“Where is the scene of hundreds of Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans Latin dancers on the tunes of Barretto and Lavoe as in the 1970s?” This is a question weighing heavily on Matthew David Parker’s mind, a well-renowned salsa instructor from Louisiana. He claims that salsa is experiencing a tremendous transformation that doesn’t come close to the good ol’ 70s.
Matthew David Parker talks about why young zealous Latino dancers are drawn towards other dancing techniques other than their native salsa dance. Here are some of his findings.
Hip pop movement
The new hip-pop movement seems to be taking the world by the storm with many Latino dancers shifting towards it. This dance culture that has grabbed both the local and international attention is a force to be reckoned with. It is considered the new and cool kid in town. Failure to join in on this fast moving train will quickly qualify you as an outsider in the social community.
Incorporation into ballrooms
Salsa dance has been stripped of its informality practices. These days, ballrooms are incorporating salsa as part of their musical scenery giving it the official vibe that doesn’t attract most youths. On the brighter side, this is making salsa dance expand globally. Salsa is being adapted into many choreographies and dance techniques, making its reputation and stature to be apprehended among many music lovers. This helps in the keeping of the salsa dance legacy.
Lack of inspiration from the forefathers of salsa
Most of the pioneers of salsa dances feel like the new generation lack the nostalgia of salsa dances. They feel that the new breed of salsa dancers lacks the cultural knowledge and intuitive appreciation that was the driving force of the salsa dance movement. This perception is making many Latino youths grow up without the salsa dancing culture instilled in them.
However, some beg to differ by saying this lack of cultural passage from the elderly to the young is more positive than negative. They embrace the positivity that the modern salsa dance has brought regarding the lack of involvement in the club scene. The youth of today gets to dance salsa free of the associated drinking and sexual exploitation scenes, which many see as a positive change.
Matthew David Parker comes to the agreement that the new salsa type is overall a positive change to the salsa world after decades of general deterioration and neglect. “My job is to keep the salsa legacy alive and I shall do so while maintaining the dance’s positive image and respecting its history”, he concludes.
Matthew David Parker talks about why young zealous Latino dancers are drawn towards other dancing techniques other than their native salsa dance. Here are some of his findings.
Hip pop movement
The new hip-pop movement seems to be taking the world by the storm with many Latino dancers shifting towards it. This dance culture that has grabbed both the local and international attention is a force to be reckoned with. It is considered the new and cool kid in town. Failure to join in on this fast moving train will quickly qualify you as an outsider in the social community.
Incorporation into ballrooms
Salsa dance has been stripped of its informality practices. These days, ballrooms are incorporating salsa as part of their musical scenery giving it the official vibe that doesn’t attract most youths. On the brighter side, this is making salsa dance expand globally. Salsa is being adapted into many choreographies and dance techniques, making its reputation and stature to be apprehended among many music lovers. This helps in the keeping of the salsa dance legacy.
Lack of inspiration from the forefathers of salsa
Most of the pioneers of salsa dances feel like the new generation lack the nostalgia of salsa dances. They feel that the new breed of salsa dancers lacks the cultural knowledge and intuitive appreciation that was the driving force of the salsa dance movement. This perception is making many Latino youths grow up without the salsa dancing culture instilled in them.
However, some beg to differ by saying this lack of cultural passage from the elderly to the young is more positive than negative. They embrace the positivity that the modern salsa dance has brought regarding the lack of involvement in the club scene. The youth of today gets to dance salsa free of the associated drinking and sexual exploitation scenes, which many see as a positive change.
Matthew David Parker comes to the agreement that the new salsa type is overall a positive change to the salsa world after decades of general deterioration and neglect. “My job is to keep the salsa legacy alive and I shall do so while maintaining the dance’s positive image and respecting its history”, he concludes.
