Salsa (known as Casino within Cuba) evolved in the late 1950s in different casinos and social clubs in Havana. Known as Casinos Deportivos, these venues sponsored dances with live orchestras

As a result of cultural cross-pollination, Salsa emerged as a fusion of Cuban Son and Rumba and the hot rock'n'roll moves US visitors demonstrated whilst on their travels. Alongside this new dance style, 'La Rueda' (literally 'the wheel') developed: also known as Rueda de Casino, Rueda Casino or just Rueda.

Rueda is a progressive circle of dancing with numerous moves called or signalled by a leader in quick succession. A unique level of awareness is developed by dancers as they open their sphere of awareness and peripheral vision beyond the normal limitations of solo or partner dancing. A successful rueda is dependent on dancers coordinating and adjusting their individual feel, timing and style to keep the wheel flowing smoothly and in unison.

Check out the cheat sheets for each level and learn a bit of Spanish at the same time...