Additional material available to CCSF students on Canvas.
Salsa Rueda is danced with couples in a circle formation. The couples change partners frequently by doing moves that are designed to faciltate that. A caller calls out which moves to do next, similar to a caller in Square Dance.
Setenta (Cuban Style)
Setenta Miami (Miami Style, FYI - not taught in class)
Salsa Suelta is danced without partners, danced as a group like line-dancing. A leader calls out which moves to do next, similar to Salsa Rueda. Salsa Suelta routines are also common and do not require a caller. Some of the dance moves are "Salsa Suelta vocabulary" that are well known and other moves are unique to specific choreographers/groups.
Basics
Front Crossovers
Back Crossovers (AKA 5th Position Break)
Side (AKA Cucaracha, Spanish-cockroach)
Side, Cross Front
Side, Cross Back
Travel Side
Knees (4 knees travel forward, 4 basics travel backward)
Zig-Zag
Repeater (4 front crossovers on the same side)
Hook Front, Basic to back
Hook Front, Hook back
Suzie-Q (4 travel forward, 4 basics traveling backward)
Double Cross (cross front, open, cross front…do L, R)
Mambo #1 (facing forward, face R & L diagonals)
Caminando (Spanish - walking)
Sencillo (Spanish - simple, easy, straightforward)
L cross back
R cross back, turn ¼ L- your back faces to R
L walk backwards
R back basic in place
L back crossover and turn ¼ R - to face front
Immediately Do Other Side
1. R cross back
2. L cross back, turn ¼ R - your back faces to L
3. R walk backwards
4. L back basic in place
5. R back crossover and turn ¼ L - to face front
I am including this dance in our class to give some insight into the heritage of the European partner/group dances that have contributed to aspects of Salsa and othe Latin American Dances.
Meaning: "Repassed" What does "repass" mean? How often do you use this word in English? Me? Never! (Similar but different word: "repast", means a meal.) However, it is common usage in Portuguese and Spanish and makes a lot of sense. Here's what the Google dictionary says:
To go past (something) once again."As he repassed the gate a few seconds later, I called out to him."
To pass again, especially on the way back. "The courtyard where people pass and repass on errands of their own devising."
This could also refer to passing back and forth across the mountains in the region where this dance is done. This is most likely what the meaning of this dance refers to, as it is from an area of mountainous terrain in the north of Portugal.
This dance and music make me so happy! The dance is usually done in a large circle with all dancers, or, in sets of 2 or 4 couples. I reworked this dance during the pandemic so that we can do it safely at home or in groups settings where we need to keepour distance. This version is done solo, in a line dance formation. The steps will fit within what the dancers are doing on various videos, matching the music! Keep it small, according to the space you have available wherever you are dancing right now, and, according to the floor surface…sticky floors? carpet? Try changing your footwear, wearing socks, or going barefoot!
Be sure to scroll down to the video links provided by Jeff Schneider's friend in Portugal. These show dancers doing traditional versions of the dance, in traditional costumes.
Clap 3 times: feet are together, knees soft
7 times: start on R moving to R - Walk 1,2,3, hop on 4 (do this 7 times…RLRLRLR…your L foot will be free at the end)
4 times: Turn(them) or travel (us), rock (start travel/walk/turn on L… walk/easy run LRL, then rock R front, L back, R front. (Notice that in the videos there are some variations in exactly what the dancers do instead of rocking)
Do #1, #2, #3 until end of dance.
Watch and practice.
Note: Watch the feet of the man in white.
Note: Fun and social...on a grassy surface, imperfect footwork, but it doesn't matter in a social setting!
Note: Again, on a grassy surface, with folks turning different ways....again, that doesn't matter in a social setting!
Jeff Schneider is my long-time teaching assistant at CCSF. His Portuguese friend is a folk dancer and he said that this dance is very traditional in the North of Portugal in the region Trás-os-Montes (Links to an external site.). He sent these links for videos and music.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=q2-Jx658Yi8&feature=share (Links to an external site.)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=kptTxwh9Qk0&feature=share (Links to an external site.)
https://youtube.com/watch?v=sLwi-zy2k2U&feature=share (Links to an external site.)
https://music.apple.com/mo/album/repasseado/1067782272?i=1067782722&l=en
Salsa Rueda - Cuba
Salsa Rueda is danced with couples in a circle formation. The couples change partners frequently by doing moves that are designed to faciltate that. A caller calls out which moves to do next, similar to a caller in Square Dance. During the pandemic, we taught combinations that couples can do without being part of a rueda circle.
May 2021 Zoom
Montaña (formerly known as Ochenta)
April 2021 Zoom
Setenta y Uno (Starts with a Setenta but includes an Enganche, a Hitch in English.)
Setenta y Dos con Giro (Giro is a turn. The Caller doesn't usually call Con Giro, but most include the turn on a call of Setenta y Dos.)
Pelota - Una, Dos, Tres - Pelota means ball in Spanish. In this move, you can imagine you are clapping your hands to catch a ball. This move is usually done as you change partners, but we'll focus on staying with your partner as we continue our practice from home.
Setenta Complicado - We're providing two videos for this "complicated" Setenta. See which one works best for you! Setenta Complicado from Son de Habana and Setenta Complicado from Grimaldidance.com.
February 2021 Zoom
Vacila ( part of El Dedo, next move we'll teach)
Vacila Variations (Vacila con Mano and Medio Sombrero - Medio Sombrero is similar to Vacila we use in El Dedo.)
Setenta (Cuban Style)
Setenta Miami (Miami Style)
January 2021 Zoom
Register for CCSF classes at ccsf.edu. Search the schedule by instructor, Jeanne Hughes.
Summer and Fall 2020
May/June 2020 Zoom
July 2020 Zoom
August 2020 Zoom
September 2020 Zoom
October 2020 Zoom
Enchufla Picante (Leader gets to do a left turn!)
Enchufla Dracula (Funny, corny...Happy Halloween!)
November 2020 Zoom
Adios (add on enchufla to dilequeno to close)
Adios Doble (add on belly wrap to dilequeno to close)
Adios Con La Familia (watch 32 seconds in for the cleanest demo that works for Rueda)
December 2020 Zoom (ends December 12th)
Review of Previous Combinations
Bonus Adios Move: Adios Con Hermana y Exhibela y Coca Cola
Register for CCSF classes!
This is an ongoing project. Suggestions for additions are appreciated! If you like any of this music, consider buying it so that you can support the artists!
Spotify Tango Playlist (Membership required, or search these titles on YouTube etc.)
Dance Facts: Tango Music - History, Characteristics, Song Lists
This is an ongoing project. Suggestions for additions are appreciated!
Video: Chicana Dance Crew Blends Tap and Mexican Footwork (KQED)
Video: Son Cubano par Carlos Rafael Gonzalez et Marie Line au festivla Caribedanza
This is the inspiration for a new performance piece we were beginning to work on, pre-Covid 19, at CCSF! (6 minutes)
Listen to the song in the Music (Salsa) section above: Ella Si Va, Eliades Ochoa.
Fresh Air Interview, Terri Gross & Thomas Mann. (33:23 minutes)
Video: Latin Music USA: Bridges (Video 1, 55 minutes)
Video: Latin Music USA: The Salsa Revolution (Video 2, 55 minutes)
Video: Latin Music USA: The Chicano Wave (Video 3 not available, info: PBS FAQ page.)
Video: Latin Music USA: Divas and Superstars (Video 4, 55 minutes)
Video: Latin Music USA: The Legends (Videos, article, music for each artist)
Includes: Carlos Santana, Celia Cruz, Chano Pozo & Candido Camero, Daddy Yankee, Fania All-Stars & Johnny Pacheco, Freddy Fender, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Héctor Lavoe, La India & Marc Anthony, Linda Ronstandt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Los Lobos, Los Tigres del Norte, Machito & Mario Bauza, Rubén Blades, Ricky Martin, Pérez Prado, Ritchie Valens, Selena, Shakira, Tito Puente, Willie Colon.
Video & Article: Merengue Guinness Record
This is an ongoing project. Suggestions for additions are appreciated!
Article: History of Merengue
Article: The Merengue of the Dominican Republic: A More In-Depth Look
Article: History of Salsa Music and Dance
Article: When Salsa Swipes Right on Somantics, There is a Match
Article: History of Cha Cha Cha
Article: A Brief Tango History
Article: Argentine Tango: A Brief History
This is an ongoing project. Suggestions for additions are appreciated!
This site has well-written articles on music and dance addressing Bachata, Merengue, Salsa, and Kizomba. Detailed descriptions of how the dictator Trujillo influenced the music, and, therefore, the dance, of the Dominican Republic. Includes videos for learning the basic steps of several dances and an article about female bachata singers.
Salsa, Cuban Salsa, Conga Drums, Hand Percussion. "Dance Papi is the best place on the web to learn salsa, Cuban salsa, conga drums and hand percussion online for free. We’re adding new courses to our videos section soon. Subscribe to our email list and get access to more videos, unique events, and the latest news. We can’t wait to meet you on the dance floor."
An extensive and well-done list of articles about music from around the world, often with music and dance videos, and always an invitation to purchase a Rough Guide music subscription or album.
This is an ongoing project. Suggestions for additions are appreciated!
Organized in alphabetical order by author's last name.
Alvarez, Julia. In the Time of Butterflies (1994).
Historical fiction novel paying tribute to the real-life Mirabal sisters who were murdered by the Trujillo regime for participating in underground efforts against that regime. Gives insight into what life was like in the Dominican Republic under the cruel dictator Trujillo, who ruled from 1930-1961. He promoted Merengue as the national dance.
Alvarez, Julia. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (1991).
Historical fiction addressing the experiences of a family that has immigrated to the USA from the Dominican Republic. Gives insight into the immigrant experience and into what life was like in the Dominican Republic while Trujillo (who promoted Merengue as the national dance) ruled from 1930-1961.
Mann, Charles. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus (2005, 2006).
Mann, Charles. 1493: Uncovering The World Columbus Discovered (2011).
Pacini Hernandez, Deborah. Bachata: A Social History of Dominican Popular Music (1995).