Hey Slane, as a fellow dancer exploring the vibrant world of salsa, particularly Dance Cubana (or Casino as many enthusiasts call it), I wanted to share my journey and why I wholeheartedly embraced this style, even when LA salsa seemed like the easier path.
Like you, I found myself at a crossroads after six months of classes in both Cuban and LA styles. The decision to dive into Dance Cubana wasn’t just a whim; it was a conscious choice driven by several compelling factors, resonating deeply with the same reasons that seem to draw you in. And yes, the infectious music of Casino played a significant role in tipping the scales for me too!
However, let’s address a crucial point for anyone venturing into Dance Cubana: community. This style thrives on social dancing and a vibrant scene. You need a certain “critical mass” of dancers to truly immerse yourself and avoid feeling isolated. Think about how large you want your dance circle to be and how many nights a week you envision yourself on the dance floor. While you can always bring the Cuban flavor to linear salsa events with a group of “casineros,” it’s worth noting that in your initial years, dancing with slot-style dancers might present a bit of a learning curve.
Now, let’s talk about learning curves. Many, including myself, argue that Dance Cubana is actually more accessible for beginners. Its core foundation rests on the follower’s continuous forward movement. Once this fundamental concept clicks, the learning process accelerates remarkably. The challenge, however, can be inconsistent teaching. Not all instructors emphasize this forward movement or consistently apply proper technique. But here’s a tip that helped me immensely: focus on keeping the follower stepping forward and understand the logic of this forward flow in the lead. Even without perfect instruction, grasping this principle can significantly propel your progress in Dance Cubana.
In contrast, linear styles like LA salsa, in my experience, lack this kind of universal guiding principle. They operate on a more complex set of rules that can take longer to internalize. Ultimately, mastering both styles is absolutely achievable, but it’s crucial to treat them as distinct dance forms. Be mindful of each style’s unique mechanics, even as you potentially blend elements later on.
Confusion is a natural part of learning any dance, and yes, you’ll encounter confusing aspects when learning Dance Cubana. However, surprisingly, salsa experience, even linear salsa, can actually accelerate your Casino learning. While the mechanics differ, the underlying principles of turns and movement are fundamentally similar. There are only two directions to turn, left and right! Timing and feel will vary, but the foundational movements share common ground. Despite this overlap, I strongly recommend starting fresh with Dance Cubana. Begin at the basics and progress methodically rather than skipping levels, which might lead you to miss crucial nuances.
When transitioning to Dance Cubana, keep these two key points in mind: 1) Maintain follower movement: This doesn’t mean constantly circling the floor, but remember that the dance is built upon the follower’s forward momentum, which you, as the leader, direct. Even the basic “guapea” involves the follower moving forward, being redirected, and stepping back. What linear salsa calls an outside turn becomes a circular movement in Casino, guiding your partner around you. 2) Avoid linear tension in your lead: You’ll need to learn a different way to move your partner – by redirecting their forward momentum during patterns, rather than initiating and halting linear movement. Forget the “break forward” you might be used to. Dance Cubana develops more gradually, building dynamism as you harness the follower’s momentum. Don’t expect instant, on-the-spot action.
Finally, my personal advice, especially if you’re considering both styles, is to start with Dance Cubana. Dancers, particularly men, who begin with linear salsa often struggle to fully embrace the walking and flowing aspects of Casino. They tend to overlay linear moves, which only partially work in the Cuban context. It’s easier to learn the forward movement and then adapt to less movement, than to learn everything linearly and then try to incorporate forward flow.
So, embrace Dance Cubana, immerse yourself in the music, and get ready to discover a dance style that’s both exhilarating and deeply rewarding. You might just find, like I did, that it’s the perfect fit for your dance journey.
