Passing through the streets of the Dominican Republic visitors are sure to notice the handmade posters that hang from telephone poles promoting an upcoming merengue or bachata night at a nearby venue. Continue walking and it doesn't take long to realize that music acts as the soundtrack of the country and its people, often heard blaring from vehicles, stores, restaurants and houses. After sunset, the pulsing beats fill the air with life and draw locals and tourists alike toward the crowded dance floors of the world's hottest night clubs. A way of life on the island, Dominicans view dancing as an art and take pride in sharing their native movements with others. Salsa, Latin jazz and other types of dance music can be heard in the country, but are not as popular as their beloved merengue and bachata counterparts.
Merengue
Bachata
Music Festivals
Merengue
The country's national dance, traditional merengue groups are comprised of a three-piece band including a melodeon (accordion-like instrument), a guira (a scraped percussion piece) and a tambora (double-headed drum); however, it has expanded to incorporate other instruments such as the saxophone, trumpets, violin, flute and piano. Its tempo is characterized by an aggressive beat, requiring its dancers to swing their hips in rapid, fluid motions and make sure their feet follow suit. Early merengue's lyrics were based on sexual encounters and other socially taboo subjects, thus preventing it from becoming widely accepted. Today, merengue's lyrics cover more general topics including politics and current events. Its music has become so popular, in fact, that it is honored with two regional festivals each year.
Although its true origins remain disputed, merengue combines a mixture of African and European elements. Others claim that merengue is a purely Dominican form, developed by a soldier named Tomas Torres after the country's victory at the battle of Talanquera. Another shaping influence was the country's interaction with Germany, a major trading partner, who familiarized the DR with the accordion.
Merengue remained out of favor with lower class society during the early 1900's because of its nature. Artists including Juan Espínola, Julio Alberto Hernandez and Juan F. García were unsuccessful in their attempts to make merengue mainstream with the lyrics as they were. Following a reduction in tempo from its original form (to accommodate American soldiers who were in the country between 1916 and 1924 and couldn't keep up with the fast-pace of the dance), the merengue began to take-off. Major mainstream acceptance started with the rise of former President Rafeal Trujillo in 1930 thanks to his perpetual promotion of the merengue to his followers. Born into a relatively poor family, Trujillo identified with those who were also kept from attending upper-class clubs and events and thus made the music the social status symbol of his fellow citizens. In fact, several merengue songs written during his presidency used his dictatorship as a topic.
Throughout the '60s, '70s and '80s, popular artists continued to develop merengue (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901-2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900-1999 ifurther by adding their own touches to the tempo and lyrical nature. Johnny Ventura and Wilfrido Vargas, who had top hits during those decades, are considered some of the best merengue musicians in history. Today, artists like Juan Luis Guerra, Jose Luis Rodriguez and Pablo Alejandro peak the charts.
Events and trends The 1930s were spent struggling for a solution to the global deprPolitics is the process and method of making decisions for groups. ...
Bachata
A much slower dance than the merengue, bachata emerged in the rural areas of the island during the 1960s. It was derived from bolero, a music genre native to Cuba, and is compared to country or R&B music of the United States. Originally popular with the poor or lower classes, bachata is characterized by guitar-based melodies rather than large bands. Its lyrics are mostly about relationships and hard times.
The word bachata developed after the wealthier classes used the word to describe rowdy lower-class parties and the people who attended them. Before bachata groups were able to take advantage of the Dominican music and recording industry, it was common to see small groups strumming guitars and singing at street-side bachatas.
During the '70s and '80s, the economic hardships experienced by the rural and poor could be heard in the beat and lyrics of bachata. Words reflected negative attitudes toward women and promoted drinking and other taboo forms of behavior. Like merengue, bachata was viewed as too inappropriate to be considered mainstream but was forbidden until fairly recently when the lyrical content became more appropriate. Now, it is experiencing a resurgence in tourist and rural areas and is liked by all classes. Bachata artists are even beginning to appear in the media and on hit music lists.
Well-known Dominican bachata artists include Aventura, Luis Vargas Aventura is a city in Florida, USA. Aventura is a Bachata-R&B music group from New York City. ..., Anthony Santos, Joe Veras, and Raulin Rodriguez.
Music Festivals
Travelers from across the globe journey to the Dominican Republic each year, joining local attendees, for annual music festivals after falling in love with the addictive rhythms.
Santo Domingo Merengue Festival
The week-long Santo Domingo Merengue Festival is held during the last week of July or the first week of August every year at the Malecon. The seaside Dominican musical showcase encourages drinking, eating and dancing.
Puerto Plata Merengue Festival
Puerto Plata hosts a week-long celebration of merengue acts during the third week in October every year. More than 100,000 tourists and locals gather at outdoor bars and in the streets to listen to performers and partake in the festivities.
Dominican Republic Jazz Festival
The festival is staged at three scenic north coast locations: Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata each October. Renowned musical acts ranging from Enrique Iglesias to Ricky Martin have appeared in years past.
www.drjazzfestival.com
Bookmarks