Cuba Fever
Simona - Corvallis, Oregon
Hola Mucho Swing!
Just a few thoughts on Casino Salsa in the U.S.
I think most U.S. salseros have missed out on an amazing dance simply
because of a misperception. My partner and I have been teaching workshops
on Casino Salsa around the U.S. and we've noticed a trend. Folks show up
for our workshops and within the first few minutes, they seem confused.
They ask, "I thought this was a rueda class?"
That's when we start the explanation of what the word Casino means in Rueda
de Casino. We teach the foundations of Casino (couples' dance - not rueda).
We explain that Casino motions are used in Rueda de Casino.
"So you mean, I can dance this just with my partner and I don't need a
'rueda," They respond.
After this becomes a realization - the excitement for this dance simply goes
through the roof. Most U.S. folks don't know that Casino is a valid, very
fun and exciting couple's dance. They thought that they could only do this
dance if they are in a wheel.
I think that Casino in the U.S. is not as popular because most American
salseros believe it's just "that wheel dance." We've had folks say to us
that it's fun, but what do they do if they don't have five or six couples
around to form a circle. The words Casino and Rueda de Casino mean the
exact same thing to many American salseros. Heck, we even had one guy tell
us that he thought Casino referred to a roulette wheel (like in gambling
halls) and he thought that's how Rueda de Casino got its name.
Well...you see my point.
The other major issue with Casino in the U.S. is what's being taught. Since
this dance was introduced - especially on the west coast - something got
lost in the translation. Many Salsa instructors just assumed Rueda de
Casino was Salsa moves done in a wheel. To them, what defined the dance is
the wheel shape and not the foundation motions of Casino. So, in many
places in the U.S., teachers are teaching Rueda de L.A. Style Salsa or Rueda
de Ballroom Salsa, but they are calling it Rueda de Casino.
What can be done?
Well...more exposure for one thing. My partner and I sometimes teach at
Salsa congresses and Casino is almost never represented. Most U.S. salseros
don't even know it exists or they just know it as some version of Rueda.
When I ask Casineros why they don't attend or don't teach at Salsa
congresses or events, many say it's because "they don't like us." That's
not true. Sure, there's a few who are ignorant, but many of the event
organizers are thrilled to introduce this style to their community. Yes -
you do have to explain the difference between Rueda de Casino and Casino
Salsa.
And what about just going out to dance at these events. Let's show other
salsaros how much fun this dance can be, and what variety and personality
can be added between a lead and follow. Plus, the band would love it. No
one shows more love to musicians than Casineros. We actually clap for them
when they are done playing.
The other thing is to start planning our own events and gatherings. Fun,
after all, is infectious. There's the Salsa Rueda Congress in Miami in
October. There's the Salsa Extravaganza in Palm Springs this New Years.
The event organizers are incorporating a Cuban/Casino Salsa portion of the
event.
The point is - Casino did not get a great introduction in the U.S. but that
doesn't mean perceptions can't be changed.
Thank you, Mucho Swing for posting the video clips. That is helping a lot
to get the word out about this amazing dance and the incredible music coming
out of Cuba.
Simona
Rumbanana Salsa Group
www.rumbanana.org
