General
The Rueda de Casino is a Cuban group dance. It is danced on lively,
up-beat, salsa music. Basically, everybody dances as a couple. The couples
stand in a circle. During the dance there is a constant changing of
partners, which makes it a vivid and joyful spectacle. The Rueda can be
danced with a minimum of two couples. However, three or more couples is
advisable. The beauty of the moves can then better be shown. More than
nine or ten couples is inadvisable because it gets tougher to keep the circle
at a circular shape. I would suggest an optimum of five or six couples.
There are three groups of participants:
The caller, who shouts the names of the moves that are to be
danced. He
may also call the moves by hand signals in a loud club setting.
The leaders, usually the men, who perform as the leading elements in each
couple. The caller is usually a leader as well.
The followers, usually the ladies, who perform as the following elements
in each couple. In this text, I will refer to followers as 'ladies'.
Leaders usually keep their eyes on the caller. Executing the moves,
however, often places them with their back to the caller for a few
moments.
Leaders and ladies can help each other: if they see that someone missed
the call, call it out for them. But remember: although the Rueda is a
group dance, one still dances as a couple. It is a nice gesture to have at
least one moment of eye-contact with your actual partner.
Steps are small, especially backwards. Be aware of the space and the local
ebb and flow of the movements relative to the nearest neighbors, as well
as to the rueda as a whole.
The default movement for leaders is counterclockwise, which means that
they go backward. Dancing clockwise is called ariba. In this text, 'In'
and 'Out' refer to directions relative to the center of the Rueda circle.
Unless otherwise specified, all turns refer to the ladies turn.
Clockwise
opening
Starting the Rueda (beginners course)
All the couples stand in a circle. Leaders and ladies stand opposite while
the leaders left hand holds the ladies right hand. On the first beat, both
step forward to each other, leaders step with their right foot, ladies
with their left foot. The leaders right hand and ladies left hand gently
pushes to each other. On second and third beat they both step back to the
original position. On the first beat of the second strofe, both step back,
leaders left foot, ladies right foot so they are standing side by side,
still holding hands. On second and third beat they both step back to the
original position. This is repeated until the caller calls out the opening
move.
Counter
Clockwise
opening
PA'EL MEDIO or PA'EL CENTRO
To the middle
Hand sign: unknown
Main opening of the Rueda for advanced dancers. Leaders face
counterclockwise. Partners rock, in closed position, in and out of the
wheel, poiting up and out, then down and into the circle with their joined
hands. Continues until another call (arriba, abajo, dile que no).
Arriba:
Counterclockwise (forward for the leader) around the circle. Partners in
closed position.
Abajo:
Clockwise (backward for the leader) around the circle. Partners in closed
position.
Variations
of Dame
DAME
(LA) UNA
Give me one
Hand sign: one finger up
This move gets things moving. Let go of your partners right hand as you
both open to the center of the circle. Leaders right arm moves down and
under next partners left shoulder to start a cross body lead, a 'dile que
no'. Hand sign: one finger up.
DAME
OTRA or ESA NO ME GUSTA
Another one or 'I don't like this one'
Hand sign: one finger up
Another pick-up and cross-body lead.
DAME
DOS (with more than 2 couples) or TRES or QUATTRO
Give me two
Hand sign: two fingers up or peace sign
This is called just as the leaders take their next partner, (before the
cross body lead). Leaders put their right hand on ladies back and left
hand on her right shoulder, move them to your left (out of the way) and
start them on an inside turn. This is all done in two counts. Quickly move
to the second lady to the right. Ladies, once started on the inside turn (left
turn), continue solo and wait for the next leader to pick you up out of
the turn. If the call is 'Tres' or 'Quattro', you move to the third/fourth
lady. Better hurry!
DAME
DOS (with 2 couples)
Give me two
Hand sign: two fingers up or peace sign
Here you end up back with your original partner! With 2 couples, this call
has a special feel. leaders must quickly "do-se-do" around each
other to get back to their original partners (come into her on her left
side so you can execute the dile que no). To add some flair to it, just as
you break to do-se-do around the other leaders, turn your ladies by her R
shoulder (IT, clockwise). The leaders must be especially quick to get
around in this.
DAME
DOS CON DOS
Give me two with two
Hand sign: Two fingers up
Same as Dame Dos, but with two hand claps as you pass through the center.
Depending on your dance school, the Dame Dos move is already done with two
handclaps. In that case, this call is not used.
DAME
DOS CON PERESTROIKA
Give me two with perestroika
Hand sign: unknown
Same as Dame Dos but with a slide step as you step to center.
DAME
DOS CON VUELTA
Give me two with a turn
Hand sign: unknown
Same as Dame Dos but leaders spin to the left as they start ladies spin
DAME
UNA Y UNA PA'ARRIBA
Give me one, and go backwards
Hand sign: unknown
Same as Dame Una, but you walk immediately back (ariba) to the lady where
you came from, and with a cross boy lead you switch into position.
DAME
Y NO LE LEGUES
Give me two, and don't arrive
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders "pretend" to go get the next ladies, but instead, turn
to their right and do a hook step back to the original ladies. Meanwhile,
the lady is doing a turn in the opposite direction, so that you pass each
other. Pick her up for a cross body lead to switch into position.
PASEALA
Pass her
Hand sign: unknown
You can end a dile que no or dame (or may move, really) by walking her
around behind you, holding her right hand the whole time. Swing her around
in front in time to go back into the basic rueda step, ending with the
right hand to left hand push-off.
Variations
of Enchufle
ENCHUFLE
Connect.
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a
truckers horn
After cross body lead or stop and go, pulse the lady and bring her to the
right side under the left arm as she does a half turn to face you,
(leaders move to where ladies started). Then step to the inside to pass
them. Don't let go with the left hand until the last moment.
DOBLE
ENCHUFLE or ENCHUFLE DOBLE
Double connect
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a
truckers horn, with pointer and pinkie fingers up; two fingers means
double
Same as above but after you start to bring her to the right under your
left arm, stop her half way with the right hand on the back, and send her
back. Do the move again this time continue as above.
ENCHUFLE
CON VUELTA
Connect with a turn
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a
truckers horn, plus the added turn sign, pointer finger up moving in
circular motion
Same as above, but after she passes all the way to right under the leaders
left arm, with continuous motion the leaders left arm comes down and goes
back up. The leader turns to the right under his arm and immediate goes
for the next lady passing his last partner on the inside.
ENCHUFLE
Y CASTIGALA
Connect and punish her
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a
truckers horn, and...
Same as the single and double Enchufle, but adding a bit of abuse to the
end. After she completes her move to the right side, and as the leader
steps to the inside to pass her, with his right hand he taps the top of
her right hand (which he is still holding) and then taps her forehead. All
this in time to the music.
FESTIVAL
DE ENCHUFLE
Festival of connecting
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a
truckers horn, and ...
Do 3 (or 4 if called) Enchufles in a row with 1,2,3 or 4 claps just before
picking up the next girl. Do 1 clap after the first, 2 after the second,
etc.
A
LA PISCINA
In the pool.
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a
truckers horn, and...
Same as an Enchufle, except you put your hands together and dive up to the
next girl.
PRINCIPE
BUENO
Good prince
Hand sign: unknown
An enchufla, except kiss the ladies's right hand as you leave her to pick
up your new partner.
PRINCIPE
MALO or CASTIGALA
Bad prince or Punish her
Hand sign: unknown
As Principe Bueno, but instead of the kiss, mime a slap to the
Princess'right hand!
MATA
LA MOSCA or MATA LA MOSQUITO
Kill the fly or Kill the mosquito
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then gently tap your partner's forehead as you leave her,
killing the fly or mosquito on it.
ENCHUFLA,
PERO NO DILE QUE NO
Connect without the cross body lead
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla without the cross-body lead. Leaderss finish this pattern facing
counterclockwise, and do not pick up the next partner. This can be used to
initiate arriba, abajo, aburrete, pa' el medio, etc.
PELOTA
UNA or DOS or TRES
The ball one or two or three
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then one, two or three claps as you leave to pick up the next
partner. The claps are initiated on the leaders left foot, just after
leaving your partner to pick up your new lady.
PELOTA
CON DOS Y DOS
The ball with two
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla followed by two slow stomps, then two claps at the same tempo,
then pick up the next lady.
PELOTA
CON FLY
The ball with fly
Hand sign: unknown
Same as above, except you wait the full 8 counts of music with arms up,
looking anticipatorily into the sky for the "fly ball".
EL
GNOMO
The gnome
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, but with the leaderss crouching like gnomes as they dance under
the ladies's right arm to the next partner.
LA
MOMI
The mummy
Hand sign: unknown
Do an Enchufla pero no dile que no. Then the leaders and ladies salsa
mummy-like in and out towards, then away from each other until the caller
stops the terror with 'alli nada mas'. Then do a cross body lead to get
back into the Rueda.
ENCHUFLA
CON VUELTA
Connect with a turn
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla or enchufla doble, ending with the leaders doing a clockwise turn
to pick up the next partner. Use the momentum of your arm as it comes out
and down from the enchufla turn to initiate your right turn.
EL
AVION
The airplane
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, ended with the leaders flying out to the next partner with their
arms like wings.
ENCHUFLA
Y BOTALA
Connect and boot her out
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then, after quickly picking up the next partner, go around her
and return immediately to your original ladies' right side, and quicky
bring her across in a cross body lead.
ENCHUFLA
PA'ARRIBA
Connect and go back
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, but instead of going to the lady to your right, pick up the
first lady to your left.
ENCHUFLA
Y MUERDELA
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then bite her hand as you leave!
ENCHUFLA
AL MODERNO
Connect modern
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then leaders jump to center on the slow of quick-quick-slow,
then hop back on the right foot, and finishing with an cross boy lead. You
stay with your original partner unless the caller calls 'dame'.
ENCHUFLA
COME ES
Connect ...
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then leaders whistle loudly as you lower the right arm to reach
over the ladies' left arm to pick up the next lady.
ENCHUFLA
Y CASATE
Connect and get married
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders dance around the ladies instaed of moving on to the next lady,
ending up on the outside of the wheel. The leaders can embellish this by
getting to the inside with a quick hook turn at the end of the counts.
Variations
of Adios
ADIOS
Good-bye
Hand sign: wave good-bye
After cross body or stop and go, leaders close with ladies and do half a
spot turn to the right with leaders left arm fully extended (ladies right
arm) for style. As soon as you are facing the next lady, leaders lift and
pass under ladies right arm to next partner.
FESTIVAL
DE ADIOS
Festival of good-bye's
Hand sign: wave good-bye...
Same as Festival de Enchufle, but doing Adios instead.
ADIOS
CON VUELTA
Good-bye with a turn
Hand sign: wave good-bye plus a turn sign.
Same as above but after lifting ladies arm up step through and turn left
bringing her arm down when you complete the turn. Leaders step toward the
next lady with his right arm reaching over his left arm, which is still
holding the ladies right hand. Then let go and grab next partner.
ADIOS
CON HERMANA
Good-bye with the sister
Hand sign: Wave good-bye then hand to the chest
Start with the same half spot turn to the right as above, but as soon as
leaders face center, lift ladies right arm and step towards center then
turn to the left whipping around to face your partner. Leaders backs are
to center, look at your partner. Pulse her and bring her to the center
passing in front you and under your left arm, at the same time leaders
switch positions so now they face center and ladies face them. Next pull
the ladies out of center and directly (not under an arm) to leaders right
side catching with the right arm on her back. Ready for the cross body
lead.
ADIOS
CON HERMANA Y LA ABUELA
Good-bye with the sister and the grandmother
Hand sign: unknown
Do 'Adios con hermana' and end with right-to-right ,X-hands, and an
outward turn before leaving to get the next lady. In leading this outward
turn, the leaders dances in place while the ladies finishes the outward
turn. Stay with your original lady thru 1-2-3, only leaving to pick up the
new lady on the next pacewith an cross body loop.
Other
Variations
ZIPPER
Zipper
Hand sign: hand on zipper
When doing stop and go, as partners come together both do a ripple.
Usually with legs apart and snapped together. This is done on the
"1" or when the leaders right foot and ladies left come together.
SETENTA
70
Hand sign: 7 - 0
After stop and go, or cross body lead, as you come together with your
partner hold both hands. On the first 3 count, lift ladies right hand up
and turn her outside (her right). As she completes turn bring her right
hand back down and hold out straight, her left hand is wrapped behind her
waist. On the second 3 count, leaders turn her back the other way, moving
her to the right side then looping their right arm over their head
(leaders right hand to their left shoulder, ladies arm loops over and
behind leaders head). Ladies left arm rests on leaders right shoulder,
Leaders right hand drops under ladies left shoulder and rests on her back,
now ready for cross body lead.
SETENTA
COMPLICADO
Complicated 70
Hand sign: unknown
SETENTA
COMPLICENSE
Complicate your own 70
Hand sign: unknown
SETENTA
Y CINCO
75
Hand sign: unknown
Begins like setenta. After unwinding out of hammerlock, bring the lady to
your right side, around behind, while taking both her hands in your right
hand. Reach in the circle, touching the other leaders's hands with your
free left hand. Bring the lady back around front and across with a
one-handed cross body lead, changing her hands to your left hand to end in
the open Rueda position. Everybody touches hands in the center again.
QUARENTA
40
Hand sign: unknown
Begins like setenta. After unwinding out of hammerlock, ...
PASEALA
Take her for a walk
Hand sign: unknown
Start cross body lead, as ladies move to leaders left side, leader steps
to the right. Leaders lead ladies behind them (around their left,) and
switch hands behind the back. Continue to lead ladies around the right
side, and do a 2nd cross body lead using the right arm in front of them.
Switch back to leaders left hand as they cross.
PASEALA
POR ARRIBA
Take her for a walk over the head
Hand sign: paseala sign plus thumb over shoulder.
Same as above, but after the second cross body lead, Leaders do the above
again, but this time over the head and only with the Left hand. (no
switching)
PASEALA
CON LAS MANOS
Take her for a walk with her hands
Hand sign: paseala sign plus thumb over shoulder.
Leaders and ladies all hold hands in one unbroken circle. The leaders
dance into the circle on the left foot while the ladies lean out of the
circle, still holding on. On the leaders's right foot, pull the ladies to
your right past you in front of you, like a cross body lead, only using
hands, to your left side. All join hands quickly to form the unbroken
circle again, etcetera. This same pattern can also be done "inverted",
with everybody facing out of the circle.
VACILALA
Check her out, enjoy her
Hand sign: finger point at eye
Cross body lead, bring her right arm back in front of leader and start her
on an outside free turn. Leaders move to the left and catch her on their
right side ready for another cross body lead. Ladies can also do two and a
half turns if they want.
VACILALA
SENTADA
Check her out, enjoy her ...
Hand sign: finger point at eye
Vacilala with ladies ending seated on your knee. The Rueda either ends
here, or hold her four beats to continue.
COCA
COLA
Coca Cola
Hand sign: drinking sign
As leaders begin the cross body, right hand on back, left hand on ladies
shoulder, they start ladies on a traveling inside turn (ladies left turn
with no hands!). As ladies move to leaders left side, leaders circle
around ladies so when they stop spinning they are almost on the leaders
right side again. Leaders hold ladies for 3 counts and can then start
another cross body.
COCA
COLA PARA AFUERA
Coca Cola to the back
Hand sign: drinking sign plus thumb over the shoulder
Same beginning as above, but after her traveling turn leaders lead ladies
around their back. Leaders stay facing center. When ladies are on the
right, ready for cross body.
PELOTA
CON CUATRO or CON DOS
Ball with four
Hand sign: like bouncing a ball plus 4 or 2 ingers.
Starts like an single Enchufle, but after passing by your partner, you
stomp 4 times then clap+stomp 4 times. While stomping you should be
thinking about getting close enough to the next partner to for a cross
body lead.
EVELYN
Evelyn
Hand sign: unknown
After a cross body lead and as you step towards the lady, bring her right
arm down and grab her waist, right side and begin to pull her around (so
she would do a right turn) You only want to start her on it because
Leaders immediatly do a right turn too. As you turn you switch the holding
her right behind Leaders back. Now leaders continue to turn until facing
the lady. The Ladies are on the right, and Leaders are on the left. Next
switch places bring her under your right arm. Now she is left side.
DEDO
The finger
Hand sign: middle finger, or pinkie finger
After cross body or stop and go, leaders switch hands and lead her on an
outside turn (her right), immediately after lead her through an inside
turn with leaders doing a hook turn to the right. Pulse and pull her to
your right side. Hold her for 3 counts and be ready for cross body.
BESALA
VECES
Kiss her 3 times
Hand sign: unknown
While doing stop and go, as couples open up to center they kiss the
partner from the couple next to them.
PA'EL
MEDIO or EL CENTRO
To the middle
Hand sign: unknown
Unlike when you are starting, if this is called while dancing, the leaders
step into the circle, then out. Like doing a basic salsa step to the
center. This move can be followed by Treinta y tres.
TREINTA
Y TRES
33
Hand sign: unknown
After starting PA'EL MEDIO, leaders step to center and a little to the
right, then back out to the circle one partner to the right. Do this 3
times. Variations: Clap twice and/or spin as you move to center.
PA'ARRIBA
Up stream
Hand sign: Pointing to the right, against the normal direction
Used in conjunction with other moves means to reverse the direction you
would go to your next partner. In other words after Enchufle you would
turn away from your partner (instead of walking around them) and walk to
the partner in the other direction passing her on the inside. Come around
her putting your right hand on her back and cross body.
FLOR
Flower
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders go to center with arms down in front, and bring them up as they
step back, ladies do same alternating.
ENGANCIEN
Hook
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders and ladies huddle. Leaders hold arms, not hands. Continue to dance
small steps.
LEVANTENLA
Levitate them
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders with arms hooked bend down and pick ladies up. Ladies remain
sitting on hooked arms.
BAJANLA
Put them down
Hand sign: unknown
Put the ladies down. Everyone starts on their left foot on One. Usually
followed by Coca Cola.
BULLA
Noise
A request for noise. Not a move.
APURRETE
or MUEVETE
..., move
Do it (proceed arriba or abajo) faster! Move it!
EL
POZO
The well
Take water out of the well.
LLEVALA
PA'BAJO
Get her down
Hand sign: unknown
In closed position leaders take ladies back to their right (like the 3
steps before a cross body lead), as ladies go back leaders step forward
left). Next bring them to your left (beginning cross body), but stop them
when they are parallel to center (still in tight closed position). This
repeated... in front, to the right, in front etc... Continue until next
call.
(DOS)
EXHIBELA
Exhibit her
Hand sign: unknown
From closed position, ladies are on leaders right side (like beginning of
cross body lead). Leaders lift left hand and push them through towards
center. Leaders right side is away from center. As soon as ladies pass
under leaders arm, bring arm down and snap them back to leaders right side
(not under arm). Be ready for cross body lead.
UN
TARRO or TARRITO
Horn
Hand sign: unknown
In the opening circle, while dancing either arriba or abajo, "un
tarro" means leaders (usually) step through under their ladies arms.
Pick up the neighbor lady. (can also occur after "enchufla pero no
dile que no"). With small Ruedas, you can come close and all touch
arms in the center of the wheel. Here you can execute the taro very subtly
by exchanging hands almost invisibly in the center of the wheel as you
dance. The leaders take the hand of the partner arriba one by placing your
hand over your partner's, but below the next leader, then walk through on
the call. Make sure that there are no other hands preventing you from
walking the arriba partner under the canopy of hands into your lead at the
call. The same can be done with the ladies travelling through to the next
partner. Invert the hand exchange in the beginning.
PEGALE
UN TARRITO CON LA DE ATRAS or ADELANTE
Hit her horn with the one in the back, in the front
Hand sign: unknown
Do un tarro with the lady behind (or in front). Can end in la botella by
staying linked and dancing around in the circle, then start these tarros
from within this linked wheel.
MATA
LA CUCARACHA or PISE
Kill the cockroach or Hit the floor
Hand sign: unknown
Upon stepping into the circle, stamp on the floor.
EL
TREN
The train
Hand sign: unknown
Open break, leaders take ladies' right hand with yours (crossed), into an
outward turn. Pick up her other hand with your left. Unwind her, while
turning yourself around to your right, clockwise, ending up on the other
side of the lady facing abajo in the circle. Begin the "train".
Ladies remember that you do not change feet here. All take small steps.
End on "alli nada mas", and cross body lead back into the
circle.
SENCILLO
Simple
Hand sign: unknown
Open break, change to crossed hands, right hand to right hand only. Lead
ladies into an outward turn, clockwise, with your right hand. Then back
over her head like an enchufla with the same right hand. While you do
this, step around her into the circle. Keep her to your right. Switch
hands, picking up her right hand now with your left. Take it over her head
like an enchufla, bringing her to your right side to end with a cross body
lead.
EL
TELEVISOR
The television
Hand sign: unknown
Cross hands lead into sombrero, but end by seating the ladies on your
right knee and everybody 'watch TV!!' Back to the wheel with a cross body
lead.
YOGURT
or YOGURT CON FRESAS
Yogurt or yogurt with strawberries
Hand sign: unknown
Do the basic Rueda move, but instead of the right to left hand push-off,
you jump to each other body-to-body, and jump backwards.
YOGURT
CON CHOCOLATE
Yogurt with chocolade
Hand sign: unknown
Do the basisc Rueada move, but instead of the right to left hand push-off,
you jump to each other body-to-body, jump backwards into the cirlce and
back into the basic position.
YOGURT
CON TODO EL MUNDO
Yogurt with chocolade
Hand sign: unknown
Do the basisc Rueada move, but instead of the right to left hand push-off,
you jump to each other body-to-body, jump backwards with a half turn to
jump body-to-body with your neigbour, and again with your paryner... until
the caller stops the fun with alli nada mas
LA
ROSA or LA FLOR
The rose or the flower
Hand sign: unknown
Start with enchufa pero no dile que no. Then, on the first pace, leaders
all enter the wheel together, making an opening flower with their hands.
On the second pace, the ladies all do the same. Be carefull, don't hold
hands to long. This is repeated until another call. At the call ( hombres,
a la derecha ), leaders exit the wheel to the right of the ladies to their
right. Enter the wheel there without moving over. then, if a la la derecha
is called again, exit one partner to the right again. This is repeated
until another call. End either by dile que no, or by Rueda, hombres
abacho.
|