The Dance
SALSAtlanta is a group dedicated to dancing a particular style of Salsa known as Rueda de Casino. This dance originated during the late 1940's and the 1950's in Havana Cuba, takes its name after the venues where people used to gather to dance. It is said that the style was originated in El Casino de La Playa, and El Casino Deportivo. Prior to the Revolution, Havana was the capital of the entertainment, nightlife, and great music. Dancers gathered in the casinos to dance to the rhythms of Benny Moré:, Arsenio Rodríguez, Cachao (creator of Mambo), Enrique Jorrín (creator of Cha-Cha-Chá), Orquesta Aragón, just to name few. Salsa music, as heard today, owes its roots to these legends.
This dance evolved in Cuba-- and later, Miami, with Cuban emigrants who brought their music and customs to the United States-- into breathtaking combinations of spins and footwork. One couple may dance the steps alone, but the dance is best viewed with several couples dancing in a circle. One person calls the name of a step, and all the couples execute the step at the same time, frequently changing partners around the circle. This is how the name "Rueda" [Roo ay dah] developed, which means 'wheel' in Spanish. The result is a fast paced, beautifully synchronized, exciting dance.
The Group
Julián Mejía
studied Rueda-style Salsa in Miami, where Casino Salsa is king. He began
teaching Casino-style Salsa when he moved to Atlanta in July of 1999;
SALSAtlanta grew out of these classes. Julián now conducts classes
in all levels: from a basic beginners class for individuals who may never
have danced before, to a fast-paced advanced class. Over 1500 people have
attended his classes and workshops within the past year.
The instructors for these classes have formed an
exhibition group and are available to perform at events. These
dancers specialize in executing the complicated patterns of Casino
Salsa in the traditional Cuban style. Some of our recent performances
include:
You
might need to download Quicktime free version to see these videos.
- Midtown Music Festival, - Download
a video.mpg
file - 2.5MB
- opening performers for the Bamboleo concert at the Atlanta
Symphony Hall, - Download a video.mpg
file - 1.74MB
- Dia de La Mujer, a fundraising event for cancer awareness
in the Latin community. (Día de la Mujer Latina) - Download
a video.mov file -
1.74MB
- WCLK Gala Anniversary
- First Latino Youth Leadership Conference
- Latin American Film Festival - High Museum
- Latin Soul Cabaret
- US Postal Office Family appreciation day
- Underground Atlanta "Lights in the Heart of the City"
- Festival of Trees
- Salsa in the City
- Caribbean and Latin Awards, Atlanta Mayor's Office
- Fade to Black, Decatur
- Salsa Workshop at GA Tech
- Fox 5, Good day Atlanta
- Latin Fever, Decubriendo las Américas by LAA
- Hispanic Heritage at Underground Atlanta
- Hands on Atlanta - photos
and many more public and private events.
Our shows can be tailored to the needs of the event coordinator
and range from 15 minutes to several 30-minute shows. Our performing
group consists of four adult couples. We can bring our own recorded
music and have also performed to the music of a live band. We
can coordinate interaction with the audience during the exhibitions.
Whether we involve the audience or not our performances always
leave everyone moving their hips. For more information or bookings
the group, please contact:
