Our MELT at the MRC Series Febuary Offering
4th Saturdays
Heart centered inclusive community exploration and celebration, in a barefoot sacred setting.
Saturday, Feb 28th
We welcome the psychedelic and medicinal Latin sounds of Sonida Mal Maiz
Ecstatic Dance by DJ Domi
Rueda de Casino Class (Salsa) by Phoenix Wyatt
Doors at 6p
Salsa at 6:15p
Circle Up for Cacao at 8p
Mal Maiz 8:30p
DJ Domi 10:15p
Closing 11:30p
$30 advance
$35 day of
No one turned away for lack of funds
Sonido Mal Maïz is a Vermont based musical group that explores the psychedelic side of Latin music, weaving modern and traditional rhythms from Latin America and the Caribbean . The poetic storytelling in the lyrics incorporates the complexity of the myths and legends of Central America and the music emanates a passion and fire that is ignited in their collective heart.
With their unique blend of Latin American folk, rock, and psychedelia, Sonido Mal Maïz creates an immersive experience that transports listeners to the vibrant landscapes and rich cultural heritage of south continent . From the lush rainforests of Costa Rica to the majestic Andean highlands, Sonido Mal Maïz's music is a sonic journey that explores the depths of human emotion, spirituality, and connection to the natural world.
DJ Domi, Dominique Peddie, an exciting up and coming ecstatic dance DJ, creates powerful soundscapes for ecstatic states of dance and expression. The crowds at her sets are held with her expansive beats and plays. Western Mass has been gifted with another great talent.
Phoenix Wyatt will be offering a Rueda de Casino Salsa class to start the night off.
Rueda de casino (or the “casino wheel”), also known as Cuban salsa, salsa cubana, and
salsa rueda, originates from 1950’s Cuba. Experienced social dancers in the casinos began
playing with group dynamics in partner dance, trading partners and developing a shared
vocabulary of movement and steps.
In this class, we will use the 8-count pattern of salsa to explore various moves danced
together in the rueda, or circle of dancers. We will develop a shared vocabulary of
movement to create improvised group dances together led by one or more “callers.” This
game, where dancers not only connect with their individual partners but also collaborate as a
group, allows dancers of all levels to come together, explore movement, and honor the
history of Cuban casino dancing.
Previous experience welcome but none needed!
Please bring dance shoes and/or socks.
Bio
While Phoenix grew up dancing, they began formally studying rueda de casino at Hampshire
College in 2012. In 2013, they traveled to Cuba for the first time, where they studied the
technique, history, and social dynamics of rueda de casino. Over the last decade, Phoenix
has studied rueda in Western Massachusetts, New York, Havana, and Mexico. They began
teaching in 2015 at Dance New England’s Dance Camp, and have held classes for all ages
and levels across the northeast.
In addition to rueda de casino, Phoenix also teaches Argentine tango and practices contact
improvisation. Outside of dance, Phoenix spends most of their time painting, crafting, and
dreaming up alternative learning structures. Professionally, their energy has been focused
on multicultural perspective building, language, informal education, and critical reflective
practices. Phoenix is currently the registrar for Dance New England, and completed their
M.Ed. in international education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2025.
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Raphaela’s love for dance grew out of a start in musical theatre, and she found her passion
with rueda de casino starting as a student at Dance New England in 2016, and quickly
beginning to teach soon after. She has taught rueda de casino with the Salsa Rueda
program at DNE (Dance New Engand), in the Western Mass community, and during her travels in Guatemala and
the Bahamas, and has done more intensive training in NYC and Mexico City.
Thank you for joining us for this deep and delicious night of community, culture and connection.