2023 Marks the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress 10-Year Anniversary!
Welcome to the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress! We held our first event in 2013 and we look forward to celebrating our 10 year anniversary with all of you in 2023 (we had to skip a year due to the pandemic)! Our 2023 event is happening September 8, 9, and 10 at the Red Lion in Kennewick – Columbia Center. There will be workshops in salsa, bachata, kizomba and more! We can’t wait to welcome you to the our 10 Year Anniversary of the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress!Check out monthly dancing events on our Facebook page!
Registration
All online sales for the 2023 Tri-Cities Salsa Congress have ended, but you can still purchase a pass at the door!
Get your tickets now! There will be a limited number of tickets available at each price. The sooner you buy, the more you save! Once those tickets sell out, the price will increase for the next set of tickets. Buy your tickets on our Eventbrite page.
Tickets are non-refundable. The fee to transfer a ticket to another person is $20. Contact the event organizers at tricitiessalsacongress@gmail.com to arrange a transfer.
Thanks to our community donors, we are offering financial scholarships to a few select individuals. If you would like to apply or nominate someone, contact us by email and answer the following in 1-2 paragraphs. Applications are due by August 31.
1. Explain your financial need for the scholarship.
2. Explain how attending the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress would benefit you.
3. Tell us why you believe you should be selected.
Hotel
HOTEL IS SOLD OUT!
At the Red Lion Hotel Kennewick – Columbia Center, guests enjoy unmatched access to area attractions, including the Columbia Center Mall a, located directly across the street which hosts a Starbucks and food court. There is also easy access to various nearby restaurants. For any other necessities, there is a Target across the street within a short walking distance. The convenient hotel location offers one of the most comfortable hotel accommodations in Kennewick and the Tri-Cities area. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and complimentary parking with your stay.
Red Lion Columbia Center Hotel
Address: 1101 N. Columbia Center Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99336
Hotel Phone Number: 509-783-0611
Group Name: Tri-Cities Salsa Congress 2023
Group Code: SALS2023
Cutoff Date for Discounted Group Rate: August 17, 2023
Please make your reservation by cutoff date to ensure you get the discounted group rate! Every reservation made using the group code helps us continue hosting this event.
2023 EVENT SCHEDULE
2023 Workshop Schedule
2023 Pass Prices
2023 Dance Social Themes
Get your outfits ready for our dance themes for Friday and Saturday night!
2023 Outdoor Pool Party
Awesome DJs playing a mix of salsa, bachata, kizomba, and more at the Saturday Pool Party!
2023 ARTISTS
SALSA – Max Solorzano & Tanya Yvonne, Houston, TX
Born and raised in Venezuela, Max Solorzano has accomplished extensive training in Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and several other Latin rhythms. After 15 years of dancing, performing and directing groups in Venezuela, Max moved state side to Houston, Texas. His career continues to take him to numerous events and competitions around the US such as World Salsa Summit where he obtained 1st place. Including also, World Latin Dance Cup, Houston Salsa Congress, BIG New York, BIG San Antonio and many others.
Tanya Yvonne is a dancer, instructor and choreographer from Houston Texas. Since a young age, Tanya has been fascinated with a variety of dance styles from Salsa, Hip-Hop to Belly Dance. Throughout the 19 years of her dance journey, she has had the opportunity to perform and teach in a number of national and international events honoring the culture and dance of countries from around the world. Such events included the Chicago International Salsa Congress, El Sol Warsaw Salsa Congress, Salsa & Kizomba Angola International Congress, World of Dance – Houston & Dallas and 2019’s Coachella and 2022’s Rolling Loud Miami. Together Tanya and Max have taken their love for dance to enrich the community in Houston and beyond.
CASINO and AFRO-CUBAN- Duane Wrenn
Duane Wrenn is the Creator and Director of Energetic Soul. He combines music, dance, and fitness to provide a holistic approach to wellness and well‐being with a focus on movement. Duane has over 23 years of experience performing and teaching Latin dancing. He holds a degree in Exercise Science with a focus on biomechanics and Physiology. He holds several certifications including Sacroiliac Joint Specialist, Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) under Dr. David Bercelli and is a disciple of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan under the Wu family.
Duane’s focus is Cuban music and dancing, specializing in Afro‐Cuban folklore as well as popular rhythms. His last 19 years have been with a focus on Cuban music and dances with a focus on Batá and popular rhythms. His three main master instructors are Roberto Borrell, Rene Thompson, and the late Felix “Pupy” Insua. Duane has developed his dance programs – “Energetic Salsa” and “soUl°sa” and he is the co‐developer of the “SoulChiSa” and “AFRO‐tImBa” programs. These programs focus on Afro‐Cuban movement concepts and mindful practices, such as “move the breath, move the mind, and move the body”. These concepts are designed to benefit dancers of all levels. He has taught his concepts throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. Duane’s dancing and teaching successfully intersects the creative aspects and health benefits through movement.
KIZOMBA and SEMBA- Oscar B.A. – Washington, DC
Oscar B.A is one of the pioneer ambassadors of Kizomba in the US. Currently based in the Washington, DC area, he has taught Kizomba workshops in some of the biggest Latin Dance festivals including The DC Bachata Festival, Flirt Seattle, Reno Winter Bachata Festival. A sought after nonpareil dance instructor, he has been invited to run Kizomba boot camps by dance companies in Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Reno, NV and more. Oscar currently teaches the longest running Kizomba dance classes in the DC, MD and VA Metropolitan area.
Oscar’s career spans over 19 years of dancing, choreographing and instructing several dance disciplines. With roots in African dance, hip-hop, and Latin movement, Oscar founded the premier dance company Ollover! in his native home, Kenya, and went onto revolutionize arts and entertainment not only in Kenya but in the surrounding region of east and central Africa. In the US he added to his repertoire American style ballroom, and rhythm and Latin dances. Oscar B.A. is a master dancer, teacher, choreographer, and performer8
BACHATA – Ace Fusion – New York City, NY
Andrea Arenas, nicknamed “Ace Fusion” was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and later moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. In 2009, after completing high school, Ace joined the United States Marine Corps and continued their love for dance and growth as both a social dancer and a student. In 2015, they participated in the world renowned certification course by Alex and Desiree and received certification as a Bachata instructor. They believe that learning the instrumental basics is key to understanding musicality. Ace strives to help students inspire others through seeking self-improvement. Ace is dedicated to sharing all the knowledge that has been shared with them to future dance generations to come.
KIZOMBA – Joseal – Spain, Madrid
Joseal is an enthusiastic and charismatic dancer and instructor who fell in love with kizomba 9 years ago. Since then he has dedicated himself to learning the culture, music and dance as well as different styles within this discipline. He has trained with international instructors and attended numerous congresses in the USA and abroad. He has worked very actively in California, being part of congresses like LA Zouk Congress and Kizomba invasion, BKS, LA Bachata Festival and many others. He has also taught internationally in Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia and Portugal. Joseal is also a promoter and organizer, having kizomba weekenders and mini congresses in Spain and now in Houston. He believes that kizomba is more than a dance, it is a culture and a provides a very profound and unique way to interact and build meaningful relationships with people.
KIZOMBA & URBAN KIZ – Charlayne Delgado – Boston, MA
Charlayne Delgado is a Massachusetts native whose dance journey began at an early age. Growing up in a Cape Verdean household, it was natural that she would develop a love for Passada. She has been enthralled by the sounds of Zouk and Cabo Love since childhood. After a few years exploring various styles, such as contemporary, salsa, and bachata in the Boston dance scene she found herself making a unique connection with Kizomba. In 2014, she started enhancing her skills through classes and workshops with local and world-renowned instructors. Embracing both the Kizomba and Urban Kiz styles, she is now working on perfecting her talents and sharing her passion as both a follow and a lead through teaching and social dancing.
SALSA – Jim Renn – Spokane, WA
Jim Renn is the owner of Salsa ‘en el Bolsillo’ a.k.a. Spokane Salsa which he started in 2010 in Spokane WA. Jim started dancing with his first Salsa lesson in August of 2000, but really fell in love with Salsa after attending a 2002 Salsa cruise in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He has traveled all over the country and abroad studying and dancing Salsa. Jim began training with world class Salsa dancers, instructors, performers, and choreographers Jhon Narvaez and Liz Rojas of Salsamania in 2012 and is primarily focused on LA style Salsa on 1.
KIZOMBA – Mario Vargas – Los Angeles
Mario was born in Nicaragua and raised in Miami. After moving to Seattle in 2012, Mario began dancing salsa and bachata and performed on various dance teams. After immersing himself in dance, Mario started teaching in 2013. He has taught at numerous dance events including Vancouver (Canada), D.F. (Mexico), LA, and Washington DC. He is now located in Los Angeles and continues to DJ Kizomba events across the US.
LATIN – DJ CENTENO – Seattle
Jose/DJ Centeno is a member of the Seattle dance community. You can find him dancing, performing, taking photos, DJing, and collaborating with different dance studios, venues, and events in the Pacific Northwest. He is currently a DJ for All Vinyl Salsa Nights, Aurora Borealis, Salsamania Sundays, Spicy Bachata Sundays and Century Ballroom.
Kizomba – Shannon Urza – Tri-Cities, WA
Shannon began partner dancing in 2007 and was introduced to Kizomba in early 2012. Since that time, she has traveled the world extensively to study under esteemed instructors. She competed in the 1st AfricaDancar USA Kizomba Competition in New York and went on to represent the United States in the World AfricaDancar Championship in Milan, Italy with Chris Njunge. She has taught throughout the US in places such as Seattle, Washington DC, and Miami, as well as in Mexico and Canada and regularly teaches Thursday night kizomba classes in Kennewick, WA. Shannon is one of the founders of the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress.
KIZOMBA – DJ Farenji – Seattle
Originally from the Boston area, DJ Farenji was exposed to “kizomba” music by her Cape Verdean brother-in-law before it was popular in the United States dance community. Attending family gatherings in the 1990’s first introduced her to the music and culture of the Cape Verdean islands. Not until 2011, did she discover the Angolan dances, kizomba and semba, which accompanied some of the beautiful music she was already in love with. Further investigation and immersion into this music genre, extended her love and interest to the roots and culture of Angolan kizomba and Semba. DJ Farenji has played at festivals including the Seattle Salsa Congress, Seattle Bachata Kizomba Festival, and the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress.
CUMBIA- Emy Laija – Washington, DC
Emy is originally from Texas and started her dance studies in Washington State in 2010. Her love of bachata has led her to study with different instructors to create classes that are focused on teaching the fundamental basics of bachata. Her classes incorporate traditional steps with styling to help students create their own flavor on the dance floor. In 2017, she moved to DC and trained with the Yamulee Ladies Team for a season. She then trained with DC’s Dynamix Salsa Team and is currently on the Dynamix Bachata Team. Emy is one of the founders of the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress.
LATIN – DJ Sergio – Tri-Cities, WA
Sergio Luna Rocha is from Mexico City and currently lives in Pasco, WA with his family. Sonido Marakero loves cumbia, bachata, and salsa music. He has enjoyed playing music since he was young and has been perfecting his talent over the years. He plays music around the state in Tri-Cities, Seattle, Yakima, and Walla Walla. Sonido Marakero is a happy individual who loves to make other people happy while they are on the dance floor.
SALSA/BACHATA – DJ Who-Leo, Tri-Cities, WA
DJ Who-Leo is from the 509 in Tri-Cities, Washington with roots from Mexico City. He has established himself as one of the area’s most desired DJs. He spins salsa, bachata, cumbia and more! He is also one of the original founders of the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress.
YOGA – Sara Hazzard, Tri-Cities, WA
Sara Hazzard is the owner and primary instructor at Free Spirit Yoga and Trapeze, bringing the joy of yoga to unexpected places. Seeking enriching experiences, Sara embarked on a transformative adventure and attained her 200-hour RYT certification from the Yoga Teachers College in Barcelona, Spain, in January 2018. Additionally, in March of that year, she completed a 50-hour Yoga Trapeze Teacher Training Certification through the same institution.
With five years of experience teaching yoga and leading group classes, she possesses a deep appreciation for creating inclusive and accessible sessions suitable for all individuals. Enthusiastic about integrating stretching practices into the Salsa Congress, she eagerly anticipates the opportunity to enhance participants’ experiences through mindful movement.
OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
Thank you to our generous sponsors and partners who support the eastern Washington dance community. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact the event organizers at tricitiessalsacongress@gmail.com.
About Us
The Tri-Cities Salsa Congress began in 2013 after a discussion between friends at a local dance event. This idea blossomed into an actual event with great support from the local community. The drive behind hosting this event in Tri-Cities was to bring a high level dance event to eastern Washington so that the local dance community would not have to travel to farther away places for a dance congress experience. Ten years later, the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress still provides an opportunity in eastern Washington for dancers to come together and build the dance community. We hope to continue bringing this event to you all and thank you for your support.
– Shannon Urza, Julio Jurado, and Emerald Laija
509 Dance Project – A Non-Profit Organization
509 Dance Project is dedicated to bringing dance and cultural experiences to the eastern Washington State dance community. This is done in part by hosting the annual Tri-Cities Salsa Congress. Our vision is to create a welcoming and diverse dance community by fostering relationships between people who are passionate about dance regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. If you would like to donate to our 501(c)(3) organization, please contact us at tricitiessalsacongress@gmail.com.
