There are so many thoughts and ideas that can be expressed through this one particular question. ‘Are you a Bachatero?’
Firstly, we need to define what a Bachatero is. Is it a person who dances Bachata? Listens to or creates Bachata music? Someone who is involved in the Bachata community or a person who lives Bachata as a way of life?
It is interesting to note, that on the subject research I have done on this word, it happens to match each of these.
It’s hard to pin down an actual meaning to the word ‘Bachatero,’ it can mean so many things. One very general statement being: ‘Someone who performs Bachata.’
A person who creates, sings or plays Bachata is obviously a Bachatero. And yet one that can dance Bachata must understand the direction the lyrics or melody takes in order for them to be a personal representation of the music thus creating a physical form of Bachata for people to see as well as hear.
Let us not forget the admirer of Bachata. The quiet man or woman that sits in the corner of the club and says nothing, instead they observe the interaction of the dancers as they partner up and do nothing but nod their head and tap their finger on the table. Is it safe to assume that they have a certain involvement in the creation and appreciation of Bachata? ‘Are they a Bachatero?’
We come to the observation of the Bachata community. In comparison to the Latin dance & Salsa scene, most Bachateros will not determine a right or wrong way to dance Bachata or what a proper Bachata song is. Truth is there is no wrong way. If you look at the evolution of Bachata from it’s rudimentary past to the modern form it’s taken today, you can’t expect it to do anything but progress, develop and take on new shapes. Bachateros are not as open to the politics that you see in most Latin dance groups. They are open more to each others ideas and musical interpretation. This sets them apart from the other communities.
Essentially, no one can be put into categories such as I have described. These are just a few questions I’ve found myself asking. In my mind, anyone who has had the fortunate opportunity to come across this influential music and have had their lives somehow affected is a Bachatero. You can make anything you come into contact with a way of life. Why not Bachata? So let me ask you…. ‘Are you a Bachatero?’
This article was written by Jen Howarth – chief editor of the Bachateros Online Magazine. You can find Jen at Latin Motion or dancing at various venues in Sydney.
Nice article jen 🙂
Very, very confusing – this article.
There are questions like the following:
* Is it a person who dances Bachata?
* Listens to or creates Bachata music?
* Someone who is involved in the Bachata community or a person who lives Bachata as a way of life?
* The quiet man or woman that sits in the corner – Are they a Bachatero?
And the answer to all this, according to the article:
“These are just a few questions I’ve found myself asking. In my mind, anyone who has had the fortunate opportunity to come across this influential music and have had their lives somehow affected is a Bachatero. You can make anything you come into contact with a way of life. Why not Bachata?”
For starters.. Are the (maybe not so quiet) man in front of his TV watching football a football player? Or the admirer of a beautiful park, a gardener?
“Bachatero” was the term for the people playing Bachata/Amargue -music in the early 60’s, but even before that – in the 50’s the term was used – but by then the music genre was not set to be called Bachata.
Not until the music started to have a BPM over 110, the people actually danced what were becoming the dance “Bachata”. This was not until late 80’s. The first recorded album released which made bachata successful outside the DR – was Bachata Rosa (Juan Luis Guerra – recorded 1990, and released 1991). To the dismay of several people, as Juan Luis Guerra actually studied American music, and recorded a techno bachata record (not only bachatas though) to see if he would be successful in this area as he already was well known and accepted by the upper and mid society classes. Anyhow…
By 1991, when the album was release, and with the help of Sonia Silvestre, Victor Victor and Luis Segura – the music spread to basically every social class. And – the music was also possible to dance to.
Now the term Bachatero extended to the dancers – but since then – nothing have happened to this term, and it seems really odd to change this into something it will never be.
As the guy watching football on TV, will never be a football player (if he never actually do play football) – a guy just admiring bachata dance, or loves the music – will never be a bachatero if he won’t get up and dance to the music (meaning: dance bachata – not waltz, lindy hop or anything else).
I do think that it is a good thing to explain the term to the people who might be wondering, but I also think that the article should be based on the history – and should answer the question when you bring it to life. The story (article) ended with a personal thought. Not what it actually means. That did confuse me as I’ve seen the request by a few people to read this as it would explain the term bachatero.
It really didn’t.
Am I a Bachatera? I believe I am. The music is what intrigues me to dance and inspire me to feel my steps to do what I love to do. Since I manage a Bachata team and manage a couple. Many you may have seen their video. Ataca Jorgie and La Alemana Bachata performance. I helped out with some of the choreagraphy and inspired them to tell a story with the routine. Alot of modern Bachata songs tell a story and with their playfulness of music one can do that. We utilize many ways to dance bachata. Can we say it’s traditional, or modern? I don’t know. I just dance. Singers of Bachata will always be bachateros. Dancers that just dance to bachata can be bachateros. I believe a true bachatero feels and understands the beats, the song, learn the lyrics to tell a story when you dance. It’s a sensual dance and for me I try to make it a beautiful dance. Not just a 1,2,3 hit dance. This is only my opinion, and everyone has a right to believe or not believe in this. If you ever meet me and dance with me, you’ll understand it once you do. 😀
Thanks for your article.
Bachatera_54
aka Salsera_54
Orlando, FL
http://www.myspace.com/salsera_54