Yuniscleyvis Ramos is a famed dancer and percussionist from the celebrated company, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. He will be with Arenas Dance Company for three days July 18-20, 2025, teaching in Berkeley, Santa Cruz, & San Francisco. See all the classes below!
Want to take all of the classes?! Pay $130 and write “all class pass” in the Zelle memo and you are good to go! (Zelle: arenasdance22@gmail.com)
-> 7/18 (Friday): Yuniscleyvis Percussion Class (Abakuá) and Dance Class (Abakuá/Bricamo – open to all genders) at The Beat, Berkeley (2560 Ninth St. #119, Berkeley, CA. 94710)
6:00-7:15pm- Percussion class (Abakuá): $30
7:30-8:45pm- Abakuá/ Bricamo Dance class (open to all genders): $30
Both- $50 for both percussion and dance class
Sign up! Pay via Zelle: arenasdance22@gmail.com in advance (or in-person with cash). Please note the class (date/time) that you are paying for in the Zelle memo.
Abacua (also spelled “Abakuá”) refers to a men’s initiatory religious fraternity and secret society originating in Cuba, with roots in West African fraternal associations. It’s also used as the name for the ritual language used within the society. The society is known for its secrecy, initiation rituals, and distinct music and dance traditions. Abakuá is known for its distinctive music, including the use of the ekón (metal bell) and its influence on Cuban rumba and other genres.
Bricamo is a distinct Cuban dance and religious tradition with origins in the Niger Delta. It is closely related to the Abakuá tradition, but with a crucial difference: women play a leading role in Brikamo. They are the keepers of the fundamento, which is passed down through generations from eldest to eldest. This is in contrast to Abakuá, which is exclusively male-oriented. While it shares common roots with other Afro-Cuban traditions, Brikamo emphasizes the unique contributions of women and their central role in perpetuating its cultural and spiritual legacy.
-> 7/19 (Saturday): Yuniscleyvis Dance Class and Yuniscleyvis & Susana Collaboration Dance Class at the Beat, Berkeley (2560 Ninth St. #119, Berkeley, CA. 94710)
12:30-1:45pm – Ogun (Matanzas Style) dance class with Yuniscleyvis: $30
2:00-3:30pm – Yambu/Columbia (Guaguanco- rumba with partner) dance class with Susana and Yuniscleyvis: $50
$75 for both classes
Sign-up! Pay via Zelle: arenasdance22@gmail.com in advance (or in-person with cash). Please note the class (date/time) that you are paying for in the Zelle memo.
Ogun is a powerful Orisha (deity) associated with iron, war, and labor. He is a warrior god and is revered for his strength, courage, and ability to protect his people.
Yambú is the oldest and slowest form of Cuban Rumba. It’s often referred to as the “Old People’s Rumba” due to its slower tempo and graceful movements. In Yambú, couples engage in a courtship-style dance. Columbia is a dynamic and energetic style of Cuban rumba, known for its fast, acrobatic movements and competitive spirit. It is characterized by its triple-pulse rhythm and is often accompanied by the sound of a guataca (hoe blade) or metal bell. Columbia’s roots are traced back to the drum patterns and chants of the Cuban Abakuá tradition, with the lowest conga drum rhythm being nearly identical in both. Guaguancó is a vibrant subgenre of Cuban rumba, characterized by a dynamic, flirtatious dance between a male and female couple. It’s known for its playful, competitive interaction.
-> 7/19 (Saturday): Yuniscleyvis dances and percussion classes + Arenas Performance & Rumba at La Peña, Berkeley (3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, Ca. 94705)
Rumba Cubana at La Peña
5:30-6:15pm – Rumba Percussion class: $30
6:15-7:00pm – Rumba Dance Class: $30
7pm – Rumba + Arenas performance: Free when you register for class!
Sign-up! Pay via Zelle: arenasdance22@gmail.com in advance (or in-person with cash). Please note the class (date/time) that you are paying for in the Zelle memo.
Cuban rumba is a vibrant Afro-Cuban musical genre and dance with deep cultural roots. It encompasses various styles, including yambú, guaguancó, and columbia, each with distinct characteristics. Rumba is more than just entertainment; it’s a form of cultural expression, storytelling, and a symbol of resistance and resilience for the Afro-Cuban community
-> 7/20 (Sunday): Yuniscleyvis Dance Class (Columbia) at Dance Mission, SF ( 3316 24th St. San Francisco, Ca. 94110)
10:30-12:00pm: Columbia dance class with Yuniscleyvis $30
Sign-up! Register via DanceMissionTheater.org
Columbia is a dynamic and energetic style of Cuban rumba, known for its fast, acrobatic movements and competitive spirit. It is characterized by its triple-pulse rhythm and is often accompanied by the sound of a guataca (hoe blade) or metal bell. Columbia’s roots are traced back to the drum patterns and chants of the Cuban Abakuá tradition, with the lowest conga drum rhythm being nearly identical in both
-> 7/20 (Sunday) Susana’s Dance Class and Yuniscleyvis dance and percussion class at the Tannery, Santa Cruz (1060 River St. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060)
2:30-3:45- Dance Class with Susana (Cuban Folkloric) $30
4:00-5:15- Dance Class (Oggun) with Yuniscleyvis $30
5:30- 6:45- Drum class with Yuniscleyvis $30
All three classes= $75
Sign-up! Pay via Zelle: arenasdance22@gmail.com in advance (or in-person with cash). Please note the class (date/time) that you are paying for in the Zelle memo.
Arenas Dance Company 