What is Salsa?

We are definitely not talking about the sauce. Salsa is many things and there is a beautiful history behind it.

Origin of Salsa

The origins of the word “Salsa” as the name of a dance has been a source of debate for decades. The most popular (and possibly accepted) theory is that Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians in New York coined the phrase in New York in the 1970’s, to describe the spicy fusion of music they were creating out of the rhythms and motifs of Cuban son montuno, guaracha, chachacha, mambo and bolero.

It is said that the evolution of the music drove the evolution of the dance – emigrants to North America from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Colombia in the 1920’s brought their dances and music to the neighborhoods and clubs of New York, Miami and Los Angeles. As the new form of “Salsa” music swept the continent in the 1970’s and 1980’s, those foundation dances – what we like to refer to as the “Roots” has morphed into the modern styles of (the dance) that we dance today.

“Cuban & Puerto Rican musicians in New York coined the phrase in New York in the 1970’s.”

The Salsa “Tree”

Salsa as a dance and music form now have widespread popularity – there are several different styles of salsa and also different styles of salsa music. If you ask any individual Latin dance teacher, musician or performer what Salsa dancing or music is, you’ll likely get several different answers; so the question is, which answer is “right”? Actually, all of them are.

Let’s think of the dancing and music as a great big Tree that looks like this:

Salsa is FUN!

Salsa is the best thing you can learn and do on two feet. It is the most practical, most dance style of dance in the world. Salsa is a great way to connect yourself and the many partners you will dance with. It’s an easy way to feel like you belong in a new city or country. Salsa is an excellent form of exercise and helps you stay emotionally happy. There is nothing like going to a dance class for 1 hour and just letting the time fly by.

I can’t wait to welcome you to our big family, have you coming in week to week, having fun, connecting with new friends and letting lose to amazing Latin songs. Click here to check our current schedule.

If you have any questions you would like me to answer here are some ways you can contact me: message me on Instagram (torontodanceSalsa), on Twitter (#torontodanceSalsa), on Facebook (Toronto Dance Salsa) or email me at [email protected].