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In Defense of Merengue... HOWEVER. I remember when I first started, dancing to a Merengue, I did not realize it. I didn't know the difference between Salsa, Merengue, or Cha Cha at that time. I was one of those people who accidentally "fell into" a Salsa Club one evening, and have been addicted ever since. OK. I'll have to admit, that if it wasn't for Merengue, my frustrations with learning how to follow would have been much worse. It was tough for me to learn how to follow in the beginning. Merengue helped me with that. Here's a story from one of our readers, in defense of Merengue.... Dear Edie, Living in Toronto, we have a rather mixed Latin community with no one country really dominating. I think this is why in our clubs the music selection is very mixed-about 50-50 salsa-merengue and some cumbia too. Merengue is typical of the Dominican Republic and while there are good salsa artists from all over (even Japan, Orquesta de la Luz for example), it seems the best merengue comes from the Dominican. I agree with some of your readers that because merengue is not as complicated as salsa, it gets people out on the floor and eventually encourages them to learn salsa. This is the case with many of my friends ( I find it's sometimes like pulling teeth to get some of my friends out to the Latin clubs), as if I go out with someone who has never danced Latin before, I will make a point to ask her to dance a merengue first before trying a salsa. Another dance that is very beautiful to watch is the bachata also from the Dominican that also takes its roots from merengue. This is a slower, more romantic dance featuring the "tres", the 3 chord guitar typical of Cuban music. I would like to recommend a few groups to your readers:
I have noticed that some of your readers don't speak Spanish. I would recommend they learn because if you get a blast from the music even if you don't understand it, you'll blow your mind when you do! This is the way I picked up most of my Spanish, just by listening to music! Anyway, I love your site and am amazed that you go out 4-5 times a week-I'm lucky if I do that in a month! I am currently taking lessons with some friends from work and when I go to clubs, I like to go with a small group (this is more relaxing, I hate going alone). My e-mail address is amichael@clearnet.com . Un abrazo, |
