In the Community
Social Events
DC Casineros hosts multiple Cuban dance events throughout the year, including our monthly Cuban Dance Socials and the Art on 8th Series in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C. For more information regarding our dance social events, click on the links below:
Dance Performance
Since 2005, DC Casineros has donated hundreds of hours to performing in various communities in DC. Our Rueda de Casino shows excite audiences and our interactive workshops get people moving synchronously and joyfully together. We also share the history of popular Cuban dance and music. Some of our past community work includes:
- Cherry Blossom Festival 2013
- Adams Morgan Day 2005-2012
- Mt Pleasant Day 2005-2011
- Get Fresh Health Festival 2006-2007
- African Liberation Day at the Carlos Rosario School, 2008
- Cinco de Mayo Festival 2006 and 2008
- Columbia Heights Neighborhood Festival 2011
School and University Performances
DC Casineros has performed at over 15 schools in the DC Metropolitan area, along with leading lecture demonstrations on the history of Cuban music and dance. Past school performances include: The George Washington University, Georgetown University, University of DC, Sandy Spring Friends School, Woodrow Wilson High School, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, and Bell Multicultural High School.
If you are interested in having DC Casineros perform at your event or venue, please visit our Hire Us page.
Educational Presentations
Adrian Valdivia presents his research on Cuban music and dance through PowerPoint and lecture. He is an expert on the development of Cuban popular music in the 20th century. If you are interested in bringing an intellectual presentation to you event, Contact Us.
Rueda Therapy and Team Building
Amanda Gill completed her MA dissertation “Bailamos! An Evaluation of Cuban Salsa as a Means of Transforming Staff-Patient Relations in a Psychiatric Hospital Unit” in 2011( in Boston, MA). The findings show that a Rueda dance therapy program increases employees’ levels of zest and empathy in the workplace, and increases positive interactions among participants.
Rueda therapy can be done with 4-20 participants, for 30 minutes to 1 hour. It consists of three parts:
- Opener (Body scan, movement in the three planes, mirroring of other group members’ movements),
- Theme (Salsa dance step instruction and group dance),
- Closure (Verbal sharing and symbolic movement to end).
Rueda therapy can be done with employees in health care, school, and corporate settings, with students in schools and community centers, and in treatment sites with clients and/or staff. If you are interested in bringing Rueda therapy to your community, Contact Us.