Ritmo y sabor 
By Leonardo Rosen May 30, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Dance
Joy of Latin dance
Wed, June 4, 8pm
Café Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Reloj 50A
Free

Here in San Miguel, some of us cannot resist the infectious rhythms of Latin music. We just have to dance. This gives us in one package social life, physical exercise and therapeutic relief from stress. Latin dance is exciting and passionate. The great thing is that it’s not necessary to be a professional to do it. Regular folks of any age can dance at a level that’s appropriate for them.

On June 4, some of your San Miguel neighbors, not professionals, will demonstrate three of Latin America’s gifts to social dance—tango Argentino, salsa and danzón.

Tango Argentino was born in the last quarter of the nineteenth century in Argentina from elements such as folk dances of the Pampas, Afro-Uruguayan candombe and the Cuban habanera. The tango is always evolving. It is both elegant and sensual. Some have described it as “three minutes of intimacy with a stranger.” Many people who have seen an elaborate show like Tango Argentino or Forever Tango don’t realize that this dance is also done in its social form all over the world.

Salsa origins may date to the 1860s, when Cuba gave birth to the son, later known as the son montuno. This rhythm enjoyed decades of tremendous popularity, eventually making its way to New York City. In the sixties and seventies, New York musicians, mainly Puerto Rican, took the rhythm and structure of the son montuno and invented salsa. Salsa has traveled all over the world with tremendous success, eventually returning to Cuba, the land of its roots. Salsa is so lively and infectious that it’s hard not to want to dance to it.

Danzón was first performed in Cuba in 1879, with roots going back a couple of hundred years in Europe. It arrived in Mexico shortly thereafter. This dance combines European melodic and Afro-Cuban rhythmic elements. Also, there is a sense of ritual to it. It has movements like a symphony. The slower, more formal sections are followed by a livelier, faster montuno section.

The montuno gave birth to the mambo and the cha cha chá. To this day, the danzón is danced in cities all over México.

Dancers: We of the Latin social dance community want to share our joy in this healthy and positive activity with all of our friends in San Miguel. We are Delphine and Roberto (tango), Sofy and Aldo (salsa), and Merle, Mercedes and Leonardo (danzón). Of course, we’ll be glad to answer any questions about classes, and if time permits, invite you to take a few steps with us. Special note for men: Yes, you can do this!