Drop-in and Series Classes, Location and Fees

We provide a friendly and non-intimidating atmosphere. You do not need special clothing, just comfortable shoes (not flipflops).
No partner is required! Just show up, dance and have fun!

We keep you moving! You will learn great moves, have fun, and get a good workout. Our more advanced classes teach new techniques, work on styles and lift your current skills to a new level.

We offer great discounts for students, and multi-class discounts.
Please check out our Holiday schedule because the community center is closed on certain days or we travel to study more dance and music.

Class Schedule for
Drop-in and Series Class:

We offer 3 levels of classes: Beginner 1, Beginner 2 and Intermediate/Advanced.
From time to time we also offer series classes for Beginners which require pre-registration.
The two types of series classes offered are "Salsa Crash Course" and "FUN Salsa Rueda"
All other classes are open for drop-ins. No partner required for all our classes.
Drop-in fee: $8 regular, students $4. Discounts: 10-pack for $60.
See more details about our classes below.

More details about our classes

Beginner Series Classes FUN Salsa Rueda Series and Salsa Crash Course

Check out our Holiday/No class schedule here

Fun Salsa Rueda Series for Beginners

Learn to dance Salsa the fun way! Experience the excitement and energy of dancing salsa in a group! “Salsa Rueda” (also known as Rueda de Casino) is more than just Salsa. We dance this Cuban-style in a circle, frequently change partners, and learn fun patterns with dancers weaving, linking, and moving together. This is a very entertaining way to learn to dance salsa and become part of a worldwide community phenomenon. Chris and Jessica have over 12 years experience dancing “Rueda” worldwide, and frequently study in Cuba. Get a good workout as SalsaGente's non intimidating instructors will keep you moving and having fun! No partner required! 4 days from 7 to 8pm Age: 16 years and up Minimum: 6 people, Maximum: 18. Need to pre-register. This class is offered by Salsa Gente directly and by the city of Santa Cruz, Parks & Rec. March 2013: 4 weeks series 4 Wednesdays starting March 6. Offered by City of Santa Cruz Parks & Rec. Fee: $38 (residents of Santa Cruz)/$48 (non-residents) Need to pre-register! Deadline: March 6, 2013 click here to register online March 2013 class full! July 25 to August 15, 2013: 4 weeks series 4 Thursdays starting July 25 Offered by City of Santa Cruz Parks & Rec. Need to pre-register! Fee and registration: click here or on link below to register online http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=540 November 2013: 5 weeks series 5 Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm starting November 7 November 7 to December 12. No class on November 28! Offered by City of Santa Cruz Parks & Rec. Need to pre-register! Fee and registration: click here or on link below to register online http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=540 Register by mail or fax: Complete the Mail in/Fax Registration Form and mail to 323 Church Street or fax to 831-420-5271. Register in person: at the Parks & Recreation Office, 323 Church Street, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Thursday or at Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center Street, 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Register by phone: by calling 831-420-5270, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Have your activity numbers and Visa or MasterCard ready.

Salsa CRASH Course for Beginners

Salsa Crash Course for Beginners This is a crash course for everyone who wants to learn to dance regular Salsa with some Cuban flavor. Two skilled and non-intimidating instructors will build up your dancing skill in a FUN way. Our goal is for you to shine on the dance floor with some easy and cool looking moves. This is a regular Salsa class using Cuban-style techniques. NO PARTNER REQUIRED. Chris and Jessica have over 12 years experience dancing worldwide, and frequently study in Cuba. They are the founders of SalsaGente California and co-founded the award-winning 'Salsa Rueda Santa Cruz'. This series class builds from week to week, so attendance to all sessions is REQUIRED. Get a good workout as Chris and Jessica keep you moving! Click here for class curriculum! No partner required! 4 days from 7 to 8pm Age: 16 years and up Minimum: 6 people, Maximum: 18. Need to pre-register. Offered by Salsa Gente directly and by the city of Santa Cruz, Parks & Rec. February 2013: 4 weeks series 4 Wednesdays from 7pm to 8pm Starting February 6, 2013 Fee: see catalogue by city of Santa Cruz Parks and Rec February 2013 class sold out! Waiting list! September 2013: 5 weeks series 5 Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm starting September 12 September 12 to October 17, 2013. No class on September 26! No partner required!  Limited space! Class fills up fast! Need to pre-register!  Fee and registration: click here or on link below to register online http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/index.aspx?page=540 Register by mail or fax: Complete the Mail in/Fax Registration Form and mail to 323 Church Street or fax to 831-420-5271. Register in person: at the Parks & Recreation Office, 323 Church Street, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Thursday or at Louden Nelson Community Center, 301 Center Street, 9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Register by phone: by calling 831-420-5270, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Have your activity numbers and Visa or MasterCard ready.

Salsa Cubana Intermediate Great for ALL Intermediate Dancers Drop-in class

Check out our Holiday/No class schedule here

ENJOY GREAT DANCING! This is not Rueda. This class is for ALL intermediate salsa dancers (Linear and Casino)! Click here to see schedule Louden Nelson Center 301 Center Street Downtown Santa Cruz, CA 95062.

Our instructors have over 12 years experience and continously travel around the world and study from renowned teachers such as in Cuba. They bring the coolest partner moves and the hottest music to the area. The outline of the class is similar what they experienced in Cuba and designed so ALL intermediate dancers (Linear and Casino) can enjoy the Cuban style with moves to take to the dance floor. The focus is on partner moves. We begin with isolation/body movements (Suelta) and tranistion to cool Casino partner moves.

Class fee and discounts:

Regular class fee:

One drop in class: $8/$4 students (full-time with ID)

10-pack discount

Save $20 and get a ten class pack for only $60 !!
*No double discounts. Only one discount applies per class.

We are located in a beautiful historic building downtown Santa Cruz

Louden Nelson Community Center
301 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California, 95060

A bus stop is just around the corner. A major bus station is minutes to walk.
Public, free and safe parking is around the building and another one across the street at police station.

Click here for the Louden Nelson website.

Click here for map or see below