Social Latin

The nine dances in this category span an enormous geographic and cultural range. Salsa — in its Cuban, On1 (LA Style), and On2 (New York Style) forms — is arguably the most globally popular Latin social dance, with active communities on every continent. Bachata, in both its traditional Dominican form and the more contemporary Sensual style, has exploded in popularity over the past two decades. Merengue is the accessible, welcoming entry point for many Latin social dancers.

Brazilian Zouk, Kizomba, and Cumbia represent three distinct traditions: Zouk is a flowing, connection-focused dance from Brazil with roots in the Caribbean lambada; Kizomba is a close-hold, walking dance from Angola with a hypnotic, meditative quality; Cumbia is a Colombian rhythm that has spawned dozens of regional variations across Latin America.

What unites all Social Latin dances is their emphasis on improvisation and connection over choreography. These are dances learned primarily on the social floor, transmitted through the direct experience of dancing with more experienced partners. The music is not just accompaniment — it is the conversation that the dance is responding to.