Bachata beat

Rico Suave Dance Associates is a testament this as dance instructors showcased their sensual, fiery moves at the studio’s Latin-Christmas themed “Party”, held last weekend, in San Fernando.

Director of the dance group, Ricardo Spencer, said the event was inspired by a trip he made to the Miami Salsa Competition, where he met Bachata dancing instructors Alex Morel and Desiree Godsell. Bachata is a genre of Latin American music that originated in the Dominican Republic in the first half of the 20th century with European, Indigenous and African musical elements. Spencer, a dancer for more than 27 years and who has performed locally and internationally said, “I saw their workshop and found that it was out of this world. I asked them if they would come and teach instructors in Trinidad and they agreed.” Morel and Godsell offer a teacher certification course in Bachata.

According to Spencer, it took approximately three months to formalise the first Latin inspired course.

While instructors had their workshop on December 3 to 5, on December 2, there was also a workshop for beginners and a masters class the following day. Forty and 30 persons participated respectively in the latter classes.

“It was amazing to see 27 instructors amused and intrigued for four hours of training. The training was very intense and continued on the following day,” said Spencer.

Instructors were given both practical and theoretical teaching skills of first to fourth generation styles of Bachata, showing the evolution of the dance. They were given an examination on the final day. Spencer is hoping that the training course would inspire instructors to motivate citizens to come out and learn to dance.

The dance intrigued Spencer and he learned about its origin and how intricate it is.

“I was doing more of the fourth generation style, where the legs are in a more closed position.

Their steps (Morel and Godsell) had a more sensual feel and look in the dance. It was really awesome what they had to offer,” said Spencer.

At ‘Party’ which was held at Rico Dance Associates’ studio on Prince Albert and Rushworth Streets, San Fernando, dancers, including, Morel and Godsell, showcased their skills. Other dances were performed, such as a belly dance by Spencer’s wife, Soleil, and the gazumba (of Brazilian origin) by Nimla Seebaran and Shawn Garcia. Sixth Form students of Naparima College and St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando also hit the dance floor.

“The principals of both Naparima and St Joseph’s Convent came to me with a plan to teach students dance during their lunch break for half hour. It was 220 children, 120 from Convent and 100 from Naps. Because it was just half hour, students were literally grabbing their lunch and coming the class. We decided to do the session in the evening, where it boiled down to maybe about 70 of them.

We did a flash mob there with the dance routine and mixed it with line dancing and disco dancing,” said Spencer.

Latin dancing in Trinidad is active but Spencer wants to see more of it showcased.

“It is there. A lot of schools do parties. We carried Desiree (Godsell) to a party in Point For- t i n .

A Christmas party and she was amazed that we were dancing salsa to reggae. If we (instructors) can get about ten communities and teach dance and carry on a competition, it would revive it. Dancing brings out fun and laughter for everyone.”