NY Mambo (NY Salsa on2) Classes at Caramelo:
All dance classes are taught in a 4-Week structured & progressive course format. Courses start on the FIRST Wednesday and Thursday of the Month
When Swing and Cuban music came together it created a fascinating rhythm and in turn created a new sensational dance - Mambo!
The Mambo could not have been conceived earlier since up to that time, the Cuban rhythms and American Jazz were still not wedded. The "Mambo" dance is attributed to Perez Prado who introduced it at La Tropicana night-club in Havana in 1943. Since then other great Latin American band leaders have achieved styles of their own and furthered the Mambo craze.
In the United States it first appeared in New York's Park Plaza Ballroom - a favourite hangout of enthusiastic dancers from Harlem. The Mambo gained its excitement in 1947 at the Palladium and other renowned places such as The China Doll, Havana Madrid and Birdland.
The modern Mambo dance from New York was popularised in the 70s by Eddie Torres and his contemporaries who were the Post-Palladium or "second generation" of Mambo dancers who kept Mambo alive and inspired thousands of NY Mambo dancers whose numbers are continuously growing. Eddie Torres is a New York dancer and Mambo fanatic who has become the leading exponent of the style and has taught the world to dance the Mambo once again. Eddie Torres is known as the "Mambo King" but he is also known as "el maestro de los maestros" because most New York Mambo and Salsa dance instructors and performers have learned from him.
Caramelo instructors have have trained in Eddie Torres style mambo, spending time in NY and attending Eddie's clases, as well as travel regularly to various international events where they continue taking his workshops. Eddie is a living legend of Mambo and Salsa and it is an honour to carry on and share the amazing dance style he created. The Mambo today is as hot as it was in the '50's with many influences, such as African, Cuban, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern dance.... you'll never run out of steps!
The modernized Mambo will look very similar to Salsa on1 at first glance. However, as you grow your understanding of the unique Mambo timing, you will find the style has a very different dynamics to Salsa. It is smooth, jazzy, elegant and a more sophisticated way of interpreting Salsa music. Unlike Salsa on1, NY Mambo is danced on2 and is a very stylized dance, with emphasis on intricate footwork, longer and more complex turn patterns, beautiful hand and arm movements, flow and smooth body isolations. However, the Mambo can also be vibrant and energetic depending on the music choice.
See a sample Mambo routine taught by Shaan at the Salsa Convention Berlin:
Read all about what you will learn in the different course levels below:
Intro / Transition to Mambo - Beginners
This course is ideal for Salsa dancers who are at an intermediate level or higher and are comfortable with their Salsa timing. You can also take this course if you are brand new to Latin dancing and only wish to learn Mambo on2 rhythm and dance style.
You will learn the basic steps, partner-work, stepping on the "2" and the movements in Mambo. Also, we will help you identify the instruments used in the music, like the conga and clave, to make you more comfortable with the Mambo rhythm.
Prerequisite: No dance experience necessary, but being of Salsa Intermediate 2 level or equivalent experience helps.
Recommendation: We advise you do this level 1 to 2 times.
Combine this course with: Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Men's Styling, Ladies Styling. Bachata.
At the end of the course your instructor will advise you when you are ready to move up to the next level
Mambo 2 - Improver / Intermediate
Re-capping and expanding upon Intro/Transition to Mambo, we will focus on rhythm, timing and spinning/turning preparations in Mambo. This will be covered in both intricate but manageable footwork and partner-work.
Combining all these aspects will give a greater knowledge and appreciation of the distinct differences when dancing Mambo from Salsa, especially with how it will apply to your Cross-body turns, spinning and styling. All this will lead to smooth partner-work with styling to enable you to have fun on the dance floor.
Prerequisite: Mastering of Intro / Transition to Mambo course or equivalent experience. Individual evaluations available upon request.
Recommendation: We advise you do this level 7 to 9 times.
Combine this course with: Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Men's Styling, Ladies Styling. Bachata.
At the end of the course your instructor will advise you when you are ready to move up to the next level
Mambo 3 - Advanced
With good knowledge and application of Mambo techniques and rhythm, we will show how to add musicality, body movements and arm-styling to the latest partner-work combinations and sizzling footwork shines from our internationally acclaimed instructors.
Our instructors have trained in Eddie Torres style Mambo, as well as with some of top Mambo teams in the world, such as Santo Rico, Karisma and Yamulee. We will not only share our passion, vast experience and knowledge, but what our contemporaries teach at the latest Salsa congresses and festivals around the world!
Prerequisite: Mastering of Mambo 2 or equivalent experience. Individual evaluations available upon request.
Recommendation: We advise you do this forever too! ☺
Combine this course with: Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Men's Styling, Ladies Styling. Bachata.
At the end of the course your instructor will advise you when you are ready to move up to the next level
