Cha-Cha

An offshoot of the Mambo, the Cha Cha (originally the cah-cha-cha) evolved out of popular movement in slow-tempo Mambo called the Triple Mambo. By 1954 it had evolved into a dance all its own. It's a must style to know, the all time favorite Latin dance.

Rumba

The Rumba is an ever increasingly popular romantic Latin dance dating back some 400 years ago, and is better known as the Latin get acquainted dance or the dance with the wiggle. The Rumba sometimes substitutes for those in-between tempos and features a subtle or relaxed (lateral) hip motion and Latin styling. Rumba hip movements are used in most of the popular Latin dances as well as the free-style of disco and night club dancing.

Merengue

Considered too scandalous when it was introduced to the United States in 1941, the Merengue went into eclipse until 1957 when Xavier Cugat resurrected it. Its point of origin is uncertain; both Haiti and the Dominican Republic claim it, and it contains elements of both cultures. It's fun and exciting.

Samba

A street festival dance that originated in Brazil, the Samba was introduced to the United States in the late 1920's in a Broadway play called "Street Carnival".

Mambo

Introduced by band leader Anselmo Sacaras in 1944, the "Mambo" - a merger of Swing and Rumba - didn't really catch on until the late 1950s and it remains very popular today.

Salsa

A peppery version of the mambo laced with steps from other Latin dances. The Salsa is performed to a fiery, faster tempo. Some call it a form of Latinized rock 'n' roll. It's high-energy and all fun.