Shaun Soanes – Architect & Cuban Salsa Advocate!

I’m a partner at Nicholas Jacob Architects, specialising in conservation-led design and the adaptive reuse of historic buildings. My professional life is rooted in structure, detail, and heritage — the kind of work that involves lime mortar, historic timber beams, and very precise measuring tapes.

But outside of that finely drawn world, I have another passion — one with a bit more rhythm: Cuban music and dance.

My journey into dance began, as many do, with a casual class. I had no idea that stepping into that room would eventually lead me to spinning in a ‘rueda’, learning about Afro-Cuban deities, and somehow attempting body rolls with dignity. What started as curiosity quickly became a deep and joyful obsession. While many people use the term “salsa,” in Cuba the correct term is casino — a social dance with its own patterns, language, and attitude. It’s lively, circular, and full of the Cuban soul.

Cubans are rightfully passionate about casino. And as we’ve learned more, we’ve come to see that it’s about so much more than steps — it’s a living culture, shaped by music, storytelling, religion, and history. We believe that if we’re going to enjoy the dance, we should at least tip our hats to the culture behind it.
Locally, we dance with the ever-supportive Anglia Salsa crew and continue to train with world-renowned instructors Osbanis and Anetta of Deakocan Dance — whose classes manage to be inspiring, humbling, and hilarious, all at once.

Through salsa, I also met my partner, Daniela. It was a classic case of footwork meets fate. Together, we’ve developed not just our dancing, but our shared love for Cuban son — the elegant, slightly mischievous musical ancestor of casino. Daniela also plays a key role in El Tres Promotions CIC (Una Fiesta Cubana), where she works alongside myself and the other directors to bring Cuban culture, music, and dance to Ipswich and Suffolk.

We’ve hosted workshops, socials, and live music events — all fuelled by rhythm, community, and the occasional pastelito. We believe Cuban culture should be celebrated for its richness, shared generously, and always danced with joy.

The work of Una Fiesta Cubana can only happen with the support of our local community and access to small grants, which help us subsidise workshops and bring high-quality teaching to Ipswich. We’re always on the lookout for new funding opportunities and partnerships to keep the rhythm alive.
Whether I’m restoring a listed building or we’re trying to remember which way to turn in a rueda, we’re guided by the same values: creativity, connection, and cultural respect — plus a healthy respect for anyone who can spin four times and still smile.

Check out our website here https://unafiestacubana.co.uk/ and watch Ipswich.love for future events…

Una fiesta cubana

We bring an immersive experience of dance and culture, made possible through the passionate efforts of our friends. Each event is a celebration of rhythm and community, and these people play a crucial role in making these gatherings unforgettable.

Who wrote this about Ipswich?

Sam Sherman

Sam is a Co-Founder of Ipswich.love. Passionate about Ipswich, Sam looks to see how we might jointly reverse some of the recent negativity and bring some deserved positivity back to our beloved Town.