History Of The Merengue Dance

By Melanie LaPatin

They say, If you can walk, you can do the Merengue! Thats hardly surprising, given the legend of its origin. The story goes that a soldier returning from war was honored with a large homecoming dance. Unfortunately, his leg was wounded, so he could only step with his good leg, then drag his other leg to where he was standing. The resulting step, step, left, right, left, right pattern in time with the 4/4 music gave rise to the Merengue.

Of course, to dance the Merengue, you dont just drag one leg limping around the ballroom floor, but the constant stepping motion as if you are marching in place, keeping your feet close to the ground, is the basic pattern. More than any other dance, the Merengue is the easiest to learn and it proves that the soul of dancing is not to be found in the feet alone. Its the style and attitude you put into the steps that matter most.

If you havent mastered the Cuban Motion yet, this is the dance to practice on. The Cuban Motion can make the simplest of steps entrancing to watch " and its a lot of fun. Simply take a step on every beat of the music as you make your way around the room. In partner dancing, the woman mirrors the steps of the man, so when he moves his left foot, she moves her right. He holds her in the classic ballroom position: left hand holding her right hand, his right hand at her waist, her left hand on his right shoulder. Then its just one foot after the other and away you go!

The two step pattern can be started on any beat, but in order not to get lost in the middle of the music, its always best to start on the downbeat. The head is kept erect and the upper body remains upright, giving it a majestic appearance and somewhat of a military bearing.

The tempo can be quite fast, and there is no rest for the weary, so turns are usually made in four steps to four beats of the music. The Merengue includes three basic movements: Forward Basic, Back Basic, and Side Basic. Not surprisingly, these movements move you forward, backward, or to the side, with the female mirroring the footsteps of the male lead. Generally speaking, each movement is completed using eight steps before you begin another.

The music is very festive and the movements range from mild to wild. Its a rather fast-paced dance, as you keep marching even through turns, dips and other improvisational moves. The dance is very spontaneous and even sexy if the basic moves are there.

Given the simple nature of the step pattern, there is nothing to exclude any form of movement, which can include various intricate arm twists, turns, ropes, tunnels and pretzels. Or, if you just want to dance in closed position, gazing into your partners eyes, thats fine, too. More than one couple in history has fallen in love dancing to the Merengue! - 30231

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Looking for dance lessons nyc area? Visit DanceTimesSquare.com and work with the pros from So You Think You Can Dance! Receive a private dance lesson at their New York studio for $20!

The History Of The Peabody Dance

By Melanie LaPatin

One of the lesser performed dances in modern ballroom today is the Peabody. Its curious history is shrouded in mystery. Although some say it was named after the Peabody Club (wherever that is) where it became popular, the better-known legend is that it was named after its creator, a fire captain (or police chief) from New York who had a penchant for patronizing the various dance halls on the island of Manhattan. The story goes that Brooklyn Captain (or Lieutenant, or Chief) William Frank Peabody was a rather portly gentleman. So large, in fact, that he could not dance with his partner in the normal fashion, so the women danced at his side. Given the look and feel of the dance, the story seems to be at least a definite possibility, however untrue it may be.

The Peabody began as a variation on the Foxtrot, which was created in New York by Harry Fox in a Manhattan theatre-turned-movie-house in 1914. Captain Peabody was said to be making the rounds at various Jazz clubs in the late teens to early 1920s. His derivative of a very fast Foxtrot is set to Dixieland Jazz or Ragtime music.

In many ways, the Peabody embodies the Golden Age of Ragtime. Its a fun, jaunty, even corny little dance that simply celebrates an evening out. Men traditionally wear old-style suits with derby hats and women wear long dresses as they jog around the room.

The steps can be quite intricate but basically follow an open box pattern and it requires a decent amount of uncrowded floor space. Although there is a definite structure to the steps, the Peabody also lends itself to great improvisation " something that attracts many dancers from Times Square to the City by the Bay and beyond. It can be quite addicting to ballroom enthusiasts who gravitate to it for that very reason.

Although not as popular today as it once was, the dance is considered part of the American Smooth dance category in ballroom competitions. Back in the day (April 21, 1934 to be exact), the Casa Del Rey Nightclub in Newark, New Jersey held a large Peabody contest. James Cagney and Loretta Young dance the Peabody to the music of Darktown Strutters Ball in the 1931 movie, Taxi (not to be confused with the TV series starring Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito and Andy Kauffman). Although the movie labeled the scene a Foxtrot contest, the rapid dance is indeed more of a Peabody. More recently, the Peabody was featured on the popular television show, Dance Fever, in the 1980's.

Sadly, theres no way to prove whether Police or Fire Captain, or Lieutenant, or Chief Peabody ever existed. There is no mention of him at the time the dance was developed in any of the dance literature or Press articles of the day.

It would be interesting to perform a search of the Brooklyn (or Manhattan, etc.) police and fire personnel records to see if a Peabody of any kind was ever a part of the force around 1920, assuming the records even go back that far. So far no one has found him, but thats no reason to let facts interfere with a great story. - 30231

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Looking for dance lessons nyc area? Visit DanceTimesSquare.com and work with the pros from So You Think You Can Dance! Receive a private dance lesson at their New York studio for $20!

Knowing About Online English Courses

By Adriana Noton

Online classes for learning a language are becoming more popular these days. And it's the same for online English courses, too.

Students need good study materials, fast access to the Internet, and a trusty web camera. They also need focus and dedication.

Teachers also need fast Internet access and a trusty web camera. They also need to be patient, qualified, and prepared.

Many excellent reasons exist to learn any language, including English, online. It's fairly inexpensive, convenient, flexible, easy to maintain, and learning or teaching is able to be done from anywhere. Thus, as to why the need for online language courses is increasing there is no secret.

Online English courses are convenient. Students can prepare for and study a lesson at home. Then, they can switch on their computer and have a class at a pre-arranged time. No issues with commuting, weather, traffic, or other similar inconveniences are dealt with. Additionally, lessons can be done in any environment which the student finds comfortable.

There is not much maintenance involved, either. The only things a teacher or student needs are a computer, quick and reliable Internet access, and a web camera. Most people who are interested in language learning probably already have these things in their everyday life. And because learning takes place at home, all a student needs for lessons is at hand already.

The costs are relatively low, as well. Surely, fees charged by the instructor or institute or exist. However, this virtual kind of business normally requires less overhead than a typical brick-and-mortar business, and there usually aren't any other disingenuous costs. Many of these virtual institutes allow PayPal or credit card payment. And, as we all know, this kind of payment is safer and more secure than ever.

In contemporary times, being flexible is a key component to any success in life or business. And flexibility is one the key reasons people study online. Appointment times are flexible. Payment methods are flexible. Attire is flexible. The study environment is even flexible. Of course, students are able to study at their own pace, as well. Together, all of these renders excellent a non-traditionalist's choice for online studying.

Studying or learning from anywhere is possible. A student in New York City can learn from a teacher living in Nairobi. A student in Buenos Aires can talk with a teacher in Manchester. And a teacher in Houston can tutor a student living in Shanghai. And what this does is add an untold likability to online learning.

If you are or have been curious to know more about online language-learning, don't delay in finding out more. And this holds true for online English courses, too.

However, it's a good idea to keep in mind this: remember that, as a student you still will have to work hard. You'll still have to practice, study, and be prepared every day. And, you need to, as a teacher, be patient, prepared, and qualified. Whichever of the two you are, make sure you do exhaustive research about the online course you intend to take. Doing so helps make your experience as good as possible. - 30231

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Free English lessons are readily available across the web. You may want to consider these convenient resources to learn English.

History Of Bolero Dance

By Melanie LaPatin

Latin culture is considered by many to be the epitome of passion and romance. The great Rudolph Valentino was known as the Latin Lover, and made famous the Tango from Argentina, although he was actually Italian.

One of the most sultry and erotic forms of music is the Bolero. The most recognizable music of this genre was written by Joseph-Maurice Ravel in 1928, although he himself was less than impressed with his own work and called it a piece for orchestra without music. This is the music heard when Bo Derek tries to seduce Dudley Moore in the 1979 movie, 10.

Such evocative music necessitates a dance just as voluptuous in its sensuality. Bolero is an American Style dance, although it originates from Spain and Cuba and the versions are quite different. In the 1930s, when the Bolero made its way into the United States, the music consisted of nothing more than pulsating drum beats.

Originally from Spain, the Bolero was danced in 3/4 time. Combining the musical genres of contradanza and the sevillana, dancer Sebastiano Carezo invented the Bolero in 1780. It is one of the oldest dances of Spain, and is faster than the version that evolved in Cuba. The Spanish version was a shorter, different adaptation of the Fandango. The Bolero was a type of Spanish ballet, whereas in the Fandango, a man and woman danced around each other in a simulation of courtship, never touching.

The Cubans changed the rhythm to 2/4 time, but later switched to 4/4. Jos Pepe Snchez is credited with creating the Cuban Bolero in 1883. Today, performers dance the Bolero as a very slow Rumba, with slow, graceful movements that stir the blood and excite the senses. In fact, the Cuban Bolero was originally misnamed the Rumba in the 1930s. It is a dance of barely contained passion, as dancers are hypnotized by the music into a living dream and the audience is carried away along with them. Since the dance is an expression of the music, it can be performed as easily by a single dancer, a couple, or a dance troupe. The tempo is moderately slow the music is often punctuated with guitars or castanets.

The Cuban Bolero had great influence on Latin America, and it is recognized as one of the first notable exports of Cuban art. The dance is performed with three steps to four beats, as in other Cuban dances. The first step is taken on the second beat instead of the first, and the meter is slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.

In dance competitions, the Bolero is one of five rhythm dances in the American Style ballroom category in addition to the Rumba, Mambo, East Coast Swing, and Cha Cha. Of all the rhythm dances, the Bolero is the slowest, with only about 96 beats per minute (about a beat and a half per second).

The body rises, falls, sweeps and stretches gracefully, as if painting a portrait with determined movement. It takes many years to develop a true bolero style, but from Los Angeles to Times Square, if you have passion in your soul and you want to impress an audience, there are few dances as evocative as the Bolero. - 30231

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Looking for dance lessons nyc area? Visit DanceTimesSquare.com and work with the pros from So You Think You Can Dance! Receive a private dance lesson at their New York studio for $20!

History Of The Cuban Motion

By Melanie LaPatin

Whether its the Rumba, Mambo, Cha Cha, Salsa or Merengue, theres a lot more to Latin dancing that simply learning the steps. While all of these styles are great fun to dance, in order to master any of them, you have to develop what is known as the Cuban Motion. Although somewhat hard to describe, the Cuban Motion is like what they used to say about a rattlesnake, Youll know it when you see it.

The Cuban Motion earned its name from the way that Cubans move when they dance, and this motion is essential to any form of Latin dancing if you want to do it right. Of course, it comes naturally to Cubans. When performed properly, the Cuban motion is fluid, sensual, fun and quite a work out, as it coordinates movement between all the body parts, literally using every muscle.

The first thing most people will notice and recognize is the characteristic swaying of the hips, but the Cuban Motion is so much more than that. A wide variety of movements must come together in unison, but once everything clicks and the movement becomes natural, it is an incredibly impressive form of dance.

The trick is to learn each movement individually until it becomes second nature, then put them all together. Since this is a dance, after all, the best way is to start from the bottom up. The feet touch the ground first with the ball of the foot, followed by the heel so the foot is flat on the floor. The feet alternate in this manner: Ball, heelball, heel. Meanwhile, the knees bend and straighten naturally. As the heel is up, the knee of that leg is bent, when the heel comes down, that leg is straightened. Similar to the motion of riding a bicycle, but without raising the feet very far from the floor. Also like riding a bike, the hips sway in rhythm with the rising and falling heel. The weight of the body shifts from one foot to the other as the foot is flat on the floor. All of this movement is completely isolated from the rest of the body, which has its own movements.

The entire upper torso remains upright, as if the upper half of your body doesnt know what the lower half is doing. The rib cage, while keeping erect, moves from side to side in opposition to the hips. As the right hip comes up, the rib cage shifts laterally to the right, as the left hip comes up, the cage shifts laterally to the left. The shoulders shift up, matching the hip movement, while the arms remain relaxed and held in an outward position, giving the illusion that the arms are unaffected by the movement of the center torso.

Start off practicing each movement, then start combining the movements from the footwork up. When you have everything together, practice to slow music, then increase speed. Throughout it all your body must be relaxed.

Eventually, the different areas of the body will start moving together. When all of this comes naturally to you, you can incorporate the Cuban Movement into any Latin dance step " and you will look and feel like a pro! - 30231

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Looking for dance lessons nyc area? Visit DanceTimesSquare.com and work with the pros from So You Think You Can Dance! Receive a private dance lesson at their New York studio for $20!

Try These To Learn To Speak English

By Adriana Noton

Learning a language is difficult. It doesn't matter if it's your native language or second one, it's hard. And to learn to speak English is difficult, too. Many people worldwide, however, have the misconception that learning English is easy. This is a mistake and those who study it a while eventually realize how difficult English really is.

For starters, it's easy to understand how people might think English is easy. It's because English is easy to pick up. It's everywhere. It's the native language of many countries. There are many accents and kinds of pronunciations. People in non-English-speaking countries study it. Because so many people use it, many others commit the error of thinking that English is easy.

Second, there are many rules in English. Both grammar and sentence must adhere to strict rules. But nearly every rule has exceptions. And these exceptions often have no discernible logic to them. So, English has lots of flexibility, as well. This leads to many inconsistencies in when and how the rules are enforced. And it makes rote memorization impossible as a method to learn English.

Third, English pronunciation is not consistent. In fact, it's so fluid that changes abound from region to region even in countries where English is the native tongue. Yet, learning English pronunciation is one of the most important aspects of mastering the language. There is no simple or easy way to master English pronunciation, either, regardless of what you've been told. It takes work. It takes practice. And then it takes more work and practice.

Another difficulty is recognizing the correct vocabulary, structure, and grammar, and when to use it, even if it doesn't really seem right. One example is using split infinitives. In school, we are taught not to use them, yet using split infinitives is normal in spoken English. They're usually used to emphasize a point. Some even argue it just sounds better that way.

A fifth difficulty is being able to distinguish when to use proper English and when to use colloquial English. This is not always easy because many celebrities use proper English inappropriately. Many learners pick up on this and try to emulate. Conversely, there are many academics or professionals who have no idea how to speak colloquially or use slang.

Sixth, there are many English "experts" out there who claim that they've developed the best method to mastering English fast. A language cannot be mastered fast, regardless of what proof they offer that theirs can. These people are shysters. As with learning any other language, English is not easily learned. To do so properly takes diligence, patience, practice, and good teaching.

English is a great language. Because most native speakers are used to listening to a variety of native accents throughout their life, listening to non-native speakers isn't so difficult. So if you want to learn how to speak English, just a modicum of effort will allow you to communicate on even a rudimentary level.

However, if you want to progress your skills, it's going to require what everything else requires in order to master something. A strong foundation of the basics, practicing pronunciation daily, learning new vocabulary every day, and always trying, unafraid of your mistakes. Just don't forget - learning English is not easy. But you can make it seem easy by working hard. - 30231

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Online English courses and business english lessons offered by native speakers.

History Of The Cha Cha Dance

By Melanie LaPatin

Everyone knows how to dance the Cha Cha, even if they have never danced before in their life. Everyone knows the beat, One, Two, CHA-CHA-CHA! In fact, when it first caught on in America around 1954, it was known as the Cha Cha Cha.

The Bobby Rydell song begins, Baby, baby, come on sway me, drive me crazy. Do the Cha Cha Cha. Theres a recent song by David Nash called Cha Cha like Charo, referring to the blonde Latin bombshell known for being unabashedly Latin in all her unbridled glory. Born in Murcia, Spain, Charos real name is Mara Rosario Pilar Martnez Molina Moquiere de les Esperades Santa Ana Romanguera y de la Najosa Rasten and she helped popularize Latin music in the United States.

Immensely popular for the beginning, the Cha Cha is a dance that has never gone out of style and is a perennial favorite at weddings. The dance is very easy to learn, and once you have the basic pattern down, you can use as much of the dance floor " or as little " as you like.

You can dance it in a crowded room or a wide open space. Cha Cha came from the Mambo, as people began dancing to the distinct background beat. Originally called the Triple Mambo, the Cha Cha soon spun off on its own.

Havana, Cuba was one of the hottest hot spots to go in the 1940s. Sky Masterson takes Miss Sarah Brown to Cuba to impress her and win a bet in the Broadway musical, Guys and Dolls. Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway visited Cuba and the experience influenced their writings. Havana was an extremely popular resort for the rich and famous who could get there.

The most famous American dance bands as well as many outstanding Latin orchestras native to Cuba played in the city's casinos. It was here that the Mambo was born, and the Cha Cha Cha was an offshoot of that dance.

The Cha Cha was originally one of the Mambo moves, where two slow steps were followed by three quick steps, changing weight on each step. This figure from the Mambo became the basic step of the Cha Cha. Given its close association with the Rumba and Mambo, it should be no surprise that the Cha Cha is very similar in style. The feet remain close to the floor as in most Latin dances. The hips move free freely, although the upper body is usually erect and the dancers glide across the floor at approximately 126 beats per minute in 4/4 time.

In 1952, an English dance teacher named Pierre Lavelle travelled to Cuba, and brought his version back to the British Isles. The famous American dance instructor Arthur Murray thought it would be easier to learn if he simplified the dance to a 1, 2, 3, Cha Cha rhythm. Although this amounted to pretty much the same thing, the Cha Cha slowed down somewhat and became a bit more mechanical for Murrays students.

To this day, the Cha Cha has remained one of the most popular dances in competitions and dance halls. Less sensual than the Mambo and less erotic than the Bolero, it is just plain fun to dance. In the words of the immortal Sam Cooke, Everybody loves the Cha Cha Cha! - 30231

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Looking for dance lessons nyc area? Visit DanceTimesSquare.com and work with the pros from So You Think You Can Dance! Receive a private dance lesson at their New York studio for $20!