Welcome to the Tri-Cities Salsa Congress! Since 2013, we have brought amazing instructors and artists to eastern Washington and we can’t wait for the next event. Our 2024 event is happening September 6, 7, and 8 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!
Check out monthly dancing events on our Facebook page!
Registration
Purchase your congress pass on our Eventbrite page. Buy your tickets early and save some money! Full passes will be available for purchase at the door. You can also pay at the door to attend any of the socials. Door prices are:
- At the Door Full Pass: $179
- Saturday Pass: $129
- Sunday Pass: $90
- Friday Night Social: $30
- Saturday Night Social: $35
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.
Hotel
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 2024
Group Code: SALS2024
Cutoff Date for Discounted Group Rate: August 19, 2024
There are two ways to make a reservation:
- Online, by going to the hotel website and following these simple steps:
- Go to the hotel Website
- Verify your check in and check out dates at the top of the screen are correct.
- Select the room you would like to reserve and enter in your information to book
- By Phone, by calling the hotel directly at 509-783-0611 and pressing 0 and providing your Group Name, Group Code (SALS2024) and check in and out dates.
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.
2024 EVENT SCHEDULE – coming soon
2024 Outdoor Pool Party
Awesome DJs playing a mix of salsa, bachata, kizomba, and more at the Saturday Pool Party!
2024 SOCIAL NIGHT THEMES
Represent the country of your choice on Friday night! Wear the colors of a country flag or other clothing that represents that country.
It’s all about metallic elegance! Wear gold, silver, or black and dress to impress!
2024 SCHEDULE
Schedule subject to change
2024 ARTISTS
SALSA – Chiara Tofani – Rome, Italy
Chiara was born in Rome, Italy, where she started dancing at the age of 6, learning classical and modern dance. At the age of 13 is when she started dancing Afro Cuban folklor and Cuban Salsa. Over the years, Chiara has continued to deepen her studies with masters such as Kirenia Cantin, Maykel Fonts, Lieb J, Teresa Castaneda, Vanessa Lacedonia, Tania Cannarsa , Adolfo Indacochea Leonardo Martinez Moya, Sergio Larrinaga, Franklin Diaz . From 2013-2016, Chiara won several of Italy’s State Championships in Salsa and Bachata. In 2017, she moved to Milan to study to one of the best italian salsa academies : Sosa Academy Dance School. Later, she became a dancer in two important companies : Latin Soul Dancers by Adolfo Indacochea and Black Soulby Tania Cannarsa . Chiara has recently moved to the United States and has taught at New York dance studios as well as cities across the country.
SALSA – Max & Tanya – Houston
Max Solorzano
Born and raised in Venezuela, Max 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
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.
BACHATA – Edwin & Dakhota
International musicians, dancers and educators, Dakhóta Romero “La Mujer de Tu Vida” and Edwin Ferreras “El Maestro de Maestros” travel the world teaching and performing Bachata, Bolero, Son, Merengue and Dembow. They are widely popular for their innovative methods of instruction including musicality, history, cultural idioms, connection and social dance etiquette, all the while encouraging their students to express themselves in their own unique way. In 2017, Edwin & Dakhóta founded Areíto Arts, named after the Taíno rhythm, song, dance and gathering through which history is taught and passed down. Areíto Arts is an Afro-Caribbean Educational Dance Company specializing in the history, music, and culture of Dominican Arts. Together they have taken Areíto Arts’ curriculum across 5 Continents, teaching many world class international artists along the way. They have also been featured educators at Teacher Trainings, which have professionally developed dance instructors around the world. Edwin & Dakhóta aim to share their love for Dominican Arts as they continue traveling the globe, captivating the world of dance.
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 20 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 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 20 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 performer.
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KIZOMBA – Joseal – Houston
Joseal is an enthusiastic and charismatic dancer and instructor who fell in love with kizomba 10 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, is a culture and a very profound and unique way to interact and build meaningful relationships with people.
KIZOMBA/URBAN KIZ – Charlayne – Boston
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.
LATIN – Armando Justiniani – Portland
“DJ Armando” Justiniani is a native of Panama and acquired a taste for the Latin rhythms during his youth. His passion for salsa has encouraged him to grow and evolve from a teenage mobile music sound mixer to a present day disc jockey of the Portland area’s finest dance venues. Having sponsored and promoted many local events in addition to being a guest at many others, he has combined what he has to offer with that of others, creating unforgettable relationships and experiences. He is truly committed and loyal to his craft and he continues to support the artists who make this all possible by collecting original CDs, which travel with him to each and every event! Armando is internationally recognized, having entertained crowds at the Acapulco and China congresses since their inceptions and has been well received wherever he puts his headphones on! With his deep appreciation and respect for the talents that many musicians, performers, dancers and fellow DJs possess, his goal is to be as generous and supportive as he can be of what he feels is a “world-wide community of salsa”.
LATIN AND KIZOMBA – DJM – Seattle
DJM started put as a dancer but has been DJing in the Seattle area for a little over 5 years now. She currently DJs at various social dance events featuring salsa, bachata, cumbia, and merengue. She also DJs kizomba and urban kiz events.
KIZOMBA – DJ Farenji – Seattle
Originally from the Boston area, Mary was introduced to “kizomba” music when her sister married into a Cape Verdean family in the 1990s. Later in 2012 she discovered the Angolan music and dance forms – kizomba and semba which accompanied some of the beautiful music she already loved. Adopting the name, Farenji (westerner/foreigner) she immersed herself in this music and dance which encouraged her work as a DJ in the kizomba dance community. Mary lives in Seattle, and regularly DJs at venues in the Pacific Northwest. She has expanded her music base further to include playing in the Afrobeats, Haitian, and AfroFranco music and dance scenes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
