If you can march, you can merengue
Merengue: Latin dancing, minus the panic
Merengue is the Latin dance people usually manage without realising they’ve learned it. One step per beat, a relaxed hip, a couple of turns, and you’re dancing. It makes a very good first step, for reasons that become obvious on the floor.
- Rated 4.9 on Google
- Founded by World and British champions
- Adults only
- No partner needed
One step, every beat
Merengue comes from the Dominican Republic, like bachata, and its music is fast, cheerful and very even. The basic is about as simple as partner dancing gets: shift your weight from one foot to the other on every beat, like marching gently on the spot. That’s it. That’s the step.
The hip movement comes from those weight changes. Bend the knee of the foot you’re stepping onto, let it straighten as your weight arrives, and the hips follow. Keep it small. Merengue looks best relaxed, not exaggerated.
- Stand with feet slightly apart and knees soft.
- Step left, transferring all your weight; step right; repeat on every beat.
- Let the hips move as a result of the steps rather than pushing them.
- Once that’s easy, try it travelling sideways, then turning slowly on the spot.
Where the fun comes in
Because the footwork never changes, merengue frees up all your attention for the partnering. Leads can practise clear, gentle signals for turns; follows can practise turning under an arm without losing the beat. It’s a brilliant way to build confidence before trying dances with more complicated timing.
That’s why so many dancers say it’s the easiest Latin dance to start with. You get the social, joyful part of Latin dancing right away, and the skills carry into salsa and bachata later. If you’re deciding what to try next, our page on salsa vs bachata lays out the choice.
Merengue in an east-end Toronto week
Merengue usually turns up in Toronto as a song or two played between salsa and bachata at a Latin night rather than as its own class. That’s the best way to enjoy it: once you know the step, you can join in on a crowded floor without any nerves.
Our Latin Thursdays on Queen Street East are a friendly place to try. There’s a short class at 8:00, salsa or bachata depending on the week, then the floor opens. It’s $10 for the class and the social, free for members, and everyone rotates. More on how these nights work in our guide to social dancing in Toronto.
If merengue gives you the bug, the natural next step is salsa. Our guide to salsa dancing in Toronto walks through what the first month is like.
From merengue to more
Ready for a structured start? Salsa and bachata Level 1 courses are four weeks for $109, built for complete beginners. Not sure which suits you? A $99 consultation will help.