by Patricia Paz

RUEDA DE CASINO!

What is Casino?

Casino is a social dance related to Salsa that developed in the 1950s in Cuba, was danced in the casinos, and arrived to the Yuma (United States) through Miami's Cuban population. Casino is essentially danced to the same timing as Salsa styles. Based on a different set of basic movements, it is designed to dance intricate turn patterns on a tightly packed dance floor with a caller that calls for the moves. There is almost no rock step like in other Salsa forms and the lead and follow stay close together

Why learn this style?

That's easy to answer - it's a lot of fun. It's also very social because you get to meet lots of people as you dance.
For beginners who have never danced Salsa, it's a great way to get started. Casino teaches you all the basics of Salsa and has a strong emphasis on rhythm. After Casino, learning other styles of Salsa is easy.
For experienced Salsa dancers, this is a different style to try out. By learning another style, it will make you a stronger dancer and it will give you more options on the dance floor.

Bailadoras y bailadores de Salsa!!!!!!!!!!

It can be the beginning of a new stage for those who love salsa, the Latin culture and the music and dance of Cuba. You just need to bring your enthusiasm and your love for the salsa dance to develop and create a Rueda de Casino dance group in the Midwest Area!
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn one of the most fun Salsa Styles! Once you learn it you will never be able to give up this exiting dance.

El taller de Rueda de Casino Weekend

May 27-29, 2005
Friday night: Open class and Dance with Casino Exhibition Saturday and Sunday, workshops from noon to 5pm.
Instructor: Rosa Collantes direct from New York City
We will be able to get the registration forms, pricing and the whole information very soon at www.midwestlatino.com
For more details send me email: pato_paz@hotmail.com

And please take this poll

Requirements: Basic SALSA step, Dile que no (cross body lead )and some basic turns.

The instructor: Rosa Collantes


A native of Perú now residing in New York City, Rosa Collantes has been performing, choreographing and teaching locally and internationally in an unrivaled explosion of dance excellence. Audiences throughout the United States, South America and Europe have cheered the intensity and authenticity that are the hallmark of her work as a featured dancer, ensemble member and visionary choreographer. Rosa's choreography success stories include a tribute to Tito Puente at Madison Square Garden and the Walnut Street Theatre's production of Camila. Rosa has danced live at Manhattan's most illustrious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Felt Form at Madison Square Garden and Town Hall. Rosa has also shared her artistry with an appreciative worldwide audience, making guest appearances on Good Morning America, Regis and Kathy Lee, Best Talk, HBO, Univision, Telemundo, and Canal Sur, among others.

As an instructor she has traveled extensively, teaching workshops in Tango, Salsa and Hustle, and was recently honored in being the only female instructor from New York invited to perform and teach at the First Salsa Congress in Norway. She is an exclusive instructor for the Ballroom Department of the United Nations. Music videos and film are yet another arena she has entered. Rosa has worked with and choreographed for such celebrities as Mira Sorvino and John Leguizamo for the promotion of the movie "Summer of Sam", "My Cousin Vinnie" with Joe Pesci and "Tu Corazón," the chart-topping Vanessa Williams & Chayanne single from the major motion picture "Dance with Me."

Rosa Collantes' unique style, and encyclopedic knowledge of the Latin American Folkloric repertoire, plus a lively take on contemporary social dances including Casino, Salsa and Merengue, ensure that Rosa is always in step. A most sensual talent, Rosa has proved time and again that she can take any stage, any space, and make it her own.

Want to know more about Rueda de Casino.

Check http://SalsaPower.com

Want to see how Casino Rueda looks like Check this link

http://www.worldsalsacompetitions.com/casino_rueda_champions.html


Here is another link where you can see a group of beginners dancers doing Rueda de Casino
http://dame.che.caltech.edu/~daven/salcita_current/events.htm
look in "Past events" for "semana Latina 2003 demonstration rueda" (8MB video)