Casino Salsa Basic Steps
What is Salsa Rueda De Casino?
When you are at Cincinnati’s Salsa on the Square and you see more than two people all dancing salsa together, they are probably dancing “Salsa Rueda” or what is officially known as “Salsa Rueda de Casino.”
Salsa is one of the most popular Latin American dances, the main reason being - it's easy to learn. At first glance it might seem difficult, but the truth is quite the opposite - basic salsa steps can be learned with less than 10 minutes of practice. Different styles of Salsa are often differentiated by the timing of the break step (On Beat 'Downbreak on 1' or Off Beat 'Up beat on 2'). After 6 weight changes in 8 beats, the basic step cycle is complete. While dancing, the basic step can be modified significantly as part. It also covers some of the material I teach at intermediate level during a few salsa congresses in the UK. At beginners level, we usually teach some basic steps and Enchufla/Dile que No/Vuelta, with lots of emphasis on making people feel comfortable, welcome, confident and entertained, and only limited emphasis on technicality. AKA: Salsa Rueda, Rueda de Casino Description: What is Salsa Rueda? Salsa rueda is a style of salsa dancing which originated in Cuba, where couples form a big circle and execute turn patterns in unison to the calls of a single leader. Salsa rueda originated in Cuba, and the basic steps are similar to Cuban style salsa.
Salsa rueda is like American square dancing, but for salsa and in a circle not a square. In salsa rueda, two or more couples dance salsa patterns that are directed by one of the dancers, known as the caller. The caller will call out different Cuban salsa patterns that might involve switching partners, clapping, yelling, stomping, or just about any movement your creative mind can think of.
What does it look like?
Here is a video of people dancing rueda at Cincinnati’s Salsa On The Square:
Where did it all begin?
Cuba! In the late 1950s, but it was called “casino” and “rueda de casino”
Before the term Salsa began being used in New York City in the 1970s, this dance was called casino and rueda de casino, because it was danced at athletic recreation centers called “Casinos” in Havana, Cuba.
Here is a video interview with the founders of rueda de casino.
Since the 1980s, Casino & Rueda de Casino has been popular enough in Cuba to be broadcast consistently on a national television show called “Bailar Casino”. In Cuba, rueda is taken seriously. Different neighborhoods in Havana and other cities will compete against each other in competitions.
Here is a performance from a Cuban rueda de casino dance competition:
International Appeal
Casino & rueda de casino, has spread throughout the world. Dancers and events can be found in every nation. Lots of dancers creates the opportunity for flash mobs and mega ruedas!
Here is a Rueda Flash Mob in Venezuela!
Check out this video of the worlds largest rueda dance that was performed in Greece in 2014:
How much do I have to know?
Not as much as you think. And it depends on whether you are a leader or follower. Leaders have to know a bit more than the followers. Rueda combinations and calls are similar enough around the world that a dancer in one country can go to another country and participate in a rueda dance there. RuedaWiki has compiled an extensive directory of rueda moves.
You certainly don’t have to know them all, but you should know the patterns that involve switching partners at the very least. Some basic movements that involve switching partners include directo, enchufla, p’arriba, prima(adios), dame and dame dos. If you know these moves then you won’t disrupt the flow of the rueda circle.
Salsa Steps For Beginners
For moves you don’t know that don’t require switching partners, you can keep dancing the basic step until you hear a pattern called that you. Some basic turn patterns that don’t require switching partners are vacila, sombrero, exibela, guapea, and dile que no.
Dancer creativity has resulted in amazing variations in rueda. Various formations include rueda p’affuera, rueda llanta, rueda trebol, rueda dinamica, and rueda cruzad, just to name a few. Usually you only see advanced dancers dancing these formations at large conventions. Rueda llanta for example is a variation that creates two different circles one small and one large. Dancers can switch partners within the smaller circle or within the larger circle.
Here is a depiction of rueda llanta courtesy of RuedaStandard:
Basic Salsa Steps Video
Where can I go to learn salsa rueda?
Any Cuban style salsa dance school teaches Rueda de Casino. There are also some really awesome festivals that focus on salsa rueda.
Salsa Basic Steps
Visit these links to join rueda facebook groups to learn more:
Cincinnati Salsa All Events
Midwest Salsa Cubana Rueda Timba
I hope that you become as big a fan as I of salsa rueda de casino.
Come dance rueda with us at Salsa On The Square!
Casino Salsa Basic Steps Beginners
Una Bulla!
Robert Rice & Rachel Hrnyak, Cuban dance instructors. CubanSalsaCincinnati.com