Well, he didn't say "getting drunk", he said "drinking". He emphasized on the fun aspect contrary to the sober seriousness. I avoid alcohol during dancing but if others can handle some soft alcoholic beverages I'm fine with that.
I'm flipped
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Well, he didn't say "getting drunk", he said "drinking". He emphasized on the fun aspect contrary to the sober seriousness. I avoid alcohol during dancing but if others can handle some soft alcoholic beverages I'm fine with that.
You haven't spent much time partying with Cubans looks like.
If you don't drink you can at least talk to each other and smile a bit. The problem with kizomba I am talking about has nothing to do with drinking or not. You just pick on that because you have nothing to say about the rest. |
This is why I've spent a lot of time now learning bachata. I wish salsa was the dance everyone is taking up, but bachata has momentum right now in many parts of the world. Ultimately I love social, partner dancing and connecting with other people above the music itself, so I decided it's worth learning so I can have those experiences. I don't let the lack of musical complexity/ variety bother me too much and instead focus on the feeling. Appreciate this (connection > music) will be anathema to some members of this forum but it's my personal view!
I find that I do like some of the bachata music now. Ultimately it's more of a 'pop' style music, so just like with any band, the good songs get stuck in your head eventually and you enjoy them. One thing I'll say for bachata music is that it is at least easier to show musicality since it's clear when the breaks are coming etc. Not saying that makes it better than salsa music, just that it's easier for more people to participate in musicality of the dance.
I think as with any dance you enjoy it more as you get better. I recently had my first experiences of dancing with elite BS dancers and it opened my eyes more to the potential enjoyment of the dance
I don't think I'd feel comfortable w/ that level of connection unless it was with a S/O. I could see myself enjoying it a lot more if I was dating a bachatera, but otherwise, i don't know. Maybe I'm just a prude.
Really odd because I loved to go clubbing when I was younger, and I'm pretty sure dancing to Prince Royce is more wholesome than Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz.
If we are referring to close quarter physical connection and risqué dancing in Bachata, the BS seems to be more sanitized compared to bachata danced before BS became popular.
I have no idea if BS dancers feel more connected the way it is danced now. But if their idea of connectedness is physical closeness from all the body rolls and zoukish influence in BS where there is a lot of open hold dancing then it is nowhere as close as what bachata that was danced in salsa clubs before. It would be full on full body contact from face, shoulders, torso, down to the legs tangled for most of the dance. With occasional opening up. It was self selected crowd of course who would attempt to dance since bachata was not as wide spread, no classes, and you picked it up in clubs by watching others. I remember being surprised at how many ladies would want to dance it back then despite it being such a physically close dance.
I can recall many non-dancers and other dancers from ballroom, tango, swing etc feel scandalized watching bachata dancing of that era.
I certainly understand this perspective. My gf isn't totally comfortable with it but is slowly coming around (her own journey - not me pushing her). But still, we often go out to dance just together because she is not comfortable with seeing me dance that close with other women, which I understand
1derpalm
Son Montuno
Oh right. The 8 is to the side lol
Unfortunately the good songs hardly get played, I often get depressed on european bachata floors because of this low-energy-music they play 80% of the time. Welcome to melancholic european youngsters celebrating their low-energy. This sleepy sound with some childish voice can bring a baby into sleep but not me into dancing. No wonder dominican bachata has no chance on european floors. Even the king Romeo Santos doesn't get played much anymore, he's too energetic I guess, he can't deny his dominican roots. What europeans like is Mr. Don and DJ "Don't wake me up". I feel that even many good bachateros don't like this development - you can't dance really expressive to this sleepy sound, that's why for all shows and promo videos they choose more energetic sounds. But back on the daily dancefloor the sleepy sound is embraced by the beginner masses. I guess this DJ music will send bachata sensual onto the loosing slope over the long run, because energy preferences will change with the next generation.
Yes, it is kind of surprising women accept this closeness with random dudes, but once bachata became fashion it was hard to stay away for all who want to join the in-crowd, so they swallow that pill.
To me most of the BS I hear is slow tempo pop remix. I haven’t heard any BS dancers saying they really like that music. They consider it same as eating vegetables. Tolerate it so they can dance BS and the movements. If I want to hear say Ed Sheeran (whom I like and I find him perfect for WCS), then why do I need to hear a BS remix with bachata beats to his music. It spoils the music I like and doesn’t inspire me to dance bachata. There are some good bachata remixes of popular songs. Most that gets played is crappy uninspiring remix at BS. As you said better to put on when trying to fall asleep.
Then there is the Dominican sound. The popular bachata music that is not remix. It also varies in range from what it sounded in 90s and 2000s to what is being created now for mass popularity. There are plenty of good danceable numbers if the DJ has a good collection and knows how to read the floor, manage the floor energy, etc. You can go from high energy songs which call for lot of footsteps to lower tempo suited for sensous dancing. A lot of this music is also addictive. However personally and most salsa dancers can enjoy it for 10 to 30 minutes. After that it lacks rhythmic variety. In bachata, the partner you dance with adds or subtracts far more from your dance enjoyment than in salsa.
It was the same before bachata became a fashion. Far more women are willing to dance upfront and close with random guys than we guys think. Not only in more open western society but also in conservative societies. I think within the confines (or is it safety) of social dancing space, the women are less inhibited about dancing closely with unknown men. Yes, people may be random or unknown but perhaps there is some unwritten social contract when we are in a space of partner social dancing that the conventions or suspicions of outside world are dropped/lowered/not applied. The assumption is that it is nothing more than a dance unless a partner’s actions hint otherwise. Most guys when hitting on or interested in a woman will try to get a dance with her without trying to make her uncomfortable. Unless a sociopath or head screwed up wrong way (e.g. entitled), a guy interested will not try to do anything remotely creepy or unwarranted advances when dancing. An average guy when interested in a woman wants to get close without being rejected. The fear of rejection is higher than anything else. So they may feel uneasy or too conscious when dancing with person of interest to not screw up. That might cause them to dance more carefully than they naturally do with the others who they aren’t interested in. I am guessing the women intuitively know to tell a difference between a clumsy guy (mostly due to lack of skills) from a guy who is acting weirdly or trying to get a feel. When you are not natural self it shows. It is very apparent. A parallel can be seen in the act of asking for a dance. If you are confident and unhesitant compared to when you ask half heartedly or not-confidently. The person been asked can immediately figure out. The one who asks confidently is more likely to get a yes.
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Dead on! And it's like that here too (soflo) in the strictly bachata scene, that I've seen. Just ridiculous..
Bostontraitor
Son
Most of the sensual bachata dancers don't have Dominican bachata training which teaches you to hold the frame and lean back in a close positon. The close position is not really close in Dominican bachata dancing. But of course, BS is more prone to chest to chest.