Bachata & Merengue Video Reviews

Jorge Elizondo

Learn to Dance Bachata Vol 2 Intermediate

Level: Intermediate

Length: 60 minutes

Style: Bachata Rueda

Content: Footwork for guys: Quarter steps; Lado Lado; Left & right reverse turn; Angel. Partnerwork: Abrazela; Todos pa adentor y pa atuera; Cuello; Men's reverse left & right turn; Vueta de Luis; Vampiro; Angel; Suave; De paseo con lado lado; Tango dip; Angel complicado

General Comment: This video starts with 15 minutes of Jorge demonstrating some footwork for the guys. He uses a tap instead of a pause and dances without the typical Bachata hip action which makes it difficult at first to recognise that it is Bachata. At the end of this section he calls the moves as if in a Rueda and dances them alone. Then he brings in his partner who demonstrates a very nice Bachata hip movement and it all starts to come together. They then show 11 turn patterns shown from 2 angles: with the lady and then with the man backing towards the camera which makes it easy to pick up the moves. The explanations are very clear and repeated several times. At the end all the turn patterns are put together with music which gives an idea of how to combine them on the dance floor. For students looking to dance Bachata in a group rather than as an intimate dance for two this would be a good video to review the moves and remember their names for the Rueda.

Reviewed by: Ally from SalsaIsGood Fair

Learn to Dance Bachata Vol 3 Advanced

Level: Int-Adv

Style: Bachata

Content: Bachata Turn Patterns

General Comment: Any dance is born in one form and then develops through several stages to become something different. This has been true for mambo, salsa, tango, R’n’R etc. Some forms become popular, others not, some stay the same for a while longer than others and end up being defined as ‘classic’, whatever this may mean. There is no reason this should not be true for Bachata and indeed the Bachata in this DVD is somehow different from the one I am used to. From a dance which is closely related to Bolero, and a cousin of merengue, I have mostly seen very intimate and simple versions, devoid of figures and pre-programmed turn steps. In this DVD however, Bachata is taught the same way salsa is taught in standard classes. You will learn a number of turn patters, mostly based on salsa-style arm work and even double turns. I supposed elderly ‘Son’ lovers must have felt the same as I feel when they saw the first casino or salsa move in the 70s, so I will humbly accept that my perplexity towards this version of Bachata is merely due to being old fashioned. I did not find the explanations easy to follow, mostly because footwork and armwork is taught before being demonstrated with the partner, so I felt I missed the meaning of the moves I was trying to learn, but technology comes to our rescue here thanks to our best friend the ‘rewind-button’. Some view angles were not that fortunate either, which lead me to twist my neck to hopelessly attempt to see what was happening behind the voluminous instructor. One component which is surely not taken from the salsa tradition is the lead; the instructor seems to use some techniques inherited from R’n’R or rockabilly to lead turns, while other moves are ‘suggested’ with a determination unseen even in the most ‘Cuban’ casino.. I trust it must work. Having said that, I am sure that a few people will find this DVD series useful. It will allow you to dance Bachata whether or not you develop the trademark Dominican hip motion, and many will surely find it easier and safer to learn this set of moves than venturing into some demanding intimacy. Why not?

Reviewed by: Fabio from SalsaIsGood Ok

Learn to Dance Bachata Vol 5 Adding Sensuality

Level: Beg-Intermediate

Style: Bachata

Content: Styling

General Comment: The intimacy and sensuality which is lacking from the other DVDs of this series is explored in this volume. And it is done nicely; at the very beginning the instructor explains that the intimacy you will be lead into is not meant for sleazy attempts, but for an intimate dance with your own partner, a refreshing approach for a dance for which normally sees adjectives like ‘hot’ and ‘sexy’ overused as a selling factor. The volume is organised better than others in the series, as you clearly see what you are aiming at before trying to learn it. Most patterns are fairly similar, involving mainly embraces and cuddles. Given that you are supposed to execute this with your partner it is reasonable to expect that you already have a rough idea of how to embrace and cuddle, so the most useful part of the DVD lies in seeing how to incorporate it in your dance and time it properly with the music. It will suit mostly fairly beginner dancers.

Reviewed by: Fabio from SalsaIsGood Ok