Austin, Texas, USA

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[edit] Community

  • Austin SalsaWeb City Guide - Find independent salsa instructors, bands, DJs, events, links of interest and much more. [Instructors, bands, and DJs, to add your contact info. to this excellent resource, please contact Mitch at the top of that page.]
  • Yahoo Groups - Browse posts, or post your own question or message. To post, first setup a login or login with your Yahoo ID and then become a member of the group:
    • AustinSalsa.com - This moderated group has public archives (don't have to be a member to view). Individuals and businesses regularly post information about upcoming events in Austin and surrounding areas. 920 members.
    • Hot Steppers A NEW MODERATOR is sought for this group - Austin's LGBT Salsa Group welcomes everyone Gay-friendly, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer. More info - MySpace and more info: Austin OUT Dancing 85 members.
    • SalsaNewsAustin.com - Become a member to access/post info related to salsa dancing in the Austin Metropolitan Area. 435 members.
    • StreetSalsa - This group's owner promotes StreetSalsa's Cuban Casino / Rueda Style Salsa events and classes. 470 members.

Austin's live bands, DJs, clubs, studios, and instructors appreciate your support! Visit the websites of the yahoo groups, clubs, studios, and bands for posted regular events, including free or $5 salsa classes offered at many clubs and live music venues before the music starts. Both regular and special events are summarized below, but should be confirmed on the links provided. Bailamos!

[edit] Austin Salsa Map

Click a marker on the map for information about the venue. To keep this page open, open links in a new window.

[edit] Bands that regularly perform live

  • The Brew has a regularly updated calendar page with upcoming shows. FREE beginner lessons with DANCE U2. Verify on calendar:
    • Alternate Wed. Speakeasy 9:15-10, lesson.
    • Thurs. 10 pm-2 am Copa
    • Sun. 7-10 pm. Oasis.
  • Cienfuegos has a very nice website with an up-to-date calendar. [As for all postings on this site, confirm shows on their calendar]:
    • Wed. at Ruta Maya (see Clubs section below). $5 cover.
    • Thurs. 8-11pm at Baby A's - IH-35 & 290. No cover.
    • Some Fri. 9am-12am at The Monarch. $5 cover. 7pm DJ/Free class 8pm. 5/31 in the lobby, following Saturdays in the 3000+ sq. ft. Hall.
    • Some weekends at the Monarch, or on the Belmont's outside patio. Or the Ringside at Sullivan's Steakhouse, a nicer place with two live music bars serving up different bands. No cover. Expensive drinks. The Ringside, where Cienfuegos normally plays, has a small concrete dance floor.
  • Visit Ritmo3 MySpace for show info.
    • Wed. nights, 9-10 pm at Baby A's - 9505-B Stonelake Blvd. Austin, Tx 78759.
    • Some Thurs. nights at Copa.
  • Visit Salero! for show info. The hottest Salsa/Pop/Tropical music band in Austin! Featuring former lead singer of the Brew.

[edit] Clubs with weekly salsa nights

  • Copa, the best asset to the Austin salsa community, has a Flash-based website with a calendar. Check also Copa's MySpace. Thursday the Brew plays. Friday and Saturday they have salsa DJs. Cover is usually $7 or less. $5 group lessons at 9. The better dancers seem to prefer Friday. Saturday is busy too. NOW OPEN SUNDAY at 9pm - FREE entry; $3 beer. Beautiful, spacious, new wooden floor downstairs. A typical message that Copa posts weekly to the AustinSalsa Yahoo group.
  • Go Dance offers various salsa dancing and learning opportunities throughout the month including Déjà vu Sunday, a variety social dance with a familiar format. $5 all night. (no dance 6/8 – Summer Showcase this night)
    • FREE Mini Lessons throughout the evening:
      • 6-6:30pm Beginner and Intermediate Country (2 rooms)
      • 9-9:30pm Beginner and Intermediate Salsa (2 rooms)
    • Social Dance:
      • 6-9pm Country Western (including Two Step, Triple Two, West Coast Swing, Polka, Nightclub, Cha Cha, and Waltz)
      • 9-9:30pm West Coast Swing
      • 9:30pm-12:30am sizzling Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, & Cha Cha!
  • The Oasis. Sundays in summer for 11 years, the Brew has played a FREE all ages show, 7-10pm, with a FREE lesson with DANCE U2. Now on the 3rd floor of the Starlight Terrace. New, large, indoor dance floor! Incredibly beautiful space, open to the fresh air and uncomparable Lake Travis sunset view facing the outdoor terrace. About a 30-40 min. drive from downtown Austin.
  • El Rincon in Pflugerville. Salero, the hottest Salsa/Pop/Tropical music band in Austin, plays Sundays 7-10. 8:30-9:00, FREE beginner lesson. Diners and band appreciate dancers. Restaurant: 990-0250.
  • The Roux, A new salsa venue downstairs from the Parish. FREE! Includes appetizers and drink specials. Sidney teaches salsa from 10-11pm. Followed by an amazing house DJ. People dance here every Wednesday! 214 East 6th Street, Austin, TX 78701
  • Ruta Maya, a very Austin coffee house, has a concrete floor. Free parking. Open to all ages. Friendly to alternative life styles.
    • Wednesday Cienfuegos plays 9-11pm. $5 cover. 7:30-8:30 FREE Cuban Casino / Rueda style class with StreetSalsa's Esther.
    • Sunday classes with StreetSalsa's Sandra - 3 levels from 2-5 pm. Arrive early, after 2, you cannot join the first class. 2-3 beginner, 3-4 intermediate, 4-5 advanced. Please try to arrive 15 minutes before class to check in. New students $5/class; repeat students $7/class; 5 class Express card $20 with a Ruta Maya food/beverage purchase (receipt).
  • Speakeasy - The Brew plays every Wednesday and occasional weekends. Very hardcore salsa crowd Wednesday. On weekends, for a regular party crowd with few trained dancers, the Brew alters their music accordingly by playing mostly Latin jazz and "standards" like Gypsy Kings and Carlos Santana. Spotty service; crowded, small, concrete dance floor.

[edit] Infrequent or Special Events in 2008

The yahoo groups, club, studio, and band sections/websites above and below this section post lots MORE REGULAR EVENTS HAPPENING IN AUSTIN in addition to the events listed here. YOU can contribute to this page for FREE, just log in.

August events

  • 8/20, Every Wed. FREE! The Roux. Includes appetizers and drink specials - even free drinks for the ladies 10-11pm, unreal! 10-11pm, join Sidney, of Go Dance studio, for FREE Salsa class. Amazing house DJ. Downstairs from the Parish. 214 East 6th Street, 78701
  • 8/24, Sun. 7-9pm,$5 Hot Steppers Salsa Dance Party - Austin's LGBT Salsa Group welcomes everyone Gay-friendly, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer. More info.
  • 8/24, Sun. Go Dance Déjà vu Sunday. 9:30pm-12:30am, Social Dancing - sizzling Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, & Cha Cha! See full details above (Clubs with weekly salsa nights).
  • 8/28, Thur., 10pm "Luna y Sol" at GRUV lounge, Swanky new FREE latin dance venue! - 4th Thursday monthly. Join one of Austin's favorite Latin DJs, DJ Fabian. View flyer and see pictures of the club online - looks pretty swank! 101 W 5th St. Attend a fun $5 dance class with Sidney. 21 and up, fashionable attire required.

Monthly or less often:

  • GRUV - 4th Thursday monthly presents "Luna y Sol" salsa night including a salsa class and DJd music. See pictures of the club online - looks pretty swank! 101 W 5th St.

[edit] Studios

Let them know you found them here - say Fawn Legg on Salsa Nirvana referred you. Much appreciated!

  • Austin SalsaWeb City Guide - Find independent salsa instructors and much more. [Instructors, for inclusion, please contact Mitch at the top of that page.]

Many people in the salsa community attend:

  • Austin Uptown Dance has north and south locations with several salsa instructors including Roy Hernandez, Christian Villalobos and David Cantu. Uptown offers 13 salsa (or salsa related) classes per week (Monday through Friday) instruction On1 and On2; also ballroom, latin, swing, and country. New student discounts are available.
  • Dance Institute of Austin offers high-quality dance classes for both beginner and professional dancers of all ages. Our regular programs include Salsa as well as Ballroom, Ballet, Latin and social dancing. We also offer fitness-oriented classes centered around Latin Dance.
  • Go Dance also offers new student discounts, private lessons and group classes for a variety of dance styles, including salsa (on1 and on2), cha cha, merengue and bachata. Located at the corner of Anderson and Burnet in the newly renovated section of Northcross Mall.
    • Jazzy Dance Co's 4-time TX Salsa Champions and renowned independent instructors, Azucena Perez and Carlos Leon, teach On2 classes regularly, are available for privates (On1 or On2), and lead a performance team. They base their classes primarily at Go Dance studio. If you haven't tried it yet, the popularity of On2 Salsa dancing is growing in Texas and around the world.
    • In-house salsa instructors include Amanda Cardona of NY, David Abril, Sidney Joseph, and Taletha Jouzdani.

More places to attend salsa classes, including performance teams:

  • Austin Ballroom Dancers (ABD) is a social organization dedicated to ballroom dancing. They sponsor dances, classes, and workshops for people of all ages. Offering Classes: traditional Cuban Rumba, Mambo, Cha Cha as well as Ballroom Latin dances
  • Cepeda Library Salsa Class - 651N Pleasant Valley Rd.(corner w/7th St.) Saturdays from 2-4pm. Contact instructor Raul Ramirez - easysalsa AT yahoo DOT com.
  • Esquina Tango - Monica Caivano's tango studio offers salsa classes, salsa aerobics, and yoga - check calendar. East of downtown at 209 Pedernales St. and 3rd St. 78702.
  • Lonestar Dance in Pflugerville - Lorenzo Brizeno teaches affordable Monday salsa classes and is available for privates near the Arboretum. He is also the photographer and producer of the Texas Salsa Diva's calendar. Be inspired by getting to know the Diva of the month on his site Salsa with Style.
  • Fuerza Latina Dance Company - Delilah Torrence, the director and choreographer, also teaches salsa classes and is available for privates.
  • Mezcla Training and Performance Team with Lorenzo Brizeno. A great opportunity for UT students to learn salsa very inexpensively to an advanced level, perform, and have fun! Attendance and commitment required.
  • Salsa Austin - Authentic Latin master Alvaro Gomez teaches latin dance classes with Colombian flair and is available for privates.
  • Salsa Candela - A group of friends who love to perform together at parties, fundraisers and events. All the Latin dances get them moving: salsa, Cuban-style casino de rueda, cha cha, bachata, and merengue! Specializing in overviews of the various styles of dance and non-intimidating beginner-level lessons.
  • Willow Tree Dance Center "A Christian approach to dance." In Cedar Park. Latin Friday Nights 6-week Salsa series with Toni of Street Salsa. June 6th - July 18th (no class July 4th).
    • 7:30-9pm, Adults. $50
    • 6:30-7:30pm, Youth / Teens (age 13 -18). $40

[edit] Austin News

  • Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center are currently auditioning for their performing company (dancers and musicians), plus classes in dance and music for all ages, and upcoming 11th Birthday Celebration and Performance Event!
  • Jazzy Dance Co's Azucena and Carlos present the first in their DVD series, Everyone Can Salsa! - Intermediate/Advanced Salsa Turn Patterns</b> Order DVD This DVD is full of fun, 100% leadable, and unique partner-work combinations sure to make you want to get on the dance floor! Demonstrated on1 AND on2. Featuring the music of mega-hit orchestra La Excelencia from New York! Shot in Austin's own beautiful Copa Bar & Grill.

[edit] Austin on YouTube

Notable Austin salsa dancers on YouTube:

Azucena and Carlos of Jazzy Dance Co Fuerza Latina
Christian Villalobos Sidney Joseph
Roy Hernandez 1 Roy Hernandez 2


More:

[edit] Of interest, not specifically salsa

  • Esquina Tango offers Salsa Aerobics Saturdays 10:30-11:30am with Stephanie. All levels. Ladies, move to the fun beat of Salsa Aerobics! Learn sexy footwork and flirty hips while you sweat. For any woman in need of a space to relax, have a good time, exercise, sweat, and learn about rhythm and coordination. First class is FREE! Just walk in and try it out! $12 per class; $50 for 5 classes. Check or cash only.
  • Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center is an active non-profit cultural center; one of four on the mainland US affiliated with the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. Everyone is encouraged to visit, whether experiencing Puerto Rican culture for the first time, or interested in learning more about or sharing the Puerto Rican culture with others. PRFD promotes cultural awareness and pride through high-quality cultural and historical programs; and authentic traditional performance arts, including dance (Bomba, Plena, Seis, and Danza), and music. Puerto Rican Studies topics also include literature, food, arts, crafts, and more.
  • Dancer's Exercise Class with Sherry at Austin Uptown Dance weekdays at 12. Sherry also offers a highly recommended once monthly Fundamentals of Partner Dancing workshop on connection for all partner dances. Held 1st Sundays?
  • Ballet Austin Community class Ballet Fit classes, Sat 9-10 w/Greg Easley, combine the muscle sculpting and abdominal control gained in a regular ballet class with the fun and cardio workout of an aerobics class. Work, sweat, improve your health, but most importantly meet people and have fun.
  • Latin Aerobics Burn calories with Carmen Degollado to a combination of Salsa, Merengue, Regetton, Quebradita, Duranguenze, Bachata, Cumbia Colombiana y Cumbia Tejana, Tango, and Hip Hop. Very intense and fun class! First class is FREE. Begins Wed. Jan. 2. Mon. and Wed. 6-7 pm at Parke Zaragosa Rec. Center. 2608 Gonzales St. 78702. Just show up or for info. email carmendego2002 AT yahoo DOT com or 632-6857. $20.00 per month
  • Tapestry offers Moving Women: Women Moving Wednesdays. 1.5 hr dance class - no experience needed! 30 minute pilates and yoga stretching warm-up, then an hour dancing. Move freely without worrying about how you look or who might be coming up behind you. Ever dreamt of being a prima ballerina, a salsa diva, or just want to get your body back into that 30 something shape?

[edit] Dance gear, clothes, shoes, and such

  • Quality Aris Allen dance shoes available on-line at Dance Store. The retro runner is a popular shoe.
  • Check out the model "Classic," another fantastically comfortable and stylish flat for men and women is made by Ballo (or Gaballini). Sold by vendors at large salsa events and on-line - baila brand (also sells fun shirts).
  • demitasse designs Elif rocks custom hats and accessories made from recycled and vintage materials. She can create one especially for you!
  • Foot Pain Relief Store - Very informative website for foot problems. Experienced and caring, Gus provides quality work. Not too fast, with reasonable prices. Have any shoes made into dance shoes (don't be in a huge hurry to get them back right away). Get custom orthotics for pain relief. Many other ideas to keep your feet feeling good.
  • Uptown Goddess boutique located at Uptown Dance Studio offers gorgeous super blingy fun new and used costumes for competition and fun dancewear for clubbing. Rhea hand selects and hand stones items.
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