This title in the American Dance Floor series provides an overview of the origins, development, and current status of Latin social dancing in the United States. Latin dance and music have had a widespread influence upon the development of other social dance and music styles in the United States. As a result, Latin dance styles are among the most important dance forms in America. Latin Dance addresses every major style of Latin dance, describing the basic steps that characterize it as well as its rhythmic pace and time signature, and examining its development from European, African, and Amerindian influences. The author explains the range of styles and expression to be found in Latin dances primarily within the context of couples social dancing, the popularity of salsa today, and the broader social meanings and implications of their multicultural origins from the 1600s to the present. The historic connection between exhibition Latin dance and American modern dance through vaudeville is explained as well.

Music Fundamentals: A Balanced Approach, Third Edition combines a textbook and integrated workbook with an interactive website for those who want to learn the basics of reading music. Intended for students with little or no prior knowledge of music theory, it offers a patient approach to understanding and mastering the building blocks of musical practice and structure. Musical examples range from Elvis Presley songs to Filipino ballads to Beethoven symphonies, offering a balanced mixture of global, classical, and popular music. The new edition includes: Additional vocabulary features and review exercises Additional musical selections and 1-, 2-, or 3-hand rhythmic exercises The addition of guitar tablature A revised text design that more clearly designates the different types of exercises and makes the Workbook pages easier to write on An improved companion website with added mobile functionality The author’s balanced approach to beginning music theory engages student interest while demonstrating how music theory concepts apply not only to the Western classical canon but also to popular and world music. With the beginner student in mind, Music Fundamentals: A Balanced Approach, Third Edition is a comprehensive text for understanding the foundations of music theory.

At the end of WWII, themes in music shifted from soldiers' experiences at war to coming home, marrying their sweethearts, and returning to civilian life. The music itself also shifted, with crooners such as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra replacing the Big Bands of years past. Country music, jazz, and gospel continued to evolve, and rhythm and blues and the new rock and roll were also popular during this time. Music is not created without being influenced by the political events and societal changes of its time, and the Music of the Postwar Era is no exception. *includes combined musical charts for the years 1945-1959 *approximately 20 black and white images of the singers and musicians who represent the era's music

This provocative look at the connections—and conflicts—between Latinos and African Americans in the United States assesses the challenges facing both groups as they strive to achieve the American dream. Latino and African American communities in the United States share neighborhoods, similar family values, and many of the same challenges faced by minorities, yet are often at odds about their distinctive cultures and position in society. This book looks at the social and political history of both groups, pointing out their differences and similarities, and exploring their perceived role in America's social strata. Author Karen Juanita Carrillo delves into the often-controversial issues that have undermined Afro-Latino race relations in this country, including how the war on poverty led to competition and animosity, how the legacy of slavery bears on their relationship, and how prejudices among new immigrants inflame existing tensions. The book features a multitude of views and perspectives on what it means to be American for Latino and African American populations. Its extensive discussion of immigrant groups includes those arriving from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Colombia, Honduras, Ecuador and Peru.

Dance music is music composed, played, or both, specifically to accompany dancing. It can be either the whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement. Dance music works usually bear the name of the corresponding dance, e.g. waltzes, the tango, the bolero, the can-can, minuets, salsa, various kinds of jigs and the breakdown. Other dance forms include contradance, the merengue, the cha-cha-cha. Often it is difficult to know whether the name of the music came first or the name of the dance. Although dance is often accompanied by music, it can also be presented alone (Postmodern dance) or provide its own accompaniment (tap dance). Dance presented with music may or may not be performed in time to the music depending on the style of dance. Dance performed without music is said to be danced to its own rhythm. An introduction to classical and modern dance including hip hop dance, what is dance, and the dance music (electronic music, rock and roll, disco, house, techno, trance, etc.)

Since 2000, this traveling journalist/poet/musician and writer went to Cuba in search of the music of the Caribbean Islands. He took lessons from a Cuban master. His encounters with musicians, Afro-Cuban percussionists and rappers, brought him close to the “real” Cuba. His love for Cuban music and percussion instruments comes to life this book. The book also includes never before published photographs of Che Guevara.

A guide for music: compositions, events, forms, genres, groups, history, industry, instruments, language, live music, musicians, songs, musicology, techniques, terminology , theory, music video. Music is a human activity which involves structured and audible sounds, which is used for artistic or aesthetic, entertainment, or ceremonial purposes. The traditional or classical European aspects of music often listed are those elements given primacy in European-influenced classical music: melody, harmony, rhythm, tone color/timbre, and form. A more comprehensive list is given by stating the aspects of sound: pitch, timbre, loudness, and duration. Common terms used to discuss particular pieces include melody, which is a succession of notes heard as some sort of unit; chord, which is a simultaneity of notes heard as some sort of unit; chord progression, which is a succession of chords (simultaneity succession); harmony, which is the relationship between two or more pitches; counterpoint, which is the simultaneity and organization of different melodies; and rhythm, which is the organization of the durational aspects of music.

This three-volume encyclopedia describes and explains the variety and commonalities in Latina/o culture, providing comprehensive coverage of a variety of Latina/o cultural forms—popular culture, folk culture, rites of passages, and many other forms of shared expression. In the last decade, the Latina/o population has established itself as the fastest growing ethnic group within the United States, and constitutes one of the largest minority groups in the nation. While the different Latina/o groups do have cultural commonalities, there are also many differences among them. This important work examines the historical, regional, and ethnic/racial diversity within specific traditions in rich detail, providing an accurate and comprehensive treatment of what constitutes "the Latino experience" in America. The entries in this three-volume set provide accessible, in-depth information on a wide range of topics, covering cultural traditions including food; art, film, music, and literature; secular and religious celebrations; and religious beliefs and practices. Readers will gain an appreciation for the historical, regional, and ethnic/racial diversity within specific Latina/o traditions. Accompanying sidebars and "spotlight" biographies serve to highlight specific cultural differences and key individuals.

A lively survey of Cuba's past and present, and a "must-have" companion to any Cuba travel guide "Cuba has the same effect on American administrations that the full moon has on werewolves." -- Wayne Smith, former head of US Interests Section in Havana "Cuba for the Misinformed is extraordinarily educational and enlightening." - Midwest Book Review For more than 50 years, the US government and mass media have misrepresented, hidden or ignored the truth about Cuba. In Cuba for the Misinformed, Mick Winter brings together a fascinating array of facts and anecdotes about Cuba's history, its government, its people, and the actions that the United States has taken against the well-being of those people. Citizens of other countries do know many of these facts. That is why every year at the United Nations almost every country on the planet (the 2012 vote was 188-3) demands that the United States end its embargo of Cuba. As you read this book, you will recognize that for more than fifty years something very interesting has been happening just ninety miles offshore from the United States. You may not agree with everything-- or even anything-- that has happened since the Cuban revolution, but you will likely admit that this small island country of eleven million people has had a global effect that reaches far beyond its size. This book presents information that is little-known (particularly to most Americans) about Cuba and its relationship with the United States. It offers this information clearly, succinctly and in a style that's enjoyable to read, and backs it up with helpful footnotes and links to resources. Whether you're a student, educator or journalist; planning a trip to Cuba (this book is an essential companion to your Cuba tour book); anticipating future business dealings; or simply want to know more, you'll find Cuba for the Misinformeda treasure of interesting--and often fascinating--information, facts and anecdotes about Cuba and its people.