Bachata is based on traditional Latin American guitar music and was born in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s.  Whilst Merengue and Salsa were mainstream, Bachata was considered vulgar and so was confined to poor and rural areas where it became the music of choice.  It was extremely accessible to these audiences - guitars were fairly cheap to find and the heartache and bitterness in the lyrics were deep sentiments felt within the working classes. Although Bachata had a huge following it only gained legitimacy and recognition in the Dominican Republic in 1992 when a highly educated middle-class musician, Juan Luis Guerra won a Grammy for his album Bachata Rosa.

At present,  the young Dominican group Aventura is probably the best known bachata group worldwide, its single Obsesion having dominated the latino charts in many countries. 

Other artists of note include Antony Santos, Frank Reyes, Raulin Rodriguez, Yoskar Sarante, El Gringo, El Chaval, Zacarias Ferreira, Monchy y Alexandra, Toque de Keda, El Rubio Loco and Joe Veras, to name a few.

Basic Step

Feet are flat and together. Hips are loose as in Merengue.  There is no upward hip swing or lift, instead hips push down.

Franco Attanasio (El Puma) originating from Venezuala is a successful DJ and dance instructor in Italy and specialises in teaching Dominican style Bachata

www.elpuma.it

Bachata music has four beats to a bar. Three steps are taken to four beats of music. As with salsa, the step timing is three steps and then a one-beat pause.  Outside the Dominican Republic, Bachata is widely danced in the States, in most of mainland Europe (especially Italy) and even the Far East. 

The basic footwork pattern is easy - three steps in one direction (side-close-side) and then a hip motion. Repeat going in the other direction.  As with all Latin dances, the hard part is getting the body action. Without the hip and body action, you are not dancing Bachata.  Move your body, bend your knees, use your hips - men think macho, women think sexy!

Marco Francesconi & Marina Simeone run a very successful latin dance school in Bologna

E: marcofrancesconi@aliceposta.it