Are you looking for activities to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
The Arts Center of Greenwood, in partnership with the Latin Festival in Uptown Greenwood (Saturday, September 27 @ 11 am - 7 pm) is offering a third annual Salsa Class designed to celebrate Hispanic/Latinx heritage within our community (and beyond) while building basic skill sets and providing enriching arts experiences. The class is free to attend, so invite a friend to join you in learning the basics of Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and Makuta dancing!
Salsa Class
In this class, participants will learn the fundamentals of Salsa dancing with Jose Vergara. This class is limited to 30 participants, so sign up online today to secure your spot and plan to dance the evening away.
Tuesday, Sept 16 @ 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Admission: Free & Open to the Public (must sign up online)
Tuesday, Sept 16 @ 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Admission: Free & Open to the Public (must sign up online)
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Dance Instructor Biography
Jose Vergara is an Afro-Latin professional dancer with over a decade of experience based in Columbia, South Carolina. He has trained in countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico and México and has competed in championships across the United States. Salsa Dance Salsa is a dynamic, partner dance with a foundation in Cuban music and various Latin American influences, characterized by its energetic, rhythmic footwork, spins, and turns, and often includes solo "shine" sections. Dancers typically step to a musical count of 1-2-3, pause on 4, step forward on 5-6-7, and pause on 8, though variations like "on two" dancing exist, which emphasizes a different beat. The dance has diverse styles such as LA-style salsa with its theatrical flair, Cuban-style salsa with its circular "Rueda de Casino," and Colombian-style salsa with fast, intricate movements. Bachata Dance Bachata is a romantic, partner social dance originating from the Dominican Republic, characterized by a simple 1-2-3-step with a hip sway or tap on the fourth beat. It's an eight-count dance to four-count music, known for its sensual body movement, especially the hip action of the follower. While traditionally danced in close or open positions, its versatility allows for modern styles like LA Bachata, which incorporates more turns and stylized movements, making it approachable for beginners and enjoyed globally. Merengue Dance Merengue is a lively, fast-paced, and easy-to-learn social dance from the Dominican Republic, characterized by a consistent one-two rhythm and a "walking" step with natural hip movement. It is a partnered dance that emphasizes connection and fluid motion over complex footwork, allowing for creative arm movements, turns, and wraps within a closed or open position. Merengue is considered a fun and accessible dance for beginners. Makuta Dance Makuta is an ancient dance that holds a rich and layered history. While some researchers describe it as ritualistic, others highlight its festive nature. Today, it is rarely performed, with its most notable variation, Makuta Trinitaria, preserved within the Congo Cabildo of Trinidad. |