Cuban Salsa
(Salsa Cubana)
The Dance of Casino & Rueda de Casino
What is Cuban Salsa?
Cuban salsa, or “salsa cubana” in Spanish, is now the common name for the dances of “casino” and “rueda de casino” that developed in Havana in the 1950s.
Although the name “salsa” didn’t exist until the 1970s, when Fania Records started using the name in New York, it has become the commercial umbrella term for casino and rueda de casino and the most common way to refer to these dances for people outside the culture.
Two ways to dance it
Casino: when it’s danced as a single couple
Rueda de casino: when danced in a circle called a rueda (meaning “wheel” in Spanish), with two or more couples, where one dancer spontaneously calls out the moves and everyone does them together.
The dance’s original format was the rueda.
What makes Cuban salsa different than other styles of salsa?
The casino basic step: “guapea”
Originally used in rueda de casino, a defining basic step of this salsa cubana style is called “guapea.” It’s significantly different than the basic step used in other styles of salsa.
In the guapea basic, partner’s mirror each other and start by holding a single hand. The first step is on the spot, then forward, and then a slight pivot towards one another as the feet come together. Then step toward your partner and push against their hand before stepping back to the start position and closing your feet. Here’s a video:
The structure and timing
Cuban salsa vs linear salsa: unlike linear style salsa that mainly uses a back and forth slot structure, salsa cubana (casino and rueda de casino) are rotational dances, where the dancers walk in a circle as they do their turn patterns, squaring up to their partner as they do them.
Cuban salsa vs Colombian style salsa: both styles use a rotational structure but the main difference between them is that while Colombian style salsa focuses on fast footwork and simple turn patterns, Cuban style salsa focuses on walking in a circle and doing rotational turn patterns, often tying partner’s arms up into knots that must be then untied.
Cuban salsa timing: casino was originally danced contratiempo to beats 234-678. This timing comes from the dance of the Cuban son, casino’s principal influence. These days casino is most commonly danced on 1 to beats 123-567, but it can be danced to any timing.
Stepping forward
Another factor that distinguishes casino from linear style salsa is its original emphasis on stepping forward. Cubans who are strict about how this dance should be done will tell you that you never step backwards in casino – always step forward. That said, you can also find Cubans who step on the spot or even backwards on their break steps.
With time, it’s clear casino dancing is evolving to be more accepting of back steps. But, if you’d like to emphasize its original style and make your Cuban salsa dancing stand out, you can emphasize that rule: always step forward when you dance casino. It gives the dance a different look and feel to its salsa cousins.
The rueda format
Cuban salsa is the only style of salsa to have a group format called a rueda, meaning “wheel” in Spanish. A rueda must have at least two couples and the current Guiness world record was set with a total of 1,585 people in Venezuela in 2022.
Most rueda moves are fairly standard but it’s common for rueda groups from different areas to have their own variations of moves or to completely invent some of their own.
In the rueda format, two or more couples gather in a circle and a caller, one of the dancers, spontaneously calls out moves (in Spanish) that everyone must execute together, often while changing partners. It’s super fun and I highly recommend trying it when you get the chance. Ruedas are always about having fun. It doesn’t matter if you forget a move or screw up, just laugh it off and keep going!
Less technical, less competitive
In my opinion the focus of cuban salsa is really on having fun. Because of its rotational structure dancing casino feels less technical than linear style salsa, and I’d argue that its much easier to get started with. There’s more room for error and you can still make things happen.
Although there can be rueda categories in some competitions, it’s not common to see casino or rueda de casino in the competitions. The focus of salsa cubana continues to be social, with lots of yelling, laughing and plenty of gyrating hips.
The Origins and Influences of Casino
The dance of casino (often called Cuban style salsa) started in the 1950s in recreational societies (sociedades de recreo), clubs, and ballrooms, often called “Casinos” in Cuba. It’s no surprise where its name came from.
Casino was first danced in the rueda format, as people at the casinos came together in large groups to dance, and then at some point people began dancing casino as a single couple.
Casino’s most direct influences are the Cuban dances of son and chachachá, while also taking some inspiration from the Cuban danzón and jive from the US. Cuban mambo didn’t have a significant influence on casino, with the exception of the well known mambo tap step.
Danzón
Chachachá
Son
Casino: couple format
Rueda de casino: the original format
After watching and dancing some Cuban son, it’s clear that casino has directly evolved from it.
What’s the correct name, Cuban salsa or casino?
The original name of the dance is “casino” and “rueda de casino.”
Avoid the names “salsa rueda,” “casino rueda” and “salsa casino” as they’re incorrect.
The commercial term “Cuban salsa” became popular once “salsa” came out of New York in the 1970s. Although it’s not the correct term for the original dance, Cuban salsa or salsa cubana are the most commonly used terms, especially for cultural outsiders.
Some dancers say that by calling casino “cuban salsa” it gives them creative liberty to continue evolving the dance, instead of adhering to a strict template of how Cubans originally danced it. Others strongly disagree and think its history is being stripped away.
My personal thoughts are this:
- For something to be preserved it must spread. The label “Cuban salsa” helps with that.
- Once someone is learning the art form, you can educate them on its history.
- The roots of the dances (New York mambo and Cuban casino) are the same (Cuban son). Each evolved and now falls under the “salsa” umbrella:
- In the 1970s, “salsa” became the umbrella term used for these musical rhythms and dances.
- In New York, Cuban son music mixed with mambo and other influences to evolve into “salsa” music.
- The New York mambo dance also evolved and people called it “salsa” dancing.
- In Cuba, Los Van Van took son music, added a drum kit and US influences like R&B and Funk, and created the genre called songo, which led to another called timba. Non-cubans called this music “Cuban salsa.”
- Casino is now danced to songo and timba music, so naturally it’s being called “Cuban salsa.”
- In the 1970s, “salsa” became the umbrella term used for these musical rhythms and dances.
- Cuban music is some of the most innovative and experimental music out there. It’s continuously evolving, so why can’t the dance?
Commerce and pop-culture will always affect things, whether you like it or not, so I think the way forward is to help the art forms spread and then educate students on their roots and history.
Regardless of what you believe, it’s been a common theme in Latin music and dance, that as something evolves it takes on a new name. Both dances will continue to evolve with globalization and a tide of new artists wanting to innovate.
Other FAQs about salsa cubana
Where is Cuban Salsa danced?
Cuban salsa is now popular all over the world, throughout the Americas, in Europe and some parts of Asia. Certain cities will have stronger communities than others. It depends where teachers have decided to settle and build their communities.
What kind of music do you dance cuban salsa to?
Cuban salsa, aka casino was originally danced to Cuban son music in the 1950s. Once the Cuban rhythms of Songo (1970s) and Timba (late 1980s) developed in Cuba, those genres became the primary music we dance casino to.
Which came first, casino or rueda de casino?
Accoring to Barbara Balbuena’s book “El Casino y La Salsa en Cuba,” rueda de casino was the original format of the dance and it’s not exactly known at what point people began dancing casino as a single couple.
What are some common Cuban salsa moves?
Some common moves or calls you’ll here in rueda de casino are…
- Paséala / Arriba
- Dile que no (also used to switch partners in a rueda)
- Guapea
- Enchufla
- Exhibela
- Vacila
- Kentucky
- Sobrero
- Setenta
- …and many more
Who are some famous Cuban salsa musicians?
The musical genres often called “Cuban salsa” or “salsa cubana” are actually called songo and timba. Some famous Cuban groups that play this music are:
- Juan Formell y Los Van Van (creators of songo)
- Irakere
- NG la banda (creators of timba)
- La Charanga Habanera
- Manolín “El Médico de la salsa”
- Paulito FG
- Manolito y su Trabuco
- Bamboleo
- Klímax
- Bakuleye
- Elito Revé y su Charangón
- Havana D’Primera
- El Niño y La Verdad
Who are some famous Cuban salsa dancers?
Just a few names, not a complete list:
- Alberto Valdes
- Maykel Fonts
- Yanet Fuentes
- Alien Ramirez
- Jorge and Indira
- Wilmer and Maria
What are some Cuban salsa congresses and festivals?
- International Cuban Dance Festival (Havana)
- AloCubano (various locations)
Many congresses have Cuban artists and workshops, but I don’t have a strong knowledge at the moment of which are Cuban-focused.
Can beginners learn Cuban salsa aka casino?
100%! Salsa cubana is one of the easier styles of salsa to learn as a beginner. It’s super fun and social because you can also dance it in a group format called rueda de casino – a big circle with a bunch of other couples. It’s how I started dancing salsa and I highly recommend learning to dance casino.