Old Town Cinco de Mayo Fiesta with Live Salsa Bands - Sat/Sun May 2nd & 3rd (Saturday are the salsa bands)

Here's an opportunity to meet up for dancing to live music in Old Town San Diego both Saturday and Sunday. There will be live salsa music with Conjunto Libertad, AfroTruko and Son de San Diego. Here is what the website says:

Don't miss the 32nd annual Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo 2015, a San Diego tradition since 1983. This celebration in Old Town is the largest event of its kind in Southern California. Three days of music, food and fun.

• 3 Live Music Stages - click this link to check for time & location of each band
• Cantina Garden
• Low Rider Car Show
• Historical Demonstrations
• Equestrian performances
• Plus more!

Casineros, Salseros, Rumberos & Soneros, here is the really important information,  where and when to dance it's SATURDAY:

Saturday, May 2nd

DOS XX STAGE - San Diego Avenue between Twiggs and Harney

4:30 PM to 5:30 PM Kimba Lite
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Son de San Diego

FIESTA DE REYES STAGE In the State Park

6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Cojunto Libertad
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM Afro Tuco

Here are the details:

WHAT:  Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in Old Town San Diego

WHEN:  Saturday, May 2nd 4:30pm-9:00pm

WHERE: Old Town San Diego - click here for directions 

COST:   FREE

Soldiers Who Salsa Havana Nights Fundraiser with Trip-To-Cuba Raffle - Sat May 16th

Come out to an evening of dancing and celebrating our heroes' healing through the arts! With live music from the Manny Cepeda Orchestra, arts exhibitions from three amazing organizations that serve our veterans, and a phenomenal guest speaker, this is an evening that promises to be just as enjoyable as it is honoring to our local heroes.

EVERY TICKET HOLDER WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP FOR 2 TO CUBA! 

Thanks to an anonymous donor and our good friends at Metamovements Latin Dance Company, EVERY PERSON who purchases a ticket to this event will receive a raffle ticket for this trip!

Featuring:
*Dancing to live music from Manny Cepeda Orquestra
*Dance Demos from Soldiers Who Salsa
*Art Exhibition by Combat Arts
*Music from Resounding Joy Inc.'s Semper Sound Band
*Guest Speaker Juan Valdez, OEF/OIF Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient (with a possible guest appearance by Midas, the 2014 Dogs on Deployment Mascot!)
*Cuban inspired appetizers and cocktails
*Silent Auction items
*Professional Dance Performances from Deseo Dance Company, Violeta Salsera, Majesty in Motion Dance Company, and AlmaLatina SanDiego

Don't miss this chance to meet and support our local San Diego veterans who are all using the arts to heal.

Here are the details:

WHAT:  Havana Nights Salsa Dance Night With Live Band and Fundraiser

WHEN: Saturday May 16th from 6:00pm-10:00pm

WHERE:  San Diego Women's Club

COST: General Admission Pre-Sale Tickets (online) $42.39

            Send A Veteran Pre-Sale Tickets (online) $42.39

            At The Door  $50.00

            Military Discount Pre-Sale Tickets (online) $32.04

Get your tickets online today by clicking this link. 

Dance Day Salsa Event in Costa Mesa (OC) - Sat. May 2nd

In honor of International Dance Day, we will be hosting an evening of salsa dancing at Dance Asylum in Costa Mesa on Saturday, May 2nd. This is an event for ALL LEVELS. The evening will start at 6:30pm with both a beginning and an intermediate Cuban salsa (rueda de casino) dance class taught by the wonderful Robert Morales, from Rueda in the Park Santa Ana, and yours truly, Carlina Villaverde.

At 7:30 we will have an amazing guest teacher, Ercan Derekoy, give a musicality workshop. This workshop is about the evaluation of salsa and musicality: how to connect to the music, listen, and react to it. This will be a highly beneficial workshop for all dancers, whether beginner or professional. Ercan Derekoy is a very knowledgeable dance instructor with years of teaching internationally. You won't want to miss this! 

The evening will finish off with a social dancing after party with DJ Ercan spinning the iPod. Dance your heart out and have a great time practicing all the new things you have learned.

This event costs $20 for entry. This includes the dance class, the musicality workshop, and a night of social dancing. Feel free to bring any wine or drinks of choice to spruce up the night. I hope to see you all there!!

Here are the details:

WHAT:  Salsa Dance workshops and Social Dancing Night 

WHEN:  Saturday, May 2nd  from 11:30am - 6:30pm

WHERE: Dance Asylum - 151 Kalmus Dr. Suite J7, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

COST: $20.00

TAKE A CUBAN SALSA CLASS: Classes are starting up New Series Around San Diego

INTERESTED IN TAKING A CUBAN SALSA CLASS? You have so many instructors to choose from in San Diego County! There is a class going everyday throughout the week. Here is a the Cliff Notes version of the Dance Instructor Tab of this blog for just Cuban Salsa/Rueda de Casino. Contact information is listed on the Dance Instructor Tab.

SUNDAY: Cuban Salsa Casino Series with Master Instructor: Juan Carlos Blanco;  1pm-2pm at the WorldBeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101  $10.00 a person.

SUNDAY: Rudy Tamayo and Noe Nesmith teach Rueda de Casino at Mind Body Soul Studio, 

2971 India St., San Diego, CA 92103 at 5pm -6:30pm. Class will be $8 or $25 for the whole month running

SUNDAY: Tim Snedeker teaches Rueda de Casino in Encinitas at Dance North County,  535 Encinitas Blvd #100, Encinitas, CA 92024;  5pm-6:30pm is Beginner level and 6:30-7:30pm isintermediate level. (No class on May 3rd), But will resume the following Sunday.

MONDAY: Maritza Baida teaches intermediate level rueda de casino at Calavera Hills Community, 2997 Glasgow Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92010; City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation. This is a 5 week series for $47.00. No drop-in's. This is a new policy with the parks & recreation admin.  Use this link to create a user name and password to register for the class. Use the following numbers for the summer series:

• 15124 Apr 27-June 1st
• 15125 Jun 15-July 13
• 18065 Jul 20-Aug 17

TUESDAY: Wilfredo Guilbiac Rodriguez teaches a Salsa Suelta class (Cuban Salsa-line dancing - this is popular is Cuba currently; great for body movement and footwork styling for casino 1-on-1 dancing and rueda) in North Park at Dance Unlimited - 4569 30th St. San Diego, CA 92116; 8pm-9pm intermediate. $15 for both classes. $12 for one class.

WEDNESDAY: Maritza Baida teaches beginner level rueda de casino in Carlsbad at Dancessense Studios at 7pm - 2441 Impala Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92010; A month series is $60.00 and drop in is $20. F/T students get a 70% off; 10% Off for Fire, Police and Military. It's FREE  to watch.

THURSDAY: Wilfredo Guilbiac Rodriguez teaches Casino/Rueda de Casino in North Park at Dance Unlimited - 4569 30th St. San Diego, CA 92116; 7pm-8pm beginners 8pm-9pm intermediate. $15 for both classes. $12 for one class.

FRIDAY: Rodrigo "Rudy" Tamayo teaches a rueda de casino class at A Time To Dance Studio in North Park - 3982 30th St. San Diego, CA 92104. This is a FREE rueda de casino class. Starts at 8:30pm.

FRIDAY: Raquel Gordillo teaches Casino/Rueda de Casino in Tijuana, Baja California (Mexico) at Antigua Bodega de Papel: Calle 11va. 2012, entre Revolucion y Madero, Tijuana, Baja California, Tijuana Centro from 9pm-10pm. 

SATURDAY: Wilfredo Guilbiac Rodriguez teaches Casino/Rueda de Casino in North Park at Dance Unlimited - 4569 30th St., San Diego, CA 92116; 1-2PM beginners 2-3PM intermediate. $15 for both classes. $12 for one class.

Combo Libertad Playing Live at Club M - Thursday, Apr. 30th

It's that time again (last Thursday of the month)for salsa dancing in Club M at the Grand Hotel Del Mar. Combo Libertad will be playing live and casineros will be in the crowd to dance and call some ruedas. Spice up your Thursday night with a complimentary lesson, live salsa music and dancing plus an all-night happy hour!

Below are the details:
When: Thursday, April 30, 2015 6:30pm-11:00pm
Where: Grand Hotel Del Mar at Club M
5200 Grand Del Mar Way, San Diego, CA
Cost: Free concert but there is valet parking ($10) OR you can walk a couple of minutes from the FREE hotel parking lot and you have the whole experience for free....unless you order a drink.

Saturday, Salsa Dance Party in Carlsbad Live Music from Son Pa Ti - Sat. May 2nd

Mark your Calendars for a big event. Dancessense Studios and Son Pa Ti have collaborated with Maritza Baida to bring you a fun fill evening of Latin Dancing.

Come early to attend Maritza's Latin Dance class from 6:00 till 6:45.

Then our Host Melissa Dexter will invite you out to the main dance floor from 7:00 till 10:00 pm.  A $12 Entry fee is all you need to attend. Healthy snacks, water will be available as part of your entrance fee.

Son Pa Ti band is:

Mark Lopez- Guitar and background vocals
Alex Lopez- Sax, Guitar and background vocals
Roberto Wence- Lead Vocalist and percussion
Oscar E. Angulo-- Bass
Fernando Gomez-- Drums

Special Guest Artists:
Patricia Evans- Tombone
Armando Silva - Trumpet

Salsa Under The Stars - Casinero Invasion at The Headquarters - Friday, May 15th

If you liked the first one of the series, get ready for more Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Bachata and Cuban music from the #1 Salsa Band in San Diego, "The Manny Cepeda Orchestra!" Don't miss it if you didn't come last time!!! SeeYa!!!!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Salsa Under The Stars

WHEN:  May 15, 2015, 6:00pm-9:00pm

WHERE: The Headquarters at Seaport Village 789 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 

COST: Free, but buys some drinks so they keep this event going. 

Curuye Timba Dance Party for May in LA - Sun. May 3rd

TREMENDA GOZADERA! CUBAN STYLE DANCE TIME! CUBAN SALSA TIMBA SON RUMBA y REGGAETÓN is what DEEJAY WARAPO will BE PLAYING! YOUR DANCIN' FEET MAKING THE GRANADA's DANCE FLOOR SMOKE! HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

BETWEEN THE SALSA, SON, WE'LL BE DANCING CONGA & REGGAETÓN LINES, so you'll be FREE TO EXPRESS YOURSELVES! KATI HERNÁNDEZ and her PA' LA ORILLA DANCE TEAM will be teaching you some spicy AFRO TIMBA at 5:30 PM, so come early!

Dancing the BIRTHDAY DANCE so far we have DOMINQUE SANS-DAVID, JENNIFER BOYCE, KARINA HURTADO, MARI HASHIMOTO, MARITZA BAÍDA, TIM SNEDEKER, ZUHAIR ELSHARIEF (message Curuye with advance time if you'd like to celebrate your MAY BDAY as well!). (We may have a few graduates that will be celebrating today too!)

The GRANADA's restaurant offers us everything from tasty wraps, salads, and sandwiches, to entrees such as Cuban style 'lechón asado' (roasted pork), Curuye's particular favorite!

BRING YOUR FRIENDS, GOOD ENERGY, RHYTHM, & DANCE SHOES!

ALL AGES WELCOME! AND WE ALSO HAVE A DOMINO TABLE if you might like to sit a bit between dances!

FREE PARKING in STRUCTURE ACROSS FROM THE GRANADA!

Address: 17 So. First St., Alhambra, CA 91801
$10 cover includes Kati's Afro Timba class.
+++
The Granada and Curuye appreciate your support by leaving personal beverages at home!

Guerilla Rueda Meet Up at CacaoFest 2015 in Balboa Park - Sat. May 9th

Casinero invasion at Balboa Park at CacaoFest 2015. What better way to meet up, dance some ruedas, go to all the chocolate tastings and hear some live music. Maybe they will some salsa, but no matter, I'll bring the boom box and we can practice random act of Cuban movement at the park!! 

CacaoFest is a World Music Festival celebrating the cultures behind the chocolate. A beautiful day filled with internationally inspired music, art, performance and, of course, endless delicious, wholesome, chocolate!

GET TICKETS NOW AT: CacaoFest.com/tickets !!! They are $40 a person, but use the Discount Coupon Code: SDRUEDA for 25% off pre-sale tickets only. Discount not effective the day of at the door. So get your pre-sale ticket online now. 

4 Stages
25+ Bands & Performances
30+ Workshops
30+ Local & International Chocolatiers
Chocolate Tastings
Fair Trade Wine & Craft Beer Garden
Organic Food
Fair Market Place
Art Show
Kids Playshops
History Exhibit
Healing Sanctuary
& MORE!

Embark on a day long journey around the world, exploring the Cacao Jungles of Meso-America, Indonesia, Africa, and South America. Pleasing all the senses, we dive into the alluring flavors, music, art, history, and ritual tradition of the people around the that cultivate cacao, the plant behind the chocolate sweetness. Join us in celebration, honoring generations of growers, chocolateirs, connoisseurs, and chocaholics alike who savor this "food of the gods"!

GET TICKETS AT: www.cacaofest.com/tickets

For more information, check out CacaoFest.com!

Bookoo Rueda Cuban Party in New Orleans - May 22nd-25th

Want to come visit New Orleans AND dance all weekend? Come join us Memorial Day Weekend.  We are doing what we do best, throwing a party! All weekend long. 3 days of Cuban dance & parties. A la carte group and private lessons with Mike Eskeldson from Rumbanana Dance Group in Corvallis, OR.

Buy tickets and book lessons online via the website:
Http://www.bookoorueda.com
Click this link for the FB Event Page

Passport to Cuba Event in Encinitas - Sat May 23rd

Here are the details:WHAT: Come enjoy a night of Cuban culture featuring
Jaime Valle & Equinox, Omo Aché, and Silfredo La O Vigo
WHEN: Saturday, May 23, 2015 from 6:30-8:30pm
WHERE: At the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas, ca  92024
COST:
$20 general admission
$15 EFA members
$30 EFA membership/admission
$25 at the door if space allows — don’t delay as this event will sell out!
Tickets: www.Encinitas.Tix.com

Casino on Cardboard at Mission Beach - Sat. April 18th

Greetings Mi Gente!
WE ARE GETTING OUT THE CARDBOARD ON THE SAND AT MISSION BEACH and dancing until the sun goes down. Come dance with us at this new site. It will be a beautiful day for pictures and reunions of dancing families far and wide. Come join us.

Here are the details:
What: Casino on Cardboard at Mission Beach (Timba dance party at the beach)
When: Saturday, April 18th from 5:30pm to 8pm;
Where: Mission Beach on the sand nearest World Famous Restaurant: 711 Pacific Beach Dr., San Diego, CA 92109; we will be between Lifeguard tower 22 and 23.
How To Prepare:
Parking - There will be parking issues. It can be very crowded with tourists and beach-goers. Suggest to carpool. Drive to the intersection of Pacific Beach Dr. and Mission Dr.. There is a parking structure underneath the strip mall on Pacific Beach Dr. nearest the beach.

Bring beach chairs, a snack to share. Water will be provided so if you want to bring something else to drink, you can. There are plenty of places to roam around nearby and get food as well. A donation for the our snap-together dance floor is appreciated. We'll be calling ruedas and leading salsa sueltas and one-on-one casino/salsa. A short rueda lesson will be offered as soon as the floor is taped and ready to go.

Four Volunteers Needed at 4:30pm to help unload the cardboard and set up the cardboard dance floor. If you are available to help, please contact Maritza at sandiegorueda@gmail.com

Una bulla! Hope to see you there!