DOMINICAN NIGHTLIFE

"Do you merengue?"

Heard in a bar it might not be an uncommon line. Or even on on the beach. But delivered in a jewelry store by a salesman as an introduction in lieu of "May I help you?", it could only mean one thing: we were in the Dominican Republic.

Merengue (pronounced mare-rhen-gay) is a force of nature on this island nation, both a dance and a music enjoyed in carnivals, fiestas, dance halls, and anywhere there's a gathering.

The music for which the Dominican Republic is best known, merengue was first performed by groups of three musicians. These trios, called pri pris, produced music with a small drum, an accordion and a guira (a gourd rhythmically scraped with a stick) best known was first performed by groups of three musicians, called a pri pri. Today's merengue is played by all types of musicians and accompanied by the national dance of the same name.

Although couples have the chance to merengue just about any day of the year, several events draw the best musicians and dancers. In Santo Domingo, the annual Merengue Festival in the summer and Carnival in the spring are both held along the seaside Malecon but their spirit is felt throughout the city. In Puerto Plata, the October Merengue Festival has the north coast city dancing for a week.