Rueda llanta is one of the first complex Rueda structure that was created, in the year 2000. In stead of couples dancing in a circle, Rueda llanta is a big Rueda consisting of small two-couples Ruedas.
To dance Rueda llanta you need 8 or 10 couples (or more). It is possible with 6 couples, but it makes it more difficult. More than 10 couples is ok, as long as it is an even number of couples. (It is possible to do Rueda llanta with more than 100 couples, actually tested at the SalsaCamp in 2015.)
In Rueda llanta, switching partner may be done:
- in the small circles
- in the two big circles
– the inner circle dancing rueda por fuera and the outer circle dance regular rueda de casino
BIG CIRCLES: Rueda llanta means wheel rim. In Rueda llanta the term “llanta” is refering to the big circles.
SMALL CIRCLES: The small circles are regular 2-couples-Ruedas, also called Rueda con dos parejas, or referred to as “pequeña” (= small).
Common for Rueda llanta
-
- The rueda consists of small ruedas with two couples
-
- In open position, the inner big circle forms a rueda por fuera, and the outer big circle forms a regular rueda de casino
-
- It is possible to change partner in the small circles or in the big circles
- It is possible to transit from regular rueda de casino to rueda llanta with a transition command, and likewise transiting back with a transit command
Differences in Rueda llanta variations
Today there are at least 3 different variations of Rueda llanta in use in Europe (that we know of anyway). Here is a presentation of the similarities and the differences between the 3 variations, as far as we know them (!).
The most signifficant difference is the principle for partner change (topic 1).
| Topic |
Original version
|
Variation
with default partner change in the small circle |
Variation
with default partner change in the previous circle |
| Instructors | |||
| 1. Partner change | Always in big circles, except for the command dame (una) which implies a partner change in the small circles. | Default in the small circles. If the command contains llanta change in the big circles, for example: enchufla llanta. | Default in the previous circle of partner change, switch if the command contains llanta (big) or dos parejas(small). |
| 2. Changing partner in the big circles | Men move, women stay | Men and women move equally, men leading the movement |
Men and women move equally, men leading the movement |
| 3. Naming of the circles | No need, circles are not referred to in the commands | Big: grande Small: pequeña |
Big: grande Small: dos parejas |
| 4. Rueda formations | (Not used? If used, most likely to be in the big circles) | Same principle as for commands with partner change, for example: Tumba Francesa llanta |
Same principle as for commands with partner change, for example: dos parejas Tumba Francesa |
| 5. “Soulmates” | The two women from the small circle | Inner man + outer woman, inner woman + outer man |
Inner man + outer woman, inner woman + outer man |
| 6. Transition: rueda de casino > rueda llanta |
Command: llanta | Command: (rueda) llanta | Command: llanta |
| 7. Transition: rueda llanta > rueda de casino |
Command: babosa | Command: (cambia a) una rueda | Command: una rueda |
| Video demonstration (Click on the YouTube symbol to open video in new window) |
It is also possible to add a dimension of separating commands for the two big circles. This is mainly explored by Knut Leiss:
– Outer big circle: fuera | Inner big circle: dentro | Both big circles: todos
– Separate caller in one of the big circles: fuera con <name> | dentro con <name>, and back to one caller: todos con migo.
#4: Rueda formations: rueda figures with different basic steps than open/closed position, like Tumba Francesa, a lo cortico, etc. (For more information see the various rueda formations on the various levels.)
#5: “Soulmates” is a term introduced by Knut Leiss, used to describe who in the small circle will still be in the same small circle after one partner change in the big circles (dame llanta, enchufla llanta, etc.).
Why dance Rueda llanta?
Because it is a fun challenge. It is more dynamic than Rueda de casino, and in Rueda llanta it is also challenging for the women to follow the regular flow.
You get to dance both in a small rueda and in a bigger rueda almost at the same time, so this is not likely to get anything close to boring.
There are a few challenges using this structure socially; everyone has to know the basics of rueda llanta. Also, one more couple on the fly will kill the rueda, if more people are joining during the song it has to be to couples at the same time.
Fundador de Rueda llanta: Alberto Valdez (Cuba/Cyprus).
Rueda llanta was develloped in the year 2000.
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