| If you want to learn a dance style that is loads of | | | | bored with. Going to the gym and doing the same old |
| fun and extremely popular, the Mambo may be the | | | | exercises can be tedious, but dancing, especially a |
| dance for you. This style of dance, popularized in the | | | | fast, fun dance style like the Mambo, doesn't really |
| 1940's, is thought to be Cuban influenced, but | | | | seem like exercise. So, you get to have fun, and get |
| actually, Mambo music originated from English and | | | | in shape. Definitely a win-win situation! |
| French ballroom dance music. | | | | If you are single, taking Mambo classes is a great |
| Initially, the music was something people only listened | | | | way to meet other singles! Think about it...you are in |
| to, and the dance style didn't become popular until | | | | a group class, and you need a partner. Bang. You've |
| 1943, when musician Perez Prado created it and | | | | just met one new person, and that's how it all starts, |
| introduced it in Havana. Prado then brought the dance | | | | don't forget. Even if you don't make a love match, if |
| to the US. In the 1950's, the Mambo became | | | | you take Mambo lessons, you are bound to make |
| extremely popular, and there were plenty of mambo | | | | some new friends who have at least one interest in |
| bands and dancers across the country. | | | | common with you: the Mambo. |
| The Mambo has drifted in and out of popularity | | | | If you think taking dance lessons is something you |
| pretty much since the 1950's, but has recently seen a | | | | might be interested in, and want to jump on the Cha |
| new growth in popularity due to reality television | | | | Cha train, there are plenty of dance studios that |
| programs like Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance". | | | | offer Mambo lessons, group and private. Find them |
| Benji Schwimmer, probably one of the show's most | | | | listed in your local telephone directory, or on the |
| popular contestants of all time, partnered with his | | | | Internet. Also, many community centers offer |
| cousin Heidi Groskreutz for the now famous "Black | | | | ballroom dancing lessons, and you may be able to |
| Mambo", bringing the dance to the forefront once | | | | take a class that is less expensive than studio |
| again. | | | | classes, or even free! Look in your newspaper's |
| So, what makes the Mambo so popular? Well, it is | | | | community calendar to see if there are any Mambo |
| fun, for one thing. It is a great form of exercise, and | | | | classes near you. |
| it is a form of exercise that you won't easily get | | | | |