Salsa dance (LA Style)
Encyclopedia
L.A. style is danced on 1, in a slot, with a measure of easiness and adaptability to it. It is strongly influenced by the Mambo, Swing, Argentine Tango and Latin Ballroom dancing styles. L.A. style places strong emphasis on sensuousness, theatricality, aerobics and musicality. The lifts, stunts and aerial works of today's salsa shows are derived mostly from L.A. Style forms with origins in Latin Ballroom and Ballet lifts.
The reasons why the L.A. Style of salsa is so well-known around the world are widely disputed. One major factor has been the broadcast of competition video clips from the Mayan World Salsa Championships on the Club Mayan website. Every year, competitors from many parts of the United States and the world come together to challenge each other in this competition. Before moving to Europe, Johnny Vazquez was the reigning king of the Mayan competitions.
History
The L.A. style as it is known today was pioneered by what many consider some of the most famous and influential people in dance. Albert Torres, Laura Canellias and Joe Cassini rightfully deserve much of the credit for the early development and growth of L.A. Style Salsa. Later, such dancers as Alex Da Silva, Edie Lewis, Joby Martinez, Josie Neglia, Liz Rojas, Francisco Vazquez and Janette Valenzuela are often credited with developing the L.A. style of Salsa Dancing as we know it today.The reasons why the L.A. Style of salsa is so well-known around the world are widely disputed. One major factor has been the broadcast of competition video clips from the Mayan World Salsa Championships on the Club Mayan website. Every year, competitors from many parts of the United States and the world come together to challenge each other in this competition. Before moving to Europe, Johnny Vazquez was the reigning king of the Mayan competitions.
Characteristics
The two essential elements of this dance are the forward–backward basic and the cross-body lead. In the cross-body lead, the leader steps forward on 1, steps to the right on 2-3 while turning 90 degrees counter-clockwise (facing to the left), leaving the slot open. The follower then steps straight forward on 5 and turns on 6-7, while the leader makes another 90 degrees counter-clockwise and slightly forward, coming back into the slot. After these 8 counts, the leader and follower have exchanged their positions.See also
- Salsa (dance)Salsa (dance)Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle...
- Salsa dance (Cali Style)Salsa dance (Cali Style)Cali-Style Salsa, also known as Colombian Salsa, is based on geographical location of the Colombian City of Cali. Cali is also known as the "Capital de la Salsa" ; due to salsa music being the main genre in parties, nightclubs and festivals in the 21st century.The elements of Cali-Style Salsa were...
- Salsa dance (Cuban Style)
- Salsa dance (New York Style)Salsa dance (New York Style)New York-style salsa is a night-club style partner dance. Like LA-style salsa, it is danced in a line or "slot", with the follower traveling along this line while the leader remains relatively in the same place. This is in contrast to Cuban-style salsa, which is not restricted to be dance in a...
External links
- Video of LA-style social dancing in LA
- Video of Johnny Vazques social dancing
- Video of LA-style performance, by Johnny Vazquez at the 2001 Mayan Salsa Competitions in LA
- Video of LA-style performance, by Alex Da Silva and Liz Lira at the Mayan Salsa Competitions in LA