Eau Claire Community Embraces Latin Dance Through Interactive Participation
Chippewa Valley Social Dancing Club to host Cinco De Mayo Celebration
Eau Claire residents will soon have the chance to immerse themselves in the cultural history of Latin music and connect with new people in the community through social dancing.
From 2-5pm on Sunday, May 4, the Chippewa Valley Social Dancing Club will host a Cinco De Mayo Social Dance event, in partnership with the Pablo Center at the Confluence (128 Graham Ave,, Eau Claire).
The evening begins with a dance lesson with instructors Molly Rodriguez and Tony Liedl, followed by a lively celebration featuring salsa, bachata, cumbia, and merengue. Attendees are encouraged to dress to impress for a night of dancing and community fun, the event webpage reads.
Having lived and worked in South America during their young adulthood, Rodriguez, a founding member of the social dancing club and a local business owner, experienced a deep immersion in the region's diverse dance traditions. She found herself missing the vibrant dance community she had grown to love, which inspired her to bring the event and group to Eau Claire.
“For years, I dreamed of starting Latin dance classes and hosting socials here in Eau Claire,” Rodriquez said. “While every instructor brings their own unique style and flair, my goal is for Chippewa Valley Social Dancing students to be able to step into a salsa class and feel confident integrating into the rhythm and flow.”
The structure of the event and dance lessons will be inspired by other social dance communities Rodriguez and Liedl have witnessed in larger cities. The event will follow a welcoming structure: friendly introductions, a brief warm-up, individual footwork practice, and then partner work — with partners rotating throughout the class to encourage connection and community, she said.
“If we can be a conduit to helping people better understand the Latin community through fun dancing, I see it as a huge win,” Rodriguez said.
Tickets for the Cinco De Mayo Celebration are $19 — benefiting the dance club and Pablo Center — and can be purchased through the event Facebook page online.
