Victoria instructor Ghada Youssef teaches Cuban salsa shines in Vancouver tonight
Victoria salsa instructor Ghada Youssef is in Vancouver on Saturday, November 14, to teach a one-hour workshop on Cuban-style salsa shines, followed by a two-hour social dance hosted by Rueda de la Vida at Anomaly Studios in Mount Pleasant.
Footwork without a partner
Shines are the solo footwork sequences salsa dancers perform apart from their partner, and they are where a dancer's style tends to show most. Youssef's class, titled "Salsa Shines: Cuban Flavour," teaches one combination that blends salsa with steps drawn from other Cuban dances, including rumba and son. It is danced on the first beat of the bar, known among dancers as "on 1."
Because shines are danced alone, no partner is needed. The workshop is open to all levels.
- When: Saturday, November 14, 7 to 8 p.m.
- Where: Anomaly Studios, 76 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver
- Cost: $18
- Tickets: dancefloor.social
A Cuban social afterwards
The studio then opens for a social from 8 to 10 p.m., with music built around timba, son and rueda de casino, the Cuban circle dance in which couples swap partners on a caller's signal. The social is open to all levels, and dancers can attend it without taking the workshop.
- When: Saturday, November 14, 8 to 10 p.m.
- Where: Anomaly Studios, same location
- Cost: $10 in advance online, $15 at the door
- Tickets: dancefloor.social
Organizers say dancers are welcome to come alone or with friends. More information is available at ruedadance.org.
Source: Rueda de la Vida event announcement.