What is Pachanga and why you should care about it?

Here’s a fun dance from class that most people don’t know about…

Pachanga.

It was actually one of the last popular Cuban dances to make its way into the U.S., right after mambo and cha-cha-cha in the 1960s, especially in New York.

What makes it really unique is the music behind it.

Pachanga is danced to charanga music, which is a type of salsa that has a very distinct sound: violins, flutes, and that signature bell that gives it a light, bouncy feel.

Watch the videos below and check the quick story behind pachanga and how it shows up in the music:

Once you hear it, you’ll start to recognize that playful, lifted rhythm.

And just like cha-cha, this isn’t something separate from what you’re already learning, it shows up inside salsa, in different sections of songs, and in the way you move.

This bounce and groove also makes it danceable to funk, R&B, and Hip Hop revealing the close connection between latin and popular music and dance that lies just under the surface.

We’re starting to introduce these elements in class so you can begin to feel the music more, not just count it.

Next time you’re listening to salsa, see if you can catch that lighter, bouncy section… you can throw in the pachanga bounce!