Seattle Rueda

Hey all,

I woke up this morning to Daylight Savings Time. Remember to reset your clocks … or you’ll be late to practica!

Kyra

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http://www.cubansalsavancouver.net

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REMEMBER this weekend only, Sunday Practica will be at HaLo, from 3 to 5 p.m.

HaLo is located at 500 E Pike St, five blocks west of Century Ballroom above Brocklind’s Formal Wear and right next door to 8 Limbs Yoga. Or go to the Century Ballroom website for directions.

See you there!

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Hello My Favorite Peeps!
So last week we went over the Seattle signature move called “Paseo de San Juan” and I believe it is a longer count than what we were doing, so I have practiced it with Barbara so I believe we missed a count of 4 or 8..anyway..I figured it out and the last part of the walk is an 8 count. So it should slow it down for even a fast song. Another thing I want to go over in the very beginning is working on the “zig zag” walking transition between steps. This was something duane Wrenn had taught us so I’d like to review it again. Also let’s clean up the “dos con una” so it’s got some style in it. Then lastly, I though it would be a great time to try doing the rueda “por fuera” meaning dancing facing outside the circle rather than inside.

I wanted give you all an update about the big rueda grid. I am having graphic and technical difficulty getting it blown up to poster size so I will work on it and have it ready for next week. Very sorry it’s taking so long.

Looking forward to dancing with you today!!
Maritza

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Hello my peeps,

So last week we reviewed “El Space Needle” and “Patin con la familia.” I’d like to review these and if time allows we can review another two Seattle signature moves, “Paseo de San Juan” and “Avion de Boeing.” This should be a lot of fun. Just a reminder to all, that this practice is inclusive to all. We have two ruedas going on and our hope is to add a third for advanced moves (an advanced rueda circle), we just need to make sure there are three instructors in the practice so we can make the three circles happen. I will be bringing the Seattlerueda.com grid of the levels of steps. This will help folks self assess what level they are in and if they are ready to move on.  Let’s give it a shot and see if there is a chance to do three circles. As Mike in Rumbanana says, una bulla!

Maritza

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Hi Everyone!
Happy New Year to you all! I think 2010 is going to be a great year for dancing. From the great discussion at the last potluck, I am committed to keeping the practice open to all. The suggestion that DJ Tony mentioned about having a printed list of moves for beginners, intermediates and advanced is a great structure builder. With the Seattlerueda.com grid I handed out to everyone, I will blow that one up to poster size and bring it to rueda practice next week and have it ready to begin improving the practice. It is NOT a requirement that someone new has to take a rueda class outside of practice, it is only suggested, recommended and encouraged. I want to make sure we, who are seasoned casineros, remember where we came from. I know I didn’t take a paid class when I started (I took LA Style salsa for a long time), so let’s remember Sunday practice is open to all and we should all step up the help teach and welcome  new folks. That is what makes our dance community very unique and inviting. Our dance community is one of a kind.

I believe with the grid of rueda levels it will help put structure in place to create the three rueda circles for each level and bring those great ideas come to fruition. So, that said, I will continue posting what I’d like review from the grid and keep practicing all the great moves we’ve been working on for the last few months. I want to open this “rueda practice posting to other teachers too. It seemed that posting what is going to happen in practica seems to be well received and continued.

For today, it would be nice to start 2010 with signature rueda moves from Seattle, for example “El Space Needle,” “Paseo de San Juan,” “Patin con la Familia,” “Avion de Boeing.” Mind you, we may not have a lot of time to go over these but it’s is a follow up list for the coming weeks. Let’s have some fun tonight!! woohoo!

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Please plan to join us and experience our wonderful dance floor and beautiful room on Friday nights at the transformed All Nations Soccer Bar & Restaurant. We turn over the dining room to a DJ and provide table service with expertly mixed cocktails and a full menu.

10 pm to 2 am, Friday nights (Closed Jan 1)
930 N 130th Street Seattle WA 98133
http://www.allnationssoccerbar.com

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Hi all,

Thank you for your conversation, and for your patience since the potluck at Barbara’s on December 6. I’m finally typing a brief (ha!) summary what I heard from the circle that evening.

The broad topics of discussion were (1) what makes Sunday rueda practica work? and (2) what would make it work even better.

(1) I was really glad to hear so much positive about what we’re all getting out of Sunday practica. In summary:

Reliability — We know we can come to practica on Sunday and enjoy music, dancing, socializing, and having a good time in a space away from our everyday concerns. The regular schedule helps, because if we don’t have 2 hours to spare, we know when to come for the part that’s most important to us. “Always puts you in a good mood.”

Diversity & inclusivity — We know we and our friends are all welcome. It’s casual. We get to see and learn from a variety of personal styles of dancing and history of dance experience. “Everybody gets to dance with everybody, and everybody gets to dance.”

Teaching & learning — A number of people expressed appreciation for Maritza’s energy and teaching style. We enjoy figuring out new moves and practicing dance skills and footwork. “Someone always steps up to teach what they know.”

(2) There were a number of specific suggestions for making practica even better than it is. My perception is these were grouped in these themes:

Organization — People like the structure of the 2 hours, but would also like more organization of calls to teach and learn (so we all know a similar set to dance together). The teachers who are willing to donate their time and experience could be offering their own perspective at different times, perhaps in a more organized way.

Progression — Everyone wants to have fun, and everyone wants to learn more in their dancing. More organization could help beginners move from basics into the open rueda. People would like beginners to have opportunities to dance for more time than just the first 30-60 minutes of the day. Dancers with lots of experience also want to find time to dance together and push each other to improve.

Contribution — Perhaps because Sunday practica is fun for everyone (”Best 2 hours of the week,” someone said), everyone seemed interested in contributing and learning from others’ contributions. We all know how much Maritza contributes each week. Dennis Ruiz offered to contribute footwork practice, especially for men. Many others also want to learn to call, to plan moves, to teach moves to others, to dance with newcomers, or to contribute in other ways to the community.

Finally, we all recognize that we’re part of a community that extends beyond Sunday afternoons. We want to support those who teach Cuban dance in the region, as well as the bands and clubs who play Cuban music for us to dance to. (Did you see: two!! options for New Year’s Eve. Hooray, Seattle!)

What comes next?

* I’m working on thoughts for updating our Sunday “schedule” to incorporate some of the things people want to see added to the mix. Please comment online or talk to me in person if you have ideas. I plan to propose some adjustments in January 2010 and request community agreement to try out some things. Having “a schedule” is clearly a positive thing–so let’s build in the things we want to see happen.

* Sunday practica gives us an opportunity to practice and learn, and to contribute our own expertise and celebrate our diversity in a way different from what’s possible in a classroom setting. So invite your friends, and also tell them about all our local teachers (see the Instructors & Classes page). The more we each learn, the more we all learn.

See you Sundays!

Kyra

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Hello Everyone,
Well, I’m back from Atlanta and it was a really great time. Came back with more stuff for salsa suelta footwork, ladies styling moves for casino dancing and of coarse stuff from Julian’s workshop on intermediate rueda moves. Pepito was amazing. His voice projects live just as in Pupy’s music. Anyhow, I’ll be there to help teach. I will bring copies of the SeattleRueda grid of moves. So to make consistent on the first half hour, that will be a review of footwork, a few of the first level of moves listed on the grid, then the next half hour will be a new move (or a review of a move that is usually called.) I want to go over Juana la Cubana. If there is time to review Bacardi Limon I will. I now understand how this move works. I had to get a review from Julian. Orlando had it right…as always.
Then the last hour is just rueda and dancing. No teaching that last hour.

One more thing, Barbara had posted that the last Sunday of January, we will not have Sonny Newman’s studio to practice in. Instead, Barbara was able to land a deal with the space at Halo in Capitol Hill District. She wants to know how many will be able to be there that last Sunday  in January. I know I will be there. Let me know today at practica if you are able to make it to Halo’s that Sunday.

See you at practica!

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Hello friends! For those of us who attend Sunday practices, I need your vote on this one. Sonny is hosting his own workshop the last weekend in Jan, so the 31st we are not able to use the space. I found another nice studio (HALO) to use, same price, but from 3pm-5pm that day. Before we commit to using it, please let me know if you would prefer to just cancel our practice for one week, or want to have it there for that one day. We have some time to decide but I am glad it’s an option.

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