Cuban Salsa: Sweetheart Catwalk
In Cuban Salsa, the most common walk in Sweetheart Position is a variation of El Uno (Shadow Position). If the hands are lifted up to shoulder height when walking left-right-left, etc, the Lead walk the Follow in the Sweetheart Position.
Similar, the Half Sombrero is often the start of getting into the Sweetheart Position with the Follow to the left or to the right side of the Lead. A Caminando, walking side by side, might start as a Half Sombrero but very often becomes another example of walking in the Sweetheart Position as soon a both hands are at shoulder height.
If one hand comes down during a Caninando walk in Sweetheart Position, it is of cause still the Sweetheart Position. The Lead is likely to lower a hand when switching from clockwise to a counter clockwise Caminando with the Follow by the Lead’s left or right side.
Paseo/Caminala Square
Apart from the Caminando on a curved line and ExhÃbela and Paseala from the Promenade Position, the Paseo and Caminala walks are the most common walks in Cuban Salsa and they come with many variations. They almost always start from Open Position with the Follow at the Lead’s left side. They both walk the same pattern, called the “Paseo/Caminala Square”. When done one handed, I call the walks Paseo, and when done two handed, I call the walks Caminala.
The Caminalas have many positions for arms and hands. Like using on/off Alardes, on/off Sombrero and on/off Half Sombrero. If both hands are at shoulder height a lot of the time, the “Half-Sombrero Caminala” is better named “Caminala in Sweetheart Position”.
The Lead steps forward on “1-2”, pivots left on “2”, steps back on “3” and uses Entrada steps on “5-6-7”. The Follow steps forward on all six steps, three steps for each side of the square.
Paseo and Caminala walks are almost always done clockwise to keep it simple. They could be done counter clockwise but is seldom worth the try. Hard enough to get the clockwise version working consistently in social dancing. Counter clockwise Caminando walks on the other hand are much easier and more common.
Catwalk Slot
Inspired by a couple of dance videos, I have developed what I call the Rectangular Catwalk Slot as a perfect way to do walks in Sweetheart Position starting from Promenade Position with the Follow by the Lead’s right side. The square of the “Paseo/Caminala” walk has simply been pressed into a rectangle.
The Lead steps three steps forward, “1-2-3”, pivots to the right on “3”, and continues with Entrada steps on “5-6-7”. The Follow steps forward on “1-2-3”, pivots right on “3”, and crosses over to the right on “5-6-7” and pivots the left foot left on “7”. This is the shortest Sweetheart Catwalk, one count of eight.
The Sweetheart Catwalk can continue for how long as it feels good. It gives us a walk in Sweetheart Position that is not just the “Paseo/Caminala Square Inverso”. We have two different sets of steps. The Catwalk takes place as it should inside a rectangular slot.
The rectangular Sweetheart Catwalk can continue into Caminando or directly into the clockwise “Paseo/Caminala Square” or the Lead can exit into Sombrero, Rodeo, etc.
Mixing the patterns
We can do all the different types of walks in Sweetheart Position separately, small time. Or we can combine them big time. Beginners should stick to the strict patterns to keep it easy. At advanced level, we can relax the patterns and mix them, and see for how long we can keep it going.
Sweetheart Catwalk as a dance mode
I like to use the Sweetheart Catwalk name as the overall name when we combine all or many of the possible walks in the “Sweetheart Position”. The Sweetheart Catwalk has the potential to be used not just as a walk but as a dance mode in the dance, as one of the highlights.
It appeals much more to me to use proper dance “sections” like the Sweetheart Catwalk as a highlight than doing the Rumba “Rape Enactment for Fun”. Vacuna is too bizarre, too dominating with bad connotations, it is not inclusive and community oriented. I am opposed to stunts, chock effects, sensationalistic and sexualized dancing.
A freestyling Musicality Despelote together with the partner, where Lead and Follow inspire one another, is an example of a proper highlight in social dancing. It could also be a section of turns with good flow and momentum, or a section of Musicality and Playfulness.
The Sweetheart name
The Sweetheart Position is a well established name in many social dances like Swing dances, Country Two Step, Salsa, etc and also in Latin Ball Room. It is the perfect name to use in Cuban Salsa. Especially in Cuban Salsa as an International dance in contexts where English is used to make all of us more equal.
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