Wed 20 Aug 2025 - Level 1: Vacila, Level 2: Bayamo Variations

This week's website update is the 2nd week with our new format We're putting up videos for the new moves a week ahead of time. This way you can watch the video & practice before class!

In this week's class, level 1 will do Vacílala and Vacílala con Mano, while level 2 will learn two new moves that are variations on what we learned last time: A Bayamo. The 2 new moves are Bayamo Por Abajo and Bayamo Por Matanzas. Both levels will review all moves from previous weeks as always.

Looking forward to dancing with you all Weds 20 Aug!

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 - Bayamo Por Abajo & Bayamo Por Matanzas

Bayamo Por Abajo: You'll see this move starts out just like regular Bayamo (with a half/one-handed Sombrero.) In the middle of the 3rd 8-count (before the follower comes back around in front of lead, the lead ducks his head under. The move ends with Sombrero like regular Bayamo.

Bayamo Por Matanzas: Matanzas is another town in Cuba, just like Bayamo is a town in Cuba. This move starts out like regular Bayamo but ends with a barrel roll! Very fun to do and challenging to learn the proper technique to make that barrel roll feel easy for both partners.

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.