Rueda de Casino is Latin America’s unique style of group formation dancing. It was born in Havana, Cuba during the 1950’s and was danced on streets, in peoples homes and clubs. It came to prominence in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s at a Cuban social club called “El Casino Deportivo”. Here the famous group Guaracherous de Regia and one of its focal choreographers and creators Jorge Alfaro successfully established Rueda de Casino as a recognised dance.
Rueda has become the most exciting and exhilarating form of Latin dance. It remains particularly popular in Cuba and has now attracted passionate enthusiasts around the world. The United States, Australia, Hong kong, Hungary, Israel, Norway, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are amongst those countries embrasing Rueda today
To date Rueda de Casino can be refered to as La Rueda, La Rueda de Casino, Rueda, Casino Rueda, Salsa Rueda, The Cuban Wheel, The Wheel and so on. Paired dancers together form the shape of a circle. Simultaneously dancing Cuban salsa moves to the call of one person. As the calls are made the circle revolves in many directions and paired dancers are constantly swapped. Since its birth in Cuba the names of Rueda moves have differed from town to town and teacher to teacher. The same is said of its journey across the shores. Its diversity and enchanting popularity has now made it the most enjoyable style of Latin dance.