Instructor(s): Duane Wrenn

This is a footwork class that combines afro-cuban movement with timba music. This class is a high-energy dance party.

Instructor(s): See schedule

Bachata is a form of music and dance in the countryside and rural marginal neighborhood of the Dominican Republic. Its subjects are usually romantic. It’s a very sensual and romantic type of dance. It’s also one of the only dances that the leader (usually gentleman) mirrors what the follower (usually leader) is doing.

Instructor(s): See schedule

In Miami and in most of the world, Rueda de Casino is known as Rueda, Casino Rueda, Rueda Casino, Cuban Salsa, and many different names. Casino Rueda is often explained as a "Cuban Salsa square dance." Couples of leaders and followers stand in circle; the circle leader calls out certain names of the moves, and everyone dances in a rhthym in harmony. Rueda or "wheel" describes the shape of Casino is danced.

Casino has lately become an international phenemena where groups of Casineros from outside of Cuba have started to compete. One of the well-known competition is hosted by a weekly TV program in Cuba, Bailar Casino, where the best casineros go to compete.

Salsa Extravaganza has been supporting and promoting Casino Rueda for a number of years. This year a team of Casino instructors and dancers from all over the United States to bring you Casino fun and its incredible energy.

Instructor(s): See schedule

2-hour workshop that covers basics of Casino Rueda.

All dancers are required to take this class if you are not familiar with the following: Guapea, Dile que no, Enchufla, Vacilala, Un Fly, Dame, Dame dos, Dame dos con dos, Adios, Adios con la Hermana, Sombrero, and Festival de [call]. This workshop will also cover other calls beyond beginng/novice level as the students are ready to move on.

Instructor(s): See schedule

Prerequisite: Casino Essentials Boot Camp, Casino Rueda Refersher for Beg/Nov, or equivalent

This class will focus on Casino Essentials for intermediate and higher level of dancers.

Everyone who is planning to take Casino Rueda classes of novice higher levels must know all the novice/intermediate calls and can dance each of them comfortably. This is a class designed to refresh all the calls you should know as an intermediate Casino dancer.

Instructor(s): See schedule

This Casino Rueda practica is designed for Casineros who can't wait to have their first class with our Casino Instructors.

This session is not a class but a play time that will help you recall, brush up, and warm up. Present are a volunteer caller to get the wheel going and a supervisor who will watch and jump in as necessary.

Beginners and low-level novoice are recommend to wait until the first "Casino Essentials Boot Camp" begins at 2 pm on Friday. After all, you will not want to waste your time undoing your knoweldge or habits you had developed in order to learn correct calls or foundational stylings.

Dancers should be familiar with following calls to attend this session: Guapea, Pisen, Pa'bajo, DameDile Que No, con Uno (dos, tres, etc.), Enchunfla (uno, double), Adios, con Hermana, Vacilala, Sombrero, Festival de ...., pa'ariba, Setenta, Pelota (uno, dos). Optional: Tarro, con Coca Cola, con Cuba, Toca ...., Sensillo, Kentucky

Instructor(s): See schedule

Those who are planning to take this class are strongly recommended to take the Casino Essentials Boot Camp on Friday.

This class focuses on Casino Essentials for beginners, novice, and higher level.

Dancers are required to take this class if you are beginners/novice or not proficient at the following: Guapea, Dile que no, Enchufla, Vacilala, Un Fly, Dame, Dame dos, Dame dos con dos, Adios, Adios con la Hermana, Sombrero, and Festival de (call).

Instructor(s): See schedule

Prerequisite: Casino Essentials Boot Camp, Casino Rueda Refersher for Beg/Nov, or equivalent

This class will focus on Casino Essentials for novice, intermediate and higher level of dancers.

Everyone who is planning to take Casino Rueda classes of novice higher levels must know all the novice/intermediate calls and can dance each of them comfortably. This is a class designed to refresh all the calls you should know as an intermediate Casino dancer.

Instructor(s): See schedule

Casino (Cuban Style) is social dance related to Salsa that developed in the 1950s in Cuba. It was first danced there in large halls called Casinos, and spread to the United States through Miami's Cuban population. Casino-style Salsa is essentially danced to the same timing as other Salsa styles, like in N.Y. and L.A., but it has a looser feel to it. Based on a different set of basic movements, it is designed so that a couple can dance intricate turn patterns on a tightly packed dance floor. There is almost no rock step like in other Salsa forms and the lead and follow stay close together so that they can do some of the really wild and pretzel-like turns. It's really a lot of fun.

Instructor(s): See schedule

Prerequisite: Casino Rueda Refersher for Intermediate, Casino Rueda Intermediate & Advanced, or equivalent

Casino Salsa Styling Class, covering body posture, style, and feel of Casino. Also covered are Salsa Turn Combinations.

Technique is nice, but what about the feel and look of Casino? This class will cover the differences in Casino between other styles of Salsa and help define what makes Casino, Casino.

Instructor(s): See schedule

Prerequisite: All the Casino Reuda Classes offered so far!

Let’s have some fun. Meet in the ballroom and/or Casino Rueda floor, practice and dance with all the instructors and fellow Casineros! Each volunteering instructor will teach a fun, easy rueda move. It’s an hour and a half of dancing and learning really fun things you can do with Rueda de Casino.

Instructor(s): See schedule

So you've taken all the classes. You practiced. You took private lessons. You've danced your heart out. You know your Casino!

Not it's time to have a MEGA FUN!

All Casineors will dance, practice, and have fun in the morning of the last day of the dance camp. Then in the early afternoon, we will introduce MEGA RUEDA to the world! Come dance with us and showcase what you have learned througout the dance camp!

BE THERE!

Instructor(s): Mike Bello

Click and listen to portions of the workshop: Clave | Timing

There are classes based on music that give dancers a chance to focus on music when they dance and they’re good. Most of those classes have their focus laced with numbers. Numbers, though, can be like chains that imprison you to a pattern or rhythm. The techniques in most musicality classes still keep the dancer dependent on numbers. They become the only point of reference.

Rhythm is the key to salsa music. And the key rhythm is called clave; also known as a key. If you learn how rhythm is a major force in salsa music, beginning with the clave, then you can actually rely solely on rhythm without the need to use numbers. Hence, losing your dependency on them and becoming connected to this new point of reference. And it all starts with the clave.

Mike Bello’s classes go beyond musicality. They are a dissection of salsa music via rhythm.

Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to attend Mike’s signature “Salsa Rhythm 4 Dancers” seminar at this year’s Salsa Extravaganza. This will be a 3-hour event within an event where you will definitely walk out of the session with a whole new excitement toward salsa music and dance!

Instructor(s): See schedule

See Salsa Casino/Cuban Style Salsa

A quick cruise through the basics of West Coast Swing, with technique and core moves to get you on the Swing floor with your newfound flair. Intended for dancers comfortable with a partner dance including Salsa.