There has been quite a bit of discussion about salsa on various threads over the past two week. Some people hate it, some love it.

What we see on Strictly is very (very) rarely recognisable salsa so some might be interested to see some

Personallyy I am not sure it is the right dance for SCD. But I wonder if people might like salsas better if they stayed true to the style. This is what it is supposed to look like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X83JbUytxM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLHP8hl7GfM

These are both in Cuban style . There are other styles, Cross Body - New York or LA and Cali for example but irrespective of the style it will look more like these clips than the hustle/disco mash ups we usually get on Strictly.

Both of these will above be improvised unchoreographed dances. Whe choreographed a show salsa might look more like these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqKBHeh3nFc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRDD9YTV8ts

Thanks. Interesting.

First 2 clips (particularly #1) look great to dance but too intimate and laid back for Strictly.

Choreography in 3rd clip looks most suitable although could live without the lifts.

I don't like 4th. I think it is partly because I don't like the outfits, but also not keen on the lifts (too many and not in a style I like).

Thanks for that. I'm nearly opening a thread entitled "This is Samba" myself, so we can clear the confusion between Salsa and Samba

Aren't they just synonyms?

Noooooo! 😱😱😱

Most Strictly dances look dismembered remnants of their former selves that almost need a forensic scientist to identify them, don't they? You'd probably have as much luck recognising an ape called Lucy from her eye socket. Most dances have a characteristic movement like a walk, or a frame, but this gets lost in the pressure to provide lifts, gimmicks, and a 'story', so that the basics of the dance are unsatisfying and the dance loses its defining unity.

No! Let me go search some videos to show you authentic samba and I'll be back soon

Sorry, Vicsmum - was a wind-up

But I would definitely like to see some proper samba...the salsa videos above are fab

Nilson and Deisy!

I remember sharing a youtube video, about a million years ago, where Nilson and Deisy, Jhon and Judy and - I think but am not sure any more - John and Johana were doing an exhibition dance in a place that looked like a local social club.

It may not have been the same as the salsa danced by the locals - which is a pretty damn fine salsa! But it went down a storm.

Happy memories Thank you!

One thing I've gleaned from this is that the judges on Strictly pay way too much attention to the level of hip action in the men for Salsas. These guys had practically none!

Good idea. And here's a compendium of salsa dancing

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r-jlFN7pMdw

And sadly I can practically guarantee that nothing resembling this even the casual social salsa will appear on the weekend

Duh, silly me. *facepalms*

But here's one of gafieira which is one of the most traditional ways to dance samba (there are a few different ones): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJnnf5ccElw

Lovely dancing - thanks!

Thanks for the video links. Unfortunately I don't think I like salsa as a dance. Much prefer the samba.

I don't think that one does them justice but I couldn't find the one I was looking for.

I ahve seen thm a few times in salsa clubs and festivals and also as part of Swing Latino.

The guy who joins in part way through clip no 1 is the same guy performing in clip no 3 Ann.

I'm so observant I didn't notice!


I really like that, although more as a social dance. It looks nice and fluid and fun. Thanks for posting.

Quite different from ballroom samba:www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRZYElNTCyo

Much prefer the street dances to the choreographed dances. More what I'm used to, and I love the relaxed style and communication between the couples -even at the points where they go a teeny bit at cross-purposes, just showing how organic it all is.