<P> Cali - Style Salsa, also known as Colombian Salsa and Salsa Caleña, is based on geographical location of the Colombian City of Cali . Cali is also known as the "Capital de la Salsa" (Salsa's Capital); due to salsa music being the main genre in parties, nightclubs and festivals in the 21st century . </P> <P> The elements of Cali - Style Salsa were strongly influenced by dances to Caribbean rhythms which preceded salsa, such as Pachanga and Boogaloo . Cali has the most salsa schools and salsa teams in the world . Many of the competitions are held in Colombia . </P> <P> The central feature is the footwork which has quick rapid steps and skipping motions . Colombian style does not execute Cross-body Leads or the "Dile Que No" as seen in other styles, but rather step in place and displace in closed position . Their footwork is intricate and precise, helping several Colombian Style dancers win major world championships . Cali hosts many annual salsa events such as the World Salsa Cali Festival and the Encuentro de Melomanos y Coleccionistas . </P> <P> In Cuba, a popular dance known as Casino was marketed as Cuban - style salsa or Salsa Cubana abroad to distinguish it from other salsa styles when the name was popularized in the 1970s . Casino is popular in many places around the world, including in Europe, Latin America, North America, and even in some countries in the Middle East such as Israel . Dancing Casino is an expression of popular social culture; Cubans consider casino as part of social and cultural activities centering on their popular music . The name Casino is derived from the Spanish term for the dance halls, "Casinos Deportivos" where a lot of social dancing was done among the better - off, white Cubans during the mid-20th century and onward . </P>

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