Salsa, Timba, Bachata, Merengue, Kizomba Night at Vintana in Escondido - Wed. July 6th

If you didn't get the chance to come out and dance at the last Vintana Salsa, Timba, Bachata, Merengue, Kizomba night, you won't want to miss out on this. DJ Dino will be play all of this for your dancing pleasure.
There will be a mini-rueda lesson at the event given by Maritza. She's breaking out some new fun moves.

Here are the details:
WHAT:  Salsa Timba, Bachata Merengue, Kizomba Night at Vintana Wine & Dine in Escondido (North County)
WHEN:  Wednesday, July 6th, 2016
        5:00-6:30pm - Happy Hour prices for food and drinks
        6:15-7:15pm - Mini rueda lesson led by Maritza Baida new rueda moves
        7:30-9:00pm - Social dancing
WHERE: Vintana Restaurant 3rd, 1205 Auto Park Way, Escondido, CA 92029
COST: FREE but please buy some drinks and food to keep the management happy for future dance nights like this! Here is the menu link. FREE valet parking as well.

Rueda Practice at Grape Day Park in Escondido (next to Center for the Arts) - Friday July 1st

Greetings Casineros,
Want to get your rueda on at the start of the weekend? Come and join us at Grape Day Park in Escondido for a rueda practice meet up. The Park is located next to the Center for the Arts.  This is an open door meet-up to come and social dance with my beginner's rueda cohort. We will be outside dancing while Cruisin' Grand Car Show is going on around us.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Meet Up for a rueda de casino practice and social dancing (part of my beginners class) Open to all. 

WHEN: Friday, July 1st, 2016 from 6pm-8:30pm+

WHERE: Grape Day Park at the old Santa Fe Train Depot in Escondido. 

340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025

Look for the green building on this weblink as your visual aid guide to find us. We will be there!

WHERE TO PARK: Park in the big Center for the Arts parking lot off of Escondido Blvd and Woodward Ave.  Once you park, then click this link to find your way to us. Enter the Center for the Arts and go left towards the grass to the Train Depot. You will see us there on the wooden platform on the picture above. 

Una Bulla!
Maritza

San Diego Pride Parade: Join Maritza and CSUSM by walking and dancing in the parade - Sat Jul 16th

Hello Mi Gente!
Two years ago we had a few casineros join Maritza and the Cal State University San Marcos students, administrators, faculty and staff to walk and dance in the parade. Maritza will be leading a salsa suelta routine as we walk in the parade. We did this last year and it was so much fun.  If you are interested please let Maritza know by e-mail or text. Her contact information is on the Instructors Tab of this blog or contact her on Facebook.

Here are the details:
WHAT: 2015 San Diego Pride Parade -  dancing Cuban Salsa Suelta w/ CSUSM 
WHEN: Saturday, July 16th from 9:30am-1:30pm
WHERE: Hillcreast Area of San Diego - 
WHERE TO MEET: CSU San Marcos has a Zone Color,  Zone # and Letter:
        Check-In Color Station: BLUE 
        Contingent Name: Cal State San Marcos 
        Contingent Number: 172
        Staging Zone: N 
        IMPORTANT: Please be at the Staging Zone "N" #172  by 10:30 am.
Plan for enough time to park and take shuttle to parade starting point. The later it gets the longer the wait for the buses. 

PARADE LOCATION: Parade steps off at Normal Street and University Avenue. It runs west to 6th Avenue, south to Balboa Drive and Quince.  

PARKING & SHUTTLE INFO: There is free parking at The Old Naval Hospital on Park Blvd and President’s Way. (The parking lot across from the WorldBeat Cultural Center  - 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101). This is directly across from the back of Balboa Park along Park Blvd. Free shuttle service will be available from the Naval Medical Hospital to the parade site. Shuttle service will also be provided between Hillcrest and the festival site after the parade. The shuttle drops off at the festival entrance at 6th and Juniper Street. Remember: the closer it gets to 11:00 am the longer it takes to get on a shuttle to get to the parade. Many people were late due to the increased wait to get on the shuttle. Maritza will be at Zone N # 172 with CSU San Marcos at 10:30am. 
Meet you there! 

WHAT TO WEAR: Colors of the rainbow or a rainbow tutu. wig sunglasses, hats (available at any party store). Most importantly, comfortable shoes. We are walking and a dancing for 1.1 miles!! See you there!

Rueda Practice at Meple Street Plaza - Friday June 24th

Greetings Casineros,
Want to get your rueda on at the start of the weekend? Come and join us at Maple Street Plaza in Escondido for a rueda practice meet up. This is an open door meet-up to come and social dance with my beginner's rueda cohort. We will be outside dancing while Cruisin' Grand Car Show is going on around us.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Meet Up for a rueda de casino practice and social dancing (part of my beginners class) Open to all. 

WHEN: Friday, June 24, 2016 from 6pm-8pm

WHERE: Maple Street Plaza in Escondido: Click here for Google directions 

(see pictures above for reference)

WHERE TO PARK: Two Options
Option #1: Park across from US Bank in the parking lot next to Maple Street Plaza - Here is the US Bank address: 125 N Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025

Option #2: Park across from Maple Street Plaza in the Center for the Arts Parking Lot off of W. Valley Parkway (a one-way street only going west). Use this link to help you guide yourself to this parking lot. There is plenty of parking there even with Cruisin' Grand Classic Car show going on. 

Casinero Invasion at The LOT in Liberty Station (San Diego) - Sun July 3rd

Greetings Casineros,
Let's make this 4th of July a fun dancing weekend! I just learned there is a new salsa dance event going on at Liberty Station in San Diego. It is hosted by Majesty in Motion. Now it is very likely the will NOT play timba, but that doesn't mean we can't get together and dance some ruedas and dance some casino 1-on-1, right? It is salsa and maybe we can still ask if they can play a couple of timba songs. I will need the salseros/cansineros who know Majesty in Motion to ask that request. Let's go check it out! This is from their Facebook event page:
Join us on Sunday, July 3rd for Salsa Sunday Fun Day at the beautiful LOT Liberty Station.
The LOT Liberty Station is not just home to a wonderful cinema, it also features a completely glass-enclosed café, bar and restaurant space -- perfect for dancing the night away!

Here are the details:
WHAT: Casinero Invasion at Salsa at the LOT in Liberty Station
WHEN: Sunday, July 3, 2016 from
             3:30pm-4pm Salsa class taught by Majesty in Motion Dance Co.
             4pm-7pm Dancing!
More info:
619.917.1721 l www.majestyinmotion.com
WHERE: The LOT at Liberty Station - 2620 Truxton Rd., San Diego, CA 92106 
 COST: $10 Cover

Miami Style Casino Rueda Workshop with Alex Ruiz in Riverside - Sat. July 2nd

Direct from Miami Beach to Southern California; Alex brings all of the fun, excitement and flavor of Miami to Salsa dancing, he brings plenty of experience of teaching classes and putting on events since 2005. Alex teaches and travels for festivals throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Europe. He has an amazing style! Those who Love LA style (linear salsa) are sure to love his as well, who ever said you have to compromise styling when dancing Cuban is highly mistaken! We are going to show you some great patterns and some awesome styling techniques that you are NOT going to want to miss.
In the spirit of the 4th of July we will be kicking off the holiday weekend with a 4th of July theme! So wear your most patriotic outfit. We will have some snacks and drinks. As for the fireworks…. Well we will be creating those on the dance floor ;) We will have live music and a great playlist! ¡Agua!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Miami-Style Casino Rueda Workshops with Alex Ruiz 

WHEN: Saturday, July 2nd, 2016 from 6pm-12 midnight

Here is the Schedule:
6 pm to 7 pm - Bronze Introduction to Miami style: class design to introduce Cuban style dancers into the Miami style culture, spins and the famous "tap". For beginner/ intermediate rueda dancers.

7pm to 8 pm - Silver class Miami Style class: perfect for intermediate rueda dancers that are interested in learning a mix of Miami style rueda formations and figures that are longer than 40 counts

Performance demo at 9:00pm

Social Dancing 9:30 till 12pm

WHERE: Room to Dance & World to Dance - 3737 Main St., Riverside, CA 92501

PRICING:
Workshops & social $40
Each workshop (if purchased individually) $15
Social only $10
***Make Room in Your World***

Casino-on-Cardboard/Rueda en la Playa w/ Salsa-On-The-Beach Dance Party - Sun. June 26th

Oye Casineros!
We are finally getting integrated with the salseros, bachateros, merengueros, kimzomberos, and now casineros! Casino on Cardboard, Rueda en la Playa and Salsa on the Beach will merge together for a big dance party. So this time we are going to Mission Bay to dance casino and do some huge ruedas on the sand. The last Salsa on the Beach was so much fun and there were a lot of people there. Let do that again. Thanks to the wonderful help from Erika Sosa, my Vista neighbor, who will transport the cardboard, we will be bringing in the cardboard.

Here are the details:
WHAT: Casino on Cardboard, Rueda en la Playa & Salsa-on-the-Beach Dance Party
WHEN: Sunday, June 26, 2016 from 1pm-9pm
WHERE: Crown Point area of Pacific Beach in San Diego - Use this Google Map link for exact location. This is by latitude/longitude coordinates (so it is very exact on the location)
HOW TO PREPARE: Bring some food and drinks to share. Anything for the grill if you wish.

Casinero Invasion at the FREE Outdoor Salsa Party in LA for Anthony's B-Day - Friday Aug 5th

Looking for a place to listen and dance to a quality Cuban salsa orchestra outdoors? LA's very own timba/son orchestra RUMBANKETE will be playing outside as part of the summer concert series at the Music Center: Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles. Our dancing friend, Anthony Garcia is celebrating his birthday that night so if you know him, give him some birthday saludos, brindis, abrazos to this funny guy who points at you in all his photos. Hehehe! This is an outdoor event so be sure to bring a picnic basket and a bottle of wine to share. If you have never heard Rumbankete before, they play timba, son, salsa, & chachacha. Their music is available on Amazon.com. Click this link to listen to their music.

Here are the details:
WHAT:  Casinero Invasion at Rumbankete Concert (part of the PACLA Summer Concert series) and Anthony Garcia's B-Day.
WHEN: Friday, August 5, 2016 6pm-11pm
WHERE: The Music Center: Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles - 
135 N. Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90012
PARKING: Parking is $9 before 8pm and $5 after 8pm in The Music Center parking lot located directly under The Music Center Plaza. Access from Grand Ave.

Rueda de Casino Meet Up at the Oceanside Pier - Friday June 17th

Greetings San Diego Casineros!

Come dance outside with us in Oceanside. Rueda at the Oeanside pier. This is a public rueda practice and a social time. Come join our fun North County group. All casineros are welcome no matter what level. Just come for some dancing.

Here are the details

WHAT: Rueda Practice Meet Up....San Diego Style....OUTSIDE

WHEN: Friday, June 17, 2016 6:30pm-8:30pm+

WHERE: Meet us in front of Wheel Fun Rentals on the other side (NORTH side) of the Pier. Click this map link for directions.

HOW TO PREPARE: Wear layers, flat shoes you don't mind scuffing. We will be on concrete with some sand. Bring water and some snacks to share. We will go have a late dinner together afterwards! We are celebrating many things that night: the culmination of Maritza's Beginner Performance class is over. Our performance was so much fun. We are celebrating that it is truly summer time with more daylight, and celebrating the great friendship this dance brings. Come dance and break bread together. It's the beginning of the summer. 

Casinero Invasion at the 53rd Annual Independence Day Fest with live Salsa Music - Monday July 4th

What better way to celebrate 4th of July Independence Day than dancing under the stars with live Salsa music and fireworks! This is free outdoor event at California Center of the Arts in Escondido to celebrate 53rd Annual Independence Day festival and fireworks! Manny Cepeda Orquestra Quartet will be playing from 4:45pm-5:00pm! Anyone can join this event. Let`s dance and enjoy the 4th of July in Escondido together!!

Here are the details:
WHAT: Live Salsa Music and Fireworks for Independence Day
WHEN:  Monday, July 4, 2016 - see schedule below

• 4pm - Casinero Meet Up at Maple Street Plaza
• 4:45pm-5:30pm is Manny Cepeda Orchestra play live salsa at California Center for the Arts
• 5:30pm - 6pm Casineros picnic food/drinks/rest & mingle at Center for the Arts
• 6pm-9pm - Casino at the Plaza(or where ever we can find a big space to dance). LOCATION to be determined after Manny's Band plays. Look for Maritza (206)300-4523 or check Facebook or the blog for location announcements.
• 9pm - Fireworks show

WHERE:  Casineros Meet Up Location at 4pm at Maple Street Plaza click this link for direction.
Manny Cepeda Orquestra at Main Stage on the "Great Green" at California Center for the Arts - 340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, California 92025
HOW TO PREPARE: Bring beach chairs, sunblock, hats, a sweater for later, glow bracelets (fro mteh Dollar Tree) and bring food and/or drinks.
Maritza will bring music, sound system, glow bracelets for a "glow-in-the-dark rueda and salsa suelta"
MORE INFO: Click this California Center for the Arts event webpage

Summer Beginners Level 1 Rueda de Casino Series - Begins June 21st

New Summer 2016 Rueda de Casino (Cuban Salsa) Beginners Series (Level 1) registration is open now. Four weeks with 2 sessions a week with opportunities to learn in a social public setting. 
If you are:

• New to the whole Cuban style salsa,
• New to dancing period,
• Still trying to find the beat,
• Want to learn technique for leading your follow in Cuban social dancing,
• A follow learning the technique of letting go to effectively be lead
• A seasoned follow wanting to learn to lead,
• A seasoned lead wanting to learn to follow,
• A salsero/salsera (mambo/in-line/slot salsa style) and wants a challenge in a different style of salsa dancing,

Then try out Maritza Baida's new beginner's rueda series!
Maritza has been teaching Cuban salsa (rueda de casino) for over 10 years. Her specialty is working with beginners to develop all 3 levels of beginners in rueda de casino. 
Her strengths are:

• She's patient and encouraging
• She trains her dancers with a healthy dose of repetition in all moves
• She is enthusiastic and creates a positive fun environment for learning
• She will adjust your technique and dance movement in order to improve your connection to your partner
• She will help you find the beat!
• She will provide constructive feedback
• She teaches with stories and Cuban music and dance trivia

The Dates of the Rueda Series: Tuesday, June 21st through Friday, July 15th. We will meet Tuesdays and Fridays for 4 weeks. 6:00pm-8:00pm.

To sign up: please complete this registration form and then pay cash on the first day of the class. Registrations accepted until the day before the class starts. 

COST: $40.00 for the whole series. Do not miss a class, there is no make up class.  The purpose of a closed series is to raise the level of casino rueda dance knowledge to the next level. There are 3 levels of Beginner level. This is LEVEL 1
WHERE: Private home dance studio in Escondido! When you register, you will receive more details about the location.
1717 S. Iris Lane, Escondido, CA 92026

Vintana Salsa/Bachata/Timba Night in Escondido - Wed. June 15th

There is Salsa/Bachata/Timba/Merengue/Kizomba on Wednesday night in Escondido! Yes, I did say Wednesday but reasonably set so you can still wake up the next morning to go to work! Come out and dance in North County! This venue is top notch classy, elegant and it's outside on the top patio deck. This time we are offering a bachata class taught by Alex Ruiz  director of Salsa Mia in Miami (Maritza will be his demo-person). There will still be Cuban salsa for social dancing and a rueda performance led by Maritza and her beginner's rueda group. Come and support our new up and coming dance venue and all the goodness it has to offer.

Here are the details:
WHAT:  Salsa Bachata Timba Night at Vintana Wine & Dine in Escondido (North County)
WHEN:  Wednesday, June 1, 2016
        5:00-6:00pm - Happy Hour
        6:00-7:00pm - Mini Bachata lesson led by Alex Ruiz & Maritza Baida
        7:00-9:00pm - Social dancing; Rueda Performance at 7:30pm
WHERE: Vintana Restaurant 3rd, 1205 Auto Park Way, Escondido, CA 92029
COST: FREE but please buy some drinks to keep the management happy for future dance nights like this!