Wed 7 May 2025 - Level 1: Vacílala, Level 2: Manolin

Another great night of dancing, thanks everyone! We had our usual classes this week after our 5th Wednesday Dance Party last week with no lessons. This week, level 1 learned Vacílala & Vacílala con Mano, while Level 2 learned Manolin & Manolin con Ni P'a Ti, Ni P'a Mi.

Syllabus - Check out the moves for each level!

Dancing to the Beat is Crucial!

Especially for all our leads, it's so important to find the "1" in the music - that's the key to dancing with the beat of the music. Even if you get lost, you find the 1 and then you're back on time with the music.

Listen to the song below by Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor - it has a very strong beat that should be easy for you to find. Clap along with the beat and say (out loud) "One" every time the 1 comes along. Here are the first few lines where I've highlighted the syllable where you'll find the 1:

Cuando tenía diNEro

Ay como me querIa

Y ahora que tengo los bolSIllos pela′os

No se acuerda de que yo EXistía

Cuando tenía diNEro

Cómo me perseGUIa

Y ahora que estoy arranCA'O

Si la miro, me LLAma a la policía

Finding the 1 with Cuando Tenía Dinero:

Level 1 - Vacílala & Vacílala con Mano

Vacílala: Vacílala con Mano is the same as Vacílala - just don't let go of the hands! Many people just say Vacila instead of Vacílala. This move is fundamental to so many of the moves you'll learn in level 2 and beyond such as Sombrero, Setenta, etc. The follow's feet do the same on all those moves. Leads, remember to prep on 7 !

Another Vacila video with rueda circle:

Level 2 - Manolin & Manolin con Ni P'a Ti, Ni P'a Mi

Manolin: This move is named after a famous musician & bandleader from Cuba who has a peculiar dance style. The "pattycake" clapping hands is optional but you'll see it very frequently in rueda circles - it's called Ni P'a Ti, Ni P'a Mi.

Beginners - Welcome! Guapea & Dame are your foundational moves

Guapea: Basic move in rueda (cuban style salsa dancing)

Dame: (Scroll down to see detailed step-by-step video.) Switch partners by lead bringing partner on right over to left. Dame is the same as Dile Que No - dame is what we call in a rueda circle and dile que no is what is done dancing one-on-one.