Latin Jazz & Salsa Dance

Latin Jazz and Salsa Dance workshops--caliente!

Centrum’s first-ever Latin Jazz and Salsa Dance workshops were held concurrently March 18 – 22.  Both were designed from the beginning to be fun, and the Saturday night performance of the musicians at the public Salsa dance provided the perfect opportunity!  Musicians and dancers all had the chance to put what they’d learned into practice, and the interaction between the two groups was a blast to see.

The Salsa workshop also launched new partnerships with Madrona MindBody Institute at Fort Worden, and Century Ballroom in Seattle.  Partnerships like this allow all the organizations involved to extend their reach, and this one did just that. Thanks to both of them for helping to make this first effort a real success!

Public Salsa Dance Information

Join us March 19 and 20, 2010 for two nights of Salsa dancing at Fort Worden in the Madrona MindBody Institute’s beautiful studios, located at 310 Fort Worden Way in Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend. 

A 1-hour beginner session with basic steps and brush-up starts at 8pm, with the full dance getting underway at 9pm.  Music will be provided by DJ Victor, as well as a set by a live band on Saturday! 

Victor Chavez aka DJ Victor is one of Seattle’s most popular deejays and is a founding director of Somos El Son, a Salsa dance organization that has performed at the Seattle Salsa Congress and Seattle Folk Life Festival, among other venues.

On Sunday morning at 10am, you can also participate in the  "Soulful Sundays" session at Madrona MindBody.

Purchase tickets online, or test your luck at the door!

Announcing the Latin Jazz Intensive

For several years, Jazz Port Townsend workshop attendees have asked for a Latin Jazz workshop to learn more about the special rhythmic and stylistic elements of this music. 

Now we are happy to announce a Latin Jazz Intensive, March 18-21, 2010 led by Berklee College of Music faculty member Oscar Stagnaro, an internationally known Latin Jazz educator and virtuoso bassist who has performed and recorded with Paquito D’Rivera, Ray Baretto and many other Latin greats. 

At the Intensive you will learn how to play and use a variety of Latin rhythms including Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Caribbean as well as developing your improvisation skills in the Latin idiom.  You’ll perform in a combo with expert coaching along with public performance opportunities over the weekend, including playing for the Salsa Dance intensive running concurrently with this workshop.  

Visit our Latin Jazz Intensive page for complete information, and to sign-up today!

Announcing the Salsa Dance Intensive

Join us for our first-ever Salsa Dance Intensive, running concurrently with our Latin Jazz Intensive, March 18-21, 2010.  Centrum is joining forces with the Century Ballroom in Seattle and the Madrona MindBody Institute in Port Townsend to bring together a great group of dance faculty who will help you expand your skills.

Plus Two Nights of Public Salsa Dancing: Learn more!

We will offer Salsa classes On1 and On2 for both intermediate and advanced dancers.  Roger Chen will teach On2 while the Century Ballroom instructors will teach On1.  Each day will start with a footwork and styling class for all levels.

There will be three intro classes offered over the weekend called “dancing outside the box” to expand your dance repertoire – we’ll be teaching West Coast Swing, Bachata and one still TBA. The weekend will include daily classes plus three nights of dancing, culminating on Saturday with a live band!  In addition to a variety of Salsa classes, there will be a special session led by the music faculty on hearing and understanding Latin rhythms.

Visit our Salsa Dance Intensive page for complete information, and to sign-up today!