“Cubanía: A Celebration of Cuban Dance Heritage”
Each year since 2018, our annual signature event incorporates dance, visual arts, music, and community with an educational orientation centered on Cuban dance heritage. Check out the information on our 2022 edition below, happening October 7-9:
This fun weekender festival will feature dance workshops, performances, social dances, community, culture, live music, and more. Our celebration this year includes various locations (Open Space Alaska, the University of Alaska Anchorage, and Williwaw Social), and local businesses, most events open to all ages, and fun parties that go hand-in-hand with a culturally immersive experience a lo cubano. The purpose is to celebrate this special month while sharing dance knowledge and artistry, drawing local community connections, and shining a spotlight on Cuban dances at the heart of the Latin dance world both as roots and as living contemporary expressions. Genres include salsa/casino, rumba, Afro-Cuban/Yoruba, mambo, chachachá, son, and more!
Our special guest instructor this year is Wilfredo Guilbiac from Cuba. Wilfredo is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher with a degree from Escuela de Artes Varietur in Havana, Cuba. While there, he specialized in Afro-Cuban technique, modern dance, and Cuban popular styles and worked with some of the country’s most important names in these fields. International performances and teaching gigs at dance festivals have taken him to Germany, France, Curacao, Mexico, and all over the US. Wilfredo was also selected as a judge in the first annual World Latin Dance Cup with producer Albert Torres. Currently, he teaches classes in San Diego and is the artistic director of Cubata Dance Company.
We will have workshops this year with Wilfredo Guilbiac (from Cuba/California), Anaya Latin Dance (from Cuba/Alaska), and additional guest instructor Felix Bambury-Webbe (from Cuba/Alaska). This is a great opportunity for new dancers looking for an introduction to the salsa and Cuban dance world and to join a great local group of friendly dancers. It is also perfect for experienced dancers looking to broaden their horizons and take advantage of training in the Cuban genres that virtually all of the top Latin dance pros around the world seek out in order to enhance their coordination, body movement, movement vocabulary, and conceptual understanding of Latin dance.
Check out our workshop guide here!
If you’re only interested in the entertainment and social dancing, then you won’t be disappointed either! Performances will include at least four shows from Anaya Latin Dance, Felix Bambury-Webbe, and Wilfredo Guilbiac as well as a concert from Alaska’s newest & best Latin band, Uno Jazz Orchestra! Our social dance parties will also be highly animated and interactive with fun for everyone who likes to move. Don’t miss this once yearly weekend full of Latin culture, positive energy, and cubanía!
You can purchase individual tickets online to any single workshop/party evening or workshop day, or you can purchase a “full pass” towards the full weekend which includes access to all events. It will be possible to attend only specific workshops, but all pricing will go up at the door! We thank you so much for your support of our local small business, Anaya Latin Dance, for supporting the arts, dance, and culture here in Alaska, and for celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with us.
The full schedule is above in the slideshow, check out the summary schedule below! Click here for a downloadable schedule – printed schedules will be available at the event.
Friday: “Noche Rumbera“, 6:30 – 10 pm
LOCATION: OPEN SPACE ALASKA, 630 E 57th Pl, Anchorage, AK 99518
DRESS CODE: “Calle” – Comfortable and casual clothes to dance in, plus a handkerchief (men) or long skirt/long scarf (women)
DOORS @ 6:30 pm, refreshments included
7-10 pm: EVENING WORKSHOPS & WELCOME PARTY ($34 online or included in full pass)
7-9 pm – Rumba columbia and rumba guaguanco with Wilfredo (all levels, no partner contact)
9-10 pm – Rumba circles & welcome party
“Salsa Saturday”, 10 am – 10 pm
DAYTIME LOCATION: UAA FINE ARTS (HARPER STUDIO), 3640 Alumni Loop, Anchorage, AK 99508
DOORS @ 10 am, refreshments available
10:30 am – 4pm: DAYTIME WORKSHOPS ($60 online or included in full pass)
You can expect 5 hours of workshops (Salsa with reggaeton, Cuban salsa, Cuban son, Salsa suelta, and Rueda de casino), all geared towards both beginner and intermediate/advanced dancers and with Wilfredo and Anaya Latin Dance
EVENING LOCATION: WILLIWAW SOCIAL (21+), 609 F St, Anchorage, AK 99501
DRESS CODE: “Club” – Bright colors, flashy, especulador(a), gold accessories, trendy/moda, fashion, 2022
DOORS @ 5:30pm, dinner and drinks available to order from Williwaw
6-10 pm: EVENING WORKSHOP & SOCIAL DANCE PARTY ($16 online or included in full pass)
6-7 pm: Beginner Cuban salsa class with Anaya Latin Dance (in partners but rotation is optional)
7-10 pm: Social dance with DJ Vorteks as well as performances and animations with Anaya Latin Dance, Wilfredo, and Felix
Sunday: “Día de Cultura“, 10 am – 10 pm
DAYTIME LOCATION: UAA FINE ARTS (MAIN STAGE THEATRE), 3640 Alumni Loop, Anchorage, AK 99508
DOORS @ 10 am, refreshments available
10:30 am – 4pm: DAYTIME WORKSHOPS ($60 online or included in full pass)
You can expect morning Afro-Cuban/Afro-Haitian dance workshops with Wilfredo and with Felix and afternoon mambo and chachachá workshops with Anaya Latin Dance. All workshops will be geared towards all levels and without partnering.
EVENING LOCATION: UAA FINE ARTS (MAIN STAGE THEATRE), 3640 Alumni Loop, Anchorage, AK 99508
DRESS CODE: “Salón” – Vintage, 2 tones, Dressed up, flowy skirts, Guyabera, elegance, camisa/button-up shirt, mid-century/30s-50s
DOORS @ 6:30 pm, refreshments available
7-10 pm: EVENING CULTURAL GALA, CONCERT, & SOCIAL DANCE ($30 online or included in full pass)
7 pm: Dance performances including Afro-Cuban/Yoruba and multi-disciplinary presentation by Anaya Latin Dance called “El Pregón”, which is focused on the calls of the Cuban pregonero, or street vendor, as a facilitator of community connection in daily life, whose poetic, rhythmic, and singing announcements have in turn inspired many musical compositions popular throughout Latin America. The presentation features both rumba and son music and dance, theatrical elements, and features live music. “El Pregón” is a collaboration with local musicians and Enlaces Alaska, a local Latin nonprofit.
8-10 pm: Social dance with live Latin music from Uno Jazz Orchestra, playing salsa, son, mambo, and chachachá, with fun animations from Anaya Latin Dance and guests Wilfredo and Felix.
Theatre seating will be available with dancing to take place on the main stage floor. Social dancers – dress your best, because you are part of the show!
PASS OPTIONS:
- $34 – General Public Friday “Noche Rumbera” Pass
PURCHASE THIS TICKET HERE
- $60 – General Public “Salsa Saturdays” Daytime Pass
PURCHASE THIS TICKET HERE
- $16 – General Public “Salsa Saturdays” Evening Pass
PURCHASE THIS TICKET ON OUR “SALSA SATURDAYS” EVENT PAGE
- $60 – General Public “Día de Cultura” Daytime Pass
PURCHASE THIS TICKET HERE
- $30 – General Public “Día de Cultura” Evening Pass
PURCHASE THIS TICKET HERE
- $170 – General Public Full Pass (GREAT DEAL!)
Access to all workshops & events. This pass will also be available at the door, but prices will go up! Saturday evening is 21+. Save $60 off door prices for individual events, and this pass also includes 1 free guest for our “Salsa Saturdays” events on August 27 and September 24 if you buy it in time!
PURCHASE THIS TICKET HERE
- $160 – Anaya Latin Dance Fall 2022 Student Full Pass (BEST DEAL!)
Access to all workshops & events. This pass is available online only and student status will be verified. In order to purchase this pass, students must have already attended/reserved & paid at least 1 class or private lesson at our studio during our Fall 2022 session (Aug 15 – Nov 5). Classes start at just $15!
Saturday evening is 21+. Save $70 off door prices for individual events and $10 off the online General Public pass. This pass also includes 1 free guest for our “Salsa Saturdays” events on August 27 and September 24 if you buy it in time – but you must have attended your studio class(es) prior to this date!
PURCHASE THIS TICKET ON OUR STUDENT REGISTRATION WEBSITE
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR ONLINE TICKET SALES WITH NO FEES TO YOU!
Remember, online ticket sales will close 2 hours before each ticket option begins, and all prices go up at the door!
Don’t forget to click “going” on this event on Facebook, and follow our social media channels for updates, including our official workshop schedule and other special details, as the weekend draws near!
Past “Cubanía” events:
(You can read more about our headliner special guests on our “events” page)
This event, held annually in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15 annually), incorporates dance, visual arts, music, and community with an educational orientation centered on Cuban dance heritage.
4th Annual – October 8-10, 2021
Held at Lil Babes Cocktail Lounge, Main Event Grill, and The Castle on O’Malley
Theme: Immigrants Make Alaska Great
Special guests: Dance instructors and performers, Reiner Valdes and Daniela Gallardo of La Clave Cubana Seattle (Cuba/Mexico/USA)
Guest visual artists: Carlos Pereira (painting) and Lina Villar (painting/mixed media)
Guest musical artist and DJ: Nicassi Villar (singing) and Big C (DJ)
Nonprofit cause: Catholic Social Services – Refugee and Immigration Services
Activities: Dance workshops on salsa musicality, rumba guaguanco, salsa suelta, rueda de casino, and Dominican bachata, art opening and event raising awareness about local refugee needs, Caribbean dinners, dance and music performances, animations, and social dancing.
3rd Annual – October 10 & 11, 2020
Held at Anaya Latin Dance, Underground Dance Company, and virtually
Theme: Black roots of salsa
Special guest: Dance instructor, Felix Bambury Webbe (Cuba/Alaska)
Guest visual artist: Misael Cáceres Ortega (Cuba/Alaska): Painting
Local business sponsor: Just Botanicals
Local guest performers: Sankofa Dance Theater
Activities: Zoom conferences about inclusion in dance and about salsa’s Afro-Cuban roots, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Haitian dance workshops, and virtual art opening, salsa workshop, dance performances, and animations
2nd Annual – September 27 & 28, 2019
Held at Underground Dance Company and the 49th State Brewing Company
Special guests: Dance instructors and performers, Jorge Luis & Indira (Cuba/Nevada)
Guest visual artist: Makala Cruz/Baila Conmigo TV (Alaska): Mini-documentary: “Talking Salsa”
Local guest performers: Arctic Académie de Danse, DJ Vorteks, MC Don Megga
Local business sponsor: LED Ultra Lounge & Grill
Activities: Mini-documentary screening, social dance with animations and performances, and dance workshops (casino/salsa, afro, reggaeton, rumba, son)
See video below!
1st Annual – September 22 & 29, 2018
Held at the Writer’s Block Cafe and the 49th State Brewing Company
Special guest: Dance instructor, visual artist, and literary artist, Esteban Isnardi (Uruguay/Switzerland). Presenting a danced poetry reading and a collection of caricatures of Cuban musicians and dancers.
Local guest musicians: Luis Perez (congas) and Willie Baez (trumpet)
Local business sponsors: XQ Dance Heels, Damn Skippy Wear
Activities: Conference about music and dance, art opening, live music and poetry performance, Cuban food, social dance with dance performances, and dance workshops (mambo, timba, casino, rueda de casino, son)
Check out this great video summary from our 2019 event, made by Baila Conmigo TV: