Our MELT at the MRC Series February Offering

4th Saturdays

Heart centered inclusive community exploration and celebration, in a barefoot sacred setting.

Saturday, Feb 28th

We welcome the psychedelic and medicinal Latin sounds of Sonida Mal Maiz

Ecstatic Dance by DJ Domi

Rueda de Casino Class (Salsa) by Phoenix Wyatt

Doors at 6p

Salsa at 6:15p

Circle Up for Cacao at 8p

Mal Maiz 8:30p

DJ Domi 10:15p

Closing 11:30p

$30 advance

$35 day of

No one turned away for lack of funds

Sonido Mal Maïz is a Vermont based musical group that explores the psychedelic side of Latin music, weaving modern and traditional rhythms from Latin America and the Caribbean. The poetic storytelling in the lyrics incorporates the complexity of the myths and legends of Central America and the music emanates a passion and fire that is ignited in their collective heart. With their unique blend of Latin American folk, rock, and psychedelia, Sonido Mal Maïz creates an immersive experience that transports listeners to the vibrant landscapes and rich cultural heritage of south continent. From the lush rain forests of Costa Rica to the majestic Andean highlands, Sonido Mal Maïz's music is a sonic journey that explores the depths of human emotion, spirituality, and connection to the natural world.

DJ Domi, Dominique Peddie, an exciting up and coming ecstatic dance DJ, creates powerful soundscapes for ecstatic states of dance and expression. The crowds at her sets are held with her expansive beats and plays. Western Mass has been gifted with another great talent.

Phoenix Wyatt will be offering a Rueda de Casino Salsa class to start the night off. Rueda de casino (or the “casino wheel”), also known as Cuban salsa, salsa cubana, and salsa rueda, originates from 1950’s Cuba. Experienced social dancers in the casinos began playing with group dynamics in partner dance, trading partners and developing a shared vocabulary of movement and steps. In this class, we will use the 8-count pattern of salsa to explore various moves danced together in the rueda, or circle of dancers. We will develop a shared vocabulary of movement to create improvised group dances together led by one or more “callers.” This game, where dancers not only connect with their individual partners but also collaborate as a group, allows dancers of all levels to come together, explore movement, and honor the history of Cuban casino dancing. Previous experience welcome but none needed! Please bring dance shoes and/or socks.

While Phoenix grew up dancing, they began formally studying rueda de casino at Hampshire College in 2012. In 2013, they traveled to Cuba for the first time, where they studied the technique, history, and social dynamics of rueda de casino. Over the last decade, Phoenix has studied rueda in Western Massachusetts, New York, Havana, and Mexico. They began teaching in 2015 at Dance New England’s Dance Camp, and have held classes for all ages and levels across the northeast. In addition to rueda de casino, Phoenix also teaches Argentine tango and practices contact improvisation.

Raphaela, the class's assistant teacher, fell in love with dance with a start in musical theatre. Later, she found her passion with rueda de casino starting as a student at Dance New England in 2016, and quickly beginning to teach soon after. She has taught rueda de casino with the Salsa Rueda program at DNE (Dance New England), in the Western Mass community, and during her travels in Guatemala and the Bahamas, and has done more intensive training in NYC and Mexico City.

Thank you for joining us for this deep and delicious night of community, culture and connection.

Contact the host of MELT at the MRC: Sonido Mal Maiz, DJ Domi & Phoenix Wyatt