Mambo Dance History

The genre bachata was developed in the Caribbean island of Dominican Republic. This genre was created based on boleros (slow-tempo Latin music), son cubanos, waltzes, Mexican music and merengue. Bachata is well known as love and depressing songs in which many people describe them self with this genre. At one point back in the earlier 1960s, bachata was considered vulgar and low-class. “Acceptance of the music has increased significantly in the last two decades, although some dominicans, both individuals living on the island and stateside, still do not accept the music because of the implication of its lower-class origins and associations with such themes as crime, poverty, drinking, and prostitution’’(Stavans 47). The genre Bachata has spread and grown so quickly for the past few years that is has become very famous in the United States, Europe, China, and South America. The genre bachata is well known to attract people with its lyrics, instruments, and dance since it identifies many people with real life events.

Attention Catcher: “Nos dicen las Malandrinas porque hacemos mucho ruido, porque tomamos cerveza y nos gusta el mejor vino. En los salones del baile, siempre pedimos corridos.” Many of you may think that these lyrics were sang by a male artist, however they were actually spoken by a woman, named Jenni Rivera. These kind of lyrics are what initially attracted and shocked audiences of Banda music since they were almost always sung by men and not female artists.

As more and more Mexicans came across the border to the U.S., they brought their traditions and culture with them. Mariachi was now a part of this culture all across Mexico. Mariachi music could be found in cafes and public squares all across the Southwest by the 1950’s. Today, it can still be heard in public venues in the Southwest, and it can also be heard at festivals and concerts all across the country. When Linda Ronstadt released an album of mariachi music in 1988, the genre reached nationwide popularity (Sharp, 2004).

Before my research I knew that my topic was a popular dance in the 1920s. The dance comes from the song "The Charleston". I choose this topic because I found it very interesting, I found this topic interesting because the1920s was an entertaining time period, the dances created then must be a fun topic. I would love to find out more about my topic. Such as why was the dance created? How did it become popular? Who created the dance?

Moreno asserts that ““Too many times, we have read our history books that have been written by Europeans, and it has had a tremendous impact in the way we view our culture and listen to our music. I do think that our identity is lost with it and at some point, we try to find it again later in life” (7). Students are able to see a different point of view rather than only the perspectives of textbook writers who at times deprive students from the full truth and the media who exaggerates or embellishes the truth. Many artists and musicians express their anger and oppression through music and students are able to listen to this and get the complete synopsis of problems happening in the world. For instance, in “The Embodiment of Salsa: Musicians, Instrument and the Performance of a Latina Style and Identity,” Patria Roman-Velasquez argued that the embodiment of salsa develops through specific practices whereby instruments, performance techniques, vocal sounds, bodily movements and ways of dressing are encoded and experienced as part of a particular Latin identity. Therefore, this expressing that music has much of an influence in Latin identity and the construction of identity and

The reason that the traditional dance has remained apart of the world is because of the teachers and students. But in order to dance the students required movements, steps, and music to put them to. The dance masters—teachers of the 18th and 19th centuries—all had the same original dance steps, while they invented their own steps on top the original ones. There are two different roots, which

Many may know that it can be almost impossible to completely identify what African Dance is. Africa is a huge continent that holds many different cultures, beliefs and overall ways of living. It is said to be the most “socially and racially diverse on the planet (wikipedia).” Even though Africa can be one of the most diverse places on earth, there can be similar dance styles being established throughout many other larges countries. Creativecareerguice.com states that “history, language, song, background, and purpose and cannot be translated to another dance of the same culture much less another

In my personal experience, Mexican music has revolved around my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a bordertown has its Hispanic heritage. Whether I was at home, school, or even in public places, I would hear Spanish related music playing in the background. I believe Spanish music holds many values when it comes to different occasions. The music can manipulate the minds of its listeners using love, passion, and outstanding rhythms. After reading an article online, I can explain how three different genres of traditional Mexican music influence people’s culture.

Amalia Hernandez was born in 1917, and was the famous creator of Ballet Folklorico. Classical Ballet was Hernandez’s first passion, in which she started taking lessons as a young girl. Later in her life, she decided to specialize in Native American dance. Ballet Folklorico was first founded in 1952. The company was a huge success, and soon became the largest and most popular dance company in the entire world. More than 60 regions of Mexico were incorporated into her performances. Amalia Hernandez’s work and style incorporated many different cultures and themes. Many dances were fiesta themed and incorporated beautiful different colors and costumes. Fiesta theme performances were fun and different to watch. The vibrant colors and creativity made them unique and festive. A great deal of Mexican history was also incorporated in Hernandez’s work as well.

Hispanic’s music had a great impact in USA. Nowadays, Americans listen to Hispanics’ music. Hispanics’ music now is part of American’s culture. These changes in USA began around of 19th century, when Hispanics immigration increases in the USA. One of the big changes in music occurred around 1940s, when Americans began to recognize the efforts of Cuban-American musicians. One of the Cuban bands was Cugat. It was known better Orchestra ‘based in New York’s Waldorf Astoria’ which had a great visual and musical style. Another Cuban band was Machito who were dominated as one of the best New York’s scenes at that time. Thanks, to those bans Americans adopted some of Cubans’ dances and performances such as rumba, mambo and cumbia. Americans used and still using the Cuban instruments like bongos and maracas to create their rhythms. Later on, Americans created Jazz by African Americans with the influenced of Cuban’s music.

Whenever I spend time with my family, music permeates the place. Producing a relaxing, peaceful environment, the slow, Salvadoran cumbia differs from the upbeat, Puerto Rican salsa and reggaeton which create a convivial, dancing atmosphere. Soaking in the mumbling music as they casually converse and dine, my Salvadoran family contrasts with my Puerto Rican family. Initiated by yelling “WEPA” and demanding dancing, the music couldn’t even restrain my ailing, wheelchair-bounded great-grandmother from

Augustin Rodriguez and Margo Rodriguez known as Augie and Margo were another powerful couple who helped build the foundation of Salsa/Mambo. Like Cuban Pete and Millie, they got together due to a dance contest. They fused Flamenco dancing and Mambo to give them a style that was uniquely their own, which gave them a different vibe than most other dancers of their time. They extended Mambo throughout the world. As with most talented Mambo dancers of the era, they could often be found dancing at the Palladium. They developed dance routines beyond Mambo (such as jazz) and eventually became internationally

The cover version of Roxanne (El tango de Roxanne) uses classical instruments to create a genuine tango feel; violins, viola, cello and Spanish guitar. The song consists of many layers of instruments creating a thick texture at times. With the violins being the base of this, the viola and Spanish guitar both have solos instead of consistent melodies throughout the song, giving short but addictive glimpses. As violins are presented in a certain way for this song, it is known that the genre for this version is tango. The structure of the composition in the style of tango creates sexual temptation. This creates the atmosphere for the style of dancing and is reflected in the scene for this song. This genre was an excellent choice as it flows with the story line and amplifies the prostitution through the style of music. One may say that it appeals to dancers, and the age groups of teenagers and above, as the sexual captivation could be a luring

Dance is an ever evolving form of art; in much the same way that one can categorize and differentiate between eras and styles of architecture one can also do so with dance. These eras at times have sharp delineations separating them from their antecedents, other times the distinction is far more subtle. Traditional forms of dance were challenged by choreographers attempting to expand the breadth and increase the depth of performance; preeminent among such visionaries was Seattle born dancer and choreographer Mark Morris. Mark Morris' began as one of the millions of hopeful individuals attempting to simply make a career in dance; he not only succeeded but managed to have a lasting effect on the entire landscape of dance.

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, popular music and culture became significant influences on the lives of many individuals within the city of Los Angeles. East Los Angeles (“East L.A.” or “the Eastside”), in particular, was a center of flourishing musical, cultural, and social scenes with strong connections to the changing Chicano/a identity. Under this environment in which the Chicano movement (moviemiento) continued to prevail, a large number of socially aware and politically active, Latin-fusion “Chicano” bands were developed. One of such was the Ozomatli band, who strived to express their activist viewpoints through popular music. The spatial context of the band’s emergence, their links to past musical movements, and their implementation of a wide array of musical styles and genres all define their impact on Chicano identity in Los Angeles. Through their music, the Ozomatli band has showed much about the importance of the changing Chicano culture and served as the framework for cultural and social dynamics of present-day Los Angeles.