I hope to be the first Man back in Havana, or rather the first visitor, guest, tourist coming back. Ideally with the first flight, when international travel opens up again. March 24th 2020 Cuba locked down for tourists. I flew out the next morning. A couple of days before, the Cuban authorities started to transfer tourist from Case Particulares to
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The Tornado is a unique basic figure of just one count of eight. It is not just a figure, more like a family of figures because it can be applied in three different ways. The Tornado can best be described as a technique the Lead can use to turn the Follow in different situations by wrapping his arms around her.
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What a great move! I have only found one video and I attribute the move to Piotr Agassi or it might be one of Yoel Marrero’s two handed moves. Casinando starts with the very popular Setenta y Cinco (75), four counts of eight. But we could just as well start is from Dile Que No or from Exhibela con Corona.
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The “Alex Routine” is my name for a one minute long social dance by Alexander Pavlov (Ukraine) and an excellent “I never back rock unless a bad Lead insists” Follow. When I first saw the video clip, I said to myself: I am going to learn and practice it like a routine. I want to own it. I now use
Read moreOne of my favourite Dance Schools, “DC Casineros”, calls the move Setenta para el piso (70 for the floor). In Spanish “para el” is often shortened to “p’al” or just to “pal”. They call it 70 pal piso. In the middle of the move the Lead either kneels down on the floor or squats down as I prefer to do
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My Masterclass Video # 7 is now ready on YouTube. It is about a unique and very special turn, I call Giro de Setenta, the Hammerlock turn. That is to give the Follow a right turn under her arms as part of 5-6-7 of Setenta, the Habanero metod, or on 1-2-3 of the next count of eight, the Vacilala method.
Read moreThis Dile Que No is good for training a shoulder lead Habanero turn, walking on 1-2-3, turning on 5-6-7. The DQN has replaced the common Coca-Cola turn on 5-6-7 with interesting windmill (Molino) arms. The move is the last part of a move called Yoyoflow con Molino. For background information about the Yoyoflow moves see the “Yoyoflow (Coca-Cola Moderno)” tutorial.
Read moreThis Dile Que No is good for learning a hip led Coca-Cola turn and a hip lead Habanero turn, walking on 1-2-3, turning on 5-6-7. Since the move starts with DQN and ends with two times DQN, it is also good for training Dile Que No Inverso, the version of DQN used when the motion is already counter clockwise. The
Read moreThis is another variation of the extraordinary move, I call Yoyoflow. It has characteristic windmill (Molino) arm movements in the Dile Que No at the end. For background information about the move, see my tutorial “Yoyoflow (Coca-Cola Moderno)”. The Video Clip is from a YouTube video labeled “Salsa Intermediate 31.01.12”, Moscow, Russia, 2012. This version is similar to Yoyoflow con
Read moreThis tutorial shows one variation of Yoandy Villaurrutia’s move Coca-Cola Moderno. I have named it Yoyoflow con Habanero because the Follow is unwrapped using first Vacilala and then Habanero twice, walking on 1-2-3 and turning on 5-6-7. For more background information see the tutorial named “Yoyoflow (Coca-Cola Moderno)”. The Video Clip is from a YouTube video named “Salsa Intermediate 0703”,
Read moreThis tutorial shows one variation of Yoandy Villaurrutia’s move Coca-Cola Moderno. I have named it Yoyoflow con Vacilala because the Follow is unwrapped using Vacilala twice, turning on 1-2-3 and walking on 5-6-7. The other variations use the Habanero turn, walking on 1-2-3 and turning on 5-6-7. For more information see the tutorial named “Yoyoflow (Coca-Cola Moderno)”. The Video Clip
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I have named this inspiring “lead her by her hips” move “Yoyoflow” to honour Yoandy Villaurrutia. He created the move 10 years ago and just called it Coca-Cola Moderno, but the move deserves a better name. Since “Yoyoflow” is the nickname of Yoandy, it is also a good name for a sequence of some of his more creative turns. I
Read moreInstead of pushing the Follow’s right shoulder or hip gently as signal to unwrap the first half of Panqué (Siete), the Lead can “push clap” the Follow’s left hand, if she presents it to him like a high-five, inviting him to do so. This variation of Panqué works well as a call in Rueda de Casino, but in some situations
Read moreAs I have said in the tutorial “Cuban Salsa: Panqué (Siete)”, Panqué is a unique move, the only common move in social dancing, except Guapea, always done on the spot, stationary. We do walk, the Lead on the spot and the Follow like a tight half-Vacilala, in and out. Panqué could be regarded as a Guapea Vuelta Doble. Panqué (Siete)
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This tutorial is about the Panqué (Pancake) move, also called Siete (7), a basic figure of just one count of eight. We have more than 20 moves in the Panqué/Siete family. Panqué is unique in the sense that it is the only common move in Cuban Salsa, except Guapea, not done walking. Or rather, it is done stationary, walking on
Read moreThis A Bayamo variation contains a basic figure called “Tornado” or El Túnel (tunnel). “Tornado” is the general term but when the figure is done using the Enchufla method as in this tutorial, it looks more like a tunnel. As I explain in my tutorial “Tornado Variations”, we can do Tornado turns using three different methods: Vacilala, Dile Que No
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This is the Mother of all Shines and works well both in American and Cuban Salsa. Most Cuban Salsa dance schools teach Suzy Q as an easy shine to do when dancing apart after a hand free Vacilala. Suzy Q comes in many variations, but the basic Suzy Q is more than enough for most dancers. If one should add
Read moreThe Boy, Child, El Niño, is one of the better advanced level moves from “Salsa Lovers” DVD 04, from around year 2000. I have found many videos on YouTube with this move. It contains a back-to-back Enchufla Complicado, we also see in the classic “Salsa Racing” move, Siete Loco Complicado and in the Setenta Nuevo move. It is much easier
Read moreThe dictionary translate Arrebata to snatch: “Grasp or seize hastily, eagerly, or suddenly”. In the “Salsa Steps” App, Arrebata is called “punctures”. The general dance term is “flares”. Arrebata on four or on eight can be used in social ono-on-one dancing when dancing apart. It is even possible to use it during normal dancing, to sneak it in here and
Read moreThis shine is the most advanced shine having a name most dancers will recognize. They might not remember the footwork 100%, but they have heard the name before and they recognise the footwork. Italiano is normally done as part of “forward and back” basic steps, but one can also start it directly. It is only for solo dancing, warmup, workout
Read moreThis is a small gimmick, mostly used to impress onlookers for fun. On 5-6-7 the Lead polishes his right foot behind his left leg. One can also polish the left foot on 1-2-3 but that is less common. For the right foot, in my experience, it is best to start already on count four, polish on 5-6 and put the
Read moreThis shine type of move is a common call in Rueda de Casino, and it is often called twice in a row. First “Echeverría”, next “Echeverría con Vuelta”. Echeverría is also popular in ono-2-one social dancing. The Lead or the Follow simply takes the initiative and the partner will come along the second time around. For Echeverría we open up
Read moreThe Goat, El Chivo, was one of the first Qshines I learned, and I use it occasionally in my one-2-one social dancing. In Cuban Salsa we mostly use mini shines that fit in naturally as part of the dance. In Cuban Salsa we rarely have longer sessions with shines when dancing apart, we prefer to go all Cuban and speak
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This is my sixth Masterclass video, Dile Que Sí, the steps, an important variation of Dile Que No to be used in certain situations. For count 1-2-3 Dile Que No and Dile Que Sí are exactly the same. But for Dile Que Sí the Lead regrets that he is going counter clockwise and steps forward again clockwise on 5-6-7. In
Read moreThis figure is not a so-called “A Bayamo” move. Bayamo, a city in Cuba, is just part of the name. Bayamo en Coche means “Bayamo by car”. It’s a figure attributed to Henry Herrera, at least he made it popular by including it on the “Salsa Racing” DVD Vol 5, “Henry Tuns 1”, Miami, Florida, USA, 2002. I have found
Read moreMany of the classic moves used today are attributed to Henry Herrera’s “Salsa Racing” DVDs from 2002, Miami, Florida, USA. I have only found one move with an interesting Alarde section. The move is called En Talla and we find it on “Henry Turns 2”. The move itself is not that exciting, unless you like tight wrestling. En Talla (in
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This is my fifth Masterclass video, Dile Que Sí, the turn, an important call in Rueda de Casino, a handheld Vacilala bringing the Follow into closed position. We have all sorts of confusion, even Guapea has been called Dile Que Si, and almost any move bringing the Follow into closed position. It is important that we have a common Rueda
Read moreThe very popular intermediate move, Montaña, was earlier often called Ochenta, but since Montaña is a much better name, resembling the arm movements of the move, making it much easier to remember, Ochenta, “80”, is free as a name for some other move. I just stumbled upon a brand new move called Ochenta, published three days ago by “Grimaldidance”, Spain,
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This is one of the better figures attributed to Henry Herrera, first published on the “SalsaRacing” DVDs, Vol 3, Advanced level, Miami, Florida, USA, 2002. I have found many YouTube videos with the same move, but Henry Herrera’s original DVD video is still the best. I like Uno Complicado because it is straight forward and easy going with surprises. The
Read moreThe move called El Uno (One) is also called “Cubanita”. It is an important move at improver-intermediate level used by many dance schools. The move is unique because the Lead is behind the back of the Follow for most of the move. Also, the move can go on forever, and it is good for connection. I consider it a “must
Read moreI have renamed one of the two most common versions of Ochenta y Ocho (88) to Ochenta con Lazo, in order to keep the two moves apart, making them easier to learn, remember and use. At the end of Ochenta con Lazo, the Lead holds the Follow’s two hands in his right hand, and places them over the Follow’s head
Read moreWe have many different figures named Ochenta y Ocho (88). Ochenta figures normally starts with right to right handhold like Sombrero, but there is a tendency to use the Sombrero name instead of Ochenta, making the figures easier to remember. For that reason, the “Ochenta” family of moves is rather small. Most of the figures named Ochenta y Ocho are
Read moreA short time ago I stumbled upon an extraordinary Cuban Salsa video from some workshop with Ruben Rodriguez, 2015. I find that the video is very inspiring for its relaxed social dance style and for a couple of details in the excecution of well known moves. I like that the relaxed style of Ruben Rodriguez is based on natural walking
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I am proud to announce that I have uploaded a new masterclass video to my SalsaSelfie YouTube Channel, “Hammerlock – Setenta”. It sounds like an easy subject but it isn’t. The video addresses some of the most fundamental and difficult problems and challenges of Cuban Salsa
Read moreThis is a great move attributed to Henry Herrera, at least he made the move popular by including it on his “Salsa Racing DVD Vol 5 Henry Turns 1” way back around year 2000. I have found many YouTube videos with this move: it is a long, elegant, advanced, two handed combination. The “Al Derecha y al Revés” Complicado, “to
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This great move is attributed to Henry Herrera, “Salsa Racing DVD Vol 5 Henry Turns 1”, just like so many other moves we use today. Henry created or made more than 10 good Complicados popular. I use many of them Video 1 is from Dobromir Montauk, Krakow, Poland, 2012. Miami style just like the original video below. Candado Complicado (Salsa
Read moreThe name Candado means Padlock. The origin of the name has been forgotten, or I just don’t see the light. Candado comes with a couple of variations and with two very different endings. The shortest version of the move starts with a two handed Enchufla Doble, the Lead’s right hand held low. Next a two handed Enchufla, and on 5-6-7
Read moreThis is a useful, long, two handed figure, quite common with many videos found. Kentucky Complicado consists of three sections: 1) Kentucky, 2) Lazo Complicado, 3) Kentucky. This setup makes the move very versatile. One can just do the Kentucky, or one can prolong it and prolong it even more, or one can start with Lazo Complicado and end with
Read moreA very popular “standard” move learned at improvers level. The origin of the Kentucky name seems to have been forgotten but everyone calls the move Kentucky, and we all do the move the same way. So far so good. The Kentucky move is important because it has a different look and feel than the majority of moves typically starting with
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I am proud to announce that I have uploaded my third YouTube video in my Masterclass series: “Enchufla Continuado”. The video naturally has a lot of overlap with my blogpost Cuban Salsa: Enchufla Continuado.
Read moreMany or most Rueda callers use Dame Directo a handful of times in each Rueda. For Dame Una, the Lead goes to the first Follow behind his back, that is opposite of the direction his facing and opposite of the direction the Rueda is moving. For Dame Directo, the Lead goes directly to the next Follow in the direction he
Read moreThe La Babosa in this blogpost is a creative adaption for social dancing of a well known move in Rueda de Casino, a genuine Rueda move, requiring at least two pairs of dancers. With a little ingenuity one couple can do the whole move. I like that the new move is both easy going and interesting. A good move to
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The short and highly recommended Rueda move, La Babosa, means “slug” in Spanish, a group of slimy snails without shells. I don’t see an obvious reason for the “slug” figure name except that Babosa is also Spanish slang for “fool”, “idiot”. That is true from the Follow’s view point: the Lead is an idiot, curling her in just to pass
Read moreThe Rueda call Dame Una is the most common call in Rueda de Casino. It means “Give me one“, that is “Give me a new partner”, the next in line. The call Dame Una can be used repeatedly or after one or more figures, or as a way to end some figures. Dar is the Spanish verb for “to give”.
Read moreThe move, Juana la Cubana, is one of the most popular intermediate Cuban Salsa moves. A classic. As a beginner, I learned it in three different dance schools in Copenhagen, and the number of videos found on YouTube bear witness to its popularity. Juana la Cubana is not one of the easiest moves, and many intermediate Leads, having just learned
Read moreFinally! I am blooming as a social Bachata Sensual dancer. I did it! Suddenly I have that fantastic feeling of being able to cater for any Follow at beginner, intermediate and advanced level. That I can give almost anyone a good, solid dance above average, and that bad dances are mostly history. So what has happened? I have described my
Read moreThe move Enchufla Continuado is one of the most important basic figures of Cuban Salsa. Why? Because more than 90% of moves in Cuban Salsa are clockwise. Most dancers only have Dile Que No, and the Coca-Cola left turn to go contra, counter clockwise, most often just for one count of eight. Many Leads also use Rodeo Inverso, Coca-Cola turns
Read moreMontaña (mountain) is a great intermediate move. For a long time I used it in each and every social dance, and I still use it a lot. All dance schools should teach this dynamic move with a lot of small details to fine tune. It really is a signature move of Cuban Salsa. Montaña is the proper name for a
Read moreGuapea (handsome, looks good) is one of the very first figures we learn at the dance school, and it is often called the basic steps of Casino, of Cuban Salsa, but that is flat wrong. It is not uncommon to have a whole social dance at advanced level without a single Guapea. Compare that to the “forward and back” Salsa
Read moreLa Cuadra has different meanings like block, stable, barracks. I am not sure of what translation makes most sense for a name of a move. The La Cuadra move is a typical complicado with several elements we know from other complicados. There are surprisingly many videos out there, so it must be quite popular. La Cuadra comes with two alternative
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