Wed 16 Jul 2025 - Level 1: Enchufe, Level 2: Evelyn, Coca Cola, Tumba Francesa

So much fun dancing again this week! It's lovely seeing everyone enjoying the music and dancing, and getting to know each other over beers as well. Thank you all for bringing your energy!

In level 2 we learned three new moves and in level 1 we learned Enchufe and Enchufe Doble. Both levels reviewed all moves from previous weeks as always.

First, here's a 12-min video for you all to enjoy - some of the foundation of Cuban dance culture from one of the best local dance teachers in LA, Laroye Aña. Scroll down if you want to check out another video from Cuba of the culture & music behind the move Tumba Francesa.

Level 2 - Evelyn, Coca Cola, Tumba Francesa

Evelyn: This is a quick & easy one, but when done well it feels great. It combines moves we already know: the first half of adios followed by a quick hook turn by the lead, and a dile que with the lead using only the right arm.

Coca Cola: A very common move you'll hear called in rueda circles all over the world! The name comes from the way the partners go around each other like ice cubes in your glass of Coke. It's like doing two dame's in a row and it's also similar to the last move Dame Arriba in Espresso. The lead can indicate the move either by putting lead's left hand on follow's right shoulder to turn the follow, or by holding follow's right hand and turning follow that way.

Detailed description (in Spanish):

English:

Tumba Francesa: For this group move, think of the old movies where the lords & ladies of the European royal houses are dancing their fancy dances and handing off from one partner to the next. I guess that's where this move's name comes from! The move starts with an enchufe and it's critical to remember at the end of the enchufe to switch hands: right-to-right. Then the lead goes on the outside of the circle left-to-left with the next partner. Continue weaving with the next partners until the caller ends the move - lead brings that last follow behind and then does an enchufe with that follow, keeping the follow to do dile que no.

(Start at 0:15 of this video)

Another bonus culture & history video! History of the social group and musical style called Tumba Francesa in Cuba. You get to see what Cuba looks like today and the spirit of the Cuban people.

Level 1 - Enchufe & Enchufe Doble

Enchufe: Enchufe (or Enchufla) is one of many rueda moves that involves switching partners. It's also one of the first moves that people learn in Rueda de Casino.

Enchufe Doble: Enchufe Doble is one of the many variations of Enchufe. We'll teach them all!

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.