Salão dance: 15 national and international styles

As danças de salão are types of dances performed to two that customum empolgar quem pratica e enchant quem assiste.

These styles of dance are practiced both as a form of entertainment and competition and usually exhibit specific techniques and steps.

This way of dancing in pairs arose in Europe, especially in France, in the reign of Louis XIV. The colonizers, who will dominate new territories, will raise the dances practiced in the courts and salons, which mix with local cultures and originate in a variety of styles.

1. Cover

O forró is a typically Brazilian type of music and dance. Its predominance is in the northeast of the country, where it has been practiced since the 19th century.

A word “forró” originates from the term “forrobodó”, which means party.

A dance is animated and performed with the help of zabumba, triângulo, sanfona, since there are different types of forró, such as baião, xote and xaxado.

2. maxixe

O maxixe despontou no Rio de Janeiro, being considered one of the first dances performed in pairs in Brazil.

It originated from the influences of black powder in the 19th century and became known in the country as “Brazilian tango” due to its semblance of rhythm and musicality.

Além disso, as well as the Argentine tango, also suffers from the prejudice of society and the Catholic Church for being a sensual and playful dance practiced by black hair.

3. gafieira samba

Originário do maxixe, or samba de gafieira presents complex steps and involves the theater in its presentation.

Nesse style, or homem leads to partner in synchronized and fast movements, awakening the admiration of all who attend.

This is a samba side that emerged in the 20th century, being typically Brazilian.

4. Mambo

Raised with Cuban powder, the mambo arose as an influence of many styles and is linked to the musical genre also entitled mambo.

A dance that inspired its creation is or danzón, which represents slower steps. The mambo incorporates elements of the style but exhibits faster and more organic movements.

It became very popular in the US in the 1940s, however, it underwent significant alterations to its original form in order to become more “vendable” and accessible.

5. Dip

This is a dance of Latin dance, more than popularized in the USA in the 60s. He mixes Cuban styles such as rumba and mambo with North American styles such as sapateado and swing.

It originated as Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants who were building their lives in New York. Initially it was practiced in the streets, but later it was incorporated by dance academies that systematized the style.

Hoje em dia presents various aspects, such as Colombian salsa, Caribbean salsa, or American style, among others.

Its movements are enveloping and dynamic, with many twists and turns.

6. Cha Cha Cha

O cha cha cha is another dance of Cuban origin. Born in the 50's, this dance of the hall has 3 firm steps, or chassé, and two slow ones.

O nome da dança vem dos movimentos, in which we dancers beat the pes no chão and produce something similar to “chá-chá-chá”.

Além disso, or casal dança um little afastado, supporting us on our shoulders um do outro.

7. quick step

This is a dance that emerged in the 20's from the union of several styles, mainly the foxtrot and the Charleston.

Of English origin, this type of dance presents very fast and elaborate steps, but at the same time, it is elegant and fun.

8. Flemish

Typically Spanish, essa dança charms with its firm steps and strong emotional and interpretive charge.

O flamenco posses a multicultural root that involves Arab, Jewish and Cigan influences. It emerged in Spain, in the region of Andalusia and is seen as a symbol of Spanish art and tradition.

A dança tem as a characteristic or use of clapping, sapateado and singing. The instruments used in music are são or cajon, castanhola and violão.

9. Tango

Uma das dances more dramatic and enveloping is without dúvida or tango. Emerged at the end of the 19th century in Argentina and Uruguay, this artistic manifestation was initially related to the culture of suburbs, bars and cafes.

As a time it was integrated into the bourgeoisie and is currently seen as an important cultural symbol.

Nela, you get married executing complex choreographies and cheias of expressivity, valuing emotion and sensuality.

10. Meringue

Merengue is also a Latin dance that started in the Dominican Republic and became successful in countries such as Porto Rico, Panama, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Ecuador, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guatemala and Venezuela.

It is a dance performed above all with legs and feet, in simple and dynamic steps.

11. Zouk

Zouk is a Caribbean dance that emerged in the 1980s in the Antilhas, Guadeloupe and Martinique.

With sinuous movements, in Brazil this rhythm gains new contours, resembling lambada, but exhibiting slower steps.

Seu nome tem or meaning of “festa” in the Creole language.

12. waltz

A waltz is a classical dance that emerged in Austria and Germany in the eighteenth century. Or style mixes influences of the minuet, a dance of the aristocracy, like the ländler, German country dance.

Its rhythm is slow and the movements are circular, occupying the entire room.

13. Lambada

Emerging from the combination of different musical styles, such as forró, merengue and cumbia, lambada first originated as a musical genre.

A dance appeared later, joining still steps of the polka, the maxixe and the carimbó. This rhythm originated in the Brazilian northeast, being predominant in Bahia.

In the 90's we gained ground in all the national territory, becoming a success, but later we lost space. In any way, it is still practiced in various dance schools in the salon.

14. Soltinho

Emerged as a desdobramento do East Coast Swing, an American dance, or soltinho mixes characteristics of Brazilian dance, such as or gingado, with North American elements.

Normally this type of ballroom dance is performed along with rock, disco music and swing.

Received this name due to the way of dancing, in which the house remains more separated, barely keeping hands.

15. Bolero

Um das dances of salão more românticas is or bolero. Or casal dança com os corpos together, performing many turns and walks that occupy the whole room.

It emerged with the influence of European dances, incorporated by the Cuban people at the end of the 19th century. Not Mexico also became traditional, spreading through several countries, including Brazil.

You can also be interested:

• Dances of salão most practiced in Brazil
• Types of dance: styles most known in Brazil and in the world
• The most famous African and Afro-Brazilian dances