Dancing expertise

DRgirlatheart · #1 10-05-2003, 09:58 AM

Hi!

I realize this is another generality, but here goes.

I noticed when I was on the resort that every staff member I ever saw dancing (including waiters, bartenders, etc) had terrific rhythm and could dance like nobody's business. The men were strong partners and knew how to hold a woman in their arms to best lead her on the dance floor, even if she was not the greatest dancer herself. For those of you who are more in the know than I am, would you say that Dominicans, in general, are usually good dancers? I find that most North American men cannot dance (especially to uptempo music) anywhere near as well as what I saw in the DR.

Just curious.

Thanks.

Ken · #2 10-05-2003, 10:08 AM

Yes, Dominicans like to dance and most dance well. And they seem to hear music that others don't. When I am working out in the gym, for example, often see a Dominican standing in front of the full length mirrors practicing his/her dance steps.

AnnaC · #3 10-05-2003, 11:43 AM

It's in the blood my dear, it's in the blood.

Keith R · #4 10-05-2003, 01:36 PM

Word! What Anna said!

My wife (a dominicana) likes to joke that Dominicans dance so well because they start hearing the beat and feeling the dance steps while they are in their mother's womb.

Since I witnessed one of her cousins, nine months pregnant and only a week from delivering, dancing up a storm at our wedding reception, I suspect there may be a grain of truth to this joke!

One time when my suegra, a widow, was in town, we took her out to a local Latin nightclub for dancing. She was invited to dance by a Mexican gentleman (and yes, folks, he did act like a gentleman). After two songs he told my suegra that "you must be Dominican, you dance so well."

I have heard similar remarks about Dominican dancing ability in Brazil and Venezuela. So the rep is not limited to North American & European tourists!

Looking Forward to Showing My Dominican Side on the Dance Floor at the NYC Reunion 18 Oct.,
Keith

MerengueDutchie · #5 12-17-2003, 12:50 PM

I went to the DR with two friends. We stayed at Boca Chica, Santo Domingo and Cabarete. We also went dancing in POP and Sosua. We are amateur dancers, but practice two to three evenings a week with salsa, merengue and bachata.

Here are my observations:

In Boca Chica we went to a party in the beachbar just on the end of the little pier they have. This party was given for the staff of one of the resorts and included the entertainment staff. We ended up there by accident because we heard salsa music and thought to take a look. We drank a Santo Libre and then asked one of the entertainment girls to dance. You could see her looking at us like "One more tourist and I'm on a private party!". After a few turns she was asking us to dance some more, she wanted to practice her turns and learn from us.

We ended up having a great time and danced with all the girls there.

In all places mentioned we had girls flocking to us to dance with us. It was my experience that the locals have a good feel for the beat but don't know as much about 'vueltas', figures, shines etc, especially for Salsa, because they don't take lessons. They do tend to dance well but in rather simple structures.

The Salsa capital of the world is NY, not SD!

MD

AnnaC · #6 12-17-2003, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MerengueDutchie

We ended up having a great time and danced with all the girls there.

In all places mentioned we had girls flocking to us to dance with us. It was my experience that the locals have a good feel for the beat but don't know as much about 'vueltas', figures, shines etc, especially for Salsa, because they don't take lessons. They do tend to dance well but in rather simple structures.

MD

Sure if you say so.

AtlantaBob · #7 12-17-2003, 01:21 PM

Salsa is not a Dominican dance. It is Cuban, Puerto Rican and NY.
I think those girls can "da la vuelta" with anyone when it comes to merengue. And when a Dominican man gets up on the dance floor, ten cuidado chico, nobody can dance merengue and feel the beat like a Dominican man.

Lissy · #8 12-17-2003, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MerengueDutchie
I went to the DR with two friends. We stayed at Boca Chica, Santo Domingo and Cabarete. We also went dancing in POP and Sosua. We are amateur dancers, but practice two to three evenings a week with salsa, merengue and bachata.

Here are my observations:

In Boca Chica we went to a party in the beachbar just on the end of the little pier they have. This party was given for the staff of one of the resorts and included the entertainment staff. We ended up there by accident because we heard salsa music and thought to take a look. We drank a Santo Libre and then asked one of the entertainment girls to dance. You could see her looking at us like "One more tourist and I'm on a private party!". After a few turns she was asking us to dance some more, she wanted to practice her turns and learn from us.

We ended up having a great time and danced with all the girls there.

In all places mentioned we had girls flocking to us to dance with us. It was my experience that the locals have a good feel for the beat but don't know as much about 'vueltas', figures, shines etc, especially for Salsa, because they don't take lessons. They do tend to dance well but in rather simple structures.

The Salsa capital of the world is NY, not SD!

MD

I'm puerto rican and Salsa is our dance....NY do cut it up in Salsa...but maybe it's where you were at.... because I know a lot Dominicans can cut it up in Salsa w/ vueltas...and brincaditas and all.....maybe they were just trying to make you feel good..... It's just like there are a lot of Dominicans who don't/know how to dance bachata....because it's a dance from El Cibao.....but w/ bachata being so popular now....who doesn't dance it.

Adrian Bye · #9 12-17-2003, 01:36 PM

I learned how to dance merengue pretty well a few years ago. I have found that in general the people here aren't THAT good, they learn a few basic steps because they're around it so much.

Yes, there are some who are very good, but I don't find them very often.

I was disappointed to have that realisation. But its not really "in their blood". Those who have taken some classes and learned are good. Otherwise they're actually pretty mediocre, and some are terrible. They can't keep a rhythm at all.

It just looks cool to foreigners because we don't commonly see that style of dancing, and most people have a basic level.

(nor am I that great a dancer).

AnnaC · #10 12-17-2003, 01:47 PM

I'm not saying all 8 million can dance but if you don't think Dominicans dance well it's because they are dancing with you. Or are trying to follow you.hehehehehehehehe

Never mind. You won't hear from me again. No point explaining it.