| With the growing popularity of Bachata, I have seen, | | | | on community sites such as YouTube (Keyword |
| and also been involved in a lot of discussions within | | | | “Bachata dance”). |
| the dancing community regarding the different styles | | | | Without this evolution and the various creative |
| of Bachata currently being danced and taught around | | | | interpretations from the various talented dancers and |
| the world, and which style is considered to be the | | | | performers, Bachata would not be experiencing the |
| “correct” style to dance. | | | | growth and popularity it is today. Nowdays, there are |
| The evolution of Bachata begun with a change in the | | | | 3 major styles of Bachata danced around the world: |
| music itself, let’s look the past few decades… | | | | Dominican Style, Standard/Traditional Style (being the |
| In the early 90’s, Luis Vargas and Antony | | | | most popular) and the Moderna Style (click for more |
| Santos, both from the Dominican Republic, started to | | | | info about Bachata styles). I’m sure this is only |
| popularize Bachata to the Caribbean market. These | | | | the beginning, as we will see more instructors and |
| guys decided to include the use of electric guitars, | | | | dancers create new dance forms and new dance |
| something that was not done before. In 1992, | | | | steps based on the basics of the Bachata steps |
| Dominican born singer Juan Luis Guerra won a | | | | (lately, Bachatango being a famous style in Europe). |
| Grammy for his album “Bachata Rosa”, his | | | | If it is changing, it is because it’s growing and it is |
| Bachatas blended the traditional romantic Bachata | | | | because it’s alive! If it’s not growing, then |
| sounds with Bolero. The popularity of his music | | | | it’s dying. Bachata is changing, Bachata is |
| helped raise the profile of Bachata music throughout | | | | growing, and therefore Bachata is alive! |
| the world. When Aventura was formed in New York | | | | Let’s embrace this evolution! Let’s |
| in 1994, they started blending rnb, hip hop and | | | | collaborate and support all performers, dancers, |
| reggaeton tunes to the Bachata rhythm. This new | | | | instructors and promoters that want to share their |
| rnb/hip hop infused Bachata was, and still is, a major | | | | love of Bachata to the world regardless of which |
| factor in what makes Bachata music what it is today. | | | | style they teach or dance. I encourage you to try |
| Notice here how the music evolved! | | | | and learn all different styles of Bachata, and then, |
| Similar to the music, the dance itself has evolved | | | | make it your own. |
| from its origins As the music is from the Dominican | | | | Bachateros from all over the world respect and are |
| Republic, of course this is where Bachata dancing | | | | thankful to the Dominicans for creating such a |
| was born. As the music spread across the globe, so | | | | beautiful dance and rhythm. I don’t think |
| did the dance. Different cultures around the world | | | | Dominicans imagined how popular Bachata was going |
| have embraced Bachata and they have created their | | | | to become. So, THANK YOU for giving Bachata to |
| own interpretation of the dance, creating a beautiful | | | | the world! |
| fusion of different styles into the Bachata steps. | | | | PS. If you know of more variations of Bachata, I |
| There is no written evidence of this | | | | invite you to share it with the community! The more |
| ‘evolution’ to date however, we can all | | | | we work together on this, the bigger Bachata will |
| witness the evidence ourselves when we attend | | | | become! |
| dance events and even the vast amount of material | | | | |