¡BAILA! Community. Dance. Party (September 2024) – Berkeley, CA

Friday, September 20th, 2024 • La Peña Cultural Center

BAILA is back, starting in September with Orquesta Borinquen! Join us at La Peña every third Friday of the month. Doors open at 7:30 PM

As summer winds down, get ready to groove into fall with BAILA at La Peña Cultural Center!

Come join us at BAILA for a lively evening of salsa music and dancing! We’ll have dedicated dance floors for both Bachata and Salsa lovers.

Enjoy free, easy-to-follow, Gender-Inclusive Salsa and Bachata dance classes. Arrive early to savor delicious bites from Los Cilantros , our food vendor.

Visit our fundraising bar for a refreshing drink and take advantage of our complimentary coat check.

Our event is open to all ages, so come and join our vibrant and inclusive community!

Volunteer and enjoy the party with free entry, PLUS complimentary food and drinks.

Tickets:

• $15 – Super Early Bird
• $20/person – Group Rate (4+)
• $25 – General Pre-Sale
• $30 – At the Door
• La Peña Members: Use your code at checkout! (Learn more about our La Peña Membership)

Schedule

• 7:30 pm – Ritmos Tropicales Dance Party
• 8:00 pm – Gender-inclusive Salsa and Bachata Dance Classes (no partner or prior experience needed)
• 9:30 pm – Dominican Bachata Party with DJ Ron and Dance Party with DJ Jose Ruiz
• 10:00 pm – LIVE salsa concert by Orquesta Borinquen on our Mainstage!
• 12:00 am – Dance Party continues until 1am!

We have TWO dedicated dance floors where you can sway and twirl all night long. When you need a break, indulge in delicious food from Los Cilantros , enjoy your favorite drinks from our fundraising bar, and mingle with friends old and new. Every sip supports our programming and community offerings – thank you for your support!

Grab your tickets now and join us for BAILA’s return in September!

About Orquesta Borinquen

Orquesta Borinquen features some of the most talented musicians in the “Bay Area” salsa scene today. Lead by Bill Ortega Jr., Borinquen always puts on an electrifying show and then some. Bill Ortega Jr. (Director/Lead Trumpet/Corista/Percussionist), is one of the most talented silent destructors in the salsa scene today! His power and pure determination to sound great every time sets the pace for the band and is the root from where the term “Powerhouse” derives from.

The group features a mix of young talent backed by established musicians, playing a decidedly dancer friendly mix that covers a variety of genres. Depending on the crowd and night, Orquesta Borinquen plays an exciting live mix, with a set-list that varies from hard and fast “salsa dura” to more relaxed salsa romantica and everything in between. Despite these varied styles, the band is able to bring an authenticity and “naturalness” to their music that allows each song to stand out on its own.

The group’s hard hitting style is a testament to the band’s experience. Individual members have toured and played with some of the biggest names in music, including Latin greats such as Jerry Rivera and Tito Nieves, as well as main-stream acts like Earth Wind and Fire. Borinquen performs regularly throughout the Bay Area, and remains a favorite at many top venues.

La Peña is a Safer Dance Space Member

We’re not just throwing a party – we’re building transformative dance spaces that prioritize consent, inclusivity, and respect. At BAILA, everyone is welcome to be their whole selves, regardless of age, gender, orientation, or identity. Our ADA-accessible venue warmly welcomes you to the dance floor, where you can truly shine and be celebrated through your joyful dance moves!

La Peña Membership

Learn more about our NEW La Peña membership program! All La Peña members get free entry to our monthly BAILA parties amongs other perks. Click here to learn how to become a member today and get free entry to this BAILA party.