The new Casino Rueda class has started at Waegook Cook near beautiful, downtown Gumi, S.Korea.
And you're invited!
Yes friends, we had our first class last Tuesday and everybody agreed that it was fun. As usual, it started out a bit 'rough' around the edges but by the time the evening was over we were actually doing some simple rueda.
We introduced the class to these casino rueda patterns:
1. Par el media
2. Llevela abajo
3. Exhibela
4. Caminando
5. Taro
6. Taro y No le segues (note: spelling was not covered :-)
Derrick and Sugi, the owners and active managers of Waegook Cook actually participated in the class too. Plus we had an enthusiastic crowd of about 18 other students.......slightly more girls than guys, but......hopefully that'll improve in the future. The class started about 9:30 pm and finished around 11:30 although the original intention was to finish at 11:00.
Next week we'll start about the same time. First we'll review what we did last week, then it's my intention to add 1-3 more new patterns. I want to include lots of short, quick things which we can learn very easily in this casino rueda style ....e.g. foto, el fly and (one I invented called....) 'Excuse me!'.
You're invited to the fun this coming Tuesday. For more details you can check the Waegook Cook Facebook ..or call me at 010 5822 2277.
Yes friends and fun lovers in Seoul (and environs)......it's that time again. Time for another fun and frolicing evening with Candela Dance Studio, Korea Carruselescom and Korea Latin and Salsa.com.
Join us for our third class of Casino Rueda 101. Our classes are growing steadily, everybody's learning real fast and we're all having a great time in the process.
How 'bout you? What have you been doing on Saturday nights?
If you've been going salsa dancing but you haven't :-0 been doing any rueda......man! I don't know how you've been surviving. There's nothing more fun that dancing with your friends in a rueda.
Talk about 'renewable energy'!!! This is it, baby!
It's kinda lika being a member of a street gang that dances. Except it's not on the street. We're more civilized than that. We do it in clubs. And we do it with............EVERYBODY!!
Even if you've missed the first two classes, as long as you know your salsa basics it's probably not too late to get in and move along with us.
Candela Studio is easy to find. Just get to the Yangjae subway station in Seoul. Take Exit #6 and Candela Dance Studio is a short 3 minute walk from that. You'll see direction on the video elsewhere on this site. Or you can call me, Art, at 010 5822 2277 or call Pillhwan at 011-9046-6103
This post isn't immediately relevant to anybody in Korea right now but I think it's nice for Korean dancers to know some of the more important events and people in the US dance scene right now.
Anybody who knows anything about latin dancing in Houston, Texas knows who SSQQ is. SSQQ ("Slow-Slow-Quick-Quick"). SSQQ has probably introduced and trained more people in the various latin dances (i.e. salsa, bachata, merengue, cha-cha) than any three other studios in Houston. In fact, that's actually where I first learned to dance.
And anybody who knows anything about bachata very possibly knows who Jorge Elizando is. In fact, Jorge came to Korea last December and did a two day, 9 hour workshop over at YouCanDance studio in Itaewon that was very well received by over 30 people.
Jorge is also a personal friend of mine and he's the guy who really opened up my mind to what bachata can be. He's also the guy who, probably more than any other, has brought bachata 'out of the closet' and made it a joy to thousands of people in the US and Europe.
No doubt about it. Two great names in their respective niches of the dance business. Now, for the first time ever, they're working together to bring two exciting days of bachata master-level training to the good people of Houston, Texas.
Here's the video I did for this coming Saturday's Casino Rueda 101 class. You'll see our group picture after the class also some pictures from the KoreaLatinandSalsa group social we went to at Macondo later that night
We had a great first class. A few people who I was looking forward to seeing didn't turn up but they had circumstances that prevented them from doing so and I eagerly anticipate seeing at least 2 or 3 of them this Saturday. It should be another stellar class.
Regardless, we still had enough people to have a good class. As you can see from this video, we had enough people for 4 couples plus one extra. That's not unusual....i.e. to have some empty slots in the 'circle'.
I especially thought Pat and Natalie did very well and they certainly looked like they were having fun.
So.......... HEY! GUYS!
This is your big chance. Lots of you joined KoreaLatinandSalsa because (you said) you wanted to learn to dance. Soooooooooo.........let's get on the stick. You won't find a more fun way to learn to salsa. Don't let life 'get in the way' like most people do.
Attend the class this Saturday and get in on the ground floor of this thing we're doing. Then, when we start our next class, I can probably get Pillhwan to let you attend this class again for half price and you'll get to be the 'big dog' with all the new casineras!
Plus, of course, you'll move along with our FirstTeam to bigger and better things.
This is probably the last Saturday we'll let new people come into the class. Remember that I said I wanted to build a small, hard-core group up to a reasonable level of proficiency so that we could have a demo group as quickly as possible. It's going to happen. Only question is......are you 'in' or will you miss it?
Remember, lots of people say they'd like to 'perform' but never have the chance. With casino rueda you've got the best of two worlds. You're a performer but you don't have to go through all the regimentation they do. Plus, in my humble opinion, the performances are more fun both to do and to watch.
Every time you do a rueda, it's a 'performance'. Anybody who's seen a group doing rueda remembers it. If you'll take advantage of these classes, you can be one of those people they remember.
We're on our way to getting our FirstTeam off the ground and flying. If you get in by this coming Saturday, you can still be a part of it. We especially need guys so.....girls, if you want to come, please try to bring a guy. Otherwise, expect to either have to dance lead or just have to wait your turn in the circle as we practice.
We still plan on going out dancing somewhere later Saturday evening. If you want somewhere to go and somebody to go out with Saturday night, come out with us.
By the way, there will be a test at the end of this class. Those who pass the test can move on to Casino Rueda 201. Those who do not will have to repeat the 101 class. I expect everybody will pass though.
Sometime in the near future we'll be starting a class designed for total dance beginners....i.e. people who've never done any salsa dancing before. Keep that in mind........not for yourself but for any friends you have who you think would enjoy learning this very social kind of salsa. I'm looking forward to that class because I've got some very specific ideas on what's beneficial for beginners.
So that's it. I hope everybody is well and enjoying sassy, sizzling, Seoul.
Here's some of the music we'll be dancing to on Saturday. Call me if you need info on how to get to Candela Dance Studio....or anything else. Art at 010 5822 2277
Yeah, it's a big deal in my mind! I'm instigating an event to try to get casino rueda kicked off in Seoul in some way that I can fit into.
A friend of mine that I met through my blog, Hyun Pil Hwan (AKA: Pillhwan), has a dance studio and he's a very progressive and open minded guy (and a good dancer too). He's graciously offered to host the workshop, for free, at his studio on Saturday, 4-6 pm, July 25.
His studio is absolutely gorgeous. It's also only about 3 or 4 minutes from the the Yangjae subway station. The only requirement we've set for attending the workshop is that you already know your basic salsa steps. We'll take it from there.
When I say 'we', I'm referring to me, Suki, Neon and Michelle.
Suki referrs to the teacher and ladyfriend of mine who I know from Seattle. She's one of the reuda gals I knew back in the states. She surprised me a few months ago when I discovered that she was coming over here to teach English and, as it turned out, she teaches just a bit 'up the road' from me. She's actually a little closer to Seoul than I am. She's a bit rusty on her rueda but she's got a lot of it in her head and she said she'll participate and help as much as she can.
Neon is a Korean fellow who has a small circle of friends who have been doing rueda on their own for awhile here in Seoul. His group isn't big but he does have a good style and dances regularly.
Michelle is a young lady in the www.korealatinandsalsa.com group with me. She's very open minded and loves kizomba and rueda too. She's helping me review and practice the patterns that I used to know and she'll no doubt be a big assist at the actual workshop.
If we have any success at this workshop at all, I'm hoping we can do it again later.....bigger and better. And eventually get Jorge Elizanda or Nick Van Eyck or Sandra Sleeper or some other 'name brand' instructor over here to teach us.
Here's a letter wherein I've come up with a fairly 'final' list of the patterns I'm going to try to cover. I wanted to find videos of all the patterns but couldn't, or haven't yet. If you see any here that you know where I can find a video of, I'd sure like to have the URL for the video. I'm trying to make it as easy and painless as possible for people to attend the workshop. We've got a lot of good salsa dancers in Seoul but rueda hasn't really taken much of a hold here yet.
I have a good friend Sandra Moro Sleeper, back in Austin, Texas who has one of the most successful rueda programs in the country. Most of what I know comes from her and the good times I used to have when I'd drive from Houston to Austin for her Sunday afternoon rueda groups at Ruta Maya Coffee House.
Here's some good info I got in a recent email from her:
One reason why Rueda is truly unique is that it is a group dance. Whereas this makes it great fun to dance, it also means that the normal "protocol" applied to partner dancing is not quite enough to keep the circle turning smoothly. Here are some guidelines to help with handling this group dance.
Joining a Circle Do:
Feel free to join any Rueda - it is supposed to be a friendly, fun, group activity.
Ask someone who has done at least level 2 of Rueda to partner you.
Get into the "Guapea" hold with your partner and signal the "Caller". Wait for "Dame" to be called, and ease into the circle with the "Guapea" step.
Be prepared for "Dile que No".
Don't:
Ask someone with no Rueda experience to partner you. Even the best of dancers just aren't prepared for this if they have not been exposed to it before.
Push into the circle before "Dame" is called. Besides accidents, it can also cause a good deal of irritation to the dancers trying to perform the calls and pass partners.
Wait for the 'appropriate' gender - some girls can lead and some guys can follow!
Dancing in a Rueda
If you don't know or don't hear a call, stay in Guapea and watch for the "Dame"! You will avoid fumbling, embarrassment and missing the "Dame" which can save the circle.
Read Rule 1 again! Be patient and courteous with whomever you are dancing with, even if they are not as proficient as you are. We all need support and encouragement to improve.
Keep your eyes and ears on the caller, but spare a smile for your partner as you whiz by!
Be alert for calls like "Dame Dos", "Una Para Abajo" and "Pa' Fuera" - They can undo you and the circle quite suddenly!
Keep an eye on your neighbors, and try to match the size of their steps and gestures - this way you will assist in keeping the shape of the circle.
Leaving the Circle After a Rueda is finished; thank your partner and those around you for the dance!
If you need to exit the circle before a song is finished, signal the caller, wait for "dame or dile que no", and exit with your current partner. It is essential to balance the ratio of leaders to followers in Rueda.
In an emergency, if you cannot get the attention of the caller, try to exit with your partner while the circle is 'stable' (i.e. not switching partners). If you are the unfortunate partner, exit graciously and find another partner if possible, or wait until your partner is able to return. Re-enter using the aforementioned guidelines.
Starting a Rueda You don't have to wait for a Rueda to start in order to dance in one - Start your own! Get a few Rueda couples together and start with "P'al Medio" or simply break out of your salsa, into "P'al Medio" and direct your inward motion towards another Rueda couple - this is an irresistible invitation. You know what that means though don't you - Be Prepared to Call!
Calling a Rueda Try not to call anything too complicated to start of with - work your way up from simple to difficult. This way you can gauge the level of the circle. If you're not sure who knows what, avoid calls like "Dame Dos", "Una Para Abajo" and "Pa' Fuera/Pa' Dentro" these will undo your circle very quickly if anyone is in doubt. Mostly everything else can be managed by staying in "Guapea" and watching for the "Dame". Keep eyes out for couples wishing to enter or exit and call "Dame" as soon as possible.
Use hand signals where possible in conjunction with your calls.
Time your calls so that the dancers have enough time to prepare for and execute the step. Try to call your calls on the "down beat" or "the one".
Project your voice and your personality to the centre of the circle so that everyone can hear or see you, and everyone knows who is calling. Try not to leave the circle idling in "Guapea" for too long. Try Calling "Dame" or "Festival de Enchufas" which will give to time to think......
You may pass the calling responsibilities on if there are 'eager callers' in the circle - It's nice to share! (It can be a relief too!) New and 'Soon to Be' Rueda Dancers Do not under any circumstances walk through the center of a happening Rueda - it is inexcusably rude! It can also cause accidents and leaves everyone feeling offended. It would be just like someone barging through you and you partner on the Salsa floor - very poor taste. Also, don't not attempt to push out a couple who has decided to occupy the center of the circle. It can start a fight. Wait for them to move out & then keep the circle tight in order to prevent others from attempting to steal the center.
Don't be shy to give it a go - if you don't know a move, don't panic, Just stay in "Guapea" and watch for the "Dame".
For everyone Be considerate, courteous and encouraging to your fellow Rueda dancers. Remember, the aim of all this is to have fun!
Here's info about a rueda cruise. It actually sounds like a reasonable deal for the cruise itself. You'll just have to get the Vancouver, Canada where it starts from. If it wasn't for the expense getting to Vancouver, I'd like to go myself.
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