2023

5:30 p.m. Salsa Dance Class - Salsa, a popular dance style, originated on the island of Cuba during the 1920s, coinciding with the emergence of various music genres that eventually contributed to the creation of salsa music. Cuba was a melting pot of diverse Latin dance styles, and it was in this environment that Fania, a local Cuban studio, coined the term "salsa" and began playing it on the radio and at clubs. Consequently, salsa music and dance became increasingly popular throughout Cuba, and later spread to South America and Miami. As the music made its way to new regions, musicians picked it up and incorporated new elements, which in turn led to the evolution of the salsa dance with additional moves and styles.

7:00 p.m. Cumbia Dance Class: Cumbia is a vibrant style of Latin music that originated in Colombia and has since gained widespread popularity throughout South America, Central America, and the United States. It blends African, Amerindian, and European influences, featuring instruments such as drums, flutes, maracas, and accordions to create its distinctive sound. 

Cumbia traces its origins back to the 1800s as a courtship dance created by enslaved Africans along the coasts of Caribbean countries and Colombia. The dance’s rhythmic foundation reflects its African heritage, with a focus on percussion and movement. As cumbia evolved in the early 1900s, Indigenous Colombian instruments like drums and flutes were incorporated, enriching its sound. By the 1940s, blended with mariachi and incorporated African and Caribbean influences, such as son, vallenato, and merengue, to develop a unique regional style. Later, European influences added the accordion, further shaping the genre into what we recognize today.

Cumbia is more than just music; it is a celebration of cultural fusion and resilience. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to adapt while preserving its rich history and heritage, making it a unifying force across generations and regions.

8:30 p.m. Merengue Dance Class