Cuban☆Fusion 

Rafael from CUBAN☆FUSION is a percussion master.
He will be gracing the stage with Ke Lo Ke at the Salsa Tumbao party - laying out the rhythms we'll dance to.  This year he will be sharing his skills with you in our Percussion workshop. He'll help us better understand Cuban rhythms, so we can find and stay on the beat when dancing.  


But wait - there's more! Rafael is also bringing us his celebrated Salsa Sueltea workshop. You might know a little Rumba and a few Afro-Cuban steps - but how do you integrate those into your Salsa so you look like a pro on the social dance floor? 


This year we spoke to the instructors about some of their dance memories. Because dance infiltrates our lives in big and small ways throughout our lives.


Q: What is your earliest memory of dancing? 

Going with my family to the local Social Club, my parents loved to dance - especially my mum.

Later I watched my older sister dance Rueda on the patio with her mates. I said to myself "I want to do that!"

I joined dance classes at the local Centro Cultural/Cultural Centre when I was 7 or 8. To learn Son. The rest, as they say, is history.

Q: What is the memory of dancing that brings you the most joy/brings a smile to your face? 

Going to my first international dance festival when I was 10.  It was in Havana, so it was a big adventure. The bus ride was 12 hours! We stayed in student accommodation with young people from all over Cuba, as well as from overseas.  If you asked me what my proudest moment was - it's the same one. I won “best male performer” that year. 


Q: What is your most dramatic dance memory? 

When one of my earrings got ripped off as I lowered my dance partner down from a lift. Ouch! But I kept dancing.


Q: Who else in your family dances? Do you have a memory of dancing with them or watching them dance? 

All the women in my family dance.  My mum was a Carnival queen, my sister and I were in the same dance troupe while we were at school. 
All my girl cousins - and there were a lot of them - all danced.


Q: Do you have a funny memory of dancing? One that makes you laugh out loud? 

One time, I split my pants while dancing in the Carnival Comparsa.  Does that count?

CUBAN☆FUSION  is based in Wellington, where Rafael teaches a variety of Cuban dance classes - everything from Rumba to Cubatón and Rueda. During summer CUBAN☆FUSION organises outdoor socials on the waterfront - which look amazing! Rafael also performs with various bands - including Son de Cuba and Ke Lo Ke.


We're looking forward to creating more dance memories with you at Salsa Tumbao 2023, Rafael.
Make sure you bring a spare set of pants!