Each month, different latin dance styles will be profiled.

Stay tuned for more listings of latin dance styles next month and links to instructional websites.

In coming months, there will be photos of these dance. In the meantime, check out the action from recent latin dance nights.

This month, profiled are Samba, Salsa, Lambada and Merengue

Samba
This is the real party dance from Brazil; often the feature, glitz and glamour dance of the Rio Carnival. See the ladies wearing the brightly coloured headdresses, high heels and bikini glad outfits. The men excel with fancy feetwork and relaxed rolls of the body. Samba music is loud and proud with a medium to fast drumbeats; yet lyrical and smooth. The music is a blend of Portuguese and African music. Danced singly/unpartnered, the footwork is light and quick and allows the dancer, the privilege of developing their specific style.

Salsa
One of the most popular dances on the floor; its fast rhythms and variety of turns provides a challenge for most couples. The timing of the dance includes generally 2 fast steps and then a slow step. There are different genres of salsa; including LA style (danced in straight forward and back lines) and a more rounded Cuban based salsa where the dancers loop around each other in circular fashion. Most pop music that has a 4/4 beat is suitable to dance salsa to.

Lambada
The sexy dance of passion that generated out of Brazil; very free flowing and more experienced dancers show extreme flexibility in the upper body and back allowing low dips body rolls. Lambada music is smooth and lyrical (often sung in French – Zouk music). Like the salsa it has a quick, quick and slower steps, but often due to musically, the accents of the steps are different. Unlike the upright position of salsa, the lambada leg and body actions are softer and more free flowing – partners dancing close to each other and dancing in circular movements around each other.

Merengue
This dance style originated in the Dominican Republic; with some legends revealing that the slaves developed this downward stepping motion whilst in their chains. The steps are taken one at a time, on alternate legs with a downward/bent knee – 1-2-1-2 pattern on each beat of the music. The music ranges from medium to fast paces and like the samba is loud and colourful with definite drum beats (march like music). Once the feet movement is obtained, there is no limit to the amount of twists, turns and knot tying combinations that partners find themselves getting into. Lots of fun and laughter are promised with this dance style.