| Dance fact file | There are many styles of Latin dance, but we've put together a basic guide of what's what. - Tango: Like most Latin dance, the tango comes in many styles and tempos including the Argentine tango. Said to be the most romantic and passionate. Most Tango music is danced to 16 or 32 beats of music.
- Salsa: This is a mixture of many Latin American influences. Said to have originated in the 1970s from the Cuban son and consists of six steps danced over eight counts of music.
- Merengue: National dance of Dominican Republic but very popular in Latin America. Perhaps the easiest to learn, this is danced on every beat.
- Samba: Originated in Brazil. This is a very energetic dance with some similar moves to Salsa, with the emphasis on footwork.
- Cha Cha: An offshoot of the dance the Mambo, it consists of three quick steps and two slower steps danced to a beat of one or two.
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If you've spent the last few weeks glued to the telly watching Strictly Come Dancing, thinking "I would love to do that!" then you'll be pleased to know you're not alone. Dance clubs around Norfolk have noticed a significant increase in the number of people turning up for their lessons. In particular Latin dancing including salsa, mambo and tango, are proving popular. | "As well as learning something new, it is also a good way to meet people, even if you are shy, as it encourages you to loose your inhibitions. " | | Tony Ramsay, Chair of Tango In The Park |
Rendered the 'language of love' and 'the sexiest music in the world', the passionate styles of Latin dance to vibrant and sensuous music is becoming more and more popular with people looking to try something different. Chair of Tango In The Park, Tony Ramsay said the growing appeal of Latin dance such as the tango lies in the fact that it involves dancing with a partner: "It's a very sensual music, it's a very sensual dance. The thing about tango is that it’s all about the connection with your partner. "It's an improvised dance too, so you have to put in the work to be able to respond to your partner. That is what makes it so exciting," he added. Whilst the documentary The Buena Vista Social Club has sparked a huge interest in Cuban music and popstars such as Ricky Martin and Shakira have brought mainstream Latin music to Europe - Britain has been slow to catch on to Latin fever. Although Latin music was making its mark in New York, Cuba and South America as far back as the 1970s it didn't take off in the UK until the 1980s, when a new interest in Latin music was sparked by Cuban jazz at Ronnie Scott's club in Soho, London.
 | | Dancers in Buenos Aires |
Once the taste for the music spread to other cities, it was only a matter of time for dance classes in salsa, merengue and tango to take the UK by storm. Salsa and tango in particular are now enjoying a booming popularity in Norwich. Losing your inhibitions Many people are attracted to Latin dance as it helps break the ice by allowing you to dance intimately with someone and then walk away once the dance is over - or continue if you so desire. As well as learning something new, it is also a good way to meet people, even if you are shy, as it encourages you to loose your inhibitions. "When you’ve come off the dance floor you know a great deal about your partner, in terms of how they respond. It’s not a very English thing at all, and that’s where the Latin element comes into it and it’s that what attracts some people," said Tony Ramsay. While the rest of Norfolk has yet to catch on to the full force of Latin fever, Norwich has seen some fierce competition between classes which means more choice for dancers. Although some people may be put off by what appear to be complicated steps, experience isn't necessary. "If you've got two left feet, don't worry, because most of the dances start with the left foot! If you come to enjoy yourself, you will be surprised at how much you actually pick up, said dance teacher Steve Kennedy of Salsa Alegria. "If you relax and look for enjoyment in the dancing, everything will come together and a good teacher will be able to make the complicated steps look easy," he added. So whether it's the fiery passion or the vibrant music that attracts you to dance, you won't be short of a few venues at which to get hot under the collar. If you'd like to find out where you can learn to dance in Norfolk, use the weblinks on the top right hand corner of this page. Details are also available from Norfolk Dance on 01603 283399. | 
