What is Casino Rueda?
During the 1950s, a dance called Casino Rueda, or Rueda de Casino, became popular in Cuba. It started in El Casino Deportivo, a Havana social club. The name "casino" refers to the style of dancing, which involves ordinary salsa turns and steps but in a unique circular or wheel configuration as a group. In rueda the followers are passed around in the circle, the leaders rapidly exchange partners, and numerous complicated moves are performed in synchronization, all to the beat of salsa music. Each move has a name and many have hand signals, which are called by the leader of the rueda. Moves, which are also known as "calls", are called in extremely quick succession, creating a very dynamic and exciting atmosphere for everyone involved. The hand signals are designed so people can dance rueda in a loud club setting. In addition, rueda allows many to take part in the action! As few as two couples and as many as room capacity can dance casino rueda! Sometimes as many as fifty couples dance the Rueda, even in circles within circles!!
A wonderful new group dynamic occurs when dancing casino rueda. There is a unique level of awareness required by the group for the dance to look stylish, to flow smoothly, and above all, to remain entertaining for those dancing and watching! Dancers learn to open their sphere of awareness beyond the normal restricted space of solo or partner dancing. In this way, dancers coordinate and adjust their individual feelings, timing, and style to make rueda work. It is very exciting when the entire rueda is moving smoothly and on beat! A unique group atmosphere develops as you feel the whole rueda flow, listening to the wonderful Afro-Cuban/Latin-American music. It is simply an exciting dance that is fun to do and a pleasure to watch.
What is the MIT Casino Rueda Group?
The MIT Casino Rueda Group was officially recognized in February 2000 by MIT's Association of Student Activities. However, its beginnings date back to the spring of 1999.
Brian A. Purville worked in California during the summer of 1999. During this time he learned casino rueda up to an advanced level. At the same time, William J. Melendez also learned rueda while traveling California and from Brian Purville's teachings. In the meantime, back in Boston, Loreto P. Ansaldo and Aparna M. Das were also learning rueda as part of a local latin dance company. These were the pre-recognition times of the group.
After returning to school in the fall, these three dancers perfected a two couple Rueda to the surprise and delight of many. Soon, the new group began to have informal weekly gatherings at the MacGregor TFL with friends and friends of friends. These gatherings were simply to socialize and practice dancing, including rueda.