Dancing ! Merengue and Bachata !

There are two types of Latin dances that originated in the Dominican republic.  They are called Merengue and Bachata! They are both super fun and the music that goes along with it is so passionate (bachata) and great for parties (merengue)

Merengue has been around since before the ninteenth century and has African and Indigenous roots.  It has two steps and can be modified to your liking adding spins, dips, and other footwork, so long as you keep the one two step or one two three four depending on the song.  Merengue can be used for any event and is usually used to live'n up the mood! There are two types, Merengue tipico and Merengual regular. Merengue tipico is a little more old school or grassroots and has a more natural or street sound (you can hear every instrument) and Merengue regular is stuff you would probably hear on the radio or at most parties.    

Bachata originated in the twentieth century and has European, Indigenous and African roots.  It was originally a dance for the lower class and prostitutes ( it can get rather sexual), it also came from the countryside.  Since Bachata was so risque none of it was recorded until after the dictatorship of Trujillo in the mid 20th century.  It became super popular by the 80's and was played everywhere in DR. By the 1990's it was popular in American particularly Nueva York (New York) where there were lots of Dominican immigrants (and still are, it is only a 3 hour flight).  

Here is a video of me and my husband dancing ! its only like 3 min long :) enjoy !