In our time dancing Rueda de Casino, we have learned that social Rueda has more unsaid rules than what the cantante says. Our opinion on what more people need to know:
Andrea: Do not assume all Ruedas are for all dancers.
There are a few levels to Andrea’s. Un fly, Dame, Enchufla, una bulla, well no one is a stranger to these moves, but as people progress into intermediate, advanced phases they may want to play with more complicated moves. Or, they may be playing with an entire structure you know nothing about. Also, consider how Rueda is not as standardized as we think, there are different techniques and minor changes you may encounter outside your class. This is why it is important to:
- Make sure the partner you bring into a Rueda knows how to dance Rueda. They could be the best follower or leader in the world, but that doesn’t mean they know which direction to go for a dame.
- Be honest with yourself about your skill level and ability. It is okay to mess up and miss a call, it happens, right? If you are struggling to see the caller’s hand signs or hear, it may be better to skip out. Honesty about your skill level is really important when you are traveling. For example, Andrea prefers not to lead in an advanced Rueda when traveling to festivals and weekenders because she knows that her level as a lead may not be up to par with others.
- Before you get in, look at the caller, and see if it is okay for you to join. If they say no or ask you to leave, it’s not personal, just respect it and move on.
Alexa: Please keep the circle a circle.
It probably feels obvious to keep the Rueda a circle, but there’s more to it. When every person isn’t working to keep the circle shape, we have leaders and followers traveling super far for a dile que no. Each couple needs to stay close to the other couples and stay in a Rueda form. Group dance = Group responsibility.
- Every once in a while, we love a big Rueda where we can share a moment with everyone at a festival. But not every Rueda has to be big. It is okay to let a Rueda stay with 2-4 couples. Some people prefer a small Rueda.
- Keeping the size and shape is important in respecting other social dancers as well. Avoid taking up the entire dance floor, because we also want to respect the space of others. By keeping a smaller circle and taking smaller steps we can still give other people room to dance. Alexa has t-rex arms and short legs, so she prefers to stay close by (my shorties can relate I imagine).
- Pay attention to the caller. If you don’t know what is happening, I guarantee the circle is going to get messed up.
Let’s keep the conversation going, and make these the spoken rules of the Rueda.
Bueno…ya tu sabes. 😉
Ya Tu Sabes 