Media Resources
SalsAmigos Rueda de Casino Instructional Videos
The trademark elements of SalsAmigos dancing of rueda de casino are the moves “confusion” and “afuera/adentro.” These moves require that all dancers learn equally the “lead” and “follow” parts and that the circle is oriented both to the inside (adentro) and the outside (afuera). These elements are fundamental to maximizing the many benefits of SalsAmigos dancing as articulated by Sam Gill in his 6 lecture series available free on this website.
To support the development of SalsAmigos groups, to provide a resource for aspiring and practicing SalsAmigos teachers, we have developed two 5 video courses that not only teach rueda de casino in the SalsAmigos way, but provide many tips and guides to those who want to teach SalsAmigos dancing.
The first 5 video series is Rueda de Casino Essentials. For those who know the dance this series focuses on all of the moves that do not require the move known as vacila. The bulk of these moves involve extensive circulation among the dancers in the rueda. We will be producing additional videos in this series about one every month or two so that dancers and teachers can continue this form of rueda endlessly. For fuller description of these videos and how to purchase them, click HERE (coming late November 2009).
The second 5 video series is Rueda de Casino Luxury. For those who know the dance this series focuses on move sequences based on the move known as vacila. These moves more often are done by partners in a single couple without an exchange among partners around the circle. These moves are usually integrated with all the moves in the “essentials” dance. We will be producing additional videos in this series about one every month or two so that dancers and teachers can continue dancing rueda always having new material to enjoy. For fuller description of these videos and how to purchase them, click HERE (coming late November 2009).
SalsAmigos Teen Dance Project Lecture Series by Sam Gill
Watch these multi-media presentations that highlight different elements of the SalsAmigos program and discuss the benefits of this program for teen development.
Print version of all 6 video presentations is available. PDF
Vol 1: SalsAmigos Teen Dance Project: Introduction
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An introduction, with illustrations and videos, to this exciting project, including its history and an overview of the topics to be covered in the presentations that follow.
Vol 2: Touch and SalsAmigos Dancing
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Against a presentation of the importance of touch to human development, the presentation considers touch as a sensitive issue in schools. SalsAmigos dancing is carefully analyzed to show how it exemplifies healthy and appropriate touching.
Vol 3: SalsAmigos Dancing: A Different Kind of Team
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Presented as a complement to a sport-based concept and experience of team, SalsAmigos dancing is presented as a non-competitive, non-hierarchical, and inclusive bond between participants who dance for reasons intrinsic to the activity.
Vol 4: SalsAmigos: It’s Just a Dance!
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While western cultures commonly dismiss dancing as “just a dance,” this presentation reveals, through sophisticated perspectives and a careful analysis of SalsAmigos dancing, some surprising strengths of this perspective.
Vol 5: SalsAmigos: Differences and Disabilities
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SalsAmigos dancing is considered in terms of the ways it serves the healthy appreciation of difference and the acceptance and even treatment of some disabilities. The magic of the circle and the demands of the community of SalsAmigos dancing create, through experience, understanding, acceptance, and tolerance among the dancers.
Vol 6: SalsAmigos Dance and Teen Brain Development
New research on continuing teen brain development offers a rich background for the discussion of central concerns in teen development and how it is nurtured. SalsAmigos dancing is carefully analyzed in technical terms to show how it contributes to teen brain development in ways that may be more fundamental than the emphasis on traditional academic methods.
Stay updated on developments with the Teen Dance Project Video Series by signing up on the SalsAmigos email list.
Articles and Book
Sam Gill’s article “Teens Dancing Health & Happiness”
Sam Gill’s “Dancing the Rhythms of Life” 2009 academic book. E-book. Buy Now