People often ask me what the difference is between Salsa and Casino or Cuban Salsa.  So I’m going to attempt to answer that question in this week’s lab notes

While many of us have fun dancing Rueda de Casino, and Casino( Cuban Salsa)  we often do it in a Salsa type of manner. We often return to being right in front of  our partner when we have finished a move. Or we do the moves in a slot style of movement. Therefore the swing.. the overall tension and playfulness of these dances is often “lost in translation”.

  So how do we go about capturing that Cuban feeling and movement to our dance? I’m assuming that if you’ve read this far into my Lab Notes then you are interested in doing so.

Well, what I do is watch; video after video and Cuban dancer after Cuban dancer in an attempt to see exactly what it is that makes it so appealing and different. Here’s what I have surmised after much observance.

1) There is a cat and mouse playfulness to Casino(Salsa) as it is done in Cuba. As the partners circle each other, furtive glances , strutting, and playful hip motions are the norm.

2) There is a sort of catch-release-catch nature to the turns which provides an exciting tension to the dance. Women turn much more than they spin. This adds a feel to the dance that moves it away from a competitive dance environment and more towards an intimate conversation between two dancers.

3) Dancing is constant. Moves are not completed with an actual stop but more so a mutual transition into the next measure of the song. This can be evidenced by watching a lead-follow hand connection that curves around the waist of the follow in one direction and then smoothly glides in the opposite direction as the couple begins to dance to the new measure. It is quite like the smooth movement of a seesaw in appearance.  

4) Walking is purposeful, focused, directional and playful  in nature as follows are often pulled towards, past and, in short measure, around their leads.

5) The dance is keyed to the music.    One dances as the music allows. When a mambo piece is introduced to the music, dancers often dance mambo steps. The same holds true for any musical genre sample that is a part of the music being played.  It could be Son, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, or even Reggaeton. If you hear it… then dance to it.

6) Having fun is paramount. Having fun and self-expression are the reasons the dancers are dancing. You can see it on their faces and in their dance improvisations.

This style of  dancing is for the moment in which it is created.

I hope this has been helpful. So watch those videos over and over again on Seattle Rueda and take your time to learn it well. After all, you’ve got the rest of your life to learn. So enjoy it.

Keep dancing and see you soon.

Dennis