How to Mambo

Tito Puente, the famous percussionist who put mambo on the map in New York City in the 1950s and produced 120 albums over half a century, passed away on June 1, 2000, at the age of 77. We celebrate his lifetime of achievement with a little bit of mambo. The basic dance steps take very little time to learn.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mambo Videos
• Tito Puente CDs
• Dancing Shoes

Leader

1. Stand with your feet together facing your partner.

2. Place your right hand on your partner's waist.

3. Extend your left hand, palm up, to your side with your arm bent.

4. Grasp your partner's hand in a loose grip.

5. Wait for the music to start.

6. Listen for the first beat.

7. On the second beat, step back with your right foot.

8. On the third beat, shift your weight to your left foot.

9. On the fourth beat, step forward with your right to bring your feet together again. Shift your weight back to your right.

10. Pause for the fifth beat.

11. On the sixth beat, shift your weight to your left foot and step forward.

12. On the seventh beat, shift your weight back to your right foot.

13. On the eighth and final beat, shift your weight back to your left and step back, bringing your feet together again.

14. Repeat.

Follower

15. Follow the leader.

16. Place your left hand on his right shoulder.

17. Bend your right elbow and place the palm of your right hand lightly on his outstretched palm.

18. Wait for the music to start.

19. Listen for the first beat.

20. On the second beat, step forward with your left foot.

21. Continue following, in reverse, the directions for the leader.

Tips & Warnings

• This dance is really addictive.

on 11/22/2005 Always practice your steps with your partner before going out, mambo halls are always packed in tight!

on 11/22/2005 Read "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love." It's by Oscar Hijuelos and won a Pulitzer Prize for literature.