Some Frequently Asked Questions:
...do I need to bring a partner with me?
Not at all. Just come along on your own (the majority of people do so!!) or with a group of friends and give it a go! Of course, couples are also very welcome, although please note that we will be changing partners during the class. :)
Not at all. Just come along on your own (the majority of people do so!!) or with a group of friends and give it a go! Of course, couples are also very welcome, although please note that we will be changing partners during the class. :)
...I'm a complete beginner and not sure if this is for me?
We have 5 weeks courses for beginners as we believe that one class may not be enough to get an idea of what it feels like to dance casino.
Learning to dance is pretty much like learning a new language: it takes time and practice! However it will become easier and easier in every class. And by the end of a few courses we can guarantee that it will feel much more natural!
We love teaching people with no previous experience of dancing and sharing our passion, so you will be in good hands! Also, some people choose to have private lessons with us to get more confident before signing up for the course.
If you have any questions or concerns about the beginners / foundations class, please message us!
We have 5 weeks courses for beginners as we believe that one class may not be enough to get an idea of what it feels like to dance casino.
Learning to dance is pretty much like learning a new language: it takes time and practice! However it will become easier and easier in every class. And by the end of a few courses we can guarantee that it will feel much more natural!
We love teaching people with no previous experience of dancing and sharing our passion, so you will be in good hands! Also, some people choose to have private lessons with us to get more confident before signing up for the course.
If you have any questions or concerns about the beginners / foundations class, please message us!
...what happens after I complete a foundation course?
We have over 15 different foundation courses, so that every course focuses on different following/leading techniques and we aim to give something new for everyone whether they've come before or not. Depending on your previous experience / exposure to dance and music and skills you may be able to pick the basics quicker, but we'd recommend to start by doing at least one of our foundation courses and seeing how that goes.
Once you are confident with the timing, your foundation basic moves and understanding of the music, the next step we offer is to move onto our rueda de casino group lesson at 7:30pm on Mondays (while keep working on your foundations at the same time).
We have over 15 different foundation courses, so that every course focuses on different following/leading techniques and we aim to give something new for everyone whether they've come before or not. Depending on your previous experience / exposure to dance and music and skills you may be able to pick the basics quicker, but we'd recommend to start by doing at least one of our foundation courses and seeing how that goes.
Once you are confident with the timing, your foundation basic moves and understanding of the music, the next step we offer is to move onto our rueda de casino group lesson at 7:30pm on Mondays (while keep working on your foundations at the same time).
...when do the lessons start?
FOUNDATION COURSES: we run a course for beginners on Mondays and also a separate course on Thursdays. There is a new course starting every month (unless for exeptional cases). Every course is different so you can also choose to join both courses (Mondays AND Thursdays) for faster progress! Note that our courses are in high demand, so we will need to confirm availability first.
RUEDA DE CASINO (for dancers already dancing casino): Lessons run every week unless for exceptional reasons. We have drop-in lessons for rueda de casino on Mondays. If you'd like to join us you can check the "Weekly Lessons" section and email us for more info.
FOUNDATION COURSES: we run a course for beginners on Mondays and also a separate course on Thursdays. There is a new course starting every month (unless for exeptional cases). Every course is different so you can also choose to join both courses (Mondays AND Thursdays) for faster progress! Note that our courses are in high demand, so we will need to confirm availability first.
RUEDA DE CASINO (for dancers already dancing casino): Lessons run every week unless for exceptional reasons. We have drop-in lessons for rueda de casino on Mondays. If you'd like to join us you can check the "Weekly Lessons" section and email us for more info.
...do I have to wear any special shoes or clothes?
As you will see, we don´t usually wear any special shoes or clothes we just tend to wear something comfortable that allows us to move and dance. Ideally, it is better if the outer sole of your shoes is smooth or don't grip to the floor. In the market you can find special dancing shoes with a smooth sole - it´s entirely up to you if you prefer to buy them. We don´t recommend wearing flip flop type sandals in the summer as these can be dangerous or shoes with a sticky sole.
As you will see, we don´t usually wear any special shoes or clothes we just tend to wear something comfortable that allows us to move and dance. Ideally, it is better if the outer sole of your shoes is smooth or don't grip to the floor. In the market you can find special dancing shoes with a smooth sole - it´s entirely up to you if you prefer to buy them. We don´t recommend wearing flip flop type sandals in the summer as these can be dangerous or shoes with a sticky sole.
...are there any car park spaces available?
On Monday there are no car park at the venue, but you can check out the local car parks (like Clarendon Road) as these should be free at the time of the classes. On Thursdays, there is free car park at Carrington School.
On Monday there are no car park at the venue, but you can check out the local car parks (like Clarendon Road) as these should be free at the time of the classes. On Thursdays, there is free car park at Carrington School.
...how much do I have to pay for the lessons?
Check our "WEEKLY LESSONS" page to check our prices for drop-in lessons, vouchers and courses and the special discount for students.
Check our "WEEKLY LESSONS" page to check our prices for drop-in lessons, vouchers and courses and the special discount for students.
...when can I move to the rueda de casino classes?
As we see it, casino dancers and rueda de casino dancers have a different set of skills. In other words: a great casino dancer is not necessarily a good rueda de casino dancer (and the other way around!)
In order to join Havana rueda class, you should be able to recognise the names and master the basic moves in our foundations casino course. By mastering the moves, we include the correct follow/ leading technique, timing (and ideally basic knowledge of music and body movement). In our experience, people may take between 5-8 courses before they move up to rueda, but this can take longer or less time depending on the person!
As we see it, casino dancers and rueda de casino dancers have a different set of skills. In other words: a great casino dancer is not necessarily a good rueda de casino dancer (and the other way around!)
In order to join Havana rueda class, you should be able to recognise the names and master the basic moves in our foundations casino course. By mastering the moves, we include the correct follow/ leading technique, timing (and ideally basic knowledge of music and body movement). In our experience, people may take between 5-8 courses before they move up to rueda, but this can take longer or less time depending on the person!
...I'm intermediate/advanced salsa dancer but I have not danced casino or rueda de casino before. Can I join the Rueda de casino lessons?
Our HAVANA level at 7:30 on Mondays is the best option for you to start if you are a confident salsa dancer in a different style of salsa , you are a quick learner and you want to explore the fun of dancing rueda de casino (group dance). When coming from other styles of salsa, we always recommend to combine that level with our foundation courses on Casino. Please, give us a ring or send us a message to discuss what may work better for you.
Our HAVANA level at 7:30 on Mondays is the best option for you to start if you are a confident salsa dancer in a different style of salsa , you are a quick learner and you want to explore the fun of dancing rueda de casino (group dance). When coming from other styles of salsa, we always recommend to combine that level with our foundation courses on Casino. Please, give us a ring or send us a message to discuss what may work better for you.
...I have danced salsa for a while before but not sure if it was cuban salsa, what level should I go to?
If this is your case and you are fully comfortable with the timing, the rythm and basic steps, we'd recommend you to join our HAVANA rueda de casino at 7:30pm. As per the previous question, we would probably recommend to do our foundations class too if there are spaces. Depending on what is your starting level in Havana at 7:30pm you may be able to join our Santiago level at 8:30pm too. Please contact us so we can have a chat about it!
If this is your case and you are fully comfortable with the timing, the rythm and basic steps, we'd recommend you to join our HAVANA rueda de casino at 7:30pm. As per the previous question, we would probably recommend to do our foundations class too if there are spaces. Depending on what is your starting level in Havana at 7:30pm you may be able to join our Santiago level at 8:30pm too. Please contact us so we can have a chat about it!
