This is a progressive class that starts on the first Tuesday of every month. It focuses on students who are new to Cuban salsa which is also known as “Casino”. This class starts with a warm up which will teach you and help you practice the footwork necessary for the beginning class. Following the warm up we have the first half of the class which focuses on the basics of dancing. Some of the things covered in the first half are basic steps, basic turn, cross body lead “Dile Que No”, Exhibe “pivot turn” and a few more. The second half of the class focuses on beginning level moves, combinations and beginning Rueda de Casino. Each month we select a few turns and work on those and the following month we substitute for new moves.
Rueda de Casino is a popular dance where pairs of dancers form a circle and execute dance moves called out by one person, “the caller”.
* Please note that it takes at least a few months or more depending on how quick you learn to get proficient at all the material in the beginning class.
Instructor Bio: Alvaro Batista was born in Panama and has lived in the Bay Area since 1980. He has been dancing most of his life and since 2000 has been dancing Cuban Salsa and Rueda de Casino. Alvaro is very involved in the Cuban music scene in the Bay Area. Along with two partners, they started Añejo Productions and have been promoting this music genre and dance style since 2002 through parties, clubs, concerts and dance classes. Alvaro started Alvaro’s Salsa Lab “The Lab” in January of 2010 with the goal of introducing the community to Cuban salsa. He focuses in helping his students develop their skills, style, creativity and appreciation for the art of dancing and music. Alvaro loves to teach and hopes he can pass on the love he has for the music and some of the dance techniques he has learned.
Alvaro also teaches Intermediate/Advanced Rueda de Casino on Tuesdays from 8:00pm—9:00pm (9pm-9:15pm open dancing).