Taught by professional dancer Yula from Havana, this workshop will lay a useful foundation for when you approach the rest of workshops at CUBASON. Through detailed breakdown, Yula will help you execute the arms, torso, and hip movements that characterize Cubans when dancing. No partner required. Men are very much encouraged to join this class. Date: Saturday April 18th From 12:00 to 12:50 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30

This workshop is a must, as it will prepare you for the rest of the weekend. Inspired in the Casino tradicional, Julio Montero will show you the execution of steps and turning techniques that will make your Casino more uniquely Cuban. This class will make it easier for you to learn what Ramses and Sandra will teach in the following workshop. Date: Saturday April 18th From 1:00 to 1:50 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30

Two hours of exquisite Casino taught by our special guests Ramses & Sandra, visiting Canada for the very first time. Up your Cuban Casino game in this Masterclass refining your footwork technique, while simultaneously leading and following beautifully intricate figures. The better your technique, the higher your enjoyment of what Casino has to offer. Date: Saturday April 18th From 2:00 to 3:50 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30 UPDATE: there are just a few spots left for Lead dancers. Must be purchased at the door.

Building on the foundation given by the afternoon's previous workshops, let's now have a blast in this purely and strictly Rueda de Casino workshop focused on mind-bending creativity. Lead by Casino nerd Stéphane, Rueda Dinámica will leave a smile on your face. Date: Saturday April 18th From 4:00 to 5:50 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30

Did you know that Cha Cha Chá is a traditional Cuban dance from which Casino is also inspired? Both the dance and the rhythm are deeply engrained in Cuba’s music history. You have probably heard a lot of Chachacha songs but don’t know yet how to dance to this catchy beat. Seize the rare opportunity to learn the real Cha Cha Chá in this Masterclass led by Cuban dance instructor Giordano Duberger. Date: Sunday April 19th From 12:00 to 12:50 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30

As interest in Son keeps growing and UNESCO declaring it Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, it is important that we learn how to dance it properly. Be careful with what is sold to you as Son out there. In this Masterclass taught by Ramsés, you will learn not only how to dance classic Son figures, but also how to distinguish Son from Casino, by juxtaposing the two dances in a way that will help you identify the differences. Son and Casino offer two different ways of enjoying Cuban music. Date: Sunday April 19th From 1:00 to 2:50 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30

Mandatory workshop for everyone who call themselves casinero or casinera. As we travel through the history of Rueda de Casino, you'll experience the evolution of this social dance learning figures from the era of the Fundadores, many of which have been forgotten today. Ramsés Sariol, founder of CUBASON, will lead this exciting class. Date: Sunday April 19th From 3:00 to 3:50 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30

Learn how to make a mélange à trois à la cubana in this fun class taught by Julio. Be warned, though, this isn’t easy. Dancing Casino one Lead and two Followers requires a consistent understanding of footwork on behalf of the Followers, so that the figures can be created. Everyone involved in the creation of triad figures will have their understanding of Casino challenged in a fun way. Date: Sunday April 19th From 4:00 to 4:50 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30

At the Vancouver CUBASON Weekender, we salute our cousins from the Dominican Republic with a hot Bachata Tradicional workshop taught by Naduska. Cuba and Dominican Republic are musically and historically intertwined, as they also are with pretty much every Caribbean island. By participating in other Caribbean cultures, we recreate the atmosphere of a typical Cuban party, where dancing to a variety of rhythms is the customary thing. Date: Sunday April 19th From 5:00 to 5:50 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30

Special workshop with performance component: you'll have the option of performing a Son Con Abanico routine at Saturday's concert. Dive into the beautiful world of Son Con Abanico in this workshop led by professional dancer Sandra Cuenca, who was raised surrounded by Flamenco in her native Spain. You will dance elegantly at the Intersection of Flamenco and Son, while discovering the rhythmic links that exist between Cuba and the Iberian peninsula. Date: Friday April 17th From 6:00 to 8:00 pm Location: Ukrainian Hall at 154 East 10th Avenue Admission: $30

Saturday night will have all the magic of a CUBASON because the music will be live and you'll be dancing to the beat of the Julio Avila Cuban Band. The evening will also feature: Ariel DJ from Cuba! Cuban food. Cuban cocktails. Date: Saturday April 18th Doors. 8:00 pm Location: 154 East 10th Ave Admission: for tickets, click on this link.

Let's wrap up a wonderful weekend of dancing at this Sunday afternoon social featuring DJ Asukha playing Timba, Son, Bachata, Merengue and more. A great opportunity to come practice the moves you learnt at the Vancouver CUBASON Weekender. We will be sharing delicious homemade traditional Cuban food. When: Sunday, April 19th Where: U.O.C. 154 East 10th Ave Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Admission: $15 in advance online /$18 at the door Get tickets here: https://www.vancuba.com/event-details/el-patio-fiesta-de-despedida