Kizomba

Kizomba is a style of music, and a beautiful partner dance, developed in Lusophone (Portuguese Speaking) Africa from the late 1980′s to early 90′s. Kizomba music, born as a fusion of African rhythms and Caribbean Zouk, is a romantic genre generally sung in Portuguese. Kizomba’s popularity is growing rapidly in Europe, and other parts of the world.

Kizomba dance is a sensual partner dance that originated from Angola. This slow and rhythmic dance reveals African movement with some tango influenced patterns. It is typically danced in close embrace and focuses on the nuance of body movement.

For novices and experienced dancers alike, Kizomba is a breath of fresh air. The basics are easy to learn, yet, Kizomba is challenging enough to keep anyone dancing it for years. The pleasure of social dancing is available much faster than with other types of partner dances.

We are proud to help introduce Kizomba in Edmonton & Alberta. If you’ve never seen it danced or heard the music, watch a couple of videos online.

Cuban (Casino)

Style Salsa

Cuban Salsa style or Casino is most similar to the original form of salsa rooted in Cuba. It is characterized by Afro Cuban body movement, which includes body isolation of torso and hips. The movement is very circular and partners travel around each other. Casino dancers do not always stay on the first beat and tend to follow the music and will dance more to the music versus staying “on one”.

Rueda de Casino

Style Salsa

Rueda de Casino (Rueda, Casino Rueda, Salsa Rueda) is a particular type of round dancing of Salsa. It was developed in Havana, Cuba in the late 1950’s by the famous group Guaracheros de Regla and one of its main choreographers and creators was Jorge Alfaro from San Miguel del Padrón, a soloist of a “comparsa”. Pairs of dancers form a circle, with dance moves called out by a “caller”. Many of the moves have hand signs to complement the calls that come in handy in noisy venues. Many of the moves involve swapping partners.

The names of the moves (calls) are mostly in Spanish, some in English or Spanglish. The calls may vary depending on where you are dancing Rueda.

A list of Rueda Move descriptions is available on the Salsaddiction WiKi.