Mission statement
Sydney Gay Casineros is an all-male dance group specialising in Rueda de Casino, Cuba’s most popular form of social dancing. Going against the heteronormative and consumerist trends in the Australian marketplace of Latin dances, the Sydney Gay Casineros have two main goals:
With partner swaps and synchronous interactions amongst all couples, Rueda de Casino is a uniquely dynamic, fun, bonding-oriented form of dancing. We realise that there is a sense of loneliness and social alienation in both our queer communities and, more generally, in large cities like Sydney. Beyond culture, fitness and coolness benefits, joining the Sydney Gay Casineros is a great way to nurture a sense of community.
Class schedule
Effective Nov 2024 to Jul 2025
Weekly summer schedule
Nov 2024 – Mar 2025
Sunday
The University of Sydney
- 17:00 – 18:00 Casino fundamentals (Rhythm and body movement)
- 18:00 – 19:00 Rueda de Casino (Beginners)
- 19:00 – 20:00 Casino partnerwork (Beginners)
Wednesday
Dance studio TBA
- 18:30 – 19:30 Casino partnerwork (Intermediate*)
- 19:30 – 20:30 Rueda de Casino (Intermediate)
Weekly winter schedule
Apr 2025 – Jul 2025
Sunday
The University of Sydney
- 10:00 – 11:00 Casino fundamentals (Rhythm and body movement)
- 11:00 – 12:00 Rueda de Casino (Beginners)
- 12:00 – 13:00 Casino partnerwork (Beginners)
* Each month, the Intermediate levels will focus on a different aspect of social dancing (e.g., leading technique, spatial awareness, etc.) following 3-month cycles. The calendar for each trimester will be posted on our Instagram!
Prices & packages
Same day prices
( -5$ discount if booked 48 hrs in advance)
- Single 1-hour pass 20$
- Single 2-hour pass 30$
- Single 3-hour pass 45$
Packages
(to be used up within 1 month)
- Three 1-hour passes 45$
- Three 2-hour passes 75 $
- Three 3-hour passes 120$
Flat rates
(unlimited lessons + weekly free private lesson)
- 1 month 90$
- 3 months 250$
Policy for acquiring and using passes
1. 2-hour and 3-hour passes must be used on the same day.
2. Casino Fundamentals and Beginner lessons are open to everyone. Intermediate lessons require prior knowledge of the material covered in the more basic levels.
3. You can withdraw from a lesson within the first 10 minutes without any charge.
4. Private lesson for flat rate users needs to be scheduled 48 hours in advance. Cancelation is possible with 24 hours’ notice.
5. If you bring people along for their first session with the Sydney Gay Casineros, you will each receive a free pass.
6. If you do not identify as a gay male but still wish to learn Casino with us, just send us a message to enquire!
Performance & Growth Opportunities
The Sydney Gay Casineros have been involved in queer and Latin dance events in the Sydney area (e.g., in the opening act of Escandalo during Mardi Gras 2024). There are plenty of opportunities coming up for social dance events, performances, congress attendance, international exchanges, outreach and growth as dancers and as a community. Keep an eye out on our Instagram!
On your instructor
The Sydney Gay Casineros is currently directed by Manuel David González Pérez. A keen social dancer since the age of 7, he decided to found the Sydney Gay Casineros as a result of a fateful encounter between likeminded guys at Fair Day during World Pride 2023 in Sydney. He is known in the international Casino community for his joyful, energetic style as well as for his research-based approach to Cuban dance. Among other achievements, he has been recently featured as a contributing author to the prestigious digital blog Son y Casino and as an official panellist at Cubason Congress in New Orleans, United States. He also won of the judges’ vote at the 2024 Cubason Casino Competition, Beyond dancing, Manuel loves cooking, hiking in nature, swimming and learning languages. He currently works a lecturer at the University of Sydney and is as a field researcher documenting indigenous languages in remote rural China.