The Cuban Blueprint
in Antwerp
Four months. Eight intensive training days. One authentic Cuban journey.
Designed for intermediate dancers with at approximately 1+ years of dance experience who want to go beyond figures and develop authentic Cuban movement, musicality, partnerwork and styling through a structured progression in Son, Rumba, Afro-Cuban and Timba.
Taught by Barbaro, a professional Cuban dancer and teacher who trained at the prestigious Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba. The Cuban Blueprint is a unique, progressive training series in Antwerp that combines technical development, cultural roots and practical social dancing.
Why “The Cuban Blueprint”?
Just as an architectural blueprint provides the essential framework for a lasting structure, The Cuban Blueprint reveals the underlying mechanics of Cuban dance. Rather than simply memorizing figures and combinations, you will learn what truly drives authentic Cuban movement: body movement and groove, musicality, the elegance and timing of Son, the playful energy of Rumba, and the rich Afro-Cuban roots that connect it all.
By understanding these foundations, you will not only improve your dancing, but also develop the freedom, confidence and skills to build your own personal style. Over four months, you will progressively build the movement quality, timing, musical understanding and confidence needed to dance with greater freedom, authenticity and expression.
After this program, you will:
✓ Move more naturally and confidently to Timba music
✓ Understand and dance Son on contratiempo timing
✓ Add authentic Rumba and Afro-Cuban movement to your dancing
✓ React to musical breaks instead of relying on memorized patterns
✓ Improve both your solo movement and partnerwork connection
✓ Develop your own Cuban style and expression on the dance floor
Explore the Cuban Blueprint:
September | October | November | December | FAQ
At a glance
Location: Casa 32 | Zendelingenstraat 32, 2140 Antwerp, Belgium
Schedule: 8 intensive Saturdays between September – December 2026
Level: Intermediate dancers (approximately 1+ years of dance experience, including Salsa LA and other Latin dances)
Instructor: Barbaro, professional Cuban dancer and teacher (trained at Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba)
Training Style: Personal coaching, technical corrections and practical feedback
Passes: Single Class | Full Day | Monthly module | Full 4-month Blueprint Pass
Intensive Training Structure:
Each training day consists of 4 hours of immersive instruction split into two focused blocks with a 30 minute break in between. You get 8 full hours of high-level coaching every month. This gives you the time and space to digest, practice, and transform your movement without feeling rushed.
Choose your own Blueprint
The Cuban Blueprint is designed as a progressive four-month journey. However, we understand that not every dancer can commit to every training day. That's why you can build your own journey. Train month by month, focus on specific themes, or simply join the classes that inspire you most. Every workshop stands on its own, while the full Blueprint Pass offers the most complete learning experience and the best value for dancers committed to long-term growth.
SEPTEMBER
The Groove & Timing
September sets the foundation for the entire series. We strip away complex figures to master weight transfer, posture, and body movement, then bridge the shift from traditional Son to modern Salsa Cubana (Timba).
Weekend 1 | September 12
- 11:30 – 13:30 | Timba con Groove (solo)
Develop authentic Cuban body movement through isolations (hips, shoulders and chest), relaxed weight transfer and groove development. - 14:00 – 16:00 | Timba Cubana (couple)
Integrating morning isolations into partnerwork. Frame mechanics, tension/release, smooth directional changes, and fluid transitions.
Weekend 2 | September 26
- 11:30 – 13:30 | Son Cubano (couple)
The elegance of traditional Son. Master contratiempo (off-beat) timing, elegant connection, classic Son posture in partnerwork and the iconic tornillos for both leaders and followers. - 14:00 – 16:00 | Timba a Contratiempo (solo)
Bridging Son and Timba. Learn how to dance Timba on the off-beat (contratiempo) without losing control or balance.
OCTOBER
The Heartbeat & Flow
October bridges street-style Cuban Rumba with modern partnerwork and solo play. You’ll learn the interplay of attack and defense in Guaguancó and how to weave those elements directly into modern Timba.
Weekend 3 | October 10
- 11:30 – 13:30 | Rumba Guaguancó (couple)
Mechanics of the Muelleo (bounce), movement of the arms, chest and shoulders, the Vacuna and the defense. Keeping partner dynamics playful and rooted in tradition. - 14:00 – 16:00 | Timba con Rumba (solo)
Learn how to inject authentic Rumba movement, attitude and street flavour into your Timba footwork during musical breaks.
Weekend 4 | October 25
- 11:30 – 13:30 | Timba Footwork (solo)
Develop fast-paced footwork, directional changes and rhythm variations while building speed without sacrificing control or technique. Drawing on the Rumba foundations established in Weekend 3, you’ll learn how authentic Cuban footwork emerges from its Afro-Cuban roots. - 14:00 – 16:00 | Timba (couple)
Transfer solo footwork and dynamic movement into high-energy partnerwork and complex turns, while playing effortlessly with speed on the social dance floor.
NOVEMBER
The Roots & Musicality
Unlock the grounded force of the Afro-Cuban movement. This month explores the distinct energies of Orishas Elegguá and Oggún, translating their posture and footwork directly into dynamic salsa musicality.
Weekend 5 | November 7
- 11:30 – 13:30 | Afro-Cuban Orishas Elegguá and Oggún
Explore the playfulness and path-opening energy of Elegguá alongside the grounded strength of Oggún. Posture, arm movements, and rhythmic expressions. - 14:00 – 16:00 | Timba con Afro
Translate Afro movements into modern Timba breaks: learn how to drop Afro accents into your solo styling and partnerwork entries without disrupting your flow.
Weekend 6 | November 28
- 11:30 – 13:30 | Timba Musicality (solo)
Deconstructing complex Timba arrangements solo. Identifying piano tumbaos, percussion shifts, and brass hits to physically react to the music. - 14:00 – 16:00 | Timba Musicality (couple)
Applying morning musical awareness directly into couple dancing: guiding your partner through tempo changes, hitting musical breaks together, and dancing the instruments as a team.
DECEMBER
The Challenge
December is our dedicated Challenge Month. Every 2-hour class is designed as a specific challenge to stretch your limits, fuse everything you’ve learned over the past 3 months, and elevate your personal expression.
Weekend 7 | December 5
- 11:30 – 13:30 | The Switch (solo)
Learn to rapidly switch between Timba footwork and timing and Son contratiempo. - 14:00 – 16:00 | The Unpredictable (couple)
Break free from set turn patterns. Learn how to use melody and instrumental cues to implement Son, Afro and Rumba into couple dancing while maintaining partner connection.
Weekend 8 | December 19
- 11:30 – 13:30 | The Speed (solo)
Push your physical boundaries with explosive Cuban songs. Master body isolations, dynamic speed, and raw party energy at fast Timba tempos. - 14:00 – 16:00 | The Masterclass (couple)
The ultimate test of integration. Learn how to drop subtle accents of Afro and Rumba into (fast) social partnerwork without disrupting your partner, breaking connection, or losing timing.
THE GRAND FINALE
Hard work pays off. We end the year with a celebration of growth, rhythm, and connection. We are bringing together all the dancers from the past months alongside the wider community for the ultimate end-of-year celebration right before the Christmas break! 
Connect, celebrate, and let’s toast to everything we have learned and all that is to come. Have a dance, grab a drink, and share the floor with a vibrant new community.
Note: The party is included in the December and full Blue Print passes. Separate tickets are also available.
Don't just learn steps: own the music!
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring a dance partner?
No partner required! We rotate regularly during partnerwork exercises so everyone receives equal practice and feedback. We aim to maintain a balance of leaders and followers.
What level is required?
This series is designed for Intermediate dancers who know core Cuban Salsa steps and turn patterns and want to refine their technique, style, musicality, and body control. It is also for dancers who want to enrich their Cuban dance vocabulary with Son Cubano (contratiempo), Rumba, and Afro-Cuban roots.
Prerequisites: You do not need an extensive Cuban Salsa background. Dancers with approximately 1 year or more of active experience in Salsa, Salsa LA, Bachata, Kizomba or other Latin partner dances are welcome, provided they are confident with basic rhythm, movement coordination and partner connection.
Unsure about your level? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Send us a quick message with your dancing background, and we’ll help you decide if this program is the right fit for you.
Do I have to commit to the entire program?
Not at all! You have total flexibility. You can join for a single 2-hour class, book a full day (4 hours), focus on a single month, or go for the complete 4-month progression. Pick whatever fits your schedule and goals.
What are the pass options and pricing?
Taking the full 4-month progression delivers the most complete and transformative experience. However, we offer flexible pricing options depending on your schedule and goals:
- 1 Class Pass: € 20
- Full Day Pass: € 35 (save € 5)
- Monthly Pass: € 65 (save € 15)
- Full 4-Month Blueprint Pass: € 240 (save €80, that’s only € 30 per training day)