Style guide
Latin dance styles: what is playing, how it moves and which social to choose
The calendar tells you what is on tonight; this guide helps you understand what you are choosing when a flyer says salsa, timba, bachata, SBK, kizomba or zouk.
Visual guide
De escucha a pista
- 1Clave
- 2Abrazo
- 3Piso
- 4Energía
- 5Salida
Salsa
A huge family: linear salsa, On2, Cuban casino, Cali style and neighborhood social styles. In one city they can all coexist, sometimes in the same song and with no warning label.
Bachata
From Dominican guitar and grounded cadence to sensual waves, dips and music-video drama. Both can be delicious; both can be a crime when danced without listening.
Cumbia and sonidero
Mexico's popular pulse. If someone dismisses cumbia because it is not technical, they probably need more street and fewer congress debates.
Kizomba and semba
Close connection, fine musicality, weight and pause. Unwritten rule: if you do not know it, take class before invading personal space.
Zouk
Flow, torso, head movement and long lines. Beautiful, but it demands technique and care; it is not bachata with an imaginary fan.
Danzon
Elegance, pause and tradition. Salon Los Angeles is not fully understood without this root.
Style map
Salsa
Origin: 🇨🇺 Cuba + 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico + 🇺🇸 Nueva York
Evolves in: Cali, Caracas, San Juan, CDMX, Los Ángeles y congresos globales.
On the floor: Pregunta si la noche es On1, On2, casino/timba, caleña o mezcla social.
WikipediaTimba
Origin: 🇨🇺 Cuba
Evolves in: La Habana, escenas casineras, festivales de rueda y sociales SBK.
On the floor: Busca casino, rueda, timba, songo y orquesta cubana en el flyer.
WikipediaBachata
Origin: 🇩🇴 República Dominicana
Evolves in: Nueva York, España, México, Italia, congresos y arenas pop.
On the floor: Distingue dominicana/tradicional, moderna, sensual y fusión.
WikipediaCumbia
Origin: 🇨🇴 Colombia
Evolves in: México, Perú, Argentina, Chile, sonideros y salones populares.
On the floor: Confirma si es social bailable, sonidero, tropical o concierto.
WikipediaKizomba
Origin: 🇦🇴 Angola
Evolves in: Portugal, Francia, España, Italia, festivales urban kiz y tarraxo.
On the floor: Revisa nivel, consentimiento, técnica y si la noche incluye semba.
WikipediaZouk brasileño
Origin: 🇧🇷 Brasil
Evolves in: Escenas de lambada/zouk en Brasil, Europa y festivales globales.
On the floor: Confirmar Brazilian zouk vs Caribbean zouk antes de recomendar.
WikipediaArtists and songs to start with
Salsa
Artists: Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Willie Colón, Grupo Niche
Songs: Pedro Navaja; Periódico de ayer; Quimbara; Cali Pachanguero
Listen for intro, chorus and mambo before asking for another turn. Salsa gets much better when you can wait for the break.
Bachata
Artists: Juan Luis Guerra, Anthony Santos, Aventura, Romeo Santos, Frank Reyes
Songs: Burbujas de amor; Voy pa'llá; Obsesión; Princesa
Distinguish Dominican guitar, amargue and sensual production. Not every slow bass line asks for a dip, fortunately.
Cumbia
Artists: Andrés Landero, Celso Piña, Aniceto Molina, Los Ángeles Azules
Songs: La pava congona; Cumbia sobre el río; La cumbia sampuesana; El listón de tu pelo
Think pulse, barrio and social wheel. If it seems easy, you may not be listening closely enough yet.
Son cubano
Artists: Buena Vista Social Club, Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Los Van Van
Songs: Chan Chan; Candela; El cuarto de Tula; Lágrimas negras
Baja la prisa y sigue la clave. El son enseña a caminar la música antes de adornarla.
Danzón
Artists: Acerina y su Danzonera, Consejo Valiente Roberts, Danzonera Dimas
Songs: Nereidas; Almendra; Juárez; Teléfono a larga distancia
Elegancia no es lentitud aburrida: es control, pausa y respeto por una pista con memoria.
Timba
Artists: Los Van Van, NG La Banda, Issac Delgado, Havana D'Primera, Maykel Blanco
Songs: Sandunguera; Santa palabra; Pasaporte; Me mantengo
Timba is not just faster Cuban salsa: listen for energy changes, brass blocks and casino-friendly calls.
Kizomba and semba
Artists: Bonga, Eduardo Paím, Paulo Flores, C4 Pedro, Matias Damásio
Songs: Mona Ki Ngi Xica; Rosa Baila; Poema do Semba
Close connection requires technique, consent and listening. Search daily as kizomba, semba, urban kiz and tarraxo.
Brazilian zouk
Artists: Lambada Kaoma, Beto Barbosa, Gilsons, DJs de zouk brasileño
Songs: Chorando se foi; Adocica; playlists de Brazilian zouk social
Brazilian zouk needs torso, axis, head-movement care and a clear distinction from Caribbean zouk.