Beguine - Dance on the Islands of Martinique, Cuba, and Guadeloupe

The Beguine is a popular dance danced on the islands of Martinique, Cuba, and Guadeloupe where it shares a lot of cultural value. It was developed in the 1930's, and has striking similarities to many other dances. Not only is the Beguine popular in the Islands, it also has its fair share of popularity in any other cultures. In the United States, those who happen to be a big fan of Fred Astaire and Broadway would know that there has been a Broadway production known as Broadway Music of 1940 where Fred Astaire performed a Beguine dance with Eleanor Powell for the music, "Begin the Beguine".

The Beguine has many similarities to many other dances. The Rumba has many similarities to the Beguine; in fact, many see the Beguine and the Rumba with almost identical steps, and patterns. The music is always slow in the Beguine, and the dance is always very smooth and to the music. Just like many other Latin dances out there, the Beguine dance features a lot of rolling of the hips while taking steps which is to symbolize sensuality. While the dance steps are almost identical to the Rumba, the dance music is very similar to Caribbean or Latin Bolero dance music.

The dancing of the Beguine dance focuses on the music and its tempo and rhythm. As the music becomes more exciting and complex like having more and more instruments and complex rhythms joined in or associated with it, the more involved the dance generally is. The song focuses on the growing excitement, and intensity of the music which makes it very exciting to watch, and listen to.

The Beguine is still very popular in Cuba while the Bolero is not; however, in all honesty, these three dances are very similar to each other in their own way which makes the whole concept even more interesting, and fun to watch. While there are similarities to other dance in the Beguine, it is unique and different in its own way, and definitely worth watching even if you saw the Bolero and the Rumba already.