About this Event
Come and dance with us! Learn, Practice and Share
Two Styles, Two Energies, One Cuban Rumba Experience!
Discover the richness, rhythm and expressive power of traditional Cuban Dances with Ariagna Aties, a professional Cuban dancer and teacher from Santiago de Cuba.
Join us for two exciting workshops exploring Yambú and Columbia, two distinctive styles of Afro-Cuban Rumba, each with its own musicality, movement and cultural identity.
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Cuban dance traditions, develop body awareness and discover new ways of expressing yourself through music and movement.
PROGRAMME
- 4:00–5:00 PM | Rumba Yambú – Elegance & Expression
Open Level | Gentle to Moderate Physical Intensity
Explore one of the oldest and most elegant forms of Cuban Rumba, characterised by slow, graceful and expressive movements. This workshop focuses on body coordination, fluid arm movements, posture, musical interpretation and controlled footwork. A gentle yet expressive dance that encourages creativity, body awareness and connection with the rhythm.
- 5:00–6:00 PM | Rumba Columbia – Energy & Improvisation
Open Level | Moderate to High Physical Intensity
Experience the dynamic and powerful spirit of Rumba Columbia, known for its fast rhythms, intricate footwork and improvisation. Traditionally performed as a solo dance, Columbia challenges coordination, agility, rhythmic precision and personal expression. Explore the dialogue between dancer and percussion through energetic movements, adapted to your individual ability and experience.
TICKETS TYPES & PRICE
Limited places available, save by booking online!
Online Booking
Single Workshop – £10 + booking fee
Choose either Rumba Yambú or Rumba Columbia.
Full Workshop Pass – £16 + booking fee
Includes both workshops (2 hours of Cuban Rumba).
On the Door
Single Workshop – £12
Full Workshop Pass – £20
Includes both workshops.
Concession: University of Edinburgh Salsa Society Members – £12 + booking fee
Special offer for society members, including both workshops. Please present a valid student ID at the event.
Who Can Join?
Both workshops welcome women and men, from beginners to experienced dancers.
- Open level – no previous Rumba experience required.
- No dance partner needed.
- Participants can work at their own pace.
What to Bring
Women: A traditional Cuban dance skirt (saya) or a long scarf to explore flowing movements and artistic expression.
Men: A scarf (pañuelo) to incorporate into dance movements.
Everyone: Comfortable dance clothing, suitable footwear and water.
ARTISTIC BIOGRAPHY - ARIAGNA ATIES
Cuban Folkloric Dancer and Teacher
Ariagna Aties is a Cuban folkloric dancer and first-level specialist teacher. She holds a qualification in Art Instruction, specialising in Dance, obtained in 2008.
She trained at the Escuela Profesional de Arte de Cuba and, throughout her career, has collaborated with renowned Cuban dance companies such as Danza Libre and Danza Fragmentada.
She subsequently spent five years performing with the Ballet Folclórico Babul, in the province of Guantánamo. Her artistic career continued in Santiago de Cuba, where she was a member of the Compañía Folclórica Kokoyé and the Ballet Folclórico Cutumba, before joining the Compañía Experimental Oyu Oro, directed by the renowned teacher Danys Pérez (La Mora), where she continued her artistic work until 2026.
Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to perform in numerous productions, including Tahona, Papá Guedé, Gagá, Ciclo Yoruba, Mamambois, El elegido de un sueño, Chancleta, Tumba Francesa, Siete Mares, Ikú Obbi Ocha and El bautizo de Oggun Batalá, among others.
Teaching has played a fundamental role in her artistic and professional development. Between 2004 and 2026, she worked in arts education, training students at schools in the provinces of Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba, teaching Cuban folkloric dance techniques and traditional dances, as well as undertaking teaching roles within various dance companies.
Her teaching experience has also extended internationally, sharing her knowledge with students at schools such as Salsabor, in France, and Esquina Cubana, in the Netherlands. She has also participated in cultural exchange projects, including Dos Aguas, from the United States, and Caledonia, from Scotland.
In 2012, she took part in a cultural exchange in Suriname, delivering artistic performances and creative workshops.
In the United Kingdom, her artistic experience includes participating with a Cuban group in Edinburgh Carnival 2025, held in Edinburgh, Scotland, where they shared the richness of Cuban culture and dance traditions.
She is currently based in Newcastle, England, where she has also delivered Cuban dance workshops, sharing her knowledge and artistic experience with students and dance enthusiasts.
Her extensive career in dance and arts education also includes participation in national tours, bailes orientales workshops, methodological training sessions and professional exchanges, as well as evaluation and level assessment processes.
¡Te esperamos!
Event venue & nearby stays
St Ninian's Comely Bank Hall, 40 Comely Bank, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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