Hi.
I got fascinated by bachata on my first visit to the DR this year, and found that even a tourist's amateur efforts to dance were appreciated. But of course I didn't dare to try in places where mostly Dominicans were dancing.
Now I'm trying my best to prepare for my next visit by learning as much as I can at home first, so I can (hopefully) dance anywhere without embarassment.
However the only teacher here (Denmark) who offers a full course in bachata has surprised me by teaching a basic step that he claims is the original Dominican style, but which I can't remember ever seeing in the DR.
It goes in a square, instead of left to right. Left foot to the left on 1, forward on 3. Right foot to the right on 5, backwards on 7.
I'd be really interested to hear about what is actually danced in the DR. Is it true that what is taught abroad is quite different? And more importantly, if so, can the local girls follow the foreign style?
Any other comments about variations in bachata dancing styles?
Please say whether you are Dominican or not, and whether you live in the DR or not.
Hope to get some real on-the-ground information!
Bachatafan
I got fascinated by bachata on my first visit to the DR this year, and found that even a tourist's amateur efforts to dance were appreciated. But of course I didn't dare to try in places where mostly Dominicans were dancing.
Now I'm trying my best to prepare for my next visit by learning as much as I can at home first, so I can (hopefully) dance anywhere without embarassment.
However the only teacher here (Denmark) who offers a full course in bachata has surprised me by teaching a basic step that he claims is the original Dominican style, but which I can't remember ever seeing in the DR.
It goes in a square, instead of left to right. Left foot to the left on 1, forward on 3. Right foot to the right on 5, backwards on 7.
I'd be really interested to hear about what is actually danced in the DR. Is it true that what is taught abroad is quite different? And more importantly, if so, can the local girls follow the foreign style?
Any other comments about variations in bachata dancing styles?
Please say whether you are Dominican or not, and whether you live in the DR or not.
Hope to get some real on-the-ground information!
Bachatafan