Latin dance Latin dance Latin dance is a general label, and a term in partner dance competition jargon. It refers to types of ballroom dance and folk dance that (with few exceptions) originated in Latin America. The category of Latin dances in the international dancesport competitions consists of the cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, paso doble, and also the jive of United States origin. Social Latin dances (Street Latin) include salsa, mambo, merengue, rumba, bachata, bomba, plena, and the Argentine tango. There are many dances which were popular in the first part of the 20th century, but which are now of only historical interest.
Palladium Ballroom stated that he wanted to open a nightclub across the street from the Latin Quarter and bring Latin music from Havana. They asked Max Hyman and his wife Ann, an heiress to the Otis Elevator Company fortune, about booking Latin music and representing Federico Pagani to manage the Palladium. Pagani was the first to start the Latin matinee in a downtown dance hall on a Sunday and Wednesday. The first booking, on that Sunday afternoon, was a huge success, quickly prompting the club to fill its schedule with Latin music. Among the top acts to appear at the ballroom were