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Salsa
Salsa (the Spanish word for a spicy sauce) can trace its roots to both Cuban Son and the modernization of Mambo, made popular by New York City's Puerto Rican population in the 1950s. A partner dance allowing for improvisation on the part of both dancers, Salsa has many different styles such as Cuban, Puerto Rican, Los Angeles and New York style. Variations between the styles include beginning the basic step on different beats of the measure, dancing in a slot or circular, or even attitude and dress code. Common to all styles are the breaks and shines which give the partners a chance to show off their individual flair while remaining in sync with each other and the salsa music.