Sarita Leyva
Toronto's most authentic Cuban dance lessons!
Salsa, Son, Casino Rueda, Rumba, Afro-Cuban, Cuban Cabaret
4132 Dundas St. W. 416 854 2104
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
RUMBA CLASS, EVERY WEDNESDAY
Wednesday at 8:00 pm .
4132 Dundas St W M8X 1X3. Toronto
Price: $25
416 854-2104
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
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."