Seattle Rueda

Just want to thank eveyone for supporting Cuban music in Seattle.  I’ve been Dj’ing Musica Cubana for dancing in this town for about 8 years  starting at Lulu’s in Pioneer Square back in  2002 and have not stopped…except for the ocasional trip to Havana.  Right now you know I’m at Selenas in Wallingford on Saturday nights. The responce has been fantastastic. Miguel and Laura the owners are wonderful and very enthusiastic about it. 2 weeks ago we had SuperSones pack out the place and last weekend the place hit almost capacity because people are realizing that the music is fresh and of course different. Cuban music for me is my passion. Alot of people found Selenas last weekend because they were looking for Cuban music… you can’t find it anywhere else. .and Saturday April 3rd we will have Carlos Cascante y Tumbao live playing and Saturday May 15th we have Grupo Ache’ coming…!! Thanks again for your support. We charge no cover most weekends unless a group is playing. Of course I’m always there spinning whatever I can get my hands on that is fresh from Cuba as well as the songs you love. See you Saturday..DJ Baracoa. PS Please support live Cuban music in Seattle…Elsbeth has put together a great ensemble for the Triple Door on the 27th…Ciao Pescado 

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Learn about Cuban dance and culture from dancer and musician Roberto Borrell, who has over fifty years of experience in popular dance forms (danzon, son, son montuno, cha cha cha), folkloric (Yoruba, Dahomey, Abakua), rumba and comparsa!

Roberto Borrell Cuban Dance Weekend March 26-28

Friday night
Timba: Dancing in Time
Lecture/demo at Spitfire Grill in Belltown
Music and video from Roberto’s collection along with live dance demonstration in his fluid, effortless style!
7:30 pm

Saturday
At My World Dance and Fitness Studio
1-2:30 Folkloric dance class
4-5 Lecture-style listening class
5-6:15 Popular dance

Sunday
At My World Dance and Fitness Studio
1-2:30 Folkloric dance class
3-4 Listening class
4-5:15 Popular dance

Timba: Dancing in Time
7 pm at SLAB Georgetown (south branch of Seattle Drum School)

Folkloric Dance $18
Popular $15
Listening $12
Friday lecture demo: $5
Sunday lecture demo: pay what you can!

The Cuban Bootcamp Special!
Folkloric + Popular $28
Listening + Popular $24

Locations:

My World Dance and Fitness Studio
849 Hiawatha Place South
Seattle, WA 98144

Spitfire Bar and Grill
2219 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121-2058

Seattle Drum School Georgetown
1010 S. Bailey
Seattle, WA 98108

Description of classes

Folkloric: mostly Yoruba (Lucumi) dance with emphasis on footwork and its correspondence to the rhythms of the batá drums. Great foundational class for beginners and experienced dancers alike.

Popular: Dance traditions from early twentieth century to the sixties (mas ó menos): danzón, danzón-cha, son, son montuno, cha cha cha. Emphasis on footwork and proper body mechanics along with Roberto’s unique perspective on historical and social contexts. Again, a great foundational class for beginners and experienced dancers.

Listening class: lecture-style class with detailed explanations of popular dance song structure and musical cues for dancers. This is a rare opportunity to learn about the evolution of Cuban musical styles from danzón to son and son montuno through cha cha cha from Roberto’s unique perspective as a dancer and musician for fifty years. Great for both musicians and dancers.

Roberto is also available for private lessons, and can be reached at duquesne1@hotmail.com

Questions? 206/353-3527
Email mowimbale@yahoo.com

Updates on Facebook group Roberto Borrell in Seattle: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=167304009898

Bio from the Roots of Timba Project in San Francisco:
Roberto Borrell learned traditional and popular Afro-Cuban dance, percussion, and song from master musicians and dancers while growing up in la Havana Vieja, Havana, Cuba. He is a respected dancer and percussionist of Afro-Cuban Yoruba, Abakua (Calabar), Rumba, Arará (Dahony), and Palo (Congo). He also is an expert in pronunciation of the non-Spanish languages one must use to sing these Afro-Cuban genres, as well as being a master dancer and teacher of Cuban popular dance styles such as son montuno, danzón, and cha cha cha.
Roots of Timba Project
http://www.creativeworkfund.org/modern/bios/roberto_borrell.html

Bio from Boogalu Productions:
http://www.boogalu.com/generic_roberto.borrell.html

Roberto’s Youtube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/robertoborrell

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Tonight @ Selenas Salsa Cubana y Mas…Free Dance Lesson & Special Performance by Timba Fuego Rueda de Casino – 10PM 1715 N 45th ST NO COVER see you there!!

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Live !!! Supersones This Saturday March 6th !!!! Tell your friends

SuperSones will join DJ Baracoa for a night of hot dance music.

SuperSones will play two long sets with Baracoa spinning before, between, and after. Cover: $8

Check out Selena’s Saturday Nights

MUEVETE w/DJ Baracoa
An Evening of Cuban Flavor
Dance Music For Your Feet
For your dancing pleasure we present…..Salsa, Timba,
Son, Son Montuno, Casino, Cha Cha Cha, Bachata, Merengue,
Poquito Reggaeton y mas de Cuba y el todo Mundo…tu sabes ¡!

The place is
Selenas Guadalajara
1715 N 45th St Seattle WA – (next to Babalus)
Every Saturday Night 10pm till 2AM
21 w/ID

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Hey all,
I’ve wanted it, but, now that it’s here,…dare I say it that I’m overwhelmed (albeit ecstatic)…by the exciting Cuban cultural opportunities that are in our midst these days!!  (ok, really just overwhelmed by the cost to travel from our Seattle nest…cuz i want to do it all!! haha!)
Regionally – As gianthoupis mentioned below, the Vancouver Rueda Festival, April 9 -11, 2010 !!
 - As DJ-T mentioned below, PUPY!! in San Francisco, April 7-11, 2010 (plays 5 days/nights)
 - Timba.com is reporting that Los Van Van’s schedule has them coming back to the US, and sweeping thru Cali for 4 shows!…ending in San Francisco on June, 20th at Stern Grove Park for Free! 
  I’ve never been here, but this  looks like an awesome setting to see Van Van, outdoors in the park!!

SO,…as I try to plan my dancing adventures…where is everyone’s thoughts on attending these shows??  Where do you think you’ll be Or will you go to both?  Ideally I’d love to see both! arg.  Email me at palacinke45@yahoo.com… if you don’t want to go public just yet.

FYI -
Internationally – I think i’ve ruled out Cubamemucho in Munich, March 17-21, 2010.   ;(
- But, still considering lesser known 6th Croatian Summer Salsa Festival,
June 22-27, 2010 in Rovinj, Croatia
http://www.crosalsafestival.com/

 (as I have roots here)  I’m actually impressed by this groups event webpage and detail of info!  I’ve had this event on my radar for several years now.  Just a gorgeous setting in Rovinj.  Each year they have some Cuban components, along with the other styles.  I’m kicking myself for not going last year…they had a good Cuban band and overall theme. arg.

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What an unbelievable event. I now have had some time to digest the festival…(and get over my bothersome cold!)
This was my first time attending the SF Salsa Rueda Festival and even though it was only the 2nd annual, it feels like it’s been around for years and years. I think that’s due to the great organizers, the Bay Area resources, and most importantly the wonderful, warm and welcoming vibe, and support in the community of Cuban aficionados from all over the country!
(which have been friends for a bit longer …) I was so pleased to experience it!

Thanks to Eddie and everyone who took great photos and for posting them! I look forward to next year!!

Locally – I am excited for the new learning opportunities with our local instructors and friends; grateful for our local musicians & DJ’s that give us the opportunity to have fun and dance with each other; grateful for the La Candela movement and spirited monthly grand fiestas that they’ve spearheaded; and this Seattle Rueda Blog and Community that actually gets, better and better…as more people get involved, increase their knowledge, post their thoughts, ask questions, post opinions, videos, links, ideas! We (like myself) sometimes see other locales, as the grass being greener…but I must say that we have something very, very special here…(I feel like I’ve said that before…but want to say it again) and that will continue to get even better! wow. And after coming back from SF Rueda Festival…seeing the GREAT contingent of Seattlites that participated, spend their hard earned dollars to go down, newbies & the regulars alike, to support the fam, to learn & grow in their dancing and with each other, was quite wonderful. That, AND some great comments I received about our Seattle community from others!!

Ahi nama! & see you soon,
Sam

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http://www.cubansalsavancouver.net

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Come and join us @ Selenas TONIGHT for a night of sultry salsa, bachata and more of the best dance music on the planet. Doors open at 10PM NO COVER ! Free dance lesson with Mr. Carlos LAzo de Havana Cuba ..()..Great dance Floor Great DJ And Great People.!!! See you There..DJ Baracoa 1715 N45th ST Seattle

PS NEXT WEEK SUPERSONES LIVE @ Selenas SAT MArch 6th

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Here’s a video of the Rumbanana performance for those who didn’t make it to SanFran. Fantastic!

http://www.youtube.com/rumbananagroup

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