What would it take for salsa to have a revival?

Around here most Cuban dancers can't handle fast songs either. Feels like they fail to tighten up the body movement appropriately. Basics still work mostly fine, but the responsiveness isn't there.
 
Around here most Cuban dancers can't handle fast songs either. Feels like they fail to tighten up the body movement appropriately. Basics still work mostly fine, but the responsiveness isn't there.
So is it more of a regional divide. Certain regions are used to dancing to
Fast songs and others are not.
 
I don't get it.. These songs are fast but totally danceable, with right partner of course who can dance close and tight and light and on beat. What's the issue?
Is this the salsa equivalent of sensual bachata dancers being unable to dance to Dominican tracks?

It's largely a mindset issue, refusal to adapt outside a very narrow style. Also IMHO a consequence of the narrow range of music played in some scenes, something I feel is actively harming dancer development.
 
Is this the salsa equivalent of sensual bachata dancers being unable to dance to Dominican tracks?
I do not think so. If I look at posters who say they are danceable and those who say they are too fast for social dancing - the divide is falling across the ocean. For most part. You, I think are an exception on the continent side, but then you are on an island :D


the narrow range of music played in some scenes, something I feel is actively harming dancer development.
It is good to dance to range of music. But not elevator style music which breaks the character and mold of ever you expect of the genre.
 
Is this the salsa equivalent of sensual bachata dancers being unable to dance to Dominican tracks?

It's largely a mindset issue, refusal to adapt outside a very narrow style. Also IMHO a consequence of the narrow range of music played in some scenes, something I feel is actively harming dancer development.

Probably. Even nyc Sunday socials are too dura IMO. Danceable linear salsa music should be wider in speed and variety, slow medium, fast, charanga, timba, chacha, slow and smooth, fast and power... Hopefully that propels dancers to move differently and accordingly.
 
I do not think so. If I look at posters who say they are danceable and those who say they are too fast for social dancing - the divide is falling across the ocean. For most part. You, I think are an exception on the continent side, but then you are on an island :D

From what I've seen, adjusting to diverse music isn't a linear dancer's strong suit. It has only gotten worse over the years. (I mean regionally speaking). The sensual revolution definitely changed the game.
 
Probably. Even nyc Sunday socials are too dura IMO. Danceable linear salsa music should be wider in speed and variety, slow medium, fast, charanga, timba, chacha, slow and smooth, fast and power... Hopefully that propels dancers to move differently and accordingly.
We also add some bolero for slow people and lovers.
 
Danceable linear salsa music should be wider in speed and variety, slow medium, fast, charanga, timba, chacha, slow and smooth, fast and power... Hopefully that propels dancers to move differently and accordingly.

When I speak to people who start moving away from Salsa, they say it's because the music is too boring and one-speed compared to <gasp> Bachata. But you can substitute Bachata with Kizomba or Zouk, which to me sound incredibly one-note. It's not actually about the music and we all know it.

So few people are being exposed to the rich tapestry that is Salsa music. It's kind of a vicious circle. Because the music being played is one speed, no one gets curious about searching for their own music. They are fed bland food and think it's all the same everywhere.

When the world stopped because of Covid, what was everyone listening to? Bachata? Kizomba? Zouk? Hell no. No touchy feely? What's the point of dancing? lol.

People were in fact, listening to Salsa. This was when the music took over the spotlight from the dancers and DJs were finally able to showcase more than the same 15-20 songs they usually play at events. But 5 years later, my ears are once again being assaulted with blandness. I definitely don't blame people who can't into Salsa and choose to go in another direction. It's just a pity that they never knew what real Salsa sounded like.
 
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Self destructive paradox indeed . But as the OP is about revival, what to do about it? Just hope to ride it out? Are we even at the bottom? I hear BB King... Thrill is gone...
 
Sure hope not. Sounds like a illegitimate lovechild of salsa and reggaetton. That's one of few I just can't stand, let alone dancing to it, unless after few shots of very hard stuff...
 
For folks to folk to salsa classes, there will need to be a big moment in wider popular culture. Like a movie that becomes a big hit, or someone very popular (think like Taylor Swift or Oprah in her heydays) who advocates salsa dancing.
 
Some nice dancing (on 1) in this one
, if this kind of thing is popular, there could totally be a salsa revival. Not really sure what kind of reach Guaynaa has with his salsa tracks though
The exposure to his listener base is all that's needed. Same with Bad Bunny, Nathy Peluso, Daddy Yankee, Rauw Alejandro and others. The exposure matters a ton.
 
Some nice dancing (on 1) in this one
, if this kind of thing is popular, there could totally be a salsa revival. Not really sure what kind of reach Guaynaa has with his salsa tracks though
Seems I have heard the hooks in this song many times before. Hmmm, I wonder if he plagiarized a bunch of tunes. That said, the song works for me, has that uptempo section that cries salsa caleña and cuban style works throughout.
 
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