Rumba: Music and Dance Fundamentals Workshop

Sunday, March 29, 2026

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

BANDALOOP Studios, 1601 18th St, Oakland

Cuban Rumba is traditionally expressed through three fundamental styles: Yambú, Guaguancó, and Columbia — each with its own history, rhythm, and movement vocabulary.

This workshop will focus on the fundamental structure of Guaguancó, exploring its basic rhythms, movement, and musical connections. 

Guaguancó is danced with a partner and is notable for its dynamic and rhythmic flair. It includes the well-known vacunao, a symbolic and flirtatious gesture performed by the male dancer toward the female dancer. This movement is a stylized expression of courtship and has deep roots in Afro-Cuban tradition. Some scholars trace its symbolism to Central African influences, including movements associated with the Kongo cultural heritage and the yuka dance tradition.

Cost: $40 in advance / $45 at the door