Bachata dance styles originated in the Dominican Republic in the late 1950’s. This dance genre is danced as a three step ending in a tap on the 4th beat with Cuban hip motions. It uses different dance positions. Originally, it was similar to a bolero with slow music and mostly closed position. However, eventually it expanded to faster music and many different dance positions. It does not use as many fast turns as Salsa. There are a large number of movements for bachata dancing that can be executed in either a smooth style or with a slight hop.

The music is often lively, light Caribbean style music with a distinctive beat. Many night clubs that offer a Salsa nights include Bachata music in their playlists. Unfortunately, the bachata is not as widely offered in dance studios as other dance genres but most studios that offer salsa and merengue also offer bachata. Studios and Latin clubs frequently offer the bachata dance as part of their nightclub Latin dance program.

What is the bachata dance?

Why is the bachata dance and music so popular word wide? The music is Latin with a rhythmic but smooth rhythm. The basics move sideways or forward/back or in circles with three steps and a hold (tap) that sometimes includes a hip pop. The turns are slower and easier than salsa. And the music is romantic and has incorporated popular contemporary music including hip hop and R&B.

(Sensual Bachata Fusion by Daniel & Desiree, YouTube)

What is the allure of the bachata dance?

The Latin dances are especially alluring because of certain features that most of the Latin dance genres contain like:

Music : Bachata dance music is exciting and energetic like, salsa, merengue, cha cha and zouk.

: Bachata dance music is exciting and energetic like, salsa, merengue, cha cha and zouk. Body Movement : Sensual body movement like Cuban motion or swiveling hips, relaxed but upright upper torso, figure eight motion of hips, ribcage, etc.

: Sensual body movement like Cuban motion or swiveling hips, relaxed but upright upper torso, figure eight motion of hips, ribcage, etc. Spacing: Most are spot dances so they can be done in the small dance floors that are usually found in nightclubs, cruises, wedding receptions, company parties, dance clubs, dance studios.

Most are spot dances so they can be done in the small dance floors that are usually found in nightclubs, cruises, wedding receptions, company parties, dance clubs, dance studios. The Rhythm: the dances are generally rhythmic, especially the bachata, mambo, cha cha and salsa.

the dances are generally rhythmic, especially the bachata, mambo, cha cha and salsa. Latin dancers: The atmosphere is fun, friendly, casual and packed.

(Gabriel Jana & Eva Aravena, Bachata, Chile, WLD Cup 2014)

The buzz in the Latin dance community is all about the bachata. This dance is one of the most popular contemporary Latin dances and may soon outpace salsa in popularity. It originated in the Dominican Republic in the late 1950’s but was frowned upon by the upper class and the dictator, Trujillo, and was actually banned in the Dominican Republic during periods in its history.

The bachata arrived in New York in the 1990’s with the group Avenura. However, interest seemed to wane again until recently. In the last few years, the bachata has taken the Latin dance clubs by storm across the United States. Salsa dancers love this dance and it’s rapidly becoming a sensation in the Latin dance scene. A Bachata Congress in 2012 went from hundreds in 2009 to five thousand dancers in attendance. Subsequently, the bachata has spread globally in the last few years with a bachata festival in Australia and bachateros in most countries around the world now.

(Cristian Oviedo & Alien Ramirez Bachata 1st Place WLD 2011)