La Rueda de Casino is Salsa danced with others in a circle. It was developed in Havana, Cuba in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s by the famous group Guaracheros de Regla.
Pairs of dancers form a circle, with dance moves called out by one person, a caller. Many moves have hand signals to complement the calls; these are useful in noisy venues.
The names of the moves are mostly in Spanish, with some in ‘Spanglish’ Calls may vary from place to place, and often teachers make up calls of their own, to distinguish their La Reuda from others.
Here are some general tips and some of the calls we’ve learned at ‘Durban Salsa’ from the instructors Isaac Lundal and Emmanuel Sowah, plus some of our own research.
General Tips
* Don’t just join un-invited! The La Reuda group is usually gathered before hand by the caller who chooses people who know all the moves and calls they’re going to perform.
* Think small! No big ballroom steps. And keep the circle tight.
* Don’t rush! The whole La Reuda suspends motion on all the ‘slows’ of the ‘quick, quick, slow’ Salsa rhythm.
* Listen and watch! Especially in loud club settings. Most calls have hand signals so keep your eyes on the caller.
* Anyone can call! Learn the calls yourself, gather a group together and get a La Reuda going.
Beginners I
Al Medio, Arriba, Abajo, Pa’Abajo, Exhibela, Exhibela Doble, Dile Que No, Guapea, Dame
Beginners II
Dame Otra, Dame Dos, Dame y no le llegas, Enchufla, Enchufla Doble, Enchufla y no le llegas, Buya, Buya Doble
Beginners III
Enchufla Arriba, Enchufla y Casete, Adios, Siete, Setenta, Salule, Ping Pong, La Pelota
Improvers I
Siete Con Coca Cola, Enchufla Complicado, Infinity, Adios con la Hermana, Vacilala
La Reuda Calls
Getting it Started
P’al medio [Al medio] (to centre)
Arriba (upstream)
Abajo (downstream)
Muevete (Move it!)
Pa’Abajo
Exhibela (exhibit her / show her off) .
Exhibela Doble
Dile que no
Guapea (prep / basic step)
Variations of Dame
Dame una [Dame] (give me one)
Dame otra [Otra] [Esa no me gusta] (give me another)
Dame dos
Variations of Enchufla
Enchufla (plug in / connect)
Enchufla doble
… principe bueno (good prince) (we haven't done this one yet)
… mata la mosquito (kill the mosquito) (we haven't done this one yet)
Enchufla y casate (get married) - enchufla, then arm in arm and walk
Sebido - change direction
Enchufla Arriba - Enchufla but guys go the other way
La Rueda de Casino is Salsa danced with others in a circle. It was developed in Havana, Cuba in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s by the famous group Guaracheros de Regla. 