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Here are summaries of some collaborative events (other than Congresses) that I am aware of where at least two or three Rueda groups worked together.
I can only include information that I know the details of. But I'd like to be as inclusive as possible in listing events on this page. So if you are reading this and know of other such events, feel free to let me know. I will be happy to add the information to this page.
1. In the Washington D.C. area, several local Rueda groups co-sponsored a party that took place at the Alliance Dance Institute on March 18, 2006. Paul Duke who dances with all the DC groups, pulled the party together and worked with each group, organizing them so the responsibilities of setting up this event were shared. It was a first for our area, and the party was both well attended and quite successful.
Each group did a performance and it was nice to see the variety of material that the local groups work on. These shows were quite different and reflected an array of serious Casino Rueda work that everyone involved can be proud of.
Needless to say, there were many large, joint Ruedas at the party with members of the groups mixed together. We were all able to dance together quite nicely. I think all of the teachers took a turn in doing some calling.
We publicized this event out of town and some folks came quite a distance to be part of this multi-group party (e.g. from Philly, Florida, etc.).
Then, on April 21, 2007, Amanda Lopez in conjunction with Keith Givens and others, organized the second annual Fiesta, this time held at Glen Echo Park's Spanish Ballroom. This is a huge venue with the capacity to hold 800 people, and it was very full that night. We attempted to break the record for the largest D.C. Rueda circle, and all the Rueda groups did presentations. And there was open dancing with loads of Rueda circles.
Some dancers came down from Boston. And Hadar Harel came down from NYC with members of her group. The NY gang spent the night after the Fiesta at my (Barb's) house, and the next day (Sun.), we did a step exchange which is always loads of fun. We invited other dancers including all the teachers in the DC area, but as Hadar had to get going early, it was a bit too early in the morning for most. We had a Rueda circle of 4 or 5 couples between her dancers, myself, and a couple of others from my group. I showed them some nice moves that they videotaped and they showed me Sopa, Sopa Complicado, and some other steps!
Above: DanceInTime performing the "Wedding Routine" at a Rueda Fiesta at Glen Echo. They are doing the Electric Slide to Salsa music!! 4/21/07
2. I was invited by Athena, a friend who teaches Casino Rueda in Philadelphia, to join her in a Rueda demonstration and party. The plan was for some of my performing group to visit and practice with her group so we could do a joint demonstration at a party she held that night. I went up there with a carload of dancers including some of the people who teach with me in the Virginia class. We had a lot of fun--both dancing and on the "road trip." (The concept for a new product was invented on this trip. Credit here goes to Sheila for her idea of an "Urban GPS" which berates you in urban lingo when you foolishly make a turn that was not suggested by your "route guidance.")
We were joined at the party by another teacher, Miguel (mrmambocubano@mac.com) who teaches in the Philadelphia and New Jersey, and by Victoria-Hadar (h_h_v@yahoo.com) who teaches in NYC. Each teacher showed the group a couple of his/her favorite moves (that aren't typically done by all the groups).
Vic-Hadar did a move called Arcoiris which she has shown me before. It is totally unique, in that when the leader opens his/her arms up and out, that movement forces the follower who is behind him, to turn. It extremely cool and quite beautiful. Arcoiris means "rainbow" in Spanish and I think it is well named. I showed Azuquita (a move that starts like setenta but then has some pretty nifty movement which is also a little unusual) along with Rubenada and Thalia. Vic-Hadar showed us some additional moves (e.g. Zig Zag, Ni Pa Ti Ni Pa Mi etc) that I absolutely loved and plan to adopt. Miguel does a move that creates a nice rhythm and he showed that---etc etc. And Athena taught Setenta Cruzada.
I videotaped these moves and the tape will be shared with all the teachers. If you teach Casino Rueda and would like to see the video of these moves, just email me your snail mail address and I'll send a copy of the DVD with these moves.
We also made an effort to establish a list of moves that all the groups do the same or compatibly (since there is some variation in how groups do moves). We established a list of "common moves" that the teachers will try to be sure their students know, so that in the future if we do things together, everyone can be relied upon to have familiarity with a common base of moves. It can only be helpful to have a set of moves that we know can be called and members of all the groups will know them and do them compatibly!
And it is our hope that in the future, more nearby groups can be included in such joint events. We were limited by the space at Athena's studio at this event. But she is planning to get a dance studio that is separate from her home soon, and then she will be interested in bringing out of town teachers in for workshops etc. This will enrich what her studio has to offer, plus it will enable the Rueda teachers to share what they know with each other-directly and indirectly. That sharing is always beneficial!
If anyone reading this would like to be included in such events in the future, feel free to let Athena and me know (athena@Salsitadancestudio.com; BarbBtalks@aol.com). Also, if you want information on Athena's studio or contact info for her, visit her site at the link below. Hopefully her new studio can become a hub that connects local teachers. http://salsitadancestudio.com/Athena/index.html
Above: DanceInTime visits another Rueda group in Philadelphia. The principal teachers are posing here. Left to right: Martin & Haden (NY), Athena (Philly), Barb then Ylan (DC), Josh (Philly) holding baby Avanah who was named after Havana, Cuba!
3. Boston Rueda Event 11/11/06
Jenn Jonay is involved with a Rueda event in Boston over the weekend of 11/11/06, and here is her info: She held a Rueda-thon to raise money for the documentary in progress: "La Rueda De Guanabacoa" - on Cuban Salsa. Here is a link to a wonderful trailer on this documentary: click here. This is being produced by Sarita Streng (Saritastreng@yahoo.com) and shows the origins of Rueda de Casino, and detailing Cuban life and culture through the lives of the members of one of Cuba's most famous teams "La Rueda de Guanabacoa". For more info on the Rueda-thon, you can contact jennjonay@gmail.com.