Intermediate Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series (Sept 08 - 29)

Looking to deepen your dance practice in a welcoming, community-rooted space? This Intermediate Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Class Series is designed for dancers who have the basics down and are ready to grow. Whether you've completed our Beginner Series or have experience elsewhere, this 4-class series offers the chance to build confidence, expand your skillset, and enjoy the joy of movement with others.

Led by Juliana Mendonca (she/her), a Venezuelan dancer, choreographer, and co-founder of Raíz de Agua, this class centers the mind-body connection and the rhythms of salsa, bachata, and merengue. Her distinctive approach invites dancers to connect with their body’s natural rhythm before focusing on choreography, creating a powerful foundation for expressive and fluid movement.

Classes are taught using a "leaders" and "followers" framework—not gendered roles—offering a space where dancers of all identities feel welcome and supported.

• Strengthen footwork, timing, and partner techniques
• Deepen your relationship to Latin music and rhythm
• Move in a gender-inclusive, community-centered environment
• Make new connections through shared movement and joy

Enrollment:

$94 for the entire 3-class series (+ Eventbrite fees)

All participants receive 1 complimentary entry to BAILA, La Peña’s monthly community dance party featuring live music and DJs!

is a Venezuelan dancer, choreographer, and solo performance artist whose work integrates creativity, spirit, and nature through movement. Her performances primarily feature her as a solo artist, using dance as a vehicle for inner connection and creative exploration.

She holds a degree in Dance from the University Institute of Caracas, Venezuela, and has taught at the Performing Arts Department of the University of the Andes in Mérida, Venezuela. Her teaching method prioritizes connecting with your body’s rhythm before mastering steps and turns—offering a refreshing alternative to traditional dance instruction.

Follow Juliana: @julianamendoncadanceLearn more about her work: liquidanza.com

At La Peña, we strive to create a space rooted in care, joy, and collective responsibility. By participating in this class, we ask that you agree to:

• Be present
• Treat everyone with respect
• Take care of the space
• Practice thoughtful communication
• Practice active listening
• Take care of yourself and each other
• Ask for consent
• Honor everybody's gender identity, gender expression, and pronouns
• Honor La Peña staff & organizers' requests

These agreements help us move together in trust and build the kind of community we all deserve.

🏳️‍🌈 La Peña Cultural Center is a queer-affirming, community-based cultural space dedicated to collective joy, resistance, and creative expression. We are committed to creating accessible, inclusive environments for all 🏳️‍⚧️

📩 Questions? Email us at: [email protected]

• La Peña is a wheelchair-accessible venue with step-less entry, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms.
• Restrooms are all-gender
• Masks are strongly encouraged. If you’re experiencing COVID-19, cold, or flu-like symptoms, please consider staying home to protect our community. HEPA air purifiers operate throughout our space.

We strive to make La Peña a welcoming, accessible space for everyone. For accommodation requests, please contact us at least one week in advance, and we’ll do our best to support you. Email us at [email protected].

• Public Transit: The 18 bus line stops directly across the street (Shattuck & Woolsey), and Ashby BART is just two blocks away.
• Parking: Free street parking is available, or park at the Ashby BART station for a fee.
• Bike-Friendly: Bike racks are available outside La Peña.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, United States