The Salsa Casino Rueda

Dance Summary Type: Latin American Social Character: Fast, circular, continous motion Music: Traditional Latin (4/4) In Short: Rueda is much like square dancing but circular, great exercise, and a good aid for beginning Salsa dancers
Beginner's Rating Simple: Instructional: Creative: Slow-Paced: Practical: Overall Score:
Notes on Frame Though a strict ballroom frame is unnecessary in this dance, be certain to maintain a good connection with your partner. While in closed position, the man should place his right hand is on the lady's shoulder blade and make a shelf with his left hand at about her eye level. The lady should place her left hand in opposition to his shoulder and right on the shelf created by her partner. While in open position, partners should maintain connection via hand-to-hand contact, in which case both must be mindful to provide enough resistance in their arms to communicate with one another.
Notes on Footwork All steps should be taken on the inside edge of the balls of the feet in order to facilitate a stop-and-go sort of motion as well as cuban hip motion, no more than shoulder width when stepping to the side and heel to toe when stepping forwards and backwards. Latin dances employ sudden quicks and lingering slows to produce stocatto movement around the floor. Feet should always be in contact with the floor.
Notes on Movement Generally Latin dances such at this will be contained and circular, aside from a few patterns which allow for more travel. Higher level dancers will travel more than beginning dancers. There are no rules for travel in this dance. Simply be considerate of others on the floor, being careful to allow adequate space for any patterns performed.

Practice Points

Rueda can only be danced with a group of at least four people (2 men and 2 women), but it can be practiced individually. As with most dances, the basic is the most essential part, and beginners should start out by practicing the basic until they are comfortable with it, paying particular attention to keeping proper time with the music. Beginners should also be careful not to confuse the Rueda basic with the Salsa basic, which is exactly the opposite for the man. Beyond these initial hints, individual repetition and regular practice with groups will ultimately be necessary.

Recommendations

Salsa Casino Rueda is a relatively recent development which has begun a slow but sure ascent in popularity throughout the United States. Much like square dancing in its design, Rueda instead employs a circle to create a kaleidoscope like effect as dancers rotate around the circle, moving in and out in unison according to the caller's direction. Each pattern in Rueda has a specific name and manner of execution, so that everyone in the group does the same move in the same way at the same time. Beginners will experience the same difficulty with the speed of Rueda as with normal Salsa, though its memorized patterns eliminate much confusion.

This dance would be well suited for any of the following occasions:

Anniversary Evenings Ballroom Dances Class Reunions Corporate Events Cruises Dance Clubs

Fitness Centers College Formals In-home Parties Marriage Programs Marriage Retreats Outdoor Dances

Regional Vacations Social Dances School Proms School Talent Shows Wedding Receptions Youth Events