Friday Rueda Practice at Grape Day Park - Fri. Feb 1st

Greetings Everyone!
Come rain, sleet or snow! Layer up and let's dance outside under a covered awning in Esco. Don't let the weather stop you from an opportunity to practice your rueda basics. We are finishing up with a full month of Beginner level 1 training. Next week, we start up again with Level 2 - turn patterns. So let's make sure your basics are solid so you can keep adding to your basics.
Here are the names of the moves we covered in Beg level 1 (January 2019) 

Pa'l Medio - Gordo-Flaco - Saca'l agua del Pozo - Caminamos

Dile que no 

Guapea

Menea (New Santiago move from Maritza's Cuba trip)
Enchufla
Enchufla doble

Enchufla con Manolin (pa' mi/pa ti)

Enchulfa doble y Quedate (New Santiago move from Maritza's Cuba trip)

Un Fly series

Aguarachar con la vecina

Un hi-5 a la vecina

Here are the details:

WHAT: rueda de casino practice (beginner level 1 only)

WHEN: Friday, February 1, 2019 from 7:00pm-8:30pm

WHERE: Grape Day Park at the old Santa Fe Train Depot in Escondido. Also known as the Escondido History Museum
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 parking lot off Woodward Ave. Once you park, then click this link to find your way to us. If you enter at the Center for the Arts and go towards the grass to the Train Depot. You will see us there on the wooden platform as on the picture above.

Una Bulla!
Maritza

Friday's Quick Refresher Rueda Practice before Musica en la Plaza - Fri. Jan. 25th

Greetings Everyone!
Start the weekend right dancing rueda de casino at our Friday Rueda Practice for 45 minutes before we  go to the Musica en la Plaza event featuring Kimba Light. Come refresh on the moves we learned in class this week and what I plan to call in the ruedas at Musica en la Plaza. The picture below is where we will be in Grape Day Park for our practice. 

Here are the details:

WHAT: Rueda de casino practice 

WHEN: Friday, January 25, 2019 from 6:15pm-7pm
At 7pm, we will walk together to the Lyric Plaza where Manny Cepeda is playing
Breakdown of the practice:
6:15pm - Beginner Level 1 and for beginners footwork drills and pal'medio, caminamos, Un tarro, guapea, un fly, matala, menea, 

WHERE: Grape Day Park at the old Santa Fe Train Depot in Escondido. Also known as the Escondido History Museum
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 parking lot off Woodward Ave. Once you park, then click this link to find your way to us. If you enter at the Center for the Arts and go towards the grass to the Train Depot. You will see us there on the wooden platform as on the picture above.

Una Bulla!
Maritza

Musica en la Plaza in Escondido FEAT. Kimba Light - Fri. Jan 25th

Greetings Casineros & Amigos!

Great news to share! Musica en la plaza is now going to be offered once a month and they are starting it off with Kimba Light which means we can do a full-on rueda flashmob that night! Let's make this our biggest casinero meet yet!! Musica en la plaza is presented by the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Bring your dancing shoes and join us for live music, tacos, and tequila in our beautiful Lyric Court at Música en la Plaza, now taking place the last Friday of every month year round!
From Cumbia and Huapango, to Salsa and Norteña, these rhythms will move you to get up and dance under the stars. Everyone is welcome, so don’t miss out!

Here's a small bio about Kimba Light:
The three-year-old band based out of San Diego brings its unique sound of salsa, timba, merenge, bachata, reggaeton, cumbia, and chachacha with a funky twist. The band is made up of five members: Yorly Quintero (piano and vocals) from Cienfuego, Cuba; Daniel Feldman (conga/percussion); Rene Campos (trombone) from Havana, Cuba; and native Californians Michael Atesalp (drums) and Fernando Garcia (bass and vocals).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Casinero Meet-Up for Rueda Flash Mobs at the Musica en la Plaza event with Kimba Light

WHEN: Friday, January 25, 2019   7pm-10pm

WHERE:  California Center for the Arts Escondido - Lyric Court

                     340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025

COST: FREE

Noche Cubana at the Riviera in Orange County - Wed. Mar. 13th

Welcome to Noche Cubana hosted by OC Salsa and Dame Salsa Cubana at the Golden Rose (ex Riviera)

Here are the details:

WHAT:  Cuban Dance Party (timba music, rueda, and more!)  18+

WHEN:  Wednesday, March 13, 2019  -----Also April 10 & May 8 (second wed of the month)-------

Schedule:
   7:30pm Beginner Casino Rueda Class (must know salsa basics, cross body lead and basic turns)
   8:30pm Intermediate Casino Rueda by Robert and Christina from Dame Salsa Cubana!
   9:30pm-1am Music By DJ Nestor with the best mix (Mostly timbas, with a mix of Salsa, Bachata and Merengue)

WHERE: The Riviera Restaurant & Lounge - 7115 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

COST:  $15 per class, $10 for Social dancing Only at the door. $15 PRE PAID includes both classes + Party! Click this link to purchase your tickets online

HOW TO PREPARE:
Description: Wear white and fedoras optional night, but encouraged. Big patio, you can smoke your cigars (you must bring your own, we won't be selling there). Dj will be playing a mix of timba then alternating with bachata, merengue, and salsa, then back to timba (Cuban salsa as well). Lots of folks to dance Cuban salsa and casino rueda with!!!

Beginner Casino Rueda is for intermediate Salsa on-1 students. Basic won't be covered at this class. No Intermediate Bachata Class That night.

Cubamania 3rd Anniversary Timba Dance Party - Sun. Jan 27th

☆♡ CELEBRATING OUR 3RD ANNIVERSARY ☆♡ LIVE TIMBA BAND CLAVE DURA!!! It's a DANCE MATINEE - 4p.m.-9p.m. Arrive early! MUSICA with your favorite DEEJAY WARAPO!!! Playing the best of Cuban Salsa/Cuban Son, Timba, Rumba, Cubaton (Cuban Reggaetón), and more!  ☆♡ DRESS TO IMPRESS☆♡

** CELEBRATING JANUARY'S BIRTHDAYS ** FREE ENTRANCE FOR THE BIRTHDAY FESTEJADOS & BIRTHDAY CAKE!!! Must send a message to DameSalsaCubana@gmail.com to add your name to the birthday guest list.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Cubamania 3rd Year Anniversary Timba Dance Party FEAT. Clave Dura (local timba band)

WHEN: Sunday, January 27, 2019 4pm-9pm

              4 P.M - Rueda de Casino dance lesson by Robert Morales and Laura Cristina 

WHERE: El Floridita - 1253 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038

COST: $12 cover includes Rueda de Casino class

PLEASE NOTE the Restaurant offers a wide selection of dinners, wine and cocktail drinks available for purchase. El Floridita Cuban Restaurant and Cubamanía team appreciate your support by LEAVING ALL YOUR PERSONAL BEVERAGES AT HOME. It is by supporting venues that they can remain open for years to come and enjoy dancing. THANK YOU for supporting the Venue, Cuban Music, Deejay Warapo, our local instructors and the opportunity to bring this event to you monthly.

Una Bulla!!!
Robert & Laura Cristina from Dame Salsa Cubana
Like our Facebook Page for updates about our classes and other Cuban Dance events.
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Mardi Gras A Lo Cubano: The Carnival Exchange Project 2019 in New Orleans- Mar. 1st - 5th

Join Cuban dancers from around the world in New Orleans as we celebrate "Mardi Gras... A Lo Cubano!"  Get ready for 5 days of activities, including workshops, parades, parties, and the grand finale march in The Big Easy's famous Zulu parade on Mardi Gras day.

Every year The Carnival Exchange Project and Dile Que NOLA organize community bonding experiences, including group rehearsals, a rueda de casino performance at the Mardi Gras Festival seen by 1k+ local spectators, workshops, and our contingent of 80+ local and visiting dancers marching in the Mardi Gras Day Parade!

Here are the details:

WHAT:  Dance Rueda; Salsa Suelta, Conga/Comparsas at the Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans

WHEN: Friday-Tuesday March 1st thru 5th, 2019

WHERE: New Orleans, Louisiana

COST: From $12.00 to $250.00 - click this link to see the pricing details

WEBSITE: http://www.thecarnivalexchangeproject.com 

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/515102418957706/

Alfredo Rodríguez & Pedrito Martinez at ArtPower (UC San Diego) - Wed. Mar 13th

Now, this IS a big treat to have Cuban accomplished music artists in San Diego. Don't miss out on this amazing music concert. Grammy-nominated artists, pianist Alfredo Rodríguez and percussionist Pedrito Martinez first worked together on Rodríguez’s 2012 release The Invasion Parade. Since that initial recording session, they have had the rare occasion to perform together as a duo, leaving audiences completely mesmerized by their fearless and virtuosic playing.

A protégé of Quincy Jones, Rodríguez was schooled in the rigorous classical conservatories of Havana, while Martinez’s musical training came directly from the streets of the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Old Havana, where he was raised. Bringing different approaches to their joint performance, the master musicians take listeners on a unique and exciting journey.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Music Concert with Acclaimed Cuban Artists Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez

WHEN: Wednesday, March 13, 2019   8pm-10pm

WHERE: The Loft @ UCSD - 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, California 92093

  The Loft is on Lyman Ln, La Jolla, CA 92093
COST:   Sec A $30;  Sec B $23;  GA $18;  UCSD Student $9 - Click here to buy your tickets

WEBSITE: Click here for more info on the concert

Asere! A Fiesta Cubana ft The Havana Cuba All-Stars in San Diego - Thurs. Apr 4th

Back by popular demand, this high-energy group is a joyous celebration of Cuban music and dance styles. The Havana Cuba All-Stars are some of Cuba’s greatest musicians. With rhythms and melodies from the cha cha to the rumba, from “Son Cubano” style to the salsa, the All-Stars will showcase a wide variety of Cuban beats. The group is inspired by and dedicated to promoting the entire tapestry of Cuban music through a fresh, contemporary lens. 

Here are the details:
WHAT: Havana Cuba All-Stars Musc Concert - Ages: 21+

WHEN: Thursday, April 3, 2019 - 

            Doors open at 7:00pm

            Show starts at 8:00pm

WHERE: The Music Box - 1337 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

COST:  Tickets:$35 Advanced / $35 Day of Show

           Purchase your tickets online by clicking this link

PARKING:  Parking: Street parking and paid lot parking available

More Info: Table Reservation/VIP: vip@musicboxsd.com / (619) 836-1847
Facebook: facebook.com/MusicBoxSD or MusicBoxSD.com
The Music Box (619) 795-1337
Box Office Hours Monday - Friday 11:00am - 4:00pm
MUSIC BOX IS STANDING ROOM ONLY UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

From the Buena Vista Social Club™ Omara Portuondo: The Farewell Tour at The Regent Theater - Fri. Apr 19th

An Amazing and great Cuban artist is coming to LA. Omara Portuondo from the Buena Vista Social Club is going to be giving a concert at the Regent Theater in Downtown LA.

Here are the details: 
WHAT: Omara Portuondo Concert
WHEN: Friday, April 19, 2019
WHERE:  Regent Theater DTLA - 448 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
COST: $32.50 Advance / $45 Day of Show / $65 VIP
Click this link to purchase your tickets

El Gran Festival de Musica Cubana in LA - Fri. May 24th

El Gran Festival de Musica Cubana presents Juan De Marcos, Eliades Ochoa y Cuarteto Patria, Barbarito Torres y su Piquete Cubano, Jesus Aguaje Ramos y su Orquesta Buena Vista, y Los Van Van

El Gran Festival de Musica Cubana is a celebration of Cuban Music and its rich history! This gathering of legendary and GRAMMY-award-winning musicians will bring you the classic sounds of Son, Mambo, Guajira and Jazz, while ushering in a new generation of artists through the fusion of Cuban roots, Hip Hop, R&B and Soul.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Cuban Music Festival in Los Angeles

Open to all ages

WHEN:  Friday, May 24, 2019 

WHERE:  Greek Theatre - 2700 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
COST:  Ticket Price is between $65.00 - $135.00. Buy Tickets on this link

Tickets on sale Friday, January 18th at 10am; get them while they're hot!

Maritza's Thursday Rueda Practice Beg. Level 1 in Escondido - Thurs. Jan. 17th

Greetings Casineros,
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 outdoor rueda practice with the beginner's rueda. Come ready to sweat and have fun practicing the moves we learned this last Tuesday!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Meet-Up for a rueda de casino practice (beginner level only from Tuesdays class)

WHEN: Thursday, January 17, 2019  from 7:00pm-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.
Here are the Beginners Level 1 moves so far - updated 1-16-2019:
Closed Position moves: 
Pa'l Medio - Step touch step touch, start outside the circle, the inside the circle
Flaco - compress the circle to be skinny
Gordo - expand the circle to be fat
Saca'l agua del pozo - take the water out of the well
Caminamos pa'rriba - walk forward on the "parrim-poom-pah...parrim-poom-pah" rhythm

Open position moves:

Guapea - Cuban Basic - a.k.a. paso basico

Matala - kill it! (the cockroach) 

Esta Vivo - It's alive! (the cockroach)

Aplastala - Smash it! (the cockroach)

Un Fly - A flyball in baseball
Dos Flies - 2 fly balls
Una Bulla! - Response: "Heeeyy!!"
Un High Fly - Jump and catch the fly ball. 
Pasale Con Las Manos - Pass her with the hands
Connecting moves:
Dile Que No - The Cuban cross-body Lead
Dame - Give me one

Warapeando & Cubaneando Cuban Dance Party in LA - Sat. Jan 19th

If had a good time at the Curuye Part in LA, then you are going to have a blast at THIS party too. Come get your casino on!

Here are the details:
WHAT: Cuban Salsa Dance Party in LA led by Kati Hernandez
WHEN: Saturday, January 19, 2019  10pm
WHERE: Los Globos 3040 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
COST: $10  - You can purchase online by clicking here

Casino (Cuban Style Salsa) w/ Duane Wrenn/Kati & San Miguel - Sat. Jan 19th

Greetings Casineros and Amigos!
This is happening this weekend on Saturday. Those of you who took Duane Wrenn's workshops at the San Deigo Cuban dance Congress know that he's REAL good at cleaning up your technique as a casinero. Well, he's baaaaaaack in LA! Yes, he's teaching with Kati this weekend. Come get your casino technique fix with this dynamic duo. But wait....there's more!
If you have ever wanted to learn the different musicality Cuban rhythms, this is your chance to learn with the experts and acclaimed teachers and artists. Acclaimed dance Instructor Duane Wrenn all the way from Michigan and Cuban maestra Kati Hernandez teaching together in LA. Second stop of their West coast tour/dance intensive weekends. Join them for a 4 hrs of Casino, Son, Changüi and musicality for dancers Workshop. Featuring renowned Cuban tres player and composer San Miguel Pérez.

Here are the details:
WHAT: Casino (Cuban Style Salsa) Workshops with Kati/Duane Wrenn 7 San Miguel Perez

WHEN: Saturday, January 19, 2019   ---see schedule below---

SCHEDULE
11:00 am-12:00pm  Workshop #1 - Ataca! w/ Kati & Duane
Cuban body movement and musicality drills for social dancers; Ladies/Men's styling for Casino social dancing. Following and Leading technique. Cleaning up and spicing up your basics.

12:05pm - 1:05pm Workshop #2 - What makes it Cuban? Having a conversation on the dance floor. Following and leading technique for ganchos and more complex Casino moves. Casino partner work - New moves & fun combinations. Adding the Cuban flavor such as rumba and Mozambique (Cuban popular dance) and mixing them with casino. Emphasizing on Lead and Follow intermediate styling and technique.

15 min brake there will be delicious healthy snacks and refreshment

1:20pm - 2:20pm Workshop #3 - Finding the Beat Without the Numbers - learn more about the CLAVE and the difference between TimBa, Son and Changüi - Interactive musicality discussion lecture with acclaimed Cuban tres player San Miguel Perez. Recognizing the Changüi and Son feeling while dancing to timba.

2:25pm - 3:25pm Workshop #4 - Dancing tempo and contratiempo - Kati & Duane
Applying to the dance floor elements from the musicality lecture. Adding Son and Changüi to your Casino dance. 

WHERE: SOHO Dance LA - 1618 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, California 90025

COST: See Package deals below - Click this link to make your online purchase
FULL PACKAGE - All 3 dance Workshops & Musicality for dancers interactive lecture with San Miguel
$45 PRE-SALE
$50 AT-THE-DOOR

WORKSHOPS - w/ Duane Wrenn, Kati Hernandez.
$20 each AT-THE-DOOR

MUSICALITY- w/ San Miguel
$20 AT-THE-DOOR

BUT WAIT!!! THERE's MORE   There's a Dance Party that follows the workshops later that evening
———————————————————
10:00 pm -2:00 am WARAPEANDO & CUBANEANDO

DJ WArapo and Kati Hernandez’s Timba night @ Los Globos.
Join them and the Casineros visiting from other cities. You don’t want to missed Duane calling many fun ruedas. Kati and the Kimbambula dancers leading some fun dance lines during the evening!

Cost : $10 at the door

LOCATION: Los Globos - 3040 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Beginner Level 1 Rueda Practice in Escondido - Thurs. Jan. 10th

Greetings Casineros,
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 outdoor rueda practice with the beginner's rueda. Come ready to sweat and have fun practicing the moves we learned this last Tuesday!
Beginners Level 1 moves:
Closed Position moves: 
Pa'l Medio - Step touch step touch, start outside the circle, the inside the circle
Flaco - compress the circle to be skinny
Gordo - widen the circle to be fat
Caminamos pa'rriba - walk forward on the "parrim-poom-pah...parrim-poom-pah" rhythm

Open position moves:

Guapea - Cuban Basic - a.k.a. paso basico

Matala - kill it! (the cockroach) 

Esta Vivo - It's alive! (the cockroach)

Aplastala - Smash it! (the cockroach)

Un Fly - A flyball in baseball

Here are the details:

WHAT: Meet-Up for a rueda de casino practice (beginner level only from Tuesdays class)

WHEN: Thursday, January 10th from 7:00pm-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

CURUYE'S JAN 13 CUBAN SALSA TIMBA DANCE PARTY CELEBRATES 2019!

CURUYE'S CUBAN SALSA TIMBA DANCE PARTY
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019  5:00-10:00 PM
The GRANADA L.A. 17 South First St., Alhambra 91801

LET’s CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR at CURUYE’s CUBAN SALSA TIMBA DANCE PARTY with DEEJAY WARAPO playing those irresistible Cuban dance beats! We are entering CURUYE’s 10th YEAR of CUBAN DANCE PARTIES in L.A.!

MARITZA BAÍDA is hot back from Santiago de Cuba, training with the SANTIAGO ALL STARS, and wants to share some new moves in her RUEDA de CASINO class that will kick off the party! The rest of the evening you’ll be dancing to CUBAN SALSA! SON! TIMBA! REGGAETÓN! KIMBAMBULA dancers will be leading some fun and funky line dances throughout the night as well! 

CONSIDER WEARING WHITE to bring light to our Cuban dance/music community in 2019! 

January birthday babies want to share the birthday dance with you!  So far DIANE PAYLOR, JERRI NACHMAN, JUDITH DAVIES, MARCELA LEYTON, MARK SHAW, MICHELLE GREEN, NICAN ROBINSON, SHAUNA DEL REED, SHERMAN SMITH will be celebrating their birthdays at the party! Message Curuye if you’d like your name on the cake too! Dancing cake cutters are a very special part of Curuye birthday celebrations!

The Granada’s Chef Israel is ready to serve up some tasty dishes for us, so consider sharing a meal with your friends during the evening!

All ages are welcome!

$10 cover includes Maritza’s dance class!

LET’s DANCE in THE NEW YEAR WITH JOY & ACHÉ! 

The GRANADA L.A. 17 So First Street, Alhambra, 91801. Free parking in structure across from the Granada!

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