Toronto!
Toronto is a Canadian city, of 2.8 million. There isn't a city anywhere that had more intensive immigration over 40-50 years now. The result is an upheaval of the city, into an exceptional cross-cultural mix. If a restaurant opens today, it's likely a Japanese BBQ... or cuisine of a unusal area of India... China... Even a famous foodie/economist touts the area called Scarborough, home of Drake, that rapper guy. Before immigration... before Drake... Scarborough was considered pure strip-mall boredom. But every area is changed.
The same happened throughout the "Greater Toronto Area" (our "GTA" is about 6.7 million). And also the Golden Horseshoe of urbanization, around Lake Ontario to Niagara Falls, about 9.8 million.
TIP: If want to be answered as a tourist... then say Toronto.
Other times... maybe you don't want to be asked right away "oh, where ya from?"... then, say traw'na. Or, maybe TO, tee'-oh', slurred together, both syllables emphasized 😁.
Speaking of immigration, Cubans don't account for a large share of that. But still, a number of famous names in Cuba are involved in the local Cuban music scene. Among Cuban musicians, the Toronto area has an enviable reputation.
That scene is mainly centered around Lula Lounge, where we will convene on the Friday before RuedX. See their venue notes here, and enjoy some of the best Cuban musicians anywhere.
If you have an extra day to look around town, here's one possible itinerary!
RuedX!
RuedX: (short for Rueda Exchange) is an event where groups from many countries (cities) are invited to a host city for a series of workshops taught by instructors from those groups.
They are a fun way to share our knowledge passion for Rueda, to travel, dance, and make new friends, to strengthen the Rueda community in Canada, United States and around the world, and to keep growing and evolving from traditional Rueda.
HISTORY
The Rueda Exchange is an idea that was first started in 2016 after kicking the concept around for a little while says Ethan Wagner. With so many talented groups around the world developing new, fun, and challenging ideas in the way they dance rueda de casino, we realized there’s a lot we can learn from each other. Before, however, we didn’t get too many opportunities to meet other casineros and take advantage of this collective knowledge. RUEDX:, then, is an event that brings together a bunch of us who are passionate about rueda for a weekend to dance, laugh, share ideas, discuss what we’ve been working on.
Thank you Ethan.
North American RuedX events:
1. New York USA February 2016
2. Montreal Canada May 2016
3. Philadelphia USA July 2016
4. Washington USA April 2017
5. New York USA July 2017
6. Montreal Canada May 2019
7. Ohio USA 2023
8. Virgina USA 2023
9. Ohio USA 2023
10. Delaware USA 2024
... and others!
(desmondhbrown@hotmail.com)
The goal of this event is to bring seasoned teachers and experienced fans of
Rueda de Casino INNOVATION
together
Rueda de Casino INNOVATION
together