Bolero Dance Classes

Bolero is a dance form or a music form that is generally slow tempo and Latin. In dance, there are two distinct styles: Cuban and Spanish. They are each of separate origin but very similar. They are both forms of competitive ballroom dance and are loved around the world and fused with many other styles to create whole new dances. In Spain, it is a dance in ? time that has been around since the 1700's. It is a combination of the traditional dances Sevillana and Contradanza. A dancer names Sebastiano Carezo is said to have created the dance in 1780 and can be danced by either a soloist or in a partnership. It is traditionally accompanied by castanets and guitars and singing.

In Cuba the Bolero is credited with bringing together music and dance to worldwide recognition. It is in a slow 2/4 rhythm and influenced the sound that is associated with Latin American music. It originated in Santiago de Cuba in the end of the 1800's. It developed completely separate from the Spanish version of the dance and music. The dance came after the development of the trova style of music made popular by Pepe Sanchez.
Bolero has been popular since its inception.

The reason it has remained so for so long is that is blends well with other dance forms. The most known and loved of the fusions include Bolero-son, Bolero-mambo, and Bolero-cha. It has also evolved into a standardized form that is at the competitive level. A version of the dance is a part of Latin competitions hosted by the World Dance council and is usually called rumba. The basic steps of the Cuban dance have three steps in four beats with the first step on the second beat. The first beat is a rest. Hip movement is also characteristic of this dance.
In American competitive dance, the Bolero is a dance where the first step is taken on the first bean and the second beat is held. It is a 4/4 time and also very slow. It is different from traditional dance in that it has Cuban motion as well as rises and falls much as a waltz does. The music doesn't need to be Latin for the American style dance. Overall, it is a dance that is appreciated all over the world and stands the test of time. It adapts well and continues to be a favorite.