rhythm. Listen for the rhythm of & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 being tapped out lightly in the background of the music. 

Join professional dance instructor Brian Harshberger for a Wednesday night ballroom dance drop-in class! Students can expect to build on previous knowledge of ballroom dance by learning steps to new dances every class. Students will learn: Swing, Jitterbug, Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Rumba, and Slow Dance. Prior dance experience is preferred for these classes.

Instructor: Brian Harshberger

ABOUT THE DANCES:

Swing:

Swing dancing is a popular social dance that is often characterized by lifts, spins, and flips. It’s upbeat, lively, and a lot of fun to dance!

Jitterbug:

The history of the Swing / Jitterbug dates back to the 1920’s when the black community, while dancing to contemporary Jazz music, discovered the Charleston. In the mid 1930’s, a bouncy six beat variant was named the Jitterbug when band leader Cab Calloway introduced a tune in 1934 called “Jitterbug.” Soon after, Swing / Jitterbug music evolved with the help of Benny Goodman’s music. Dancers soon incorporated jazz steps into their dancing.

Jitterbug music is essentially very fast Swing music. As such it is accented on beats 2 & 4 and should feel very energetic.

Waltz: 

Colorful, flowing ballgowns! Tails! Weddings! Beautiful music! Strong Melodies! The Waltz was the first music to be written in 3/4 timing. Most Waltzes were originally written for the church. The three beats in a measure were to represent the Holy Trinity. Examples include such popular hymns as Away in the Manger and Amazing Grace. Waltz comes from the old German word waltzen, meaning to roll or turn.

Foxtrot:

The Foxtrot originated in the summer of 1914 by Vaudeville actor Harry Fox. In early 1914, the New York Theater, one of the largest in the world, was converted into a movie house. As an extra attraction, the theater’s management decided to try Vaudeville acts between the shows. As a part of his act, Harry Fox was doing trotting steps to ragtime music. People started referring to his dancing as Fox’s Trot. The name was later shortened to Foxtrot. The Foxtrot is characterized by a fluid gliding or strolling action. If done properly, Foxtrot should feel like taking a walk in the park on a spring day. Foxtrot music is accented on the 1st and 3rd beats and should inspire a walking sensation.

Cha Cha

The Cha Cha is an offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo, there was a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step the “Triple Mambo.” Eventually, it evolved into a separate dance, known today as the Cha Cha. Cha Cha is defined by its sharp angles and precise foot placements. The dance moves through two tracks on the floor. One track moves in a precise sideward direction. The other track moves in a precise forward and back direction. One of the most common mistakes that dancers tend to make in the Cha Cha is to move diagonally. This makes the dance hard for the lady to follow. Cha Cha dancers remain “grounded” at all times through the dance. This prevents the Cha Cha from looking bouncy like a Polka. Cha Cha music is defined by a rhythm of 1, 2 and 3, 4 and 1. Most Cha Chas have a very sharp crisp sound. However, there are some Cha Chas that have a smoother, almost Rumba feeling.

Rumba:

The word Rumba is a generic term for a type of West Indian music or dancing. There are two sources of the dance: one Spanish and the African. Although the main growth was in Cuba, there were similar dance developments which took place in other Caribbean islands and Latin America generally. The “Rumba influence” came in the 16th century with the black slaves imported from Africa. The native Rumba folk dance is essentially a sex pantomime danced fast with exaggerated hip movements and with sensually aggressive attitude on the part of the man and a defensive attitude on the part of the woman. Typical Rumba music sounds very sensual and contains a constant tapping or a clave rhythm. Listen for the rhythm of & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 being tapped out lightly in the background of the music. 

Slow Dance:

One of the most useful and versatile social dances, the Slow Dance can be danced over a large area or over a small area. It is most often used with contemporary love songs and fits better than any other ballroom dance. Slow Dance is a combination of Foxtrot, Tango, Bossa Nova, and Samba movements. This gives the dance three distinct rhythms, but transitioning from one rhythm to the next takes a little practice. Slow Dance music should feel like very slow, romantic Foxtrot music. Like Foxtrot, the music will be accented on the 1st and 3rd beats.