The Bachata is a playful Latin dance that is typically danced at Salsa and
Merengue dance clubs. This style is danced with soft hip motions, turns
and side-to-side footwork. The music of Bachata is very recognizable for
its predominant use of the electric guitar combined with Caribbean and
Latin musical influences.
History of the Bachata Dance
Bachata dancing holds a fascinating history with its beginnings rooted in
the Dominican Republic. The word “Bachata” means “party” or “social
gathering” and was originally used to describe the impromptu house parties
of Santo Domingo. It was associated with carrying out festivities over the
terraces, gardens, and streets of the nations’ capital. It is believed by
some that those really wanting to learn how to do Bachata dance should
travel to its birthplace, the Dominican Republic, to gain a genuine
understanding of the movement, feeling, and way of life that was
intertwined with this nation’s dance.
