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 Jorge Elizondo: Learn to Dance Bachata vol 3 (adv)

Any dance is born in one form and then develops through several stages to become something different. This has been true for mambo, salsa, tango, R’n’R etc. Some forms become popular, others not, some stay the same for a while longer than others and end up being defined as ‘classic’, whatever this may mean. There is no reason this should not be true for Bachata and indeed the Bachata in this DVD is somehow different from the one I am used to. From a dance which is closely related to Bolero, and a cousin of merengue, I have mostly seen very intimate and simple versions, devoid of figures and pre-programmed turn steps. In this DVD however, Bachata is taught the same way salsa is taught in standard classes. You will learn a number of turn patters, mostly based on salsa-style arm work and even double turns. I supposed elderly ‘Son’ lovers must have felt the same as I feel when they saw the first casino or salsa move in the 70s, so I will humbly accept that my perplexity towards this version of Bachata is merely due to being old fashioned. I did not find the explanations easy to follow, mostly because footwork and armwork is taught before being demonstrated with the partner, so I felt I missed the meaning of the moves I was trying to learn, but technology comes to our rescue here thanks to our best friend the ‘rewind-button’. Some view angles were not that fortunate either, which lead me to twist my neck to hopelessly attempt to see what was happening behind the voluminous instructor. One component which is surely not taken from the salsa tradition is the lead; the instructor seems to use some techniques inherited from R’n’R or rockabilly to lead turns, while other moves are ‘suggested’ with a determination unseen even in the most ‘Cuban’ casino.. I trust it must work. Having said that, I am sure that a few people will find this DVD series useful. It will allow you to dance Bachata whether or not you develop the trademark Dominican hip motion, and many will surely find it easier and safer to learn this set of moves than venturing into some demanding intimacy. Why not?
Jorge Elizondo has produced a series of 7 Bachata dvds, from Beginners through Advanced.
Review by Fabio (SalsaIsGood)
DVDs available through www.salsa-videos.com