Welcome to London’s home for outdoor Cuban Salsa and Rueda

LEARN MORE
DiMeLo

The atmosphere at Rueda Libre events is electric, enjoyable and entertaining. A big part of this is due to the community. Every one of them understands the values Rueda Libre exhibits at each event; respect, positivity and inclusivity. It keeps the events wholesome, fun and memorable. 

Get Ready for Weekly Partner Dancing!

Drop in to one of our classes focused on making you a better social dancer.

No need to bring a partner,  just jump in!

Mondays – Indoor classes focused on technique
Wednesdays – Outdoor dacning with Rueda and Casino classes

More Info

APPAREL

Be part of Rueda Libre 

Embrace the community

Choose from our selection of branded clothing including hoodies, t-shirts and bags.

SHOP NOW

HOODIES

Our super comfortable and warm hoodies stand out from the crowd. Get yours today!

T-SHIRTS

100% cotton shirts are ideal for dancing. They feel light and don’t restrict movement whilst dancing. Plus you rep the community in style.

BAGS

Super handy for dance shoes and other items you want quick access to whilst dancing.

A safe space for everyone to dance

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been dancing, whether you are completely new to Salsa or have been dancing all your life, Rueda Libre welcomes everyone to a safe space every week, inviting you to express yourself through dance and music.

VIEW CLASSES

Why Dance with Rueda Libre?

There's a level for everyone, every week.

BEGINNERS

Here you’ll learn the basics of Casino (Cuban Salsa). You will gain the footwork and timing to build a solid foundation for Casino. 

No prior experience needed.

INTRO TO CASINO

Got the basics down but need some polishing and smoothing round the edges? Or did you do some other form of Salsa and have seen the joy Cuban Salsa brings? This is the class for you.

Here we will ensure you have a firm understanding of the basics of  Casino (Cuban Salsa). 

Requirements: Timing of basic steps, Side to Side, Back to Back.

CASINO IMPV.

Once you’re comfortable with the basic steps of Cuban Salsa, here you’ll learn more walking patterns and positions. This leads to a good solid foundation to learning new moves. 

A firm grip on the basic footwork is essential before joining. 

Requirements: Firm grip of basic steps, turns and transitions. Intro to Casino, Exhíbela, Caída & Paséala, Díle que no y Guapea

 

CASINO BASICS

Once you’re comfortable with moves from Casino improvers, you can step into Casino Basics. Here you’ll learn all the moves you need to dance Casino (Cuban Salsa) anywhere.

If you have danced elsewhere (or not), we recommend joining intro to Casino and not Casino Basics.  

Requirements: All "Casino Improvers" moves, Enchufla, Vacílala, Cubanita/o + Puente + Adiós

INTRO TO RUEDA

Once you’re comfortable with the basic steps of Cuban Salsa, here you’ll learn & understand how to dance Rueda de Casino.

A firm grip on the basic footwork is essential before joining. 

  1. Requirements: Firm grip of basic steps, turns and transitions.

All "Casino Improvers" moves, Dile que no, Enchufla, Sacala, Rodeo.

RUEDA BASICS

Once you’re comfortable with moves like Díle que no, Vacílala & Enchufla in a Rueda, you can step into Rueda Basics.The aim of this class is to give you the tools to enable you to do Rueda anywhere with anyone.

If you have done Rueda elsewhere, this is a good level to step into as moves are different in each place. 

Requirements: All "Intro to Rueda" + "Casino Basics" moves, Dame, Enchufla, Setenta

RUEDA PLUS

Looking for a challenge? Here you’ll learn more challenging moves to step your Rueda game up a level. Rueda Plus builds upon what is taught in Rueda Basics by adding more complex turns, variations, and interchanges. 

You should be able to perform Rueda Basics moves in time and without a partner. 

Requirements: Rueda Basics, Cero, Ochenta, Sombrero, Vacílense los dos, Mambo Italiano & Alarde.

RUEDA PRO

Rueda Pro takes your rueda journey to a diffrent space. We cover new structures, concepts, interchanges and calling. 

You should be able to perform Rueda Plus moves in time and without a partner. 

Requirements: Rueda Plus, Cangrejo, Ocho para mujeres, Ya tu Sabes & Cero con la vecina.

LIBRE

Libre classes are exactly that, open classes that can be anything from Rumba to Son to Afro. These classes provide an insight into other areas of Cuban dance and culture. It covers dancing techniques as well as knowledge.

These classes should help you develop own style and and expose you to new ones. 

You should be able to lead/follow comfortably before joining this class. 

Leads and Follows Explained

In Casino (Cuban Salsa), the ideas of “lead” and “follow” sit at the core of the dance. The “lead” proposes the direction, timing and structure of a movement, while the “follow” receives and interprets that information & actions it. It is less about control and more about communication. The lead suggests/invites, the follow responds, then the lead responds and it goes on and on like that, and together they build something that feels spontaneous but connected. When it works, it feels effortless, like a conversation where both people are fully listening.

 

Traditionally, these roles were shaped by gender norms. In mid-20th-century Cuba, men were expected to lead and women to follow. That reflected the wider social expectations of the time, not just the dance floor. But Cuban social dance has always carried a strong spirit of individuality. Women were never passive participants. They added styling, rhythm changes, and expressive detail, influencing the evolution of Casino itself, which grew from Rueda de Casino, which originated in a place called Casino Deportivo de la Habana.

 

Today, the picture is broader. Leads and follows are no longer tied to gender. Many dancers choose to learn both roles, which sharpens musicality, empathy and technical awareness. In Rueda de Casino especially, where partners rotate in a circle and moves are called collectively, understanding both perspectives strengthens the group dynamic, this dialogue becomes a lively circle full of creativity and playful interaction, reflecting the history and community spirit of Cuban salsa.

 

At its heart, lead and follow is about connection. It asks you to pay attention, to share weight and timing, to trust. The roles give structure, but the connection comes from the experience of an exchange between two people having a conversation without words, with the music. This is the aim.

Book a class

Join us every Wednesday at one of our Rueda Libre locations based in King's Cross. Classes start at 7.00pm and tickets start from £9. Social dancing is FREE and starts at 8.00pm!

Just click the class you wish to book.

Any questions, please contact us.

Classes
View Calendar

View calendar

What we offer

CLASSES & EVENTS

Every Wednesday 100’s of us join together to learn new moves and meet new people. We run all our classes simultaneously, from 7:00pm – 8:00pm. Or join us on mondays where we focus on partner dancing. Check the timetable for more information.

BOOK NOW

COURSES

To make sure you get the consistency of learning each week, we’ve created short courses to help you on your Salsa journey. Courses are where the community feels the most improvement in the shortest space of time.

Next Course TBA

PRIVATE LESSONS

If you’re looking to take your dancing to the next level or simply want some additional support with some of the moves, we can provide private lessons to help you on your way.

ENQUIRE NOW

COMMUNITY

With our community, you’ll be the first to know about upcoming events, get exclusive discounts to festivals we’re involved in or friends with and much more.

Community page

Dímelo

Run by us, guided by you

It’s the community that makes Rueda Libre. Without your feedback, Rueda Libre would look very different, so when you provide it, we take it, and make the magic happen.

“Dí-me-lo” translates as “tell me it”, “let me know” or “tell it to me”,  and that’s exactly what we want – to hear from you.

This short series encases last year’s feedback in small bite-sized portions, a little bit like a podcast – but much better.

S6 End Time Update

Dímelo

Got a question or want to know more?

Contact us

We're always happy to help, so if you have any queries, please email us. You can also find FAQs by clicking FAQs in the header above.

Rueda Libre

London's Home of Outdoor Cuban Salsa

JOIN THE MAILING LIST

Stay up to date with our latest news, be the first to find out about upcoming events and receive exclusive discounts.

Get in touch

Funded by Camden Council's Future Camden Fund