Join our new Social Dance Program (Monday & Wednesday @8:30pm).
A new dancer will start as a social dancer, attracted by enjoying dance at a social event, witnessing a TV show, yearning for more “social” in their social life – or being talked into it by a spouse, friend or relative. A small percentage of social dancers later find that their love of dance compels them to become competitive dancers or DanceSport Athletes.
The vast majority of new dancers will remain social dancers all of their life and will reap many benefits from this activity. A competent social dancer is always welcomed and in great demand at social events.
Your participation in a regular program of ballroom dancing will produce significant mental and physical health benefits.
Dancing is a great stress reliever. It stimulates the brain. It builds confidence, alertness and a good attitude. It also has been proven to be a great physical benefit as it physically tones the whole body in enjoyable exercise.
Social Latin dancing, which includes the Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Rumba, ChaCha, Samba, and other offshoots, originated in places like Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, but the dances have been embraced worldwide. In the 1950s and 1960s New York City became a hub for Latin music and dance, and Latin clubs continue to open and thrive in our city today. Latin culture has widened its appeal through television, film and theater as well. Some typical “flavors” of social Latin you will encounter here at Stepping Out and in New York City are:
Salsa/Mambo – the most popular Latin dance, enjoyable for beginners to the most dedicated salseros. Styles range from a more classic style d erived from the dance’s origins in Cuba, to NY-style “on 2,” to the competitive American Rhythm style. Movement ranges from a simple, sensual basic to the craziest of fast turns and arm movements.
Merengue – a simple march-like step combines with turn patterns similar to those in salsa/mambo, with lots of room for flirtation along the way.
Rumba – a social ballroom dance, sensual and slow, with similarities to American Rhythm. International Latin’s Rumba differs in timing and technique, though it shares social Rumba’s sensuality.
ChaCha – also called Cha-Cha-Cha, this is a social dance which encompasses styles ranging from funky NY street, smoother social ballroom, competitive American Rhythm, competitive International Latin, and even Country Western.
Samba – joyous, with a distinctive “bounce” action, this social dance is similar to the same dance in International Latin.
Bachata – soulful and sexy and fun all at once, the Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic and is danced to music of the same name.