My dog ran off with my ex-wife…

… Gosh, I sure miss that dog.

Portland Adrenaline of Gemini Salsa

Yeah, it’s an old country music joke, but it does bring us to the subject of today’s blog: the Bachata. Or, more specifically Portland Adrenaline, who will be showcasing their celebrated bachata routine at this year’s Salsa en la Calle, August 29th.

Portland Adrenaline is one of many dance teams trained and choreographed by Javier Solis of Gemini Salsa, one of Portland’s most recognized dance companies. Portland Adrenaline is comprised of 8 amateur salsa dancers: Ångel Zapata, Azucena Jimenes Alejandro Gomez, Angela Rico, Antonio Murillo Rodriguez, Brenda Cota, Alejandro Maldonado, and Ana Alonso. Most of the team members have only been dancing for a short time and are completely new to performing on stage. All confess to having a deep and abiding passion for salsa and pursue the dance as a means of creative expression. (Click here for complete bios on each dancer.)

Now then, a few words about the Bachata…

Bachata frame in the Open position

The Bachata is the Dominican Republic’s second most sexiest export – right behind Amelia Vega, the 2003 Miss Universe. Here’s a little more you might like to know about the Bachata…

“Bachata,” literally means “party,” and as I just mentioned is a dance and music style native to the Dominican Republic. Much like Country and Blues music here in the United States, bachata lyrics often center around heartbreak, romance, lost love, and other melancholy themes.

Like all great music, bachata had a rough start as a music and dance form. Originating in the bars and brothels of the lower class, bachata was nearly censored into extinction by the Trujillo dictatorship of the Dominican Republic. (Much in the same way early Rock & Roll was considered the Devil’s music here in the US of A.) Once the Trujillo dictatorship lost power, however, bachata gained new fame and quickly spread to the rest of the world.

The Bachata is not just the same old grind.

The bachata dance is composed of 4 steps with a tap on the 4th beat. The primary motion is from side to side, in either a closed or open frame position. This is not a dance for the shy or introverted. The close proximity of the partners – literally buckle to buckle sometimes, leads the casual observer to think the partners are merely grinding away at each other. In truth, the actual technique is more about shifting one’s weight by bending and straightening one’s knees, creating a seductive hip movement that is tremendous fun to watch.

But hey, don’t just take my word for it. Come see it for yourself at this year’s Salsa en la Calle.

July 7, 2010. Uncategorized.