Salsa dance classes at Cubanissimo Café help locals get their groove on

Stepping into a world of salsa, salsa dance steps that is, locals tried their moves at Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House & Cafe on a recent evening.

The dance class, held Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., features a complimentary beginner-friendly session, followed by a paid segment for a more comprehensive lesson.

“We are Cuban and Cubans are all about dance," said cafe owner Arqui Trenado. "Cuban culture is more about music, rum and tobacco. So, we don't bring much rum or tobacco here, but we bring the salsa.”

The class offers the free instructional segment for individuals who are interested or curious about salsa dance, providing them with an opportunity to try it out and get started, said Adam Pulido, salsa dance instructor.

“Walking into a room full of strangers and making a fool of yourself doesn't ever sound like a really appealing idea, but when you come into this instruction that I have here on Wednesdays I keep it really accessible,” he said. “I walk through everything because I try to make sure that everyone stays up and doesn't feel like they got left behind.”

A vibrant and highly sociable ambiance fills the air as participants progress in learning the dance steps by repeating the movements. They continuously switch partners, and with each passing moment, grow more at ease with the rhythm, allowing themselves to fully immerse in the music and embrace the groove.

As salsa music fills the room Pulido constantly communicates the next steps and takes the time to answer questions. The class typically draws 10-15 pairs, who collaborate closely throughout the session.

“People enjoy, drink and have fun, which is the most important thing,” said Trenado. “If you like music and you have the music in your heart it doesn't matter how you dance, only show up. You are not coming in here to be a professional, you are coming here to have fun, shake your body and feel the music.”

Pulido said he has been teaching dance for over 17 years, and started teaching lessons locally in 2019. Salsa lessons are for everyone, and the diversity of the community is definitely represented on the dance floor, he said.

“We got a lot of people from all walks of life, whether they are in high school or retirees,” said Pulido. “It is a pretty even spread of, I would say, all the social circles. Anyone who’s interested or curious about it comes out. Some people even fall in love and they stick around. This is really a place for people to meet up and learn together.”

The cafe has been hosting salsa classes for more than five years. The original instructor, John Wheaton, conducted the classes until 2019, but during the pandemic he was hospitalized and died of COVID-19, Trenado said.

Cubanissimo has a variety of teaching and entertainment opportunities such as coastal swing classes every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and comedy nights once a month, which sell out quickly. The room is also available for rent for personal events.

In February, Cubanissimo celebrated the one-year anniversary of its second brick-and-mortar location inside the Vandenberg Space Force Base Main Exchange.

To sign up for future classes call to register a spot, register online through Facebook, or come as a walk-in to the class on Wednesdays.

Salsa dance classes spice up Cubanissimo Café Wednesday in Santa Maria | Photos