Pachanga 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

Pachanga - Open Level

Pachanga is a fun and energetic way to spice up your footwork and put some funk and bounce into your Salsa and Mambo shines!  

Originally confused with Charanga, and  later identified as "La Pachanga", this dance in it's beginnings was fast and syncopated and only had a number of step variations. But when mixed with Cha Cha Cha later (Pachanga-Cha), it developed a much wider variety of moves. Cuban immigrants took the Pachanga rhythm and dance styles to the US, where they became hugely popular during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

This type of music has a festive, lively style and is marked by mischievous lyrics. What distinguishes Charanga and Pachanga music is that these use a different instrumentation, replacing the brass instruments more commonly used in Latin/Caribbean music with flutes and violins.

Pachanga dance movement utilizes a shuffling and swiveling motion, usually achieved by dancers placing their weight on the balls of their feet and twisting their hips to emphasize the beat. It often employs varied footwork patterns, from three to eight beats, but in general each beat of the music is used. While proper Pachanga music and dance differs from Salsa, there is a lot of crossover in the music, so it is possible to integrate Pachanga movement and footwork into any Salsa or Mambo pattern.

Prerequisite: No dance experience necessary, but being of Salsa Improver level or equivalent experience helps.

Recommendation: We advise to take a pachanga course 2 to 3 times to master the movement and the rhythm.

Combine this course with: Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo On2, 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