The Seattle Cuban Dance Fest is the first and only festival dedicated to showcasing Cuban traditional dances. This year's line-up includes some of the finest Cuban dance instructors on the West Coast.
Join us for three days of high intense workshops with the instructors and live percussionists, performances, live Cuban bands, and social parties.
Presented by
Jorge Luis & Indira are Professional Dancer, Teacher, and Choreographer from Cuba who graduated from ENA( National School of Dance from Cuba), especially in Cuban Folklore, Afro, Rumba, Salsa and popular Styles, Contemporary, and Musician. Participations in Different Shows, Programs, Fest and Congress alike, Santiago Alfonso Company from Cuba, Habana Queen Company from Cuba, Rakatan Company from Cuba, Lady Salsa show, Habana Rakatan Show, etc..... Visiting some Countries Like France, Suiza, England, Canada, Russia, and the USA... Las Vegas Salsa bachata congress, Las Vegas Salsa Bachata Fest, Cirque Du Soleil, Afro Sexy.....!!! Teacher in Naiboa Dance Studio Las Vegas NV, Rhythmic Dance Studio Las Vegas NV, Moderno Dance Center Las Vegas NV.
Kati brings to the USA her humble, yet explosive and uplifting energy. Kati's knowledge of dance and choreography reveals her intricate and versatile style, making her a highly sought-after performer, nationally and internationally. A native of Cuba, Kati grew up surrounded by the sounds of the drum and the Afro-Cuban tradition. Her dance studies included folkloric, popular, modern, ballet, choreography, composition, and staging. Her earlier performances include the Havana International Jazz Festival with Cuban stars such as Bobby Carcases and Chucho Valdez and the Bienal Internacional de la Habana with Afro-Cuban music and performance icon Mercedita Valdez and visual artist Manuel Mendive.
Anaya Latin Dance is a duo dance company based in Anchorage, Alaska. Ciro Anaya is from Santiago de Cuba, the birthplace of Cuban son. Before moving to Alaska, he danced in the internationally-recognized professional dance company directed by Yanek Revilla, Sabor DKY, performing Cuban popular dances and teaching groups of students from all around the world. His partner Liz Anaya is from Alaska and holds a master's degree in Dance Knowledge, Practice, and Heritage, focusing on Cuban dance during her studies. In 2016, she served as a judge at Salsanor’s annual “Rueda Congress” in Norway.
Originally from Havana, Toqui currently lives and teaches Cuban dances in Boulder, Colorado. He launched his dance instruction business, Toqui Dance, shortly after arriving from Cuba in 2021. Toqui was exposed to dance early in his life. The streets were his original dance school until he started working at the famous Casona del Son, one of Havana's top salsa and Cuban dance schools. There, surrounded by some of Havana’s best dancers and following the teaching methodology of the school’s director, Silvia Canals, he learned his trade. He taught at the school for nearly 10 years before moving to the Boulder area. As a lead instructor, Toqui received training from Master instructors in the Havana area and studied in programs offered by the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba. Toqui’s experience includes participation as a lead instructor in Ritmo Cuba, Havana’s top Salsa festival, and teaching salsa courses for United Nations personnel in Port of Prince, Haiti. He has also offered a number of workshops in Colorado and New Mexico and has participated as an instructor in the Denver Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, and Kizomba Congress. and participated in the bailanydancefest
Michael "Michelito" Herrera is the former Musical Director of the world-acclaimed Cuban folkloric dance group Yoruba Andabo. Alongside General Director Yosvany del Pino, Miguel led Yoruba Andabo for four years, in which he managed the musical arrangements, vocal and musical instrument performances, as well as the artistic dance repertoire of an exceedingly-talented group of dancers and musicians. A self-taught dancer and musician, Miguel has been deeply immersed in Cuban folkloric dance and performance since he was six years old, performing in child dance ensembles. A native of La Habana, Cuba, he has shared the world stage with some of Cuba's and Latin America's most prominent musicians and artists, including Chucho Valdes, Juan Formell & Los Van Van, Oscar de Leon, Xiomara Laugart from Yerba Buena, Calle 13 and Juanes in stages all over the globe, including the UK, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Brazil and Cuba. Most recently, Miguel performed with Yoruba Andabo and Chucho Valdes at Carnegie Hall in New York City in November of 2012.
Reinier and Daniela are the directors of La Clave Cubana Entertainment, Seattle Cuban Dance Fest, and Passport 2 Cuba Travel Company. Reinier first started dancing to the Afro-Cuban rhythms at the young age of 13. Reinier was immediately discovered by a professional Afro Cuban dance team which recruited his talent and showcased him all over Cuba. At the age of 18, he graduated from Casa de La Cultura Arroyo Naranjo Cuba as a dance instructor specializing in Popular Dances, such as Cuban Salsa, Son, Cha cha cha, Mambo, and Rumba. Daniela's love for music and dancing started at a young age leading her to be one of the principal dancers at the music festivals in her school. Daniela’s salsa background started in 2009. LA style was her first learned style but in 2011, Cuban Casino stole her heart. They now live in Seattle where they continue to share their passion for Popular Dance and Afro-Cuban rhythms through dance classes, workshops, and performances at his studio, La Clave Cubana.
Kiki Valera. Born the oldest son in the famous multigenerational musical family, Valera quite literally grew up living and breathing the deep-rooted musical traditions of eastern Cuba and is known as one of the world’s greatest players of the Cuban cuatro, a mid-size, eight-stringed guitar. “Son Cubano, much like American jazz, has been in a constant state of evolution from its beginnings. Valera continues in that spirit, shedding new and modern light on the music.
“I just wanted to stop in and say how much fun I had at the Seattle Cuban Dance Fest! Thanks for putting together such a great weekend!”
Event Schedule
Meany Hall at University of Washington
4040 George Washington Lane NE
Seattle, WA 98105
