Bachata, guitar music originating in the Dominican Republic, has recently emerged as a popular dance style that is sweeping the Latin dance world, and becoming a staple in clubs and dance studios alike across the city. With its sensual sound and bluesy lyrics, Bachata has become the necessary wind down music in the club when you need to get a little closer with your partner or some time to relax after some strenuous Salsa songs. With the rise of groups like Aventura who have added an R&B sound to their Bachata, and fusions with other dance styles like Tango, a new life has been given to the Modern style of the dance!

There are 4 major styles of Bachata in the world today, and here at LDN you get the chance to learn all 4! They include the ‘Dominican style’, the ‘Traditional’ style and of course the new modern styles (Moderna) and 'CrunkChata'.

Dominican Style

Bachata is originally from the Dominican Republic, a small country sharing the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti, in the Caribbean. Bachata is commonly danced throughout the Dominican Republic by young and old, along with merengue. While the basic bachata step stays fundamentally the same across all bachata styles, the basic step for men can be performed with a ‘bounce’ instead of the hip movement, and this is common within the Dominican style. Characteristically, the Dominican style emphasises freestyle footwork in either a close or open hold and turn patters are usually short.

Traditional Style

Despite its misleading name, the Traditional style came after the Dominican style. It was developed in the US and Europe and is based on the Dominican style. It is the most commonly danced style of Bachata in the world today and Adelaide is no exception. The traditional style uses a close hold that emphasises sensual body movement, thus making it a very romantic style of dance. However, an open hold can also be used to do side to side turn patterns.

Moderna Style

The modern style of bachata is the newest (and still evolving) style of Bachata. Moderna incorporates the fundamentals from various other styles of dance such as tango, ballroom and even zouk. This fresh new approach aims to break away from the side to side, left to right motion that defines traditional bachata styles, bringing a new sense of elegance and artistic freedom to the dance. The main feature of Bachata Moderna is the concept of crosses. With the ‘cross’, a dancer can cross with one foot either in front or behind the other. Crosses can be done on 1, on 2 and even on 3. This opens up many possibilities for shines (like in salsa) and can even be used to spice up your open-hold partnerwork. While it may sound straightforward, there are many intricacies to using the crosses, especially in partnerwork. And of course, there is more to Moderna than just the crosses. To find out more about Bachata Moderna come along to Latin Dance Nation’s all new Bachata courses and join in on the craze that’s sweeping through the world.

CrunkChata Style

CrunkChata is mostly footwork variations that can be danced naturally to hip-hop, R&B, bacata and reggaeton. With a focus on style and soul, CrunkChata has a broad appeal to young an dold as it is a wonderful way to express oneself to the music dominating today's music charts, while staying connected in spirit to the Caribbean music and dances.

Bachata Format!

Beginners

Beginners level is comprised of casual classes that run every Tuesday evening. These classes are for anyone who have never danced bachata before and is a great introduction to the bachata basic step and bachata hip, simple spins and technique. It will also finesse your basic, adding additional technique and the sexy body movements that make bachata such an enjoyable dance to dance and watch! Students will then progress to Intermediate. This next level is aimed at students who have completed Beginners or for students who have some experience in the fundamentals of bachata.

Join anytime - only $10 per class

Intermediate (Traditional)

Latin Dance Nation's Intermediate course is comprised of an exciting 4 week course that covers the Traditional styles of Bachata that will help ease you into learning the more Advanced styles such as Domincan, Moderna and CrunkChata! To enter this level, it is recommended that students should either have completed a beginners course offered by Latin Dance Nation or elsewhere, or they must have experience in traditional bachata footwork and body movements.

Note: All courses will be open to new students for the first 2 weeks only. It will then be closed until the next course starts. This is to allow for students to progress and build upon what they have learnt without interruption.

These courses will cycle every 4 weeks on Tuesday evenings and will ensure that you continue to have an amazing Bachata dance experience! Tuesdays - 4 week course.

$65/4 week course

Advanced (Moderna, Traditional, CrunkChata, Dominican)

Latin Dance Nation's Advanced course is comprised of a continuously changing series of exciting styles that cover the Traditional styles of Bachata as well as Domincan, Moderna and CrunkChata! To enter this level, it is recommended that students should either have completed an intermediate course offered by Latin Dance Nation or elsewhere, or they must have ample experience in Bachata footwork and body movements.

Correct knowledge of the fundamentals helps to ensure yours and other students enjoyment of this class. Each course will feature a diverse variety of learning material so that students will learn something new in each course and never get bored. To enter into Advanced it is strongly recommended that students do the Intermediate course first. This is because Advanced builds upon the Traditional Bachata fundamentals. Once a student is familiar with the traditional fundamentals then they can fully concentrate on the perfecting the complexities that make Bachata so enjoyable!

Note: All courses will be open to new students for the first 2 weeks only. It will then be closed until the next course starts. This is to allow for students to progress and build upon what they have learnt without interruption.

These courses will cycle every 4 weeks on Tuesday evenings and will ensure that you continue to have an amazing Bachata dance experience! Tuesdays - 4 week course.

$65/4 week course - great value.