Workshops and Special Events
Workshops are taught with the intention of providing additional information or context that is not available inside class curriculum. These workshops may be taught by VMAC staff or visiting guest instructors. Check back often for updates!
VMAC Workshops
Join Tara & Branden for an immersive journey into the rich cultural and musical roots of salsa! This workshop will explore the evolution of salsa from Cuba to New York City.
We'll cover:
1. Music History – Discover the roots + evolution of salsa.
2. Music Theory & Basic Rhythms – Gain an understanding of the musical structure behind salsa. We will break down percussion elements, instruments, and learn how to add musicality to our basic steps.
3. Movement & Rhythms of the Salsa Family – Explore rhythms and styles that exist within salsa music and culture including guaguancó, cha cha cha, and pachanga.
This workshop is designed for dancers, musicians, and anyone interested in deepening their appreciation of salsa music and dance. All levels are welcome!
Saturday June 14th 1 pm to 3 pm
Register Here https://bit.ly/salsamusic0625
We'll cover:
1. Music History – Discover the roots + evolution of salsa.
2. Music Theory & Basic Rhythms – Gain an understanding of the musical structure behind salsa. We will break down percussion elements, instruments, and learn how to add musicality to our basic steps.
3. Movement & Rhythms of the Salsa Family – Explore rhythms and styles that exist within salsa music and culture including guaguancó, cha cha cha, and pachanga.
This workshop is designed for dancers, musicians, and anyone interested in deepening their appreciation of salsa music and dance. All levels are welcome!
Saturday June 14th 1 pm to 3 pm
Register Here https://bit.ly/salsamusic0625
Join us for a special 2-hour Salsa Follows Styling Workshop on Sunday, June 29th, from 2 PM to 4 PM, designed specifically for beyond beginner students!
If you’re ready to elevate your styling, confidence, and expression on the dance floor, this workshop is for you. To join, you should already be comfortable with basic salsa steps, including Suzie Qs, forward crosses, and turns.
In this session, we’ll explore dynamic arm styling, elegant body movement, and footwork variations to help you bring flair and individuality to your dance. Through drills, guided practice, and short combinations, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of musicality, control, and how to add your unique flavor to every move.
This workshop is all about building your confidence to shine, whether you’re on the dance floor or performing.
Get ready to learn, have fun, and level up your styling game!
Register Here https://bit.ly/salsastyling0625
If you’re ready to elevate your styling, confidence, and expression on the dance floor, this workshop is for you. To join, you should already be comfortable with basic salsa steps, including Suzie Qs, forward crosses, and turns.
In this session, we’ll explore dynamic arm styling, elegant body movement, and footwork variations to help you bring flair and individuality to your dance. Through drills, guided practice, and short combinations, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of musicality, control, and how to add your unique flavor to every move.
This workshop is all about building your confidence to shine, whether you’re on the dance floor or performing.
Get ready to learn, have fun, and level up your styling game!
Register Here https://bit.ly/salsastyling0625
Want to be the dancer everyone is itching to partner with? Whether you're into Salsa, Bachata, or Kizomba, this 3-hour workshop will elevate your skills, making you a sought-after Lead or Follow in any dance setting.
Register Here https://bit.ly/leadfollow0725
What This Workshop Offers:
- Techniques for becoming a clear, smooth, and soft Lead
- Insights for evolving into a light, responsive Follow
- Core principles in Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba that can be applied universally to most partner dances
Lead & Follow: The Fine Art of Dance Communication
Master the art of Lead and Follow in Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba, while understanding how these principles translate to other dance genres.
Lead: The Lead is the driver, steering the dance with creative movements and thoughtful sequencing, inviting the Follow into each step with care and attention.
Follow: The Follow remains present, responsive, and balanced, seamlessly adapting to the Lead's movements while maintaining a solid connection.
Diverse Dance Focus
While the workshop zeroes in on Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba, you'll also learn how these foundational principles can be adapted for other partner dances. The differences between the dance styles will be discussed, giving you a holistic view of dance communication.
What People Are Saying:
- "Jamal can make anyone look good; he can even make a broomstick dance."
- "Dancing with Carolina is like driving a Mercedes; it feels like she knows what I'm going to do before I know."
No Partner, No Problem
You don't need a partner to participate. We encourage rotating partners throughout the session for a diversified learning experience.
Important Info:
- This is a 3-hour workshop with a 15-minute break included.
- All sales are final. No refunds.
---
Ready to elevate your dance game? Book your spot now and become the Lead or Follow everyone wants to dance with!
Register Here https://bit.ly/leadfollow0725
What This Workshop Offers:
- Techniques for becoming a clear, smooth, and soft Lead
- Insights for evolving into a light, responsive Follow
- Core principles in Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba that can be applied universally to most partner dances
Lead & Follow: The Fine Art of Dance Communication
Master the art of Lead and Follow in Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba, while understanding how these principles translate to other dance genres.
Lead: The Lead is the driver, steering the dance with creative movements and thoughtful sequencing, inviting the Follow into each step with care and attention.
Follow: The Follow remains present, responsive, and balanced, seamlessly adapting to the Lead's movements while maintaining a solid connection.
Diverse Dance Focus
While the workshop zeroes in on Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba, you'll also learn how these foundational principles can be adapted for other partner dances. The differences between the dance styles will be discussed, giving you a holistic view of dance communication.
What People Are Saying:
- "Jamal can make anyone look good; he can even make a broomstick dance."
- "Dancing with Carolina is like driving a Mercedes; it feels like she knows what I'm going to do before I know."
No Partner, No Problem
You don't need a partner to participate. We encourage rotating partners throughout the session for a diversified learning experience.
Important Info:
- This is a 3-hour workshop with a 15-minute break included.
- All sales are final. No refunds.
---
Ready to elevate your dance game? Book your spot now and become the Lead or Follow everyone wants to dance with!
Guest Instructor Workshops
🌴Pedro & Noe - THE RETURN🌴
6 Hour Bachata Intensive & Socials!
*** Register Here https://buytickets.at/rosecitysalsa/1675715 ***
August 22nd - 24th, 2025
Pedro & Noe are returning to Portland for the Summer! Last year was absolutely MIND BLOWING and we cannot wait to have these incredible artists back to bring their energy, crazy love of social dancing, and awesome Bachata technique to all of us!
☀️ FRIDAY - August 22nd ☀️
○ 10:00pm - 1:00am
Friday Night Social! Included if full pass is purchased.
Friday Night Social Pass at the door: $15 Cash, $18 Venmo.
==============================
🥥 SATURDAY - August 23rd 🥥
○ 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Workshop Topic Coming Soon!
○ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Workshop Topic Coming Soon!
-------------------------------------------------------
Saturday Night Social! Included if full pass is purchased.
10:00pm - 1:00am
Saturday Night Ticket Available at the Door: $15 Cash, $18 Venmo
==============================
🐚 SUNDAY - August 24th 🐚
○ 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Workshop Topic Coming Soon!
○ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Workshop Topic Coming Soon!
==============================
🎟️🎟️ TICKETS PRICES: 🎟️🎟️
🌻🌻Intermediate Pass [6 Hours + 2 Socials]
$165 Early Bird
$175 Tier 1
$185 Tier 2
$195 Tier 3
$210 Tier 4
Includes Friday Night Social
Includes Classes on Saturday, Saturday Night Social
Includes Sunday Classes
==============================
LOCATION:
** Location subject to change at any time. No refunds or returns will be given to any participant for any reason due to a location change. Please check back to event for location updates.
📍 Vitalidad Movement Arts Center
2648 E Burnside St
==============================
TICKETS TERMS:- NON REFUNDABLE
- Tickets DO NOT transfer to future events
- Workshop and schedule are subject to change
- If you purchase a ticket outside of your skill level, you will be refunded the difference in pass price.
- You may sell your pass to another student: please email [email protected]
6 Hour Bachata Intensive & Socials!
*** Register Here https://buytickets.at/rosecitysalsa/1675715 ***
August 22nd - 24th, 2025
Pedro & Noe are returning to Portland for the Summer! Last year was absolutely MIND BLOWING and we cannot wait to have these incredible artists back to bring their energy, crazy love of social dancing, and awesome Bachata technique to all of us!
☀️ FRIDAY - August 22nd ☀️
○ 10:00pm - 1:00am
Friday Night Social! Included if full pass is purchased.
Friday Night Social Pass at the door: $15 Cash, $18 Venmo.
==============================
🥥 SATURDAY - August 23rd 🥥
○ 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Workshop Topic Coming Soon!
○ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Workshop Topic Coming Soon!
-------------------------------------------------------
Saturday Night Social! Included if full pass is purchased.
10:00pm - 1:00am
Saturday Night Ticket Available at the Door: $15 Cash, $18 Venmo
==============================
🐚 SUNDAY - August 24th 🐚
○ 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Workshop Topic Coming Soon!
○ 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Workshop Topic Coming Soon!
==============================
🎟️🎟️ TICKETS PRICES: 🎟️🎟️
🌻🌻Intermediate Pass [6 Hours + 2 Socials]
$165 Early Bird
$175 Tier 1
$185 Tier 2
$195 Tier 3
$210 Tier 4
Includes Friday Night Social
Includes Classes on Saturday, Saturday Night Social
Includes Sunday Classes
==============================
LOCATION:
** Location subject to change at any time. No refunds or returns will be given to any participant for any reason due to a location change. Please check back to event for location updates.
📍 Vitalidad Movement Arts Center
2648 E Burnside St
==============================
TICKETS TERMS:- NON REFUNDABLE
- Tickets DO NOT transfer to future events
- Workshop and schedule are subject to change
- If you purchase a ticket outside of your skill level, you will be refunded the difference in pass price.
- You may sell your pass to another student: please email [email protected]
Summer Zouk Intensive with Leandro & Nayara
Grounding, Musicality & More!
August 29th - 31st, 2025
We are thrilled to welcome the return of Leandro & Nayara to Portland! These two incredible artists of Brazilian Zouk specialize in radically transforming your dance with details on grounding, hearing the follows voice, self expression, musicality and body movement. The goal is to deep dive on these expressions and immediately put them into your dance!
FRIDAY - August 29th
SATURDAY - August 30th
SUNDAY - August 31st
Register Here https://buytickets.at/rosecitysalsa/1720781
==============================
TICKETS PRICES:
Intermediate Pass [6 Hours + 2 Socials]
$165 Early Bird
$185 Tier 1
$195 Tier 2
$215 Tier 3
Includes Friday Night Social
Includes Classes on Saturday (except Challenge), Saturday Night Social
Includes Sunday Classes (except Challenge)
CHALLENGE PASS:
2 Additional Hours of Training. MUST be approved prior to purchase
** if you have been approved for previous Portland Zouk challenge passes you do not require pre-approval**
$50 - Requires 6 couples minimum
==============================
LOCATION:
** Location subject to change at any time. No refunds or returns will be given to any participant for any reason due to a location change. Please check back to event for location updates.
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center
2648 E Burnside St
==============================
TICKETS TERMS:- NON REFUNDABLE
- Tickets DO NOT transfer to future events
- Workshop and schedule are subject to change
- If you purchase a ticket outside of your skill level, you will be refunded the difference in pass price.
- You may sell your pass to another student: please email [email protected] for more details.
For more information visit facebook event
Grounding, Musicality & More!
August 29th - 31st, 2025
We are thrilled to welcome the return of Leandro & Nayara to Portland! These two incredible artists of Brazilian Zouk specialize in radically transforming your dance with details on grounding, hearing the follows voice, self expression, musicality and body movement. The goal is to deep dive on these expressions and immediately put them into your dance!
FRIDAY - August 29th
SATURDAY - August 30th
SUNDAY - August 31st
Register Here https://buytickets.at/rosecitysalsa/1720781
==============================
TICKETS PRICES:
Intermediate Pass [6 Hours + 2 Socials]
$165 Early Bird
$185 Tier 1
$195 Tier 2
$215 Tier 3
Includes Friday Night Social
Includes Classes on Saturday (except Challenge), Saturday Night Social
Includes Sunday Classes (except Challenge)
CHALLENGE PASS:
2 Additional Hours of Training. MUST be approved prior to purchase
** if you have been approved for previous Portland Zouk challenge passes you do not require pre-approval**
$50 - Requires 6 couples minimum
==============================
LOCATION:
** Location subject to change at any time. No refunds or returns will be given to any participant for any reason due to a location change. Please check back to event for location updates.
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center
2648 E Burnside St
==============================
TICKETS TERMS:- NON REFUNDABLE
- Tickets DO NOT transfer to future events
- Workshop and schedule are subject to change
- If you purchase a ticket outside of your skill level, you will be refunded the difference in pass price.
- You may sell your pass to another student: please email [email protected] for more details.
For more information visit facebook event