Salsa and bachata classes for the Queer community and their friends
Monterey Peninsula
Enjoy the meandering coast, gentle sea breezes, surging waves, and hang out with the adorable seals and sea lions on the beach.
Find your chosen family on the dance floor
Queerchata connects Queer dancers through movement. Our salsa and bachata classes allow you to explore dance outside the binary, celebrate community, and improve your dance skills. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or just trying something new, you’re welcome on our dance floor.
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Classes for every level
Social
All levels welcome
Join us for a night of dancing, laughter, and community. During our social events, our instructors guide you through the basics of bachata and help you improve along the way. If you’re looking for something fun to do alone or with friends, this class is for you. Our social classes are open to all skill levels—two left feet included.
Learn the basics or improve on your foundation with our intro class. We'll focus on fundamental bachata steps and techniques for creating strong connections with your dance partner. We also spend time acknowledging the roots and history of bachata and learning how to think beyond the binary on the dance floor.
Learn the basics or improve on your foundation with our intro salsa class. We'll focus on fundamental salsa steps and techniques for creating strong connections with your dance partner. We also spend time acknowledging the roots and history of salsa and learning how to think beyond the binary on the dance floor.
Build on the fundamentals of bachata with a deep focus on body movement and how you connect on the dance floor. In this class, we’ll focus on intermediate dance patterns, proper leading and following techniques, and musical rhythm. You’ll also learn how to explore the dance floor in a safe and respectful way.
Danny Ramirez (they/them/elle) is a queer, disabled, child of immigrants, Latine dancer. Over the last twenty-five years, they have trained in jazz, hip hop, and various latin dance styles and began their focus on bachata 15 years ago. In 2017 they founded and directed La Tormenta Dance Company based in Berkeley/Oakland which included various weekly bachata classes, training and performance teams in bachata and Latin fusion, private lessons, over 50 social dancing events, and quineañera/wedding services. In 2021 they took a break from dance after going back to school and last month they graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Women and Gender Studies with a minor in Human Sexuality at San Francisco State University. Taking a break and going back to school has allowed them to re-emerge into the dance scene with a vision of the world they want to foster within the dance scene. They aim to create a dance space that is inclusive and accessible for queer folk, people with disabilities and the working class, because dance has a healing and joyful power that should be accessible to anyone who desires to express themselves through music and movement.
What you'll find
Space to be yourself
A supportive environment
New friends and community
Intentional teaching for different learning styles
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.png?width=75&height=75&name=Untitled%20design%20(6).png "Untitled design (6)")
