Latin Street Music and Dance

La Boriqua is a dance studio that celebrates the beauty and grace found in Latin dance. We provide a space of entertainment and a chance for people to grow in their dancing skills.
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What We Do

We offer many services related to Latin dance and music. Our services are highly sought after and are characterized by top-quality.

Dance Classes

We have 90 classes each week designed for a variety of ages and skill levels. Try more than one rhythm and receive our discounts automatically at checkout!

Music Production

Are you an artist looking to make your mark on the Latin music and dance scene? We help produce and promote music of all Latino genres!

Studio Rental

If you’re looking for a place to host an event, or a place to practice your latest routines; our studio is available for rental.

“La Boriqua has given many people a chance to embrace their inner dancer. It gives a safe space for people to freely express themselves and enjoy the rich flavours of the Latin dance form.”

David K. Jenkins

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WE BRING OUR CULTURE , ART, AND LOVE TO ALL WE DO

BACHATA

Bachata is a beautiful dance form that creates a strong connection between two people. It is a popular form of music that originated in the Dominican Republic. It requires hip movement and eye contact.

JAZZ

Nothing can compare to the unique beauty found in jazz dance moves. It can be incredibly complex and comes in various different styles. It has roots in Africa and grew to become popular in ballrooms.

BELLY DANCE

Belly dance is one of the most popular dance choice among women. It provides a terrific workout and has a spiritual component to it as well. It places emphasis on the movement of the hips and abdomen.

SALSA

Salsa is a great way to connect with your partner. It gives you the opportunity to dress up fancy and it’s a great way to meet people as well.

LADIES STYLING

Latin dance forms gives the opportunity for women to exhibit their feminine beauty and strength in many ways. Ladies styling centred around these dance forms can be fascinating.

KID'S CLASSES

These dance forms can support kids in their physical and mental development. It can make them more sociable and charismatic. It gives them confidence and discipline.

KIZOMBA

This Angolan dance is perfect for beginners to try. It has slow and elegant dance movements. It focuses mainly on the feeling aspect of the dance.

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Gay Clubs – A Spotlight To The Queer Young

Gay Clubs

In today’s world, most youths are leaning towards the club for weekend parties, birthdays, or any other occasion. Clubs became their favorite spot for fun. But, did you ever imagine how it would be if you weren’t allowed to clubs based on your gender? Horrifying, isn’t it? There were times when the LGBTQ youth weren’t allowed into clubs because they were not recognized in society and were seen as a shame.

Queer young need more recognition and status in society than there is now. Bars or Clubs were explicitly opened for gay to include them in social activities. The first gay club in the world was in Zanzibar, Europe, and opened in 1885. Paris became known as a center for gay culture in the 19th century. Clubs are safe places for the queer to enjoy a little freedom and space. The queer needs to go clubbing as it involves excellent active communication with peers around the club, resulting in recognition.

LGBTQ people

Mingle in the crowd

Being the odd one out in a crowd is embarrassing and uncomfortable. LGBTQ people face such situations in almost their daily life wherever they go, like school, college, parties, public meetings, and so on. But it is excellent to have mingled around people like any other. Gay clubs play an essential role in such gatherings. They can enter a place where everyone is like them and can be more comfortable than in their home. Gay clubs are more like a boon to the queer young to come out as a gay/lesbian/bi person without hesitation. Clubs also help in being proud to be belonging to the queer community. They can find partners in the clubs and settle in life. Now, choosing the perfect life partner or friend for life who understands and accepts you for who you are is truly unique. That happens for queer only in clubs or mostly in clubs.

They are not judged in clubs, unlike in the outside world. Gay people face mean judgments and humiliation in their daily life resulting in issues like social anxiety, panic attacks, unable to mingle with the crowd, and many such emotional issues.

Few also recognize themselves as gay/lesbian/bi only when encountering another queer person. So, gay clubs are indeed helpful for many people who recognize their gender. Gay clubs also open doors to fulfilling LGBTQ physical needs. Gay clubs work as a meeting place and LGBT community spotlight where the queer has the conversation, relax within their community, and meets romantic and sexual partners.

Club Dancing For Beginners: What You Need To Know

Club Dancing

Club dancing is a great way to relax, but if you’ve never done it before, it can be daunting. The good news is that club dancing is not as hard as it looks—with some practice and tips from experts like me, anyone can do it! Here’s everything you need to know about how to get started on your own.

What is Club Dancing?

Club dancing is a social activity and a form of exercise, but it’s also an art form. It’s a great way to meet new people who share your interests and passions, whether those involve the latest club music or some other genre you’re into.

It’s also a fun way to get in shape, which makes it ideal for people who want to get active while having fun at the same time!

What are the Most Popular Club Dances Today?

The most popular club dances today are Swing, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Samba and Jive. The Cha-Cha and Rumba styles originated in Cuba and came to America through Puerto Rico.

The Mambo dance was developed after World War II by African-American musicians who had moved to New York City from South America.

Is Club Dancing Hard to Learn?

There is no doubt that club dancing takes time to learn. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional dancer to learn how to dance in the club! Most people at clubs are not professional dancers either; they’re just having fun and learning as they go along. So if you’re asking yourself, “is club dancing hard?” then the answer is no!

The key is to start small with one step at a time:

  • Find good music
  • Try out some basic moves on your own or with friends at home first before going out into public for an actual lesson (it’s much easier to make mistakes when strangers are judging you)
  • Find other beginner students willing to help each other improve their skills.

Most importantly, though: practice regularly! Practice makes perfect—so get those feet moving and start practicing now!

Club Dancing

How can I Learn a New Club Dance?

Learning a new dance is easier than you think. There are plenty of options, even if you don’t have much time or money.

If you’re looking for a structured class, try finding one that teaches the specific club dance you want to learn. It’s important to find a well-structured class to ensure all the steps are taught properly and in the right order.

For those who prefer learning from videos (or aren’t able to find any local classes), there are many online resources available as well. You can use YouTube videos, Amazon Prime instant video classes, Netflix originals, Hulu TV shows and more!

Making sure your favorite streaming services have access to your library will give you much more flexibility when searching for new ways to keep up with this fast pace community activity; after all – nobody wants their homework assignments holding them back from having fun!

Club dancing is a skill you can learn, and anyone can do it. Learning the basics of club dancing only takes a few minutes, and the only real requirement is that you have fun! Club dancing is an excellent way to meet new people and make friends at events such as raves, concerts, festivals and parties.

Club/Rave Dancing

Rave Dancing

Most of you reading this article are already familiar with club dancing or have even attended one. But do you know where and when did the club dance start? Are those dancers professional? Let’s read on to learn about club dancing and its origin.

Club dance creates a unique experience not present in any other social place. You can dance at your friend’s place or somewhere else but dancing at a club is a surreal experience. Dance clubs have dark halls with flashing lights to create euphoria. As you enter a club, your heart starts to pound with the loud bass of the music, and communication becomes almost impossible. Clubs also serve alcoholic beverages to take you to a trance with the music and drinks. Professional club dancers, primarily women, wear tight and sexiest clothes. Both men and women forget about the outside world and get immensely involved in dancing here.

Origin:

The origin of Dance clubs takes us back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At first, there were open-air rave parties and sweaty night clubs, which later developed into discotheques, ballrooms, jazz clubs, hip hops, and so on. Night clubs started in the 1840s and 1850s in New York City, where gambling included dancing. By the 1990s, discos/dance clubs spread worldwide, becoming a mainstream youth culture. The nightclub owners hired Professional Disco Jockeys to play the soundtracks at clubs to bring an electric environment to the dancers.

club dances

Types of club dances:

Though people dance their hearts out to the loud music, there are still various professional types of club dancing. Let me walk you through them.

  1. Salsa/Mambo dance – It is an energetic and fun partner dance. Salsa has become popular all around the world with its friendly nature.
  2. Hustle style – You can do it anywhere. This style does not need contemporary music, and you can dance freely.
  3. West Coast Swing – This style also uses all types of music and is mainly done in ballrooms, clubs, and weddings.
  4. Argentine Tango – This is a sensual dance. This dance dates back to Buenos Aires in a smoke-filled nightclub.
  5. Lindy – This dance is done with upbeat music and danced in fun patterns.

Go-go dancers:

People who dance at nightclubs are known as “Go-go dancers.” The term Go-go originated from the phrase “go-go-go,” used to encourage the dancer, and got influenced by the French expression agogo, which means “in abundance, galore.” The term Go-go dancer came from the French Bar Whiskey located near Cannes.

These dancers wore mini-skirts and high-heeled boots to entertain the audience. Go-go dancers are hired to perform at special parties, festivals, and rave dances and are called Performance art dancers.  Club dancing has become a part of the celebration, and most youths want this exciting experience.

Types of Club style dances

Club Style

Rather than the competition ballroom floor, these dances have their roots in nightclubs and dance halls. The club of dancers who only performs club-type dances is frequently rather large. Every one of those club dances has its own developing culture, illustrious musicians, legendary dancers, and fresh, developing styles. A few types of club-style dances are:

Hustle

The modern commercial rock music of the past 20 years is used to dance the hustle. The woman is virtually always spinning in a quick, fluid dance while her partner moves her in and out of frame. This is a non-progressive movement that is typically performed in a rotational slot. One of the rare dances that do not term properly with the music is this one; despite the song being in 4/4 time, each basic takes up three beats.

Hustle

Salsa

Salsa music has Afro-Caribbean roots, but Latin jazz musicians have modified it to suit modern pop, rock, and R&B tastes. Salsa music originated in the Afro-Caribbean region. Break steps, spins, flashy performance actions, falls, and solo moves known as “Shines,” a phrase taken from the tap dance community, are all common in salsa dancing. Salsa music is characterized by an intricate clave-driven rhythm, vivacious trumpets, and percussion sections (including cowbells and timbales), as well as a strong vocalist.

Merengue

Merengue is a simple dance with rapid and enjoyable movements. Although it usually moves in a non-progressive direction around the floor, it can also do so. This dance promotes creativity because it’s enjoyable and simple to come up with arm motions to match the straightforward moves. Merengue is distinguished by its own marching beats and Cuban motion, which emphasizes counts 1 and 5 with powerful side-to-side motion and a “dragged leg.” The Rhythm frame and the Merengue frame are identical.

Night club two-step

Like many dances, the Nightclub Two Step has altered and evolved over time. There are now two distinct types of dances. The traditional Nightclub Two Step was performed with rock-like footwork in a fast, quick, slow tempo. The Nightclub Two Step has been adapted by Country Western dancers, who now employ it in various competitions. The Nightclub Two Step was also adopted by ballroom dancers, who modified the fundamental movement to be sides, crossing behind, in place, as well as in a slow, fast, quick pace. The “Ballroom Two Step” is another name for the Nightclub Two Step performed in a ballroom. A huge sweeping sense permeates Ballroom Two Step’s gliding, continuous, robust, and powerful movement. It is precise and technical.

night club

West coast swing

A distinctive form of swing dance known as West Coast Swing has had a considerable revival recently. It’s a lively, improvised kind of dancing where the woman or follower might occasionally “lead.” Although West Coast Swing is typically danced to slower blues-style swing music, it is also frequently performed to hip hop, R&B, and pop music.

Seven Tips for Latin Club Dancing

Latin Club Dancing

Latin Club Dancing is a great way to break a sweat and freely express yourself! Learning Latin club dancing can give you great charm and beauty. It is an excellent way to ward off depression and become fully alive. If you have a desire to try Latin club dancing for the first time, here are some tips that can help you get started:

Wear Comfortable Clothing

Before you head to the Latin club, it is best to inquire about the dress code. Many Latin clubs like to keep it classy and want people to dress appropriately, while others like to keep it casual and simple.

Regardless of the dress code, you will want to place a strong emphasis on comfort. Your dress should allow you to move your arms and legs freely. When it comes to footwear, it is best for men to go with comfortable leather dress shoes and for women to use court shoes that come with straps attached to them. It is best to avoid wearing open-toed shoes in case your partner accidentally steps on your foot.

Fake It Until You Make It

When it comes to Latin club dancing, confidence is what makes you attractive. Your partners may excuse or overlook you for not being well versed with the dance form. However, they expect confidence and want to have a good time. Make plenty of eye contact and take the risk to approach the person of the opposite for a dance.

Watch Your Step

Latin club dancing can be quite energetic. You may find yourself getting fully immersed and lost in the process. While that is certainly a positive sign that you are picking it up, you will also want to be fully aware of your immediate surroundings. The last thing you want is to bump into your fellow dancers and have a fall or let your long hair whip the other dancers.

Use the Space Well

Dancing

Avoid taking up too much space on the dance floor. It can be a serious turn-off for the other dancers. Keep in mind that the experts know how to utilize the limited space and give a great performance. Hence, if you don’t have enough space, make sure to stick to the basics and improvise a little.

Avoid Cutting In

If you are interested in dancing with someone, make sure to ask them for a dance when they’re done dancing with a partner. If you cut in and interfere with their dance, you can create a negative impression and make the other person bitter.

Take Plenty of Breaks

Taking breaks helps! Remember that you have just started and that your dance is more likely to be better if you take regular breaks to sit down and rest. Make sure to hydrate yourself well before you hit the floor again.

 

How To Dance At A Club Or A Party?

How To Dance

You might have seen your friends or colleagues attending a party without worries. They will just get ready, grab some drinks, get on the dance floor without a second thought and have a great time. However, even though there are many people like that, there are still people who feel insecure and get panicked just at the thought of dancing in a club surrounded by many unknown people.

If you are reading this article, this probably means that you are one of these people who stay glued to the wall when someone tries to drag you to the floor. As a result, you might feel like a loser when you see everyone let loose on the dance floor. But do not fret about this factor. This awkward feeling is quite normal, and you can overcome them easily.

dance floor

If you feel awkward because of your lack of confidence in your dance skills, you can look into this guide and learn how to dance at a club.

Listen to the beat as you move toward the dance floor

Do not expect you to come out as a dance master immediately as you move toward the floor. This is not a step-up movie. You will have to start small- like bobbing your head to the rhythm.

Start syncing with the beats even before you enter the dance floor. Listen to the music and let it set the right mood for you. When you hear the music, start engaging with it and nod your head when talking to your friend or while holding a drink.

This step will help your body to adjust with you by the time you reach the floor.

Groove to the music and make small bounces

Once you reach the dance floor, start making small bounces with your whole body. This is the second step to bob your head. Again, you will be grooving to the same rhythm, but your full body will interact with the beats this time.

Do not rush with your bounces. Instead, bounce calmly, then build the energy. This will help your dance look more natural.

Learn some simple steps

Start interacting with music? Check. Started bouncing with your whole body? Great! Now it is time for you to move your legs and show off your moves. But without practice, you won’t be able to move your legs rhythmically. Also, you will be confused about which leg to move first without practice. So, learn some basic steps before you go to the club.

bounces

Let loose

Once you learn the basic step, the most important thing to enjoy the dance is to let yourself loose. To look confident, comfortable, and natural, you must learn to lose yourself.

Join a party

To experience the great fun of clubbing, you must dance with other people. Suppose you have come to the dance floor with your gang, then great. But, if not, then do not hesitate to join other people around you.

Mimic the music, sing along with your friends, rap for Nicki’s verse, and have a blast.

Popular Types of Latin Dances

Latin Dances

Latin American dances have a rich history and tradition. They are famous for their vibrant display of emotion and energy. They are also an excellent alternative to the gym. They give you a terrific aerobic workout and make you happier as well. Here are some of the most popular types of Latin dances:

Salsa

Salsa is the most widely known Latin dance. It is a popular dance style that originated in Cuban Son. It is widely seen in dance clubs. It picked up on its popularity in the 70s. Most people prefer Salsa for its beginner-friendliness and entertainment factor.

The Salsa dance is usually done to Latin jazz music. However, there are different styles of Salsa, such as Columbian, Cuban, and Crossbody. Salsa is known for its interesting dance moves like break steps, spins, and shines.

Cha Cha

Cha Cha

Many people find the tempo of Salsa to be too fast. Hence, Cha Cha is often considered a great alternative to Salsa because of its accessibility. It is slower than Salsa and is considered a graceful form of Latin dancing that has elements of mambo and Rumba. Experts typically recommend beginners get started with Cha Cha and then jump into Salsa for a higher level of mastery and control.

Merengue

Meringue is a favorite among the people in the Dominican Republic. It has strong African and Spanish influences. Merengue music typically has unique instruments like a diatonic accordion, Tambora, and a güira. Some of the most well-known Merengue songs are “Compadre Pedro Juan” by Luis Alberti, “EsaMuchacha” by Los Hermanos Rosario, and “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo. Merengue is quite popular in the ballrooms, and many people like to do it competitively as well.

Samba

Samba is incredibly popular in Brazil and is mainly seen in the Rio carnival. It is a powerful and evocative dance style. It is mainly done to the sounds of the drums. Apart from the traditional Samba, you will find many interesting varieties of Samba as well.

Bachata

Bachata is a Latin dance style that is incredibly popular among women. It promises a great workout and helps with weight loss. Bachata has its origins in the Dominican Republic.

Bachata

Although it was initially treated negatively, it soon picked up popularity and became internationally known. It offers many dance styles to choose from, such as sensual Bachata, urban Bachata, and Bachatango. Bachata music typically features guitars and bongos.

Rumba

If you want to indulge your romantic side, Rumba is the perfect Latin dance style. You hold yourself close to your partner and move your hips gracefully. One of the partners will be the leader, while the other partner will take the cues to follow. This dance style is so elegant that it can be done even without any music. It can be done anywhere with ease.

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