Merengue Crazy Blog

Dancing is my hobby, and I’m quite possibly the worst dancer in the world, lol.

I’m learning various styles, mostly hip hop. I’m learning, though and I really like it. Here’s my question… there are two different kinds of dancing that I REALLY would like to learn but the place where I take dance doesn’t teach them and I’ve checked around and there are no classes in my town and no one around here can teach me. I’m serious… the closest place is in Charlotte and that’s a long way from my town.

Two kinds I would like to learn… Irish dancing (I think it’s called step or Riverdance, not sure) and also Latin: I LOVE Cumbia and know the basic steps but I want to be advanced… also, salsa, merengue. One studio DOES teach salsa, and they are good but they charge extortionately high prices. (I’m going back to Mexico soon but I won’t have time to practice my dance moves as all I do is teach English, play guitar and work out!! That takes up all my time- TEFL, or teaching EFL, is really hard work. Which is too bad because they have amazing dancers down there.)

So… any ideas or am I screwed? My mom suggested that I get a video, but I’m not sure how beneficial a video is; you won’t have someone to correct you and I’m not even sure if it’s an auspicious way to learn to dance. Furthermore, I don’t know which videos are good!

Always wanted to learn this… thanks if you can help me! Please no rude or mean comments. I don’t really know a lot about dancing, I just like these styles!

Also… where can i find some good music that would go with these styles? Any particular songs?

Thanks!!
I appreciate ur answers, but I looked into schools, and there is one in my state, but it’s really far away. I live in North Carolina, in Greensboro, but the school is in Charlotte… out west.

I don’t know where you live or your budget, so I couldn’t recommend any places to learn Salsa, but it’s rather hard to learn just by watching videos. Maybe a community center to get the basics. Maybe you could make some time and find some places down in Mexico.

Here’s some music I like. For Salsa

Micaela by Sonora Carruseles
Yo No Sé Mañana by Luis Enrique
La Pantera Mambo by La 33
Yo No Sé Mañana by Luis Enrique

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico is a classic group.
One of my favorite bands here in L.A. is Angel Lebron y su Sabor Latino. He’s got an album out called Primo. You can get it on Amazon.
You can go wrong with Celia Cruz, but she’s old school. She does a cool version of I Will Survive.
I like Spanish Harlem Orchestra too.

If you want Cha Cha, you can dance to Oye Como Va by Santana, Sway by Julie London and Yo Tengo Una Muñeca by Orquesta Aragón

If you want to do Bachata there’s a cool version of Stand By Me by Prince Royce

I hope this helps.