Central Brooklyn Casineros
More than just dance.
Central Brooklyn Casineros is a new youth dance program that fuses Cuban rueda de casino with other dance forms that represent the local Caribbean American community. Through the program, young people, ages 11-17, will learn about a wide variety of Cuban music and dance forms, with an emphasis on the performance of rueda de casino. Rueda de casino—or simply, rueda—is a style of dance that developed in the casinos (or clubs) in Cuba during the mid-20th century. Casino became the name for a style of partnered dance that is sometimes 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. Dancers rotate so everyone has an opportunity to dance with each other. This is a wonderful way for young people to develop their social, music, and dance skills while being physically active. No dance experience is required to participate. Classes are led by multi-disciplinary artist-scholar, Dr. Danielle Brown and a roster of esteemed Caribbean and Caribbean American guest artists.
Watch the video below to view an example of rueda de casino and read on to learn more about the program.
D
uring the program students will:
Engage in 2.5 hours of instruction per week (two classes)
Learn from Master Artists in dance and music
Develop dance skills and musicality
Choreograph performances
Perform in front of a public audience
Learn about different cultures
Learn basic Spanish
Engage in physical activity
Socialize with peers
Develop team work
How to register? Register here and we’ll follow up with next steps.
Program Schedule
Spring Session
Thursday, February 8, 2024 – Saturday, June 15, 2024
Classes meet for 1 hour and 15 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm – 4:45pm at the historic Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church in Brooklyn. Our Spring Recital will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Any additional performance dates and performance locations will be announced at a later date.
Program Location: Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church, 424 E 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11226
Program Fees
Tuition: $1,000.00 (payment due February 7, 2024)
Early-bird Rate: $850.00 (payment due January 25, 2024)
Tuition includes 38.5 hours of class time and at least one performance opportunity. A 10% discount will be applied to tuition that is paid in full at the time of registration.
Scholarships are available. Cost should not be prevent those interested from enrolling in the program.
If interested in participating in the program, register now, or contact us as soon as possible at hello@mypeopletellstories.com.
Click here to register now. Questions or concerns? Contact us at hello@mypeopletellstories.com.
Central Brooklyn Casineros is a program by My People Tell Stories,
in partnership with Brooklyn Level Up (BKLVLUP) and the Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church.