The Cuban Music and Dance Movie Thread

[khabibul35]

I will admit that, it's a great way to get all together for fun, but has little value in the social salsa scene .

It all depends on teaching technique. When I teach, I teach a few simple moves that you can use in rueda, and then switch the focus to connecting the little pieces on such a way that you can create your own move, while also discussing the technique involved in creating flow from one movement to another.

This is all done via the rueda structure! In some ways, I use the rueda to bait and switch. Make them feel like they're learning moves but then end up teaching the structure that underpins casino and how to create flow in the dance. I also make them freestyle dance based on the moves they learn at the end of the class.

In fact, it's very effective. At first, you show some movements and memorize, then you visually reinforce it. The strength of rueda is that you can do and watch at the same time. In a rueda it's also quite obvious when someone is off, leading people to pay attention to timing, and the flow of the moves. So if you're not a "move based" teacher, the rueda can actually a powerful tool for technique training. The problem is that rueda usually attracts lazy, move-focused teachers. Then again, who isn't a move-focused teacher these days? It seems 90% of teachers just take the easy way out - they entertain students rather than focus on teaching. My personal feeling on this phenomenon is that it has little to do with rueda and everything to do with the person teaching.

 

[terence]

It all depends on teaching technique. When I teach, I teach a few simple moves that you can use in rueda, and then switch the focus to connecting the little pieces on such a way that you can create your own move, while also discussing the technique involved in creating flow from one movement to another.

This is all done via the rueda structure! In some ways, I use the rueda to bait and switch. Make them feel like they're learning moves but then end up teaching the structure that underpins casino and how to create flow in the dance. I also make them freestyle dance based on the moves they learn at the end of the class.

In fact, it's very effective. At first, you show some movements and memorize, then you visually reinforce it. The strength of rueda is that you can do and watch at the same time. In a rueda it's also quite obvious when someone is off, leading people to pay attention to timing, and the flow of the moves. So if you're not a "move based" teacher, the rueda can actually a powerful tool for technique training. The problem is that rueda usually attracts lazy, move-focused teachers. Then again, who isn't a move-focused teacher these days? It seems 90% of teachers just take the easy way out - they entertain students rather than focus on teaching. My personal feeling on this phenomenon is that it has little to do with rueda and everything to do with the person teaching.

My point really was this ; In the latino clubs I frequented the majority of dancers did not like the space they took up , so from a social standpoint ( unless a very large floor ) is not compatible .

 

[bailar y tocar]

Bump. This came up in other threads: the history of casino, where it started, who danced it. Here are the answers.

Just saw La Salsa Cubana/La Rueda de Guanabacoa, Cuba/US 2011.

The film follows a group of rueda dancers from Guanabacoa, a town just outside Havana, and their challenges as they get ready for the TV rueda championship on Bailar Casino. In parallel, there are documentary interviews with the old timers who were there when rueda de casino was invented in the early 60's. Some of them are still dancing and doing it well.

The rueda group specific scenes and interviews are actually typical of all dance groups. The conflicts, differences in artistic direction, egos etc are the same in all dance groups. Those scenes would translate to any dance team.

The rueda de casino history interviews are fascinating. A lot of things I didn't know about rueda, its origins, who danced it, how it evolved and what it has become today in Cuba.

 

[terence]

Bump. This came up in other threads: the history of casino, where it started, who danced it. Here are the answers.

The "wheel " construction was around in the UK since the 20s. NOT in latin but more BR style dances ( they were called OLD Time ). Todays dances are called Modern Sequence which does have latin dances.

In Some dances, they changed partners, others , not;

I "cut" my dance teeth for partnership work as a kid in the 40s.It helped my BR.

It begs the Q,, did they take their concept from these formats ? or just coincidence ..

 

[Offbeat]

Bump. This came up in other threads: the history of casino, where it started, who danced it. Here are the answers.

So there was no reuda in Cuba or anywhere else before 60s?

 

[bailar y tocar]

So there was no reuda in Cuba or anywhere else before 60s?

Go to the source. If you really want to know, you will have to watch the movie entirely, 90+ min about cuban dance, don't rely on my review which was written from memory a few days after watching the film on the big screen.