Cuban Dance for Older Adults
Since 2017, My People Tell Stories has offered classes in Cuban dance to older adults through a variety of programs at senior centers, churches, and fitness centers. Subscribe to our email list, or contact us at hello@mypeopletellstories.com, to learn more about our dance programs for older adults.
Hansell Echualaibode (far right) teaches Afro-Cuban dance to members of the Remsen Neighborhood Senior Center in East Flatbush, Brooklyn in 2019 as part of the Cuban Song & Dance program created and facilitated by Dr. Danielle Brown (far left). The program was made possible by public funds from the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, both administered in Kings County by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).
Shore Hill Older Adult Center
Dr. Danielle Brown was awarded a 2024 SU-CASA residency, where she taught Cuban rueda de casino at the Shore Hill Older Adult Center (OAC) in Bayridge, Brooklyn. Although many of the participants spoke Chinese, and little English, everyone was able to communicate through dance! In six weeks, participants learned four basic steps in casino, as well as four additional moves that could be performed during the rueda. The program culminated with a Cuban Dance Fiesta, where seniors demonstrated what they learned. To make sure that everyone understood the historical and cultural roots of the music, programs for the event were written in both English and Chinese. After the performance, participants enjoyed a lunch of traditional Cuban food!
Dr. Danielle Brown and participants perform a line dance where they demonstrate some basic steps.
Rueda de casino—or simply, rueda—is a style of dance that developed in the casinos (or clubs) in Cuba during the first half of the 20th century. Casino became the name for a style of partnered dance that is also referred to as Cuban salsa. In rueda (Spanish for “wheel”), several pairs of dancers come together forming a circle or “wheel” while simultaneously performing steps based on the instructions of a leader who calls out each move.
Participants warming up at the start of class.
Dancing rueda de casino.
Performing at our Cuban Dance Fiesta!
SU-CASA is a collaboration among the New York City Council, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Department for the Aging and the City's five local arts councils. This program is supported by public funds from the New York City Council in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department for the Aging.