Social Dance Merengue Swing

(Name)
Meaning A ballroom dance of Haitian and Dominican origin in It is a lively style of social dancing in which a dancer often lifts, spins and flips his or her partner.
2/4 time in which one foot is dragged on every step.
Origin Merengue is a style rooted in Africa that came to life in Swing dancing originated in Harlem during the 1920s with jazz music, and it was called “Lindy Hop.”
the Dominican Republic (particularly in the city of Cab Calloway was one of the band leaders who developed the type of music that lent itself to the bouncy
Santiago) and is based on a repeating five-beat rhythmic movements of swing. The Lindy Hop, also called the Jitterbug, is purported to be the original form of
pattern called a quintillo. With its African and Spanish swing dance.
influences, merengue is a new world musical style rooted
in old-world traditions.
Costume It’s common to see women dancers wear traditional While Swing dancing includes fast movement, lifting, and flipping dresses and skirts will be flying, so
costumes of peasant tops and long, wide, flowing skirts consider wearing dance trunks, stockings, or even bike shorts and for men, all pieces should be loose
and dresses in bright, warm colors. Men wear shirts that and comfortable with plenty of room for movement.
match the color of their partner’s dress.
Nature of Basics: Men: The man starts with his left foot. Women: The woman starts with her right foot.
Movements  March in place on every beat.
 Bend both knees slightly as you pick your feet up.
 Shift your weight to the foot you’re stepping down
on.
 Listen to merengue music to feel the rhythm.

w/ a Partner:
 Face your partner and stand about 3 inches (7.6
cm) apart.
 Put your hand on your partner’s shoulder blade.
 Grab your partner’s free hand with your other
hand.
 Travel across the floor in a circle.

1&2: Triple step (chasse) to the left (left-right
-left)
3&4: Triple step to the right (right-left-right)
5: Step backward with your left foot
6: Weight shifts to your right foot
1&2: Triple step (chasse) to the right (right-left-
right)
3&4: Triple step to the left (left-right-left)
5: Step backward with your right foot
6: Weight shifts to your left foot