Workshops
Here is some illustrations and descriptions of some of the Rueda workshops we will be covering at Rueda Fest 2020.
Rueda – Pa’ Fuera
This Rueda workshop is danced with the focus switched to the outside of the wheel. You will learn the basics of “a fuera” as well as some figures, which are especially nice, when dancing to the outside.
Rueda – Cruzado
This Rueda workshop will be divided in 2 groups, one group dances on 1, the other group dances on 5 in one Rueda circle.
Rueda – llantar
This Rueda workshop will teach you a special expert way to dance Rueda in 2 circles.
Rueda – Dos Mujeres/ Triples
This Rueda workshop teaches the men how to dance with two women. Men will be introduced to doing a Rueda with “2 women” and special calls.
Rueda – Mixta
This is a Reuda with of 4, 6, or 8 couples but subdivided into two teams. Half of the couples are in normal Rueda format while the other half are in Rueda Pa’Fuera. Teams enter/exit wheel by the call “Enchulfa Mixta”.
Rueda – Torno
This Rueda workshop is a new social Rueda structure in which couples dance on the spokes of the wheel rather than on the wheel itself. Variety of common calls make it ideal to begin to explore how new geometric formations increase the fun of traditional Rueda.
Rueda – Torno – Mixta
This Rueda workshop combines the concept of team based Mixta within the Torno structure. Lots of Pequena calls add depth to the vocabulary available to the Cantante.
Rueda – Trio Caliente
This Rueda workshop is the next challenge for casineros experienced in dancing both kinds of Rueda Triple. Rueda Trio Caliente combines 24 casineros in 8 Triple pods this is definitely for the Rueda Nerds among us!
Rueda – Avenida
This Rueda workshop started as a 4 couple micro system with two set of Pequena Ruedas side by side or 2 lines facing each other with a rectangular space between them. Entry or exit from Linea Moderna or direct via Saloneo, entry or exit from Linea Moderna this new concept is now been developed for 6 couples.
Rueda – di*na*mi*ca
This Rueda structure calling paradigms that are different in a number of significant ways from the traditional “static” calling paradigm. These Rueda workshops are especially useful for Rueda cantantes who are looking for ways to increase the energy, and the movement, the flow of dancing Rueda without longer and longer sequences of couple based calls.
Rueda – TOCADOF
This Rueda structure are calling paradigms that are different in a number of significant ways from the traditional “static” calling paradigm. These Rueda workshops are especially useful for Rueda cantantes who are looking for ways to increase the energy, and the movement, the flow of dancing Rueda without longer and longer sequences of couple based calls.
Rueda – Espejo
This Rueda workshop is a bit of a brain tease brings you back to when you was a beginner in this format the men start on the right feet and the women on the left in short it’s like looking into a mirror.
Rueda – Caminado
This Rueda workshop means “walking” in Spanish a variety of calls which invite couples to move together around wheel in ways that resemble choreographic ballroom dancing. This requires learning, techniques, traffic rules and new understanding of position oriented Rueda.
Rueda – Caleidoscopio
This Rueda workshop combines 3 of the new social Rueda structure Llanta, Torno & Mixta and so requires a high degree of understanding of all 3, particularly special relationships and changes in direction and orientation. The newer transition commands changes the structure without returning to Pa’dentro which is normal structures hence given the effect of dancing the pattern of a “caleidoscope”.
Rueda – Echo
This Rueda workshop is a modifier for Ruedas of even couples in order to create Cruzada like movement around the circle by teams of couples but without changing footwork or timing, this can be called with a variety of Rueda structures.
Rueda – Echo and Contrario
These Rueda workshops are modifier for Ruedas with even couples, Echo creates 2 teams within a Rueda circle and alters the sequence of execution of calls. Contrario is similar but alters the direction of partner changing calls, not the sequence. In Switch mode, the role changes which requires everyone to know to execute Echo and Contrario.
Rueda – Contrario
This a Rueda were every second lead change partner in the opposite direction ie contrario means opposite. When the command “contrario” is used the leads are divided in two teams with one team moving in the direction of abajo and the other team in arriba.
Rueda – Switch
This Rueda structures minimum requirement is that participants need to know to lead and follow quite confidently in advance. This class will focus in the transitions or moves that change roles while dancing Rueda but not in learning to dance in the other role. For more advanced Switch structure participants need to know the basics of Switch (e.g. easy switch, confusion, dame switch, enchulfa switch, prima switch).
Rueda – de la Calle
This Rueda is fun and funky with short, quick moves with a bit of a twist incorporating some of the familiar standard Rueda moves.
Rueda – con Afro y Rumba
This Rueda workshop has elements of Cuban Rumba and Afro Cuban dances, this workshop will give you the basic knowledge of these dances and movement.
Rueda – con Orishas
This Rueda workshop has elements of Afro Cuban dance covering 9 of the Orishas Eleggua, Oggun, Ochosi, Chango, Yemaya, Oshun, Oya, Babalu-Aye, Obatala. This workshop will give you the basic knowledge of these dances and movements.
Rueda – Contra Tiempo
This Rueda workshop is danced to Son Music. You will learn how to dance to the Son beat (contra tiempo).
Rueda – Son Rueda
This Rueda workshop is danced to Son Music. You will learn how to dance to the Son beat (contra tiempo) but you will be introduced to more traditional moves which are associated in Son Cubano like travelling and tornillos .
Rueda – Equis
This Rueda structures is a brand new concept of dancing Rueda , in this Rueda which there is no leader and followers. All dances are using exactly the same footwork and all dancers have active roles, bringing a lot of dynamism and energy to the Rueda. If you are a fast learner, you are up for an exciting challenge.
Musicality in Rueda
This Rueda structures boost the energy and creates a wow effect when calling and dancing Rueda which can also be used in partner work. Learn to identify the sections of the song (intro, cuerpo, montuno, mambo, despelote…) and to incorporate suggested types of moves to them.
Other Rueda structures to watch out for…
Rueda – dos Pareja
This a Rueda with only 2 couples, even though it feels less like a circle, you still can do a lot of the standard and new figures in the comfort of just 2 couples. This type of Rueda comes in very handy if you happen to be at a cross body party and you’re struggling for leads and followers.
Rueda – en la Linea
This Rueda workshop is a special form of the Rueda, in which the couples do not dance in a circle, but side by side in a line.
Rueda – Dos Hombres
This Rueda workshop teaches the women how to dance with one man. Women will be introduced to doing a Rueda with “2 men” and special calls.
Rueda – Travesti
This is another fun type if Rueda when the lead and follower switches role in the Rueda and switches back using different Rueda transitions the leader and follower will allows switch roles on beat 1 so men if you have never played the female role here’s your chance.
Rueda – Abaco
This Rueda workshop is danced in the middle of a Pa’dentro, Abaco gives the appearance of Salsa suelta but with a totally new vocabulary. Abaco is great solution when there are more followers than leaders or when there are too many dancers than can comfortably form a Rueda in a smaller space.
Rueda – Ambos Lados
This Rueda workshop is a modifier that can be added onto many calls so that it is executed first in typical Pa’dentro (normal) orientation, then executed in the Pa’furea orientation, and finally returns the Rueda to Pa’ dentro again. This is foe casineros who know how to dance Rueda without watching the caller and who are experienced in dancing Pa’fuera.
Rueda – Fractal
This Rueda workshop combines two structures Llanta and Trebol in 3 concentric circles this structure needs a large space when dance in 16 couples.
