baila vancouver

Do I need a partner?
No you do not. Contrary to popular belief, this dance is not a "one partner" dance. It is a social dance scene where you will likely dance with new people the entire night. In our classes, most of our students come by themselves, either because they don't have a partner to dance with, or because they are interested in meeting new people. Our classes are designed to teach you leading and following techniques which are smooth and clear, enabling you to dance with anyone, not only a partner (if you have one) or people in your classes.

What if I have no dance experience?
Our beginner courses aim to teach you all you need to know to start dancing Salsa and the other Latin Dances. It is very common for people to feel "funny" or awkward in the beginning, but stick with it and push through those feelings. You will soon reap the benefits of increased confidence and can relax and have fun. We strongly believe in foundation and communication through your lead and follow that are universal to Salsa (and the other partner dances). With a little time and persistence, you will be able to lead or follow almost anyone, even people you have never danced with before or people from other countries.

How much does it cost?

We have various packages:

Drop in: $ 15 + gst
3 week courses are $ 40 + gst (registration page will specify what each course costs)
6 week courses are $ 80 + gst
Or you can buy a 10 hr package that allows you to drop in to any course as many times as you like a week. The 10 hr package is the most flexible as you do not need to commit to a specific timeline and it is the most cost-effective.

Our Studio is inside the Bentall Centre Athletic Club 1055 Dunsmuir St. Bentall 4 Tower Lower Plaza. It is accross the skytrain station on the north side. The entrance is between Burrard and Thurlow on Dunsmuir, down the steps and to the left. You will need to enter Bentall Centre Athletic Club Gym and we conduct our lessons in their dance studio.

What kind of people go to these salsa class?
The great thing about our classes is that we attract people from all background and ages…I’ve had students from 2 to 90 years old! What you will notice is that everyone is in it to learn and have fun!

What if I have no rhythm and two left feet?
You are not alone. Many people feel that way, but we have great teaching techniques, extensive experience, and knowledge that we will pass on to you which will enable you to "grow a right foot" :>.

In fact, our number one goal is to create great dancers who have fun no matter how much experience they have had in the past! We take great pride in the accomplishments of our d

How do i register?
Please click on the "How to register link" and fill out the information, you will only need to fill out the information once and that will guarantee you a spot. The information needs to be filled online wether you pay online or pay at the class.

Where do I fit into your class structure if I have some experience or have taken lessons somewhere else?
Please set up a time with us so we can dance with you to see what level your are at then we will let you know what the best course is for you. You can also simply show up at the beginning or end of any of our classes, and we can assess you then.

What should I wear?
Something comfortable, and dress in layers. You may start off feeling cold, but by the end of the first 10 minutes you'll be sweating! Make sure it isn't too long so that you don't trip. Yoga pants, khakis, shorts, t-shirts and tank tops are ideal.

What kind of shoes should I wear?
For ladies, the best choice, if you are willing to invest some money, would be professional dance shoes, but they are not necessary to start a beginner class. Any flat shoe, or heeled shoe with a smooth sole that will stay on your foot will work. No sandals or heavy clunky shoes is preferable. For men, any shoe that has a thin profile bottom is better than a clunky rubber-soled shoe. You can also just wear your socks if you have nothing else that works :>

Where can I buy dance shoes?

There are many stores in Vancouver. Here are some names and googling is the best way to find their current hours, discounts and location: Avalon Dance Shop, Broadway The Dance Shop, Parker Place Mall has many ballroom shoe stores.

Salsa: Africando, Celia Cruz, Mark Anthony, Ray Barretto, Hector Lavoie, Tito Puente, Fruko y Sus Tesos, La Sonora Carrouseles,DLG, Eddie Palmieri, El Gran Combo, Willie Colon, Carlos Vives, Adolescentes, Oscar de Leon, Grupo Niche, Victor Manuelle, Jose Alberto El Canario, Thalia, La India, Brenda Star
Cumbia:Rafaga
Bachata Musicians : Monchy y Alexandra, Aventura,
Merengue: Alex Bueno, Elvis Crespo
Tango: Forever Tango Compilation, Color Tango, Osvaldo Pugliese, Astor Piazzolla
Tango Nuevo: Bajo Fondo, Gotan Project
Cha Cha: Buena Vista Social Club