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Cuban Salsa

Cuban salsa, often called Casino in Cuba, is a vibrant, circular style of salsa that feels very different from the linear, slot‑based styles many people learn elsewhere. It’s social, playful, and rooted deeply in Afro‑Cuban music and movement traditions.

 

What Cuban Salsa Is

Cuban salsa is a partner dance that developed in Havana in the 1950s and 60s, growing out of son, rumba, and other Afro‑Cuban dances. It’s danced to Cuban salsa music (timba, son, salsa cubana), which has a strong rhythmic drive and lots of call‑and‑response energy.
 

Why people love Cuban Salsa

It’s social, energetic, and feels like a celebration. Many dancers say it feels less like “performing” and more like “playing” with your partner and the music.

Movement, Connection, Music

Key Characteristics

Circular movement: Partners move around each other in a flowing circle rather than in a straight line.
Body movement: Strong emphasis on torso, shoulders, and hip motion influenced by Afro‑Cuban rumba and orishas.
Playfulness: Lots of improvisation, teasing, and rhythmic interpretation.
Connection to the music: Dancers respond to breaks, percussion accents, and vocal cues in the music.
Rueda de Casino: A group form where couples dance in a circle and execute moves called by a leader—fun, fast, and communal.

How It Differs From Other Salsa Styles

Here’s a quick comparison to help you see the contrasts.

1. Movement Pattern​​​​​​​​​​

  • ​Cuban: Circular, partners rotate around each other.

  • LA: Linear "slot" style, sharp lines, flashy.

  • NY: Linear, smooth, rhythmically tied to the conga.

2. Musical Interpretation

  • Cuban: Follows the groove of timba/son; lots of rhythmic play.

  • LA/NY: Strong emphasis on phrasing, breaks, and clean timing.

3. Body Movement

  • Cuban: Heavy Afro-Cuban influence - rumba, orisha movements, grounded steps.

  • LA/NY: More influenced by jazz, ballroom, and show-style movement.

4. Partner Connection

  • Cuban: More circular tension-and-release connection.

  • LA/NY: More linear tension, with spins and dips emphasized.

5. Styling

  • Cuban: Earthy, rhythmic, expressive.

  • LA: Flashy, performance-oriented.

  • NY: Elegant, smooth, musical.

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