How is Cuban Salsa different from “regular” salsa?
Cuban Salsa is different from the North American styles of salsa in a variety of ways: • Casino (Cuban Salsa) is danced in a circular way, with both partners usually using a circle as their dance space, rather than a line or slot as in LA or NY style salsa • It has more emphasis on rhythm and Afro-Cuban style body movement rather than fast and multiple spins. Body isolations and hip movement are as important as leading and following turn patterns. • The advanced turn patterns are characterized by intricate and arm-twisted movements • Being versatile with the rhythm is also important as Cuban style can be danced to emphasize (break on) the first beat (Rumba timing or “On 1”), the second beat (“Contratiempo” or “On 2”) or the third beat of the music (“A tiempo” or “On 3”). Tapping in between footsteps is also a common feature.
