No Beginner Mambo/Salsa- Group Class This Week

About American Style Mambo/Salsa

Mambo came out of Cuba in the 1940s, blending son montuno with big-band jazz. Musically it’s 4/4 at a moderate-to-fast clip. The defining feature is the break on 2 dancers hold or tap on count 1 and break forward/back on 2, giving it that staccato, punched quality. Ballroom mambo exaggerates this with strong hip action and clear pauses; the body settles into each step rather than lowing through it.

Salsa grew out of mambo in New York in the 60s and 70s, picking up Puerto Rican and otherCaribbean influences. Same 4/4 structure, same 8-count over two measures with a quick-quick-slow rhythm and a tap or pause on the unused beat. The main split is timing: LA/linear style breaks on 1, New York style breaks on 2 (essentially mambo timing), and Cuban casino travels circularly instead of along a slot. Motion is more continuous and the tempo often faster.

Since both use the same 8-count partnering framework, figures move over cleanly.

What to Wear

• Wear comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement and flexibility.
• Choose shoes that you can comfortably walk and dance in.
• If you are not comfortable walking in heels, we recommend selecting a flat shoe or a lower, more stable heel.
• If you are looking for practice shoes, we recommend The Dancer In You.

Please Note: Proper ballroom dance shoes have suede soles and should not be worn outdoors, as this can damage the suede and affect performance on the dance floor.