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Latin rhytms preferred by Europeans to learn to dance

A brief introduction about Latin music

In the last several years, Latin music has become a real phenomenon throughout much of the world, especially in Europe. Currently, Latin rhythms are heard in almost every corner of the Old Continent, which has been really beneficial for the great men of these musical styles, who have started their artistic careers in major cities of Europe.

After becoming an overwhelming success for this music in Latin America and the US, it gradually expanded throughout many European countries, in which Spanish and family languages have a strong presence. In these countries, the Latino community has been growing steadily, which has made locals take an interest in its culture and traditions, including music. There are many Europeans who want to learn how to dance many Latin rhythms, but there are some that distinguish themselves from others.

Salsa

Europeans love Latin music — A drum for Latin music

Among the many Latin rhythms that many Europeans wanted to learn how to dance, salsa can never be lacking. This is because this world-renowned musical genre is very sociable and entertaining, which few Europeans were accustomed to see in ages past. Salsa is commonly danced in Los Angeles and very present at all kinds of parties and amateur competitions, especially in Continental Europe. In that part of the continent, it is quite common to find dance academies that teach this specific style.

There are many European nations that organize dance championships in which salsa occupies a very special place.

Bachata

Another genre preferred by Europeans in order to learn how to dance is bachata, which is from the Dominican Republic and characterized by very slow and sensual movements on the part of the members of the couple. After all the success achieved by bachata artists, this genre has become one of the rhythms with the largest presence in European music festivals.

There is no denying that a set of soloists and groups have offered an unimaginable contribution to the expansion of bachata throughout the world, such as Juan Luis Guerra, Romeo Santos, Prince Royce, among others.

Tango

Europeans dancing Latin music — A young couple dancing Latin music

If there is a genre that cannot be out of any list of options to learn how to dance, it is Argentine tango. One of the reasons why this elegant and distinguished dance has had this incredible success in Europe and elsewhere in the world has been the huge presence it has had in numerous Hollywood films and the great interest which ballroom dances have awakened in countries like England.

It is anticipated that its popularity will increase and have as much presence as salsa and bachata in dance events throughout the Old Continent. It is not long before it does.

Rumba

One of the most interesting details of a genre like rumba is that it has undergone a great number of changes in the mists of time. This is due to its Cuban origin and its many fusions with certain Spanish and African rhythms, so no wonder the sympathy that many Europeans have for this colorful musical genre.

The ones greatly responsible for the expansion of rumba in Europe have been the dance masters who have devoted much of their work to the promotion of this and other rhythms from Latin America.

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Camilo and El Alfa release “Bebé”, a bachata song

Listen to BEBÉ the new song from Camilo and El Alfa

The Colombian singer Camilo, winner of a Latin Grammy in this year’s ceremony, joined forces with the Dominican El Alfa to surprise everybody with a bachata full of feelings.

El Alfa is a Dominican rapper that, with lots of professionalism, joined him in this adventure. Camilo has triumphed in the musical industry, and has left more than one surprised with this song in the bachata genre, after all it’s his first experience with it.

My approach to music is always from the illusion, from what my heart asked me, and in this moment it wants to dance pegaito (close)”, expressed Camilo. “It’s a tribute to Dominican Republic, a country that I love with all my heart”, he added.

Camilo and El Alfa — Colombia and Dominican Republic reunite with this song.

Within hours of its release, the song has more than four million views on YouTube, and keeps rising. Camilo looked very pleased with the final result and commented on YouTube:

ALL THE TRIBE DANCING PEGAITO (CLOSE)!!!! Thanks Alfa, you are an incredible human being, very unique! Colombia and Dominican Republic dancing together!!!”; he expressed.

Beside, he announced the release through his Instagram profile:

BEBÉ is released with @elalfaeljefe. This is going to be the soundtrack of my end of the year holidays!!! LET’S DANCE!!! Cheers. THE TRIBEEEE”, he said. The post was ended with emojis of the Colombian and Dominican flags.

Emanuel Herrera Batista, better known as El Alfa also took advantage of his social media profiles to share BEBÉ.

I thought that my first bachata would be with “THE KING” Romero Santos!! But it was my turn to work with the most worldwide mentioned artist, thanks @camilo for this chance! I have so much respect and affection for him”, El Alfa commented with two pictures together with the Colombian singer.

The music video was filmed in Samaná, a seaside city from Dominican Republic, and it was directed by Eva Luna, Camilo’s wife. It shows images from different parts of the island, and it’s focused on a couple’s love, and reflects couples dancing to the song rhythm. The production is under Sony Music Label.

Camilo is very excited about this song and working with El Alfa

It’s the first time that both artists share melodies, and they have been very pleased with the experience, and the final result. In fact, on a recent interview Camilo has given some words about the collaboration:

We met at an award show. I’ve always shown a curiosity for his identity. I think that he is a unique human being and I celebrate that identity, and the honesty above all. I celebrate his honesty in what he does, without asking anybody, without asking permission. He follows his hearts and wrote the songs that it dictates, for me that is something worthy to learn from him. It’s a tribute to the Dominican sound which is a second home for me, because it’s my parents’ home where they live, and each time I visit it, I fall in love more with a country that touches the heart from the first day that you land. I feel that I’m going to have the opportunity to enter the houses of many families with this song”, he commented to Diario Libre.

Could be the beginning of a new chapter for the Colombian singer’s career? Let’s wait and see!

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Meet Gerardo Osvaldo Russo

Meet Gerardo Osvaldo Russo, director of the Salsa y Sentimiento Academy and organizer of the San Clemente Salsa Congress

Gerardo Osvaldo Russo was born on July 3, 1984, lives in a small town called San Clemente Del Tuyú, Argentina; He mentions his tastes for salsa and Latin rhythms and tells us that in 2005 he began to dance and listen to salsa and from that moment his taste and passion began, then he went on to dance other Caribbean rhythms. As of 2009 I have been teaching Caribbean Rhythms in the “SAOCO” studio, which is one of the best places to train in your country, for that I had to travel every week since it is 300 kilometers away from where I lived. I made an important decision which was to dedicate myself completely to teaching and then in the future to be able to create new projects that I already had in mind.

He mentions that the city where he lives had no way of training, since there were few resources and he could not do everything he had in mind, and his motivation was to grow personally as a teacher and dancer and thus be able to put all the knowledge he was acquiring. to the people who went to his classes.

For the year 2008 he began to teach at the beginning as a hobby for a year and a half until he made the decision to work 100% in his profession; Therefore, today it has its own Dance Academy called “Academia Salsa y Sentimiento” which was inaugurated in 2012 where he is currently coordinator and teacher; He has also been in charge of organizing the “San Clemente Salsa Congress” for about 3 years and for his institution he holds Salsa, Bachata and other Caribbean rhythms every year, these include seminars and trainings with teachers of high quality and experience.

San Clemente Salsa Congress 2020 Online with John Moon

The reason that allowed the inauguration of the “Academia Salsa y Sentimiento” was basically that there was a need in the people not only of their city, but also of the neighboring cities of Puerto de la Costa, which is the region to which San Clemente del Tuyú and thus had the opportunity to learn to dance, express himself, find a place of liberation and belonging and also be able to meet people and socialize; For this reason, it is known for being the first dance academy registered in the entire region, feeling very proud of its work team and of itself. In a few words, they mention that their goal has always been for people to identify with the activities they do, find a place where they can learn and have fun, as well as recharge. Students entering this academy may do so without any experience or knowledge of the rhythm they wish to practice. For this year 2020 they will inaugurate their official website to have more information and not only information through their Facebook account.

In the academy you start from scratch but people who already have knowledge can also come because we have several levels. We work with people from 3 years onwards.

The biggest goal to be achieved was to create an International Salsa Congress where they proposed to bring their students to compete; and in 2016 they were able to do it with the reggaeton group with professor “Maximiliano Laplaca” reaching the finals of one of the most important competitions in Argentina and South America called “Argentine Aerobic and Dance Tournament” (TAAD).

For this year, together with other companies in the city, they are working to provide benefits to their students and not only have the possibility of learning and having fun, but they can also access discounts and benefits in stores in San Clemente. There is also a project for a few years from now, and that is to be able to train teachers to leave our Academy.

At the end he gives us a message for both students and future learners

“My message is as a teacher but fundamentally as a human being is that they do not stop going in search of their dreams, as long as they work hard with responsibility, passion and respect for things can be achieved. To also tell anyone who wants to come to the Salsa y Sentimiento Academy, they will find a place not only where they can learn to dance and train, but also a human group of contention, a place where they can freely express and bring out everything they carry inside. Adults and children who are united by the passion for dancing. Teachers who love what they do and want to pass it on to new generations. Always open to the possibility of listening to anyone who has new ideas to build a better Academy Salsa y Sentimiento every year ”

Members Salsa y Sentimiento Academy — Members of the Salsa y Sentimiento Academy

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Everything you need to know about tarraxa

Tarraxa in Europe

It is amazing the number of African genres that have gained strength at this time. This can be seen in this in the huge amount of events that include these rhythms in Europe, which speaks of an important evolution in the musical ear of those who often did not listen to these styles.

One of those many rhythms is tarraxa, which has begun to play a leading role in dance classes taught in the Old Continent. These classes have managed to gather a large public and very interested in learning to dance genres different from those that they tend to listen to.

What is tarraxa?

tarraxa and traditional kizomba — interracial couple dancing tarraxa

Many people define tarraxa as a very modern way of dancing kizomba, in which the corporal expressions and the rapport between the members of the couple are the two most important details in the dance. This dance is full of sensuality and feelings, something that is not seen very often in more traditional versions of kizomba.

One of the major complications of traditional kizomba is the excessive softness and slowness of many of its rhythms, so the dancers simply do not know how to proceed sometimes. This is also the reason why many would find this African genre a bit boring and choose to look for other styles that are a little more cheerful and lively. Here is where other slightly more intense modalities come to life, such as tarraxa or batida.

When listening to songs based on this dance, it is possible to realize that the rhythm is very marked, allowing the dancers to have more flow and security in their movements. This and other new versions of kizomba derived from the need to try something different, modern and much more intense. Not everyone tastes calm and tranquility in the same way!

Expension of tarraxa through Europe and other latitudes

Tarraxa in the Old Continent — Couple dancing tarraxa closely

As already mentioned, tarraxa is closely related to kizomba, while many have dared to say that the first is nothing more than a more modern version of the second. Well, kizomba originates in Angola with the mixture of a rhythm known as semba with another one called kilipanda. If we have already said that tarraxa was born as a consequence of the modernization of kizomba, that means that we can conclude that tarraxa is also of Angolan origin. This makes its voyage around the world even more interesting.

After kizomba arrived in Europe through Portugal and other countries, this well-known genre has been intermingled with other more local rhythms as a consequence of the adaptation of the rhythms to the ears of its new audience. This resulted in the creation of new variants such as tarraxa, passada, saida, ventoinha, and so on.

The specific case of tarraxa is not very different from that of other musical styles from Africa. It has simply undergone modifications of all kinds to the point at which it resulted in what is now. Nowadays, it is one of the most present genres in events held in Europe and other parts of the world.