Top Facts About Salsa Dance: NYC Style History & Secrets

New York salsa, as one of the branches of the famous Latin American dance, has a rich history. Its origins date back not to the 20th century when Eddie Torres officially introduced it, but to the moment when people started making movements that even remotely resembled the dance. The dance evolved thanks to people, and it has its own story. And where there are people and history, there are always funny and sometimes absurd incidents, interesting facts… Let's explore some of them.

— If you want to upset a noble country lady, tell her that you are into salsa!
Salsa wasn't always in demand. In some circles, it was even frowned upon and condemned. It had to go a long way to gain worldwide recognition. The dance officially appeared in the 19th century. But who invented it? Who could, forgetting everything and not afraid of being funny and clumsy, spin around in dance? That's right: servants, peasants… Ordinary people who weren't afraid to express vivid emotions. The nobility, on the other hand, was known for its coldness and dignity. Impulsive movements were offensive to them. Therefore, salsa was considered a primitive pastime for the poor.

— Money matters more than it seems!
The existence of various salsa styles, including the New York one, is explained not only by the creators' passion. Among other things, these are commercial projects. Many people have made and still make money from it, including Eddie Torres, who invented New York salsa. In 1995, he launched a video course that introduced the world to this new style.

— New York salsa emerged because of breaking the law!
In the first half of the 20th century, a teenager (12 or 13 years old) Eddie Torres entered the nightclub “Palladium” despite age restrictions. There he first saw salsa performed by Cubans and Americans. This spectacle amazed him. Afterwards, he started going to bars to create his own salsa. He introduced something new (for example, he changed the circular trajectory of partners to a linear one), mixed people's performance styles, and eliminated unnecessary details. This marked the beginning of the New York style formation.

— Salsa, like V.I. Lenin, goes out to the people!
New Yorkers highly appreciated Eddie Torres' salsa. Now they annually hold congresses and festivals aimed at attracting new people to dance. During this time, the city streets come alive. Anyone can see New York-style dancing and take part. You can also learn the basics of salsa by attending open workshops.

— In New York salsa, the woman has a star on her forehead!
New York salsa differs from other dances in the role women play. Here, she is the center of attention. The man's job is to give signals for movement changes and to be in awe. Everything else is in the partner's hands. She shows her grace, flexibility, and incredible artistry. That is the innovation of this dance.

— Your milk boiled over!
There is a legend explaining the origin of salsa. In Latin America, kitchens were never spacious. This caused great inconvenience for housewives, especially during big holidays when they had to serve all the guests. And there were many of them, believe me. After all, it's Latin America. The hostess carried hot dishes to the table. The attempt to hold everything became the precursor of the dance. It's hard to say whether this story is true or not. But one thing is important: salsa loves improvisation.

— It's also good for your health!
New York salsa is one of the most beneficial types of dance for health. It helps improve coordination and blood circulation. Salsa also has a positive effect on emotional well-being.