Rhythm or Latin - why, where, which level ...... ????????????

[malakawa]

I would like to start this discussion.

Back in Europe i did International Latin and Standard (Latin more - on a high level). and i love it. the story that dancers can create in those dances is amazing. a discipline that they have is even better.

IMO, the way you use your body is much more in Latin, than in Rhythm.

Each dance for me in Latin makes sense.
A story of a couple:   Samba - flirt
                              Cha cha - first date
                              Rumba - make love
                              Paso doble - fight
                              Jive - conciliation

Thant, I can't see in Rhythm. And for me that is more social style. But this is me.

Give me your opinion.

What do you think about Latin & Rhythm? What do you find interesting in those dances? On which level are you dancing? ..............

[elisedance]

I started with rhytm many many moons ago and enjoyed it then I took up smooth and then quickly switched to international where I 'glommed'.  I also took up latin a few years ago and enjoyed that too - more than the rhytm because of the technical discipline mostly.  OTOH its not as good for social dancing as latin does not accomodate bad technique very well wehreas you can just about walk through rhytm and still get something out of it.

That said I used to love bolero (though I doubt I could do it now).

[malakawa]

I started with rhytm many many moons ago and enjoyed it then I took up smooth and then quickly switched to international where I 'glommed'.  I also took up latin a few years ago and enjoyed that too - more than the rhytm because of the technical discipline mostly.  OTOH its not as good for social dancing as latin does not accomodate bad technique very well wehreas you can just about walk through rhytm and still get something out of it.

That said I used to love bolero (though I doubt I could do it now).

you'll be able to do it. your legs are probably in better shape than in some other sportsman. 

maybe not right away with the hips, but eventually, yes. 

[Rugby]

In the old days I competed in both latin and rhythm.  I still dance both but compete in latin and do rhythm for fun, though I am heading for my gold rhythm medals in May.  I find both styles very much alike in terms of moves.

[QPO]

When you say Rhythm are you meaning American smooth? We do not do that here....We have New Vogue which different again.

I believe the two styles dances come and are expressed from a different place.. I think Latin is a young person dance and shows the body and the passion of young lovers. I feel that Standard style dances, show a more mature version of the same feelings.

Not that each age group can't do the dances.

[LucyDiamond]

When you say Rhythm are you meaning American smooth? We do not do that here....We have New Vogue which different again.

No, (American) Rhythm is similar to (International) Latin. The Rhythm dances are Rumba, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Mambo and Bolero. Latin dances are Rumba, Cha Cha, Jive, Samba and Paso Doble.

[LucyDiamond]

American Smooth - Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz (can open hold)
International Standard - Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, and Quickstep (always done in closed hold)

[QPO]

Yes we have the same with NV that they can be open and have the same dances except they are done over a pattern they have open moves

American Smooth - Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz (can open hold)
International Standard - Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, and Quickstep (always done in closed hold)

[mamboqueen]

I
Each dance for me in Latin makes sense.
A story of a couple:   Samba - flirt
                              Cha cha - first date
                              Rumba - make love
                              Paso doble - fight
                              Jive - conciliation

Thant, I can't see in Rhythm. And for me that is more social style. But this is me.

Give me your opinion.

What do you think about Latin & Rhythm? What do you find interesting in those dances? On which level are you dancing? ..............

I have to disagree with you, M.  I have done both and feel that I have just as much ability to be expressive (and maybe moreso) in the rhythm dances than latin.  Even in watching the pros, I think there are some top rhythm couples that I find far more expressive (Jose/Joanna being the prime example) than some of the latin couples.   IMO, so many of the latin dancers are all about speed that the whole "art" of the interpretation of the music is lost. 

[malakawa]

the one more thing that i don't like is that in rhythm you have to slow dances - rumba & bolero. mambo & cha cha - also in the same category. and only swing is different.

 

i am totally in international style. 

[LucyDiamond]

Rhythm Rumba isn't that slow. Must faster than Latin Rumba. Also, Mambo and Cha Cha are 2 different animals.

[malakawa]

Rhythm Rumba isn't that slow. Must faster than Latin Rumba. Also, Mambo and Cha Cha are 2 different animals.

http://www.geocities.com/sd_au/mambo/sdhmambo.htm   

4 out of 5 dances in Am. Rhythm are either from Cuba or Puerto Rico. 

Intl. Style: Samba - Brazil
               Cha Cha & Rumba - Cuba
               Paso Doble - France
               Jive - US

don't get me wrong. Rhythm is lovely. I love bolero & swing, but as a competitive style i prefer intl. style.

[LucyDiamond]

Rhythm Rumba isn't that slow. Must faster than Latin Rumba. Also, Mambo and Cha Cha are 2 different animals.

http://www.geocities.com/sd_au/mambo/sdhmambo.htm  

4 out of 5 dances in Am. Rhythm are either from Cuba or Puerto Rico. 

Intl. Style: Samba - Brazil
               Cha Cha & Rumba - Cuba
               Paso Doble - France
               Jive - US

don't get me wrong. Rhythm is lovely. I love bolero & swing, but as a competitive style i prefer intl. style.

And 4 out of the 5 Latin dances are from the Americas. What's your point? 

[MusicChica]

I think she's trying to say that there's a lack of diversity in Rhythm.  Not sure I agree, since Latin and Rhythm by definition are supposed to be Latin-American dances, but I think that's Masha's point.

I prefer Latin myself, but that's more a function of the fact that Latin looks better on my body type--I look squatty dancing Rhythm for some reason, but my body looks much better in Latin.  And I also prefer International rumba to American and jive to swing, but that's just personal preference.

[LucyDiamond]

Yes, I agree it a matter of personal preference.