Tourists visiting Cali, Colombia, this weekend will have a chance to learn to dance salsa from some of the best dancers in the country in free classes open to the public.
The event “Baila en Cali” (Dance in Cali) will take place in the city known as “the world capital of salsa,” and will feature classes, divided by level into A, B and C divisions, led by the world salsa masters of Baile Deportivo, Jefferson Benjumea and Adriana Avila. The event began on Wednesday and will run until Monday, October 14.
In addition to salsa classes, the event will feature concerts and performances by professionals, offering inspiration for the aspiring salsa dancer. There will also be double-decker bus tours of the city and a gastronomy tour, giving visitors a chance to try local dishes and specialties.
Invited performing artists include Hugo Candelario, Yuri Buenaventura, Herencia de Timbiqui, Javier Vasquez, Kinteto Pacifico, Los Reyes de la Salsa Urbana, Mujeres All Star, and Cabaret Evolution Dance.
The event director, Johanna Cote, told El Tiempo newspaper that they organized the event hoping to spread salsa music and dance across the world. “The idea of the production is to invite people from all over Colombia and the world to come and learn the magical rhythm of life.”
Thursday Oct. 10th
Dance classes in Centro Cultural de Cali
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. / 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Cabaret Evolution Dance
Plazoleta Jairo Varela / 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tours
10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Friday Oct. 11th
Dance classes in the Centro Cultural de Cali
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. / 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
City Salsa Tour
Tour of emblematic salsa sites around the city
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Yuri Buenaventura and Hugo Candelario in concert
Plazoleta Jairo Varela
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 12th
Dance classes in the Centro Cultural de Cali
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. / 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Gastronomy Tour
Includes two typical meals from the Cauca Valley: typical caleña food and typical food from the Pacific.
Kinteto Pacifico, Javier Vasquez and The Kings of Urban Salsa in concert
Plazoleta Jairo Varela
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Sunday Oct. 13th
Dance classes in the Centro Cultural de Cali
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. / 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. / 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. / 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Herencia de Timbiqui and Mujeres All Star in concert
Plazoleta Jairo Varela
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Monday Oct. 14th
Dance classes in the Centro Cultural de Cali
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. / 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Salsoteca
Plazoleta Jairo Varela
3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.