The dance: WHINING

Where to see it: Trinidad

Sexy factor: Like Carnival itself: wild, vivacious, and very torrid

The moves: No, we're not talking about what you do on a bad hair day. The Trini whine is a libidinous romp to the sounds of soca, a blend of calypso and house-rattling percussion. Whining looks simple: The dancer's back end assumes a motion to itself—pulsating, gyrating, and grinding. It is the dance of choice during the masquerade parades in port-of-spain's Carnival celebrations. Many women hit the gym months before, as costumes leave little to the imagination.

The stage: Carnival, of course. At the parade's end, there is indeed a stage that every dancer crosses in front of the judges'—and audiences'—eyes.

Do a little dance: Whining was born of steel drums and youthful appetites. There's no school, no technique, no expert to explain its finer points. Our suggestion: Join up with one of the masquerade bands, like Harts or Carnival Tribe, which welcome everybody, and do Carnival the right way. Other times of the year, stop into Club Zen on Keate Street in Port-of-Spain for the wildest island parties.

Trinidad and Tobago Tourism
Tel: 868 675 7034
Carnival dates: February 19 and 20, 2007

Harts
Tel: 868 622 8038

Carnival Tribe
Tel: 868 625 6800

Club Zen
Tel: 868 625 9936