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Afro-Cuban Dance Lesson with Sarita Leyva Every Wednesday 

This class is dedicated to researching and developing the traditions of Afro

Cuban music and dance as well as promoting authentic Cuban dance and culture in Toronto.

Every Wednesday at 7:00 pm .

4132 Dundas St W M8X 1X3 

416 854-2104

saraleyva@bell.net 

 

RUMBA CLASS, EVERY WEDNESDAY 

Wednesday at 8:00 pm .

4132 Dundas St W M8X 1X3. Toronto 

Price: $25

416 854-2104

saraleyva@bell.net 

 

 Rumba is a secular genre of Cuban music involving dance, percussion, and song. It originated in the northern regions of Cuba, mainly in urban Havana and Matanzas, during the late 19th century. It is based on African music and dance traditions, namely Abakuá and yuka, as well as the Spanish-based coros de clave. This complex encompasses the three traditional forms of rumba (yambú, guaguancó and columbia)

In one branch of Afro-Cuban dance known as Bailes de Santería the dancers interpret different Orishas. The Orishas are the deities of the religion, specific to Cuba, known as Santería. Santería had its beginnings during the colonization of Cuba when the slaves syncretised their Yoruban gods with Catholic saints in order to continue practicing their faith unbeknownst to their owners.

The songs and rhythms narrate different events in the lives of the Orishas or are hymns praising their powers. The dances that accompany this music are pantomimic and specific steps correspond to each rhythm. The dancers wear costumes specific to each Orisha and carry some of the items attributed to them. Some dance movements represent the hunt, others war or divine punishment of wrongdoers and others agricultural activity.

EVERY MONDAY  CASINO RUEDA INTERMEDIATE 

Monday at 7:00 pm . 

​4132 Dundas St W.  M8X 1X3 

saraleyva@bell.net 

416 854 2104

Rueda de Casino (Rueda) is a type of salsa round dance, born from the Cuban dance style known as "casino." Depending on the setting, the dance can be either choreographed or improvised.

Casino was developed in Havana, Cuba, in the early 1950s. Casino traces its origin as a partner dance from Cuban Urban Son and Cuban Cha Cha Cha, fused with partner figures and turns adopted from the Cuban Mambo, Rumba Guaguancó and North American Jive. Casino is different from other types of Salsa dance styles because of its spontaneous use of the rich Afro-Cuban dance vocabulary within a Casino dance; a Casino dancer frequently improvises references to other dances, integrating movements, gestures and extended passages from the folkloric and popular heritage. This is particularly true of African-descended Cubans. Such improvisations might include extracts of rumba, dances for African deities (Orishas), the older popular dances such as Cha Cha Cha and Danzón as well as anything the dancer may feel.

Casino danced with multiple partners in a circular fashion that emerged in the late 1950s under the name "Rueda del Casino." This dance was exclusively danced at the Club Casino Deportivo but quickly spread to other clubs around the beachfronts and later to the capital. While the dance became popular, so did the phrases "vamos a hacer la rueda como en el Casino" (let's go dance "rueda" like in the Casino) and "vamos a hacer la rueda del Casino" (let's go dance "rueda" of the Casino). Given the popularity of the music and dance, numerous Rueda de Casino dance groups appeared on the island made up of friends, family members, and professional dancers. At the end of the 1970s, Rueda de Casino groups became well-known through the popular TV show Para Bailar."

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Doors Open: 7:00 pm / Dance Lesson: 9:00 pm / Show Starts: 9:30 pm.

Admission: $25 includes dance lesson.

Reservations for our dinner and show prix fixe guarantee seating. We do not accept a la carte reservations on Fridays and Saturdays.

Cuba Libre Special! Presented by Havana Club.

Lula Cuban Friday

Fri May 16th 

Dance Lesson 9:00 pm with Sarita Leyva.

Lula Cuban Friday 

Fri   Jun 20th 

Dance Lesson 9:00 pm with Sarita Leyva.

Lula Cuban Friday

Fri Jul 18th

Dance Lesson 9:00 pm with Sarita Leyva

Lula Cuban Friday

Fri Aug 15th

Dance Lesson 9:00 pm with Sarita Leyva 

Friday is Cuban night at Lula. Each week, Lula presents the best of Toronto's thriving Cuban music scene. Join us early for dinner and a complimentary beginner dance lesson with Sarita Leyva.

Beginner Salsa Lesson & DJs

You don't need a partner to enjoy our 9:00 pm beginner salsa lesson! Featuring Toronto's top instructors, the class will lead beginners through the salsa basics while more experienced dancers warm up for the best salsa party in town. Between live music sets and until closing time, Lula hosts Toronto's top DJs spinning a dance floor-friendly mix of salsa, merengue, bachata and top 40. 

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Friday Dinner & Show 

https://www.lula.ca/menu

https://www.lula.ca/reservations

or call 416.588.0307

Location:

1585 Dundas Street West, a block and half west of Dufferin on the south side of the street. 

Afro-Cuban Wednesday with Sarita Leyva!

EVERY Wednesday I will take you back to the roots of Salsa! These classes will be dedicated to researching and developing the traditions of Afro-Cuban music and dance as well as promoting authentic Cuban dance and culture in Toronto. Workshops will be 1.5 hours of technique, movement, energy and the history of music, dance, culture.

Price : $25

**Class is OPEN LEVEL. Anyone interested can join.

If you want to improve your Salsa, and connect yourself to the roots of the dance, these are workshops you don't want to miss. Recommended for any dancer that wants to learn history, music, timing, movement, and more.

Every month will be a different workshop exploring Rumba, Orishas and more!

LOCATION: 4132 Dundas St W. M8X 1X3.   Toronto 

TIME: 7:00pm 

416 8542104

 saraleyva@bell.net 

 


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