RCR hosts a Cuban Dance Party every 1st Saturday of the month at the LMDC in Oakland — August’s party will feature the live music of Ryan’s band Son Chévere as well as dance performances that RCR created for the 2024 CubaCaribe Festival.

Please note that, due to the live music that is a part of this event, the purchase of a class does NOT include admission to the party — party admission must be purchased separately. Thank you for supporting live music!

At 5:00pm, Ryan will be offering a Son Cubano dance class — the fundamental movements of traditional Son with a special focus on the timing (contratiempo or “on 2”). Then at 6:15pm Or will offer a special Rueda class of moves requiring two and three couples such as Puente and Jardín. Finally at 7:30pm we offer a 1-on-1 social dancing Salsa-Casino class (two separate levels, beginning and intermediate/advanced taught in different rooms simultaneously).

At all of our monthly parties we celebrate the birthdays of everyone born in that month. Contact us in advance if your birthday is in August and we’ll put you on the guest list for the party (workshops not included, see below).

The Lake Merritt Dance Center is a PERFECT venue for dancing, featuring a smooth vintage hardwood dance floor with ample space to dance. Here’s the full schedule for the night:

5:00pm Son Cubano Dance Workshop (taught by Ryan)
6:15pm Rueda Workshop (taught by Or)
7:30pm 1-on-1 Cuban Salsa (Casino) Dance Workshops (two levels Int/Adv and Beg)
8:30pm DJ Ritmoeg)
9:00pm Son Chévere First Set & Dance Performances
9:45pm DJ Ritmo
10:15pm Son Chévere Second Set
11:00pm DJ Ritmo

Registration Links

5:00pm Workshop (DOES NOT include ADMISSION TO party)

Sliding Scale: $20 - $15 - $10

6:15pm Workshop (DOES NOT include ADMISSION TO party)

Sliding Scale: $20 - $15 - $10

7:30pm Workshop (DOES NOT include ADMISSION TO party)

Sliding Scale: $20 - $15 - $10

Party Only (8:30 to 11:30pm)

Sliding Scale: $20 - $15 - $10

Son Chévere is a quartet that plays Cuban Dance Music — Son Cubano con Salsa y Timba. They opened for Havana D Primera during their San Francisco show in 2019. The members of Son Chévere are Jordan Wilson (Tres & Vocals), Ryan Mead (Percussion & Vocals), Junior Valencia (Bass), and Miguelito Martínez (Flute).

We offer all of our classes and events on a sliding scale to make them accessible to as many people as possible (we are professional artists so if you are able to pay the regular price it is much appreciated). When you check out, you can enter either 25OFF or 50OFF as codes to receive 25% or 50% discounts.

There is absolutely no food or drink in the ballroom, including water — be sure to keep all food and drink (including water) in Hall 3, the Lounge, or the lobby.