Afro-Cuban with Jose “Cheo” Rojas and Salsa Cubana with Royland Lobato
Afro-Cuban: 3pm, all levels
Salsa Cubana: 4:30pm, experienced beginners and up
One class $20, both classes $30.
Embrace yourself to a real treat. Cuban Dance workshop in Santa Cruz, California featuring Jose “Cheo” Rojas and Royland Lobato. Both Jose “Cheo” Rojas and Royland Lobato are celebrated master teachers visiting from San Francisco area. See more about their bio below.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2330518777220824/
Location:
Motion Pacific Dance Studio:
131 Front St
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4401
downtown Santa Cruz
The Afro-Cuban workshop will focus on Afro-Cuban Rumba but may also include some Orisha.
The Salsa Cubana workshop will include Casino partner dancing and possibly some Rueda de Casino. Experienced beginners know all the basics plus El uno, Setenta and Sombrero.
The event is hosted by Chris & Jessica from SalsaGente.com – Cuban-style dancing in Santa Cruz, CA. Contact: www.SalsaGente.com or 831-426-4724
Bios
Biography Jose “Cheo” Rojas Ramirez
Jose “Cheo” Rojas was born in Guantánamo, Cuba. Rojas began to dance at a young age at the changüicera parties next to his father and at the Cuban-Haitian parties next to his grandfather.
He graduated as a dance instructor from the Escuela Profesional de Arte de Cuba in 1988, as professor and choreographer from the Instituto Superior de Arte de Cuba in 1990, and as a folklore specialist from the Escuela Nacional de Arte in 1996.
He began his career as a professional dancer and choreographer with Danza Libre in 1989 and co-founded and co-directed the internationally renowned Cuban company Banrará in 1994.
Having participated in several national and international festivals, he won a Best Choreographer award in Cuba in 1998. In 1999, he traveled to the U.S. to participate in a production of West Side Story in the Bay Area, where he now resides and teaches.
He specializes in rumba, one of the most popular rhythms and dance forms in Cuba, and Afro-Cuban folklore, a combination of rhythms of African and Franco-Haitian influence, which include both religious dances, such as those of the Orishas, and secular dances, such as Nagó, Gagá, Tumba Francesa, Tajona, and Caravalí.
A talented teacher, with a particular eye for dance technique, Rojas also brings to his classes a wealth of historical and personal knowledge, making them a rich cultural experience.
Biography: Royland Lobato
Originally from Guantanamo, Cuba, Royland graduated of the Escuela de Instructors de Arte de la Ciudad de La Habana, (School of Arts Instructors in Havana) with a degree in Education, specializing in dance.
Royland is a founding member of the Havana-based dance company, 7 Potencias, an Afro-Cuban Folkloric dance and music ensemble.
He is a professional dancer with an expertise in Afro-Cuban folkloric and Cuban popular dance, Royland has also participated as a principal dancer as well as instructor, and invited guest in performances, workshops and classes throughout the greater Bay Area, Hawaii, New York, Cuba, and Mexico.
Royland is working over 17 years as a dance educator. He teaches regular classes in Rueda/Cuban Salsa, Afro-Cuban Folklloric and Cuban Rumba in San Francisco and Berkeley.
