Mexican dance is a spontaneous manifestation of feelings, passions, and pleasures of the people.  Dance is an integral part of Mexican life.  Mexican dance has three eras:  pre-Hispanic, period of conquest, and the dances of modern Mexico.
In the first era (pre-Hispanic), parents taught children to dance before they even attended school.  They believed it was an essential part of growing into adulthood.  The native Mexicans performed religious dances that would often last several days.  The dances were performed in concentric circles with the eldest of the group in the center directing the change of steps.  Higher ranked individuals were placed in the inner circle, closer to the center.  Dances were performed before wars, as tributes to gods, and in admiration to the sun and moon, and sometime involved human sacrifice to appease bloodthirsty gods.  Dances were predominately accompanied by percussion instruments and woodwinds.
The second era of dance, the period of conquest, was characterized by astounding changes including new customs, ideologies, beliefs, and a new language and religion.  Because Christianity could not suppress native dances, it adapted Mexican dances to Christian rituals.  Every region has its own style of dance which corresponds to its own way of life.
The final era of dance (Modern Mexican), evolved from intermarriages of the Spanish with native Mexicans.  As time went by the children of these marriages began to acquire more Spanish customs.  The music, dances, and dance steps continue to vary from one region to another.  Mexican dance costumes were colorful and varied by region, from white costumes, to ones with colorful ribbons, to heavy woolen skirts, to fringed leather garments.
Two types of Spanish dance were brought to America:  the classical dance by the Spanish artists who set up schools in the East and the dances of the colonists, which were later influenced by native Mexicans.  The second type is seen mostly in the Southwest and California.  The early isolation of the territories resulted in dances becoming well established, thus retaining their European characteristics.  The music and dance forms were the social dances of the settlers during this era.
History of the Salsa:  Salsa music was developed in the 1960’s when the Cubans settled in Miami and Southern Florida.  Their Latin music became a blend of Afro-Caribbean jazz.  Salsa is the Spanish word for sauce—the dance is spicy like Spanish sauces.  The name of the dance originated in New York as a nickname for the dance.  Salsa is danced in 4/4 time to a quick, quick, slow rhythm.  The music is fast and lighthearted……and FUN!
The above history was compiled from the eighth edition of “Dance A While.”

Name:  La Cucaracha

Origin:  None listed.

Formation:  Couples scattered informally around the dance area.  Partners face each other, man's left shoulder, lady's right shoulder toward the front.  Man places thumbs in belt, lady holds skirt out to the side.

Steps:  Walk, stamp.

Directions:  Meter 3/4

Measures

                 I.    Part I

    1               A.  Step on right foot diagonally across left, step back on left in place, step back right in place.

    2               B.  Step on left foot diagonally across right, step back on right in place and hold (count 3).

    3-4           C.  Spin to left with four steps (L, R, L).  Hold (counts 2, 3).

    5-8           D.  Repeat measures 1-4, beginning with left foot, toward the right.  Face front.

    9-16         E.  Repeat measures 1-8 facing front.

                II.    Part II

    17-18        A.  Beginning right, walk forward diagonally left three steps (L, R, L).  Stamp right foot twice (no weight).

    19-20        B.  Walk back to place (L, R, L).  Stamp right foot twice (no weight).

    21-24        C.  Repeat measures 17-20 diagonally right.  Face partner for measures 25-32.

    25-32        D.  Repeat measures 17-24 to partner's right shoulder and back to place, then to partner's left shoulder and back to place.

Origin:  None listed.

Formation:  Scattered informally in the space, facing forward.

Steps:  Jump

Directions:  Meter 4/4

Counts
    1-2        A.  Extend right arm, palm down; extend left arm, palm down.
    3-4        B.  Extend right arm, palm up; extend left arm, palm up.
    5-6        C.  Put right hand on left shoulder; left hand on right shoulder.
    7-8        D.  Put right hand behind head on right; left hand behind head on left.
    9-10      E.  Put right hand to left hip; left hand to right hip.
   11-12     F.  Put right hand to back or right hip, left hand to back left hip.
   13-15    G.  Dip hip left, dip hip right, dip hip left.
     16        H.  Quarter twist left.  Repeat from beginning.

Name:  La Raspa

Origin:  None listed.

Formation:  Partners face, man holds clasped hands behind back, lady holds skirt, or two hands joined.

Steps:  Bleking step, running step.

Directions:  Meter 2/4

Measures

                I.  Part I

    1-4            A.  Beginning right, take one bleking step.

    5-8            B.  Turn slightly counterclockwise away from partner (right shoulder to right shoulder and, beginning left) take one bleking step.

    9-12          C.  Repeat action of measures 1-4, facing partner.

                II.  Part II

    1-4            A.  Hook right elbow, left hands held high.  Take eight running steps, clapping on eighth step.

    5-8            B.  Reverse direction, hook left elbow.  Take eight running steps, clapping on eighth step.

    9-16          C.  Repeat action of measures 1-8.