Group lessons and workshops in Dominican bachata
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Dominican bachata course with Ewa Trela and George Daniels.
Sagene, Oslo |
Dominican bachata
Bachata today is known as a "latin dance that originated in the Dominican Republic" as Wikipedia describes it, and is now almost as popular as salsa. Almost all latin clubs around the world play bachata just as much as salsa, although bachata has a very different history. It developed much faster than salsa and in fact the bachata we dance and listen to today evolved in less than 60 years.
The name is strange because it comes from a local name Dominicans uses for 'a home party', and for many years, bachata was exactly that - a gathering or party at someone's place with drinks where this type of music was played by a couple of guys with guitars. It was very informal and in fact, looked negatively on by society. The music itself has some roots in bolero, but evolved when it was mixed with merengue. The reason for its 'underground' life and lack of popularity were the lyrics. Bachata lyrics were quite vulgar and sexual at first. It was actually somewhat embarrassing to be caught playing bachata!
However, a few devoted Dominican singers that had a deep love for the music and the rhythm itself, started trying to change that by introducing better, more sentimental lyrics, mostly about love and heartbreak, lost love and pain from love (that's why it was called 'amargue' for a while, which means bitter in Spanish). This is also where some singers took their stage name from like Luis Miguel Del Amargue. With more beautiful lyrics (often borrowed from Dominican folklore), the music became more and more popular. The fastest growth was only 40 years ago but it was still very local and mostly popular in the Dominican Republic.
Only 10-20 years ago, as some musicians such as Aventura started mixing bachata with pop, the music and the dance exploded on a global level. Naturally, as the music evolved, so did the dance. Often the bachata danced in the clubs today has the roots from the Dominican bachata dance but also elements of salsa, zouk, pop and many other styles.
The name is strange because it comes from a local name Dominicans uses for 'a home party', and for many years, bachata was exactly that - a gathering or party at someone's place with drinks where this type of music was played by a couple of guys with guitars. It was very informal and in fact, looked negatively on by society. The music itself has some roots in bolero, but evolved when it was mixed with merengue. The reason for its 'underground' life and lack of popularity were the lyrics. Bachata lyrics were quite vulgar and sexual at first. It was actually somewhat embarrassing to be caught playing bachata!
However, a few devoted Dominican singers that had a deep love for the music and the rhythm itself, started trying to change that by introducing better, more sentimental lyrics, mostly about love and heartbreak, lost love and pain from love (that's why it was called 'amargue' for a while, which means bitter in Spanish). This is also where some singers took their stage name from like Luis Miguel Del Amargue. With more beautiful lyrics (often borrowed from Dominican folklore), the music became more and more popular. The fastest growth was only 40 years ago but it was still very local and mostly popular in the Dominican Republic.
Only 10-20 years ago, as some musicians such as Aventura started mixing bachata with pop, the music and the dance exploded on a global level. Naturally, as the music evolved, so did the dance. Often the bachata danced in the clubs today has the roots from the Dominican bachata dance but also elements of salsa, zouk, pop and many other styles.
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Duende - dominican bachata show.
Spring Bachata Festival 2017, Oslo |
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Dominican bachata course with Ewa Trela and George Daniels.
Sagene, Oslo |
I have Dominican bachata courses in Vulcan Depot in central Oslo. You don't need to bring a partner. I have courses from beginners to advanced as well as intensive 4 week courses and dance team training. I have fairly small groups so you get a more personal and tailored course than in some of the larger schools.