Bachata dance is known for its love stories, and its syncopated rhythm. The dance actually was born of the music in the Dominican Republic during the 1960’s. Unfortunately, a dictatorship that found Bachata to be an art form of low standing held the music and the dance back for decades. Recent years, however, have seen the heartbreaking stories of the Bachata evolve and grow into a worldwide sensation.
The History & Origins of Bachata
Bachata originated in the 1960’s throughout the countryside of the Dominican Republic. The music was first developed with a heavy guitar emphasis and heartrending love stories as its basis. However, it grew primarily within bars and brothels, and this led to Bachata being held back for literally decades.
The Dominican Republic was being led by a dictator by the name of Trujillo during the time that Bachata was born. He absolutely embraced and set Meringue on a pedestal. However, he abhorred Bachata. Not only did he find it personally offensive, claiming that it was a lower art form, he actually banned both the music and the dance completely. Therefore during his reign, Bachata was only enjoyed in the brothels. Naturally, this did not help its credibility and kept it from evolving as the other dance styles born in the Domincan did during that time. Even after the Trujillo reign ended, the Bachata was still frowned upon by society.
Although the Bachata dance itself is a spinoff of the music, in recent years the music has grown more slowly than the dance. Bachata dance continues to grow and thrive all over the world, and has finally reached a place where it is widely accepted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fim4BIVA6-M&t=39s
the Three Most Popular Bachata Styles
There are several different styles of Bachata dance, some of which closely resemble the original one and others being more stylized. Bachata, however, is still growing and evolving.
- The Dominican Bachata is the truest form in that it is danced according to the original style. Typically, the traditional Bachata does not require a lot of turn patterns, and incorporates many free style movements that are not seen in the more structured Bachata styles. Also, Dominican Bachata has a good deal of footwork, and a bouncy feel to it.
- Bachata Moderna, otherwise known as Modern Style, is the newest form of Bachata. It retains some of the traditional Bachata elements, but it is also heavily influenced by Tango and Bolero, among other Latin dance forms. The Modern Style relies heavily on crosses, but it does keep the typical Bachata hip movement on each four count.
The Traditional Style is the type of Bachata that has spread across the globe. While the original Bachata is similarly romantic, it does not have such a strong emphasis on turn patterns. Dips are also heavily used in the Traditional Bachata Style, but that eternal hip movement on the fourth beat is consistent even here.
The Traditional Style is the type of Bachata that has spread across the globe. While the original Bachata is similarly romantic, it does not have such a strong emphasis on turn patterns. Dips are also heavily used in the Traditional Bachata Style, but that eternal hip movement on the fourth beat is consistent even here.- Bachata Social Dancing
- Social Bachata can be enjoyed and danced in various settings depending on your location and preferences. Here are some common places and venues where you can immerse yourself in the world of social Bachata:
- Dance Studios and Schools: Many dance studios offer Bachata classes followed by social dancing events where students and instructors come together to practice and enjoy the dance in a friendly environment.
- Latin Nightclubs and Bars: Numerous Latin nightclubs and bars host Bachata nights or Latin dance nights where DJs or live bands play Bachata music, creating a vibrant atmosphere for social dancing.
- Dance Socials and Meetups: Joining local dance socials, meetups, or dance communities dedicated to Bachata can provide opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts, attend organized events, and participate in social dancing gatherings.
- Cultural Centers and Community Events: Check out cultural centers, community centers, or local events that celebrate Latin culture, music, and dance as they may organize Bachata dance nights or social gatherings where you can dance and connect with like-minded individuals.
- By exploring these avenues and staying connected with your local dance community, you can discover various opportunities to dance social Bachata, improve your skills, and immerse yourself in the vibrant and passionate world of Bachata dancing.
Flowaka 