Salsa Dancing Vancouver Island

06/04/2026

Salsa Dancing Nanaimo Presents! 🕺🏿💃🏿 Lead, Follow, Switch — Dance YOUR Way!

Discover the fun, freedom, and connection of salsa dancing in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Whether you prefer to lead, follow, switch roles, or simply enjoy learning something new, this special evening is all about enjoying the music and expressing yourself on the dance floor.

All experience levels are welcome—from complete beginners to seasoned dancers.

🎟️ Make sure you buy your tickets here: https://www.facebook.com/events/985425473822525?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22search%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22groups_highlight_units%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

As coach Alejandro says, "life is better when you dance."

A special shoutout to Desirée, Salsa Dancing Nanaimo's coordinator, for her hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication in helping to keep salsa in Nanaimo strong by making events like this possible. Her commitment to fostering a vibrant and welcoming dance community is deeply appreciated. ✨







🕺🏿🔥💃🏿✨

05/23/2026

Salsa Dancing Nanaimo continues to light up 2026 with passion, energy, and joy. Every step on the dance floor is a celebration of friendship, culture, and the simple magic of movement.

As coach Alejandro, the Godfather of Salsa in Nanaimo, so beautifully reminds us: “Life is better when you dance.”

Here’s to another unforgettable year of music, connection, and dancing our hearts out—one salsa step at a time. 🕺🏿🔥💃🏿✨

A big thank you to the Salsa Dancing Nanaimo coordinator Desirée Pahl for keeping salsa in Nanaimo strong and making this event happen!

04/26/2026

Salseros, salseras, and all of Salsa Dancing Nanaimo, see you all at Wellington Hall for elite-level Latin dance classes under the world-class instruction of Alejandro!

Please make your way here and don't miss your opportunity to learn from the best instructor in town! Special shoutout to Salsa Dancing Nanaimo's coordinator Desirée who has worked tirelessly to keep Latin dance on Vancouver Island strong! 🕺🏿 💃🏿

03/31/2026

🌙✨ The Godfather of Salsa Dancing Nanaimo is back with the best Latin dance classes in town! 💃🏿🔥

On Sunday, March 29, at Wellington Hall, Alejandro taught the first lesson of a 10-class salsa series for both beginners and intermediate Latin dance students. Widely known as the Godfather of salsa in Nanaimo, he is the founding force behind Salsa Dancing Nanaimo, and his elite level of patience and understanding makes him truly world-class.

Thanks to him, salsa in Nanaimo is thriving at the highest level once again. Let’s be clear — he is, by far, the greatest salsa instructor Nanaimo has ever seen. Not just for his knowledge of Cuban salsa and Son Cubano, but for something far rarer: his intellectual expertise and elite musicality.

There is a reason his Sunday classes continue to draw committed dancers week after week. Under his guidance, even the most complex elements — from contratiempo timing to dile que no, enchuflas, and expressive shines — become accessible, refined, and deeply rooted in authentic Cuban tradition. This is what truly world-class instruction looks like. 🔥

Big shoutout to Desirée who stepped forward, believed, and convinced Alejandro to return. Now, she stands at his side — not only as the coordinator of Salsa Dancing Nanaimo, but also as his assistant instructor, helping carry the standard forward, on and off the floor. 🕺🏿✨

A special thank you goes out to ever presents such as Albert Fleming and Tomas Barrueco (the latter coming from Cuba) for their continued presence and unwavering support.

Your consistency, energy, and commitment help ensure that Salsa Dancing Nanaimo remains the number one option Latin dance classes. To the notable absentees in our dance community (Anastasiia Kondratiuk, Nawalita Salsera, Kathy Paupiah-Martin, Nicole Francis, and several other passionate dancers), registration never truly closes, and you are all encouraged to grab your opportunity to take salsa classes with the best instructor in town!

We look forward to hopefully welcoming you to the next class, which will be on Sunday, April 12th, 2026 at 2pm at Wellington Hall!

📅 Important Note: There will be no classes on Sunday, April 5 due to the stat holiday (Easter Sunday).

The Godfather is back.
The community is strong.
And the dance floor is calling. 💃🏿🔥

Thank you to all the wonderful people that attended the Sunday Salsa Dance Classes yesterday March 29. Please Note that next Sunday, April 5 is Easter Sunday. There will be No Salsa Dance classes. I will see you on Sunday April 12th, 2026 ~ Alejandro 🙏

03/28/2026

Salsa Dancing Vancouver Island wishes a very happy birthday to Alejandro — The Godfather of Salsa in Nanaimo, the founding father and lead instructor of Salsa Dancing Nanaimo. 🕺🏿💃🏿🎂🥳🎉🎈

A highly educated, elite, and deeply intellectual mind — and a world-class dance instructor, widely recognized as the greatest salsa instructor Nanaimo has ever seen.

His mastery goes far beyond teaching steps; it is a profound command of rhythm, structure, musicality, and Afro-Cuban tradition. 🎁 🎊 He is the visionary who single-handedly built Nanaimo’s Latin dance community, bringing to life the authentic spirit of Cuban salsa (casino), Son Cubano, and rueda de casino — not as trends, but as living, breathing culture.

From transforming Wellington Hall into Nanaimo’s Latin dance cathedral, to creating Wednesday night salsa at Maffeo Sutton Park — now the city’s largest outdoor summer Latin dance gathering ☀️🔥 — his impact is not just seen, it is felt in every step, every rhythm, every dancer.

Because of him, Nanaimo doesn’t just dance —
Nanaimo moves with purpose, with sabor, with soul.

Feliz cumpleaños to Alejandro, a man who's legacy is the rhythm of this city. 🔥🕺🏿💃🏿 All and of Latin Dance in Nanaimo are encouraged to drop a birthday wish for our Godfather!

03/19/2026

🗓 Sunday afternoons at Wellington Hall
We hope you can join us for Sunday Salsa Dance Classes starting on March 29th, 2026
🕑 2:00 PM & 3:00 PM sessions

Alejandro, the Godfather of salsa in Nanaimo returns… 💃🏿🔥 The founding father of Salsa Dancing Nanaimo is BACK.

The pioneer who ignited the modern Latin dance movement in the harbor city returns to Wellington Hall, the cathedral where Nanaimo's salsa legacy lives. Over the past few months, Chris Wood has led a series of world-class classes at Wellington Hall—upholding the highest standards, building strong dancers, and keeping the rhythm alive with excellence. Because of that commitment, the community didn’t pause—it grew stronger.

Now, everything comes full circle. Alejandro returns to Wellington Hall—the venue that has become synonymous with salsa in Nanaimo—as Salsa Dancing Nanaimo continues to stand as by far the largest and most vibrant Latin dance community in town.

🏡 Salsa Dancing Nanaimo is the harbor city's home of first-rate salsa training—where movement, musicality, and styling are not just taught, but lived.

✅️ All levels welcome
🔥 Authentic Cuban salsa
🔥 World-class instruction
🔥 Real growth on the dance floor

From the first clave in 2021…
To a movement carried forward with passion and precision…
To the return of the one who started it all—

This is not just a class.
This is the standard.

Salsa Dancing Nanaimo
The Latin heartbeat of the city. 💥

02/14/2026

Tonight is the night. 💃🏿🔥

You guessed it right.
The Godfather is well and truly BACK.

The return of the greatest salsa instructor Nanaimo has ever seen—the founding father of Salsa Dancing Nanaimo—the man who ignited the modern salsa movement in this harbor city.

Alejandro returns to the dance floor tonight.

From the first clave struck at Wednesday night salsa in the summer of 2021 to the thriving Latin dance community Nanaimo is today…
This is where legacy meets the present moment.

📍 All roads lead to Pleasant Valley Hall
6100 Doumont Rd, Nanaimo

Expect rhythm. Expect energy. Expect greatness.

🔥 Cuban salsa
🔥 Son Cubano
🔥 Timba
🔥 Bachata
🔥 Merengue
🔥 Pure Latin soul

Tonight is not just another social.
Tonight is a homecoming.

Be there. Witness the return. Dance the legacy. 🕺🏿💃🏿

01/25/2026

💃🏿❤️ Salsa Dancing Nanaimo Presents
2026 Valentine’s Day Salsa Social Dance

Friday, February 13th, 2026
📍 Venue & time to be announced

Before Nanaimo became a salsa city…
Before packed dance floors, thriving socials, and a united Latin dance family…
There was a rhythm, a vision, and one man who changed everything.

In the summer of 2021, Alejandro—now universally known as the Godfather of Salsa in Nanaimo—stepped into Maffeo Sutton Park with his Cuban clave, his first guapea, and an uncompromising love for authentic Cuban salsa. While salsa had appeared in Nanaimo as early as 1999, it was Alejandro who single-handedly ignited the modern Latin dance movement in this harbor city.

His Wednesday night salsa socials at Maffeo Sutton Park didn’t just teach steps—they built community. What started as open-air gatherings quickly grew into a full-blown cultural revival, transforming Nanaimo into a place where Cuban salsa, Son Cubano, and cumbia could truly thrive.

From that spark, Salsa Dancing Nanaimo was born in 2021—and it has since grown into the city’s largest and most vibrant Latin dance community.

Today, that legacy continues under the coordination of Desirée, whose leadership ensures that the heart, authenticity, and inclusiveness Alejandro established remain at the center of everything Salsa Dancing Nanaimo does. With dedicated instructors such as Chris Wood, the community continues to uphold world-class standards, keeping Afro-Cuban dance culture strong—not just in Nanaimo, but across Vancouver Island.

The 2026 Valentine’s Day Salsa Social Dance is more than just another event.
It is a celebration of love, rhythm, and lineage.
A tribute to the roots.
A dance for the community.
And a night where every salsero and salsera belongs.

🔥 Expect a powerful mix of:
• Cuban salsa
• Son Cubano
• Timba
• Cumbia
• Pure social-dance energy

Whether you come with a partner, friends, or simply your love for the music, this night honors the past while dancing boldly into the future.

💘 Save the date
🕺🏿💃🏿 Dance the legacy. Feel the heartbeat.
📣 Venue & time coming soon

Salsa Dancing Nanaimo
The Latin heartbeat of the city—born in the park, built by community, and forever guided by Alejandro’s vision. ❤️🔥

01/02/2026

🔥 ¡Familia salsera! 💃🏽🕺🏽 The December 2025 issue of our Salsa Dancing Vancouver Island Magazine is finally out. 🔥

📖 Download your copy now: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dcyy6z83vh8g46kqxmkyf/Salsa-Dancing-Vancouver-Island-Magazine-December-2025.pdf?rlkey=61l8813ni2yqkkezf2wxd0cwg&st=yq2bviqh&dl=0

We’re already getting to work on the January 2026 issue, and trust us — the rhythm isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

December belonged to Cuban rhythm — and this issue captures it all. From the unforgettable Christmas Dinner Gala on December 13th, the biggest Latin dance event in Nanaimo, to the elegance and mystery of SDN’s New Year 2026 Masquerade, this edition is a living chronicle of a community dancing in full form!

Cuban salsa flowed, Son Cubano breathed elegance into every step, timba ignited the floor with fire, and cumbia carried bodies across the room with grounded joy.

One moment defined the season: the return of Alejandro, the Godfather of salsa in Nanaimo.

His surprise appearances at both December’s major events — including teaching a demo lesson at the Christmas Gala — lifted the room, reminded us of our roots, and reaffirmed the legacy that continues to shape Salsa Dancing Nanaimo today.

Alongside him, Salsa Dancing Nanaimo’s leadership team — Chris, Desirée, and Tomas — set the tone for what’s coming next, announcing that 2026 will bring even more growth, more social dances, and more world-class Cuban salsa experiences.

This issue is about presence, elegance, and intention — on the floor and beyond it...

Dark suits, polished shoes, overcoats, and heels were not just style choices; they were statements of respect for the music, the culture, and the lineage that makes Salsa Dancing Nanaimo the most refined and culturally grounded Latin dance community in town.

✨ Ring in 2026 with us — relive December’s magic, celebrate the return of a legend, and step forward with the community that continues to lead with rhythm, discipline, and sabor! 💃🏽🕺🏽

12/30/2025

All the salseros and salseras 💃🕺✨ together as one.

Last night, the Salsa Dancing Nanaimo group transformed Wellington Hall into a room full of rhythm, smiles, and shared passion! ✨From elegant spins to fearless shines, this is what community looks like when the clave unites us and the Cuban salsa dance floor becomes home! 💃

Grateful for every salsero and salsera who showed up, moved with intent, and helped make the night unforgettable! 🕺 This is the heart of salsa in Nanaimo! 🔥