From the infectious beats of the Son Clave, a rhythmic pattern foundational to salsa, to the romantic and flirtatious spirit of Bachata, Latin and Hispanic dance embodies a rich tapestry of rhythms, styles, and movements. Discovering Latin and Hispanic culture can be done through a variety of ways, from the decadent and flavorful cuisines of countries like Cuba and the Dominican Republic, to being immersed in genres of music such as Rhumba, Bossa Nova, and Samba. However, with cultures that have such a close connection to the art of movement, dance might be an even better way of learning. September 15 through October 15 marks the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, defined by the National Museum of The American Latino as “a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture.” Celebrations at Rollins College have included Latin Fest on Mills Lawn on September 15 as well as the Rollins College Dance Program’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage through four weeks of Latin dance workshops.
With the first-class taking place on September 17 in the Tiedtke Theatre and Dance Center, the dance program’s Hispanic Heritage Dance Celebration features an hour and half of information on Latin dance styles, including the musical elements and absolute basics of each particular style. Attendees are then able to practice the forms of movement in groups or pairs. The workshops foster learning and inclusion by creating a welcoming environment where participants of all backgrounds and skill levels can come together to explore and celebrate Latin dance.
Billie Lambert, a Rollins dance student and the visionary behind the Hispanic Dance Celebration, relocated from Panama City Beach to Orlando and immediately felt the presence that the Latin dance community had on the surrounding city.
“Orlando is one of the best places for the Latin dance scene,” says Lambert.
Lambert explains that the city’s proximity to theme parks and other entertainment enterprises results in a surplus of talented creatives residing in the city, in addition to the prominent Latin influence.
Lambert’s idea regarding the Hispanic Celebration Dance Celebration comes from a background of social dancing, dance done in pairs or groups typically surrounding a cultural or recreational context. Many Latin dances, including Salsa and Bachata, are done in pairs. Salsa is a style of dance originating from Cuba, involving swift percussive rhythms and intricate footwork. Bachata hails from the Dominican Republic and is characterized by a four-step pattern and more sensual movements of the body. These styles of dance in addition to traditional Dominican dance have been the main focuses of the program.
Bachata, Salsa, and any form of social dance is formed through the trust and collaboration of artists, resulting in an enriching exchange of culture, emotion, and creativity.
“There is a feeling of connection and camaraderie when you come together to make something joyful,” continues Lambert.
In Latin dance, rhythm has come to not only define the genre but act as a driving force. Salsa, for example, follows the Son Clave, a rhymical pattern characterized by a two-measure cycle containing 5 beats. With the first measure having 3 beats and the following measure having 2 beats, this pattern emphasizes the lively and syncopated nature of Salsa. Rhythm is another integral aspect of the genre of Latin dance, in addition to the collaboration necessary between partners of dance.
“Rhythm is in everything: the sound of the birds, the cicadas outside. Humans have taken rhythms from nature and turned them into audio and sensory experiences,” says Lambert.
Inspired from the welcoming and inclusive nature of the Orlando Latin dance scene, the Hispanic Celebration dance workshops allow for students to learn new styles of dance originating from Latin cultures, learning not only from the instructors of dance but through the collaboration amongst the community.
“I show up to any event and feel welcomed,” says Lambert regarding the Orlando Latin dance scene.
The last class of the series of workshops was supposed to take place on October 8 in the Tiedtke Theatre and Dance Center, focusing on Salsa dance. However, due to preparations for Hurricane Milton, Rollins College will be closed through Friday, October 11, and the salsa class will not be taking place on October 8.
Comments are closed.