Street Latin Vs Ballroom Latin

Latin dances defined: The term 'Latin dances' in the context of social and ballroom dances may be used in two meanings. The public tend to get these mixed up, but they are very different style dances and completely different histories. You can see the difference in the movements.

At 'Salsa Latina' we teach Modern Street Style Latin dancing (#1) (Article Re-Written by Reuben 2009)

#1 Street Latin Dancing

The first meaning is to denote dances to its authentic origins in Latin American, Spanish & Portuguese speaking origins. Typically these are Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Axé, New York Mambo, Argentine Tango, Merengue, Forro, Lambada, Kizomba, Zouk, Bachata, Cumbia, Son etc. Our dance instructors teach these styles, which are popular in Modern Salsa night clubs world wide, they are true lead and follow street freestyle dance that is social. Freestyle meaning "not choreographed" as the leader creates or uses moves & turn patterns on the go and both leader & follower relate to the music differently for each dance and you can dance with anyone during a social night. Street Latin dance can also be taken into the competition and performances through choreographed routines as well. Creativity in these dances is growing at a huge rate because its not governed by a body or organisation in comparison to Latin Ballroom. Street Latin styles tend to be more grounded and flowing and the hip & body movement is very different to Ballroom style.

Note 1: Brazilian Samba No Pe and Rumba in their traditional form are not Partner dances.
Note 2: Kizomba isn't often refereed to as a Latin Dance because of its African origins, but its still often in the Latin Dance communities

#2 Latin Ballroom Dancing

The second, a more formal usage, is the name of a category of International style ballroom dances, also called Latin American dances, International Latin or Dance Sport which was a developed style created in England and is governed by organisations such as WDC & WDSF etc. Many of the dance styles are inspired interpretations of Street style Latin dances brought into the Ballroom scene to spice up the Ballroom scene, they use the same or similar names such as Cha Cha, Rhumba, Salsa, Tango, etc. Latin Ballroom styles mainly consists of the following five dances: Cha cha cha, Rhumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Jive. Notice that not all Ballroom dances are of Latin American origin 'inspiration', not the original style or dance. This style of Latin dancing is not a true social dance in the lead and follow sense, couples tend to stick together for competitions and do not  dance socially like Latin Street Styles, these are typically competition and performance orientated dances only. The name "Dance Sport" was introduced when the organisation tried to get this labelled as a sport to enter into the Olympic games & is often seen on TV which is why there is often a misunderstanding between Street vs Ballroom. The style usually looks very upright, sharp movements. The hip & body movement is also different to street style Latin dancing.