The Definition of Sabor!

[Salsa Bear]

Sabor can be developed but it needs the seed or root in order to grow the tree. Constructing a fake tree out of wood is not the same thing. It's not a living entity like growing a tree naturally would be.

So can trees have sabor?

http://visualfunhouse.com/snapshot_illusions/dancing-tree-optical-illusion.html

 

[premier]

If a tree falls in a forest and no one's there, does it have sabor?

 

[salsamarty]

I am a mathematician's daughter after all. You get logic *and* sabor in one package

You are joking here . . . but do you think a logically trained mind has more difficulty dancing with sabor? I am an engineer/scientist through and through. I know I naturally approach things analytically. I feel like I am having to break through that to really hear and dance to the music.

 

[SnowDancer]

So can trees have sabor?

Yes, if they're made into claves.

 

[SnowDancer]

I am a mathematician's daughter after all. You get logic *and* sabor in one package

I trained to be a mathematician. But the only math I do now is counting to 7, and I always forget the 4.

 

[MMaatttt]

You are joking here . . . but do you think a logically trained mind has more difficulty dancing with sabor? I am an engineer/scientist through and through. I know I naturally approach things analytically. I feel like I am having to break through that to really hear and dance to the music.

I don't think so. Pure analysis isn't enough, but it is a great tool if it goes alongside a feel for the music. I found the analytical way of thinking, to break down the music into chunks small enough for me to understand, greatly reduced the time it took me to get into the music.

 

[terence]

I trained to be a mathematician. But the only math I do now is counting to 7, and I always forget the 4.

You wouldnt if you danced Son .

 

[bailar y tocar]

I know I naturally approach things analytically. I feel like I am having to break through that to really hear and dance to the music.

This.
Logic goes with judgement, analysis, filtering, decision-making: this vs. that, here vs. there etc.

Dancing goes with suspending judgement: there is no right or wrong because the brain doesn't get in the way to make that determination.

The sound arrives and somehow short circuits straigth to muscle memory. If someone asks you to describe what you just did on the dance floor you wouldn't remember it because it wasn't happening in that part of the brain where you remember things. If it was a great dance you'd remember who you danced with, maybe develop a crush on that person but you wouldn't remember what moves or movement you did to what part of the music.

 

[Ciaran Hegarty]

If a tree falls in a forest and no one's there, does it have sabor?

Depends - did it fall on one lumberjack or on2?

 

[DJ Ara]

If a tree falls in a forest and no one's there, does it have sabor?

Depends on who it falls on!

Sabor is contant. One guy can be dancing to salsa alone in his living room and have sabor. "Sabor" does not depend on others, but on the person and what he feels within and often how s/he reflects it outside!

 

[Sabrosura]

Logic goes with judgement, analysis, filtering, decision-making: this vs. that, here vs. there etc.

Dancing goes with suspending judgement: there is no right or wrong because the brain doesn't get in the way to make that determination.

The sound arrives and somehow short circuits straigth to muscle memory. If someone asks you to describe what you just did on the dance floor you wouldn't remember it because it wasn't happening in that part of the brain where you remember things. If it was a great dance you'd remember who you danced with, maybe develop a crush on that person but you wouldn't remember what moves or movement you did to what part of the music.

Indeed.

I've often noted after having an amazing dance that I had been completely "immersed in the moment", completely "lost" in the connection with the music and my partner, and that's probably one reason why we remember so few specific details about the actual dance, other than how we felt and maybe a very memorable break or two.

My peeve about dancing with Frankie: try as I might, I don't remember anything about the dance afterwards. This happens after all my dances with him. I can't remember any specific details about moves or steps. I just remember feelings, how good the dance felt, the connection, and feeling amazingly attuned to the music. This complete memory loss happens with other dances/dancers, but rarely as consistently and as completely as with him.

 

[borikenSalsero]

Yet when I dance with Latinos, be they PRs or Dominicans or Colombians, a lot of them (including dance instructors) tell me that I "seem Latina" because of the way I dance and enjoy and express the music (in a Dominican instructor's words, I have the "Dominican swing"--btw, I've only been to the DR twice, briefly, and had not hung out with or danced with Dominicans until then). So given that I do not have the Criollo/native Caribbean feel/way of dancing, how do you interpret their assessment of and reaction to my dancing?

They are implying that only something/someone latin@ can dance nicely. They like the way you dance...it has be latino to be acceptable in their thinking. The matter of fact is that, especially the female figure, looks alluring properly executing a figure-eight with the hips... be it any ethnic background. Often latin females move the hips seductively inherently, while non latinas have a difficult time doing so. It's all about the assets, really; a well executed movement then becomes a possession of a latina.

While it is a compliment, I also find it a back handed slap to an entire culture.

People all have pretty much the same biomechanics, do we really think that only latinos can move a certain way?
Snap, ballroom dancers have some of the most seductive movements I've seen anywhere...

 

[MacMoto]

While it is a compliment, I also find it a back handed slap to an entire culture.

That's exactly how I feel when I get a comment like that.

 

[bailar y tocar]

While it is a compliment, I also find it a back handed slap to an entire culture.

People all have pretty much the same biomechanics, do we really think that only latinos can move a certain way?
Snap, ballroom dancers have some of the most seductive movements I've seen anywhere...

I think that interpretation is too negative. I have received similar compliments as a gringo dancing in Colombia and in Cuba. I think its a true appreciation that someone from the outside with no family ties is immersed in their culture and in the case of Colombia does it as well as many locals. They see that as honoring their culture. Its genuine.

Btw, the verbal compliments are typically from guys. The compliments from women are different and indirect: they ask me to dance which is somewhat rare in latino culture. So it has little to do with wanting to hook up, its about being connected to the music and the dance.

 

[bailar y tocar]

Indeed.

I've often noted after having an amazing dance that I had been completely "immersed in the moment", completely "lost" in the connection with the music and my partner, and that's probably one reason why we remember so few specific details about the actual dance, other than how we felt and maybe a very memorable break or two.

My peeve about dancing with Frankie: try as I might, I don't remember anything about the dance afterwards. This happens after all my dances with him. I can't remember any specific details about moves or steps. I just remember feelings, how good the dance felt, the connection, and feeling amazingly attuned to the music. This complete memory loss happens with other dances/dancers, but rarely as consistently and as completely as with him.

You'll have to contract a personal videographer who follows you around everywhere you go.

 

[AndrewS]

You'll have to contract a personal videographer who follows you around everywhere you go.

Are you sure she hasn't done that already? We've seen quite a few videos starring Sabrosura recently.

 

[premier]

Are you sure she hasn't done that already? We've seen quite a few videos starring Sabrosura recently.

I think it's just natural consequence of pretty young girls dancing around dirty old men with cameras.

 

[Sabrosura]

You'll have to contract a personal videographer who follows you around everywhere you go.

I already have one for the next few months, my SF roommate. But doesn't work in Frankie's case because he doesn't like being filmed.

I think it's just natural consequence of pretty young girls dancing around dirty old men with cameras.

Actually, most of my videos from my recent trip to the Dominican Republic were filmed by women. I have more like the merengue one, and a couple of rather X-rated videos of me dancing dembow that I will not post here

Are you sure she hasn't done that already? We've seen quite a few videos starring Sabrosura recently.

Lol, that's because I've recently (more or less willingly ) come out of SF anonymity.

 

[borikenSalsero]

I think that interpretation is too negative. I have received similar compliments as a gringo dancing in Colombia and in Cuba. I think its a true appreciation that someone from the outside with no family ties is immersed in their culture and in the case of Colombia does it as well as many locals. They see that as honoring their culture. Its genuine.

Btw, the verbal compliments are typically from guys. The compliments from women are different and indirect: they ask me to dance which is somewhat rare in latino culture. So it has little to do with wanting to hook up, its about being connected to the music and the dance.

It is meant genuinely, I do not reject that. But, what does the label "latin@" really mean?
Why ethnically label movement to determine worth of dance, and/or appreciation of a culture?

 

[wonderwoman]

I'm still hiding in salsaforums anonymity, and it will be a long time til I as much publicly reveal my current city, let alone post a video of myself. hahaha