Build on your fundamental Salsa and Rueda de Casino skills with these fun-filled one-hour classes. Step-by-step, you will develop a large repertoire of dance moves, up-skill your techniques, and gain better body movement and footwork.

Salsa has its music and dance origins in Cuba and your teacher is none other than New Zealand’s master of Cuban dance, Isbert ‘Vivio’ Ramos Mediaceja, who has trained 1,000s of dance students around the South Pacific region, and at least a dozen teachers. With more than 40 years experience, Vivio teaches an authentic down-to-earth style that is inclusive of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, bringing his infectious energy into each class.

WHO ARE THESE CLASSES DESIGNED FOR?

— If you've completed The Cuban Groove's Salsa & Rueda for Beginners & Improvers classes and want to jump to the next level, or;

— You are a Linear Salsa students who wantS to learn Cuban-style Salsa, correctly known as Casino or;

— You're an Intermediate/Advanced student who hasn't danced for a while, or you have come from another dance school and want to brush up on Vivio's moves before joining the Advanced class, or:

— You're an advanced dance student who wants to go slower, break the moves down, and focus on improving and perfecting particular elements of your dancing.

— You're an Advanced dancer who wants to learn the opposite position as a Leader or Follower.

NB: No partners are needed but feel free to bring a partner, family or friends.

We welcome you on this exciting dancing adventure and to our dance community!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DATE & TIME: WEDNESDAYS 7.30pm (NB: there are no classes on 31 July). We also run Salsa and Rueda classes for Beginners at 6.30pm and for Advanced level dancers at 8.30pm.

LOCATION: Lecture Hall, Grey Lynn Library, 474 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland.

PARKING: There is free off-street parking in front of the hall.

PRICES:
$25 — Casual class

$84 — 4 classes concession card ($21 per class, save $16)

$160 — 8 classes concession card($20 per class, save $40)

$228 — 12 classes concession card ($19, save $72)

HOW TO BOOK CLASSES: Book online tickets via the Tickets link or message Justine directly for details, or email cubanos@gmail.com. We will give you your concession card on the night.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO DANCE CLASS?

Be as relaxed or as stylish as you want as long as you feel comfortable. As an indicator, many students tend to wear flat-soled sneakers, stretchy or loose jeans/ trousers, or leggings; and t-shirts or singlets, but come in whatever makes you feel good!

WHAT TO BRING: Bring a water bottle and a gym towel.

FACILITIES: The polished timber dance floor is perfect for dancing. There is a kitchen on site to top up your water bottle. There are toilets available inside the hall.

FOR MORE INFO: Scroll down for the Frequently Asked Questions below or, if you have any questions, please contact us via The Cuban Groove's Facebook or Instagram pages, or email cubanos@gmail.com.

STAY UP-TO-DATE:
To be kept up-to-date about classes and forthcoming events, make sure to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow’ The Cuban Groove's Facebook and Instagram pages (type @cubangroove into your internet browser window if you can’t find us). Also, for direct up-to-the-minute info, please ask to join our Messenger and WhatsApp groups.

SCROLL BELOW TO SEE IMAGES OF A FEW OF THE FUN DANCE EVENTS WE DO.

Vivio dancing Rueda de Casino with his students

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FAQs

WHO IS MY TEACHER?

Vivio trained under numerous masters of dance in Havana and is a pioneer of Cuban music and dance in New Zealand. He has taught 1,000s of students and more than a dozen teachers since he settled in Aotearoa in 2002, and is the only formally trained Cuban dance teacher in Auckland.

Vivio first learnt to dance in his hometown Guantanamo City at a young age, before being selected at aged 11 to learn ballet, contemporary and Cuban folkloric dances at the prestigious National School of Performing Arts (ENA) in Havana. After graduating seven years later, Vivio worked as a professional dancer for 21 years, including principal dancer for leading companies like Danza Contemporánea de Cuba and Ballet de Camagüey, where he performed and choreographed famous shows, including Lady Salsa, that toured all over the world.

Vivio loves to share his dance knowledge and passion with his students and is supported by his partner Justine and other senior students in helping you on your dancing journey. They are all passionate about teaching authentic Cuban dances, whatever your level, giving you a broad dancing experience.

WHERE CAN I GO SOCIAL DANCING?

There are regular Salsa social nights held around Auckland and The Cuban Groove organises workshops, classes, and performances at parties, events and festivals around New Zealand. Find out more by Liking or Following us on Facebook and Instagram —@thecubangroove

Our bands Ke lo Ke and Vivio & Friends perform beautiful Cuban rhythms perfect for dancing, so check them out too — @kelokeband.

WHAT IF I'VE LEARNT SALSA OR RUEDA ELSEWHERE OR A LONG TIME AGO?

If you are new to The Cuban Groove, depending on your previous experience, we recommend that you contact us to discuss which level will suit you.

CAN I LEARN TO DANCE PRIVATELY / GET PRIVATE CLASSES?

Yes! Private tuition with Vivio is a great way to fast-track your learning, clean up your styling and techniques, and more gain confidence on the dance floor, whether you’re an individual or a group. Please contact us for details about private classes via DM or email cubanos@gmail.com

DO YOU TEACH OTHER CUBAN DANCES?
Yes, we run pop-up classes in Rumba, Son, Cha-Cha and Afro-Cuban Orishas dances so contact us for details about the next masterclasses and follow The Cuban Groove on Facebook and Instagram.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CUBAN SALSA AND LINEAR SALSA?

Salsa originated in Cuba from a dance known as Casino, which arose in the 1950s from Cuban Son, Afro-Cuban, Cha-Cha, Mambo before it was adapted and marketed in the US as Salsa. At The Cuban Groove, we teach the funky, down-to-earth Cuban style of Casino — a flowing circular dance that is very different to the LA or NY Salsa typically seen on TV shows, which is danced on a line (linear).

AM I TOO UNCOORDINATED, TOO OLD, OR TOO… TO LEARN TO DANCE?

Learning to dance is a wonderful humbling experience and it’s good to remember that everyone has a different journey into dance. Diversity is the essence of Cuban Salsa and, at The Cuban Groove, we celebrate the uniqueness of our students who come with various dancing abilities. Some start with zero experience while others have trained under experienced teachers for many years. All you need is enthusiasm and commitment and you’ll be dancing in no time.

Well done if you got this far! We hope you will join us for an exciting dancing adventure!

Drop us a line if you have any questions by DM or email cubanos@gmail.com

CHECK OUT THE IMAGES BELOW OF A FEW OF THE FUN DANCES WE GET UP TO!

DANCERS WITH KE LO KE BAND AT PONSONBY SOCIAL CLUB — Dancers doing Rueda de Casino with Ke lo Ke band performing at Ponsonby Social Club, a regular social night of live music and dance.

Our Flashmob Team performed Rueda de Casino in Auckland CBD for International Rueda Day — Our Flashmob Team perform Rueda de Casino in Auckland CBD for International Rueda Day each year.

Vivio performing with Cuban teachers from around New Zealand and Australia at the Aotearoa Cuban Festival — Vivio performing a 'Follow Me' with Cuban teachers from around New Zealand and Australia at the Aotearoa Cuban Festival

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