RUMBA OPEN CUBAN WALKS FROM 5THS
(Intermediate) See Video

An Intermediate pattern, Open Cuban Walks from 5ths in Rumba is a stylish, flirtatious ballroom dance pattern that speaks to the true romantic character of the Rumba.

Gentleman's Footwork
For our Cuban Walks we will use a Latin frame, and this will be our man's footwork. The gentleman begins by stepping forward on his left foot, then does a side close (in other words, the first half of a Rumba basic step.)

Then with his right foot he takes another side step. At the same time he swivels to his right and does a rock back for a 5th position break, his first 5th. He replaces his weight, takes a side step to the left for the "slow", again swiveling and rocking back for the second 5th position break. At this point, the gentleman should not step to the side for the "slow", but should step back on his right foot after the rock step for "slow" and continuing walking backward for "quick, quick, slow") in the same backward direction.

On the last "slow", he swivels as he steps, "collecting" or bringing his feet together. Then as this action is completed, he steps back for "quick, quick, slow, beginning with his right foot and at this point his partner should be back facing him for the last "slow." He goes to the left for the side together ("quick, quick) back into the basic step.

Important technique tip, for both the gentleman and the lady. Do not look at your partner during the walks, but look straight ahead.

Lady's Footwork
The lady begins by stepping back with her right foot (slow), then does a side close (quick, quick), then steps to the side again with her left foot for "slow". As she does so she swivels her body before doing a rock step for her first 5th position break. Then she steps to the right with her right foot on "slow," does another swivel action before her rock step for her second 5th position break.

Now instead of stepping to the side, the lady walks forward beginning on her left foot for "slow, quick, quick, slow -- for the Cuban walks. On her last "slow", the lady collects her feet and swivels to face the gentleman. This should be a quick swivel and then a "hold". The lady finishes the pattern by walking forward (quick, quick, slow) beginning with left foot. She should be back with her partner in dance position by the last "slow." And the couple steps together to the right back into basic Rumba step. See Video on Rumba Open Cuban Walks from 5ths.

See Video How to Do
Rumba Basic Step