Panama is known as the “crisol de razas” or “melting pot” and that’s why it has adopted many of the traditions from these cultures, special in its dances. Dancing is not just a way of expression and sensuality but it is also a way to make dreams become true. With many competitions worldwide, Panama couldn’t fall behind and brought in “Bailando por un Sueño” or Dancing for a dream (for its English translation, which is a Mexican show produced by Telemetro in Panama.

In this television show, the contenders are coupled with national and/or international stars to dance and win the chance to fulfill the contestant’s dream. Many different dances are presented throughout the show, such as: mambo, tango, bolero, salsa, samba, hip hop, pop, rumba flamenco, disco, merengue, Reggaeton and many more.

Each couple has a choreographer who trains them all week long until the day of the show. Each season lasts about 8 weeks and each episode are presented among 1 to 3 different rhythms. There was even a special show dedicated to Celia Cruz on the last season of this contest.

As we all know, the dance in Panama has achieved great popularity; reason why contests such as “Bailando por un Sueño” are a total success in our country. There is no doubt that dancing is the biggest form of sensuality, eroticism and expression worldwide.

For more information about this contest in Panama, log into http://www.telemetro.com/bailando

As 2008 draws to an end, I like to take the time to reminisce over my indulgences and travail into the sexy dances Panama, in the past year and ponder what the future holds.  As the great Chinese thinker and philosopher Confucius once said “study the past if you would define the future.”  Reviewing our past look into danza, will give us a glimmer of what the future holds.  In 2008, we have covered many of the different varieties of erotic dances available here in Panama.  The sultry Congo dance imported to Panama by immigrants from the West Indies. The truly Panamanian ‘little drum’ dance the Tamorito. We discussed the eroticism of pole dancing available in gentlemen clubs originally from England.  Born in Panama’s night life, the country´s own vibrant and energetic Reggaeton (even if Puerto Ricans try and take credit for it). Aerobic dances such as Hip-Hop; that will not only work up a sweat but burn calories in the process. My dance training that introduced me to carnal but toiling world of Brazilian Samba and belly dancing.  We covered the wonderful Salsa opportunities here in Panama, the Argentine import, the beautiful eroticism of Tango and the quintessence of the Dominican Republic, the Merengue.    Some of the final dance styles we encountered were the classical ballet born in royal courts of France, and both the raw eroticism of Bullerengue and Bunde from deep in heart of the jungles of the Darien.

All of these dances, like the people with different backgrounds that compose the population and hot dancers, mesh and merge here to create this wonderful melting pot we call Panama.  That is one of the beautiful aspects of this country, for such a small country, it contains so much of the best eroticism of the rest of the world.

I leave you with a glimpse of Panama´s future, the children- in step with the traditions of the past.

Happy New Year and keep dancing, even if it is not in the night clubs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I60AClqRqg&feature=channel

Even though the Tango dance is not categorized as part of the group of erotic dances, it is known as the most sensual dance in the world, followed by the flamenco and then salsa. However, people are starting to realize that it is indeed a dance that requires a lot of eroticism and sensuality.

When people hear Tango, they only think about Argentina. Why? As many of you will know, its origins are from Argentina, but according to the region it spreads into, it also had its origins in Uruguay, United States and Europe. People also don’t know that there are over 10 different types of tango that are also dance to different types of music. The most popular tango is, of course, the Argentine Tango. The Uruguayan tango, the Ballroom tango, and the Finnish tangos are also very popular. In every type of tango, it is pretty essential to dance with a partner, although there are some interludes where you can do some solos.

The popularity for this dance has been increasing so much that you may see it being feature in many films. Also, many gentleman clubs, nude clubs and even escort girls are starting to use this very provocative dance as a way to fill the environment with eroticism and desire.

Here in Panama, the most known type of tango is the Argentine Tango. In this type, you can either dance with a “frame” or dance very close to your partner. The eroticism of the dance lies in the expression and passion that is shown by the couple. To be great dancers, the couple has to be able to show true dramatic feelings that will make everyone get really involve with the story-telling dance. The steps for this dance consist of very complex figures that can be broken into smaller and not so complicated steps.

The tango has become part of the sexy dances in Panama. If you wish to enjoy a good tango night, you can go to the social club in El Panama Hotel on Wednesdays where you can enjoy a Buenos Aires TANGO Show or go to Pizza Piola on Fridays for another tango show or dance lesson. Both of these events are performed and organized by the “Academia de Tango Argentino en Panama”, Academy for Argentine Tango in Panama, which is located on Balboa Avenue in Panama City, Panama that specializes on the teaching of this type of tango, so you can learn more about the sensuality in this dance that is just starting to rise here in Panama City, Panama.

Tamborito (Little Drum) is the most popular folk dance, danced by women and women dressed in typical costumes. It is a contagious rhythm that makes everybody dances, because the interlocking and call/response lyrics, followed by the drum beat, mix the feelings and emotions of being Panamanian or a foreigner in loved of Panama. No one can resist it and must be danced.

Like most typical dances in Latin America, it is said to have originated in the Negro slave dance as a pray to the Gods. During the gathering at the plantations or near gold mines, this pray was sung and danced to beat of drums, bonfires and weeping. Homesick for Africa, slaves acted out tribal wars, courtships and also mimicked the behavior of their abusing masters.

But as time passed by, the dance changed due to the Mestizo´s (Spanish born in America) aroused, because they didn´t consider themselves as Spanish nor Americans, but they had both heritage and they incorporated the negro slave into the Spanish dance in the ballrooms by watching the Creole patios at fiesta and carnival time. There they saw it and introduced it to their own homes and it became part of them and that´s how Tamborito was born.

There are certain elements involved in this amazing dance such as African drum rhythms, coquetry, deception, faith, love and death, jealousy, pleasure, eroticism and even sex.

Although the Tamborito is milder that Congo Dance, there are some love-making movements that are quite lascivious but in a very smooth way.

Women Role

The tamborito is led by a Cantalante, a female lead singer, who is backed by a clapping chorus (the “estribillo”).

Women have a very important role in Tamborito, because they create the flirtatious movements that make men react in a very gently courtship and retreating figures. They interact in the dance at the pace of women, following the lyrics of the song. While a few women dance, others sing and clap, leading the chorus so the dancers represent the message with body language.

At some point similar to leading singer of the black dance from the black communities of the northern coast in Costa Arriba, which includes Portobelo, province of Colón.

The most luxurious costume is worn by the woman. It is called “La Pollera” the Panamanian National Dress, which is voluptuous in spite of its ruffles, accompanied by gold chains, medallions, and coins, and the elaborate combs, hair ornaments and earrings were the product of craftsmen working with native pearls and gold.

For decades “La Pollera” was a plebeian garment. In the 1880s Country women and lower-class city dwellers wore a simple version of the dress for everyday and an embroidered, lace-trimmed one on fiesta occasions. But high class women started to feel that this dress was a symbol of our Spanish heritage due to the similarity with Spanish typical skirts and could be up scaled for them also.

The Tamborito is danced in couples and each pair continues to dance for an unspecified time, taking into consideration those who must take their turn.

Sticky Lyrics

“Panameño, Panameño (Panamanian Panamanian)Panameño, vida mía (Panamanian, my life)

Yo quiero que tú me lleves (I want you to take me)

Al tambor de la alegría (To the drum of joy).

The idea of these catchy lyrics within a Tamborito is to make everybody sing it without having to memorize much. The Cantador Adelante (first singer) starts the song. The rest of the women sing the estribillo (refrain), carrying the beat with their handclapping.

Themes vary from political issues with some spicy proverbs to love songs or simply by expressing joy. The refrain of the chorus is unchanging, but each Tonada has its special one.

Tamborito is a dance that comprehends many circumstances through the life of Panamá as nation, before it was accepted as one.  It is not just a dance, is a culture speaking on its own.

These lyrics are known by all Panamanians, representing the most popular sonnet in the folkloric music.