Social FREE – Social dance 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica – Salsa at 3rd Street Promenade – Santa Monica, CA

READ PLEASE BEFORE YOU RSVP.

Social dancing starts at 6PM with our first salsa DJ, then a 2nd DJ from 8PM–10PM. Stop by anytime between 6PM and 9:30PM!

MAKE SURE YOU RSVP in EVENTBRITE

1. Open-format social dancing, salsa bachata and more
2. If you’ve never “social danced” dont’ be intimidated, if we have volunteer teachres, classes are often held by 6:00PM, follow @3rdstreetpromenadesalsafamilia for updated events

Must read: Reserve only. No refunds for mistaken orders or donations. If Sunday weather is rainy, windy, or unsafe (fire, etc.), the event will not take place.

Follow the LINKED event page(s)/social media for more updates. Sundays 6–10 PM. DJs, performers, and teachers volunteer—please plan accordingly.

By reserving-attending, please remember this is a free volunteer-run event. DJs, teachers, performers, and dancers, including you, all participate voluntarily.

Please support us by giving us a Follow and/or 5-Star review. Thank you!

Social dance Etiquettes – MUST READ

In our open-format social dancing, like what we do here at 3rd Street Promenade, anyone can ask anyone to dance, and it’s always okay to politely decline. If you ever feel uncomfortable during a dance, it’s perfectly fine to stop and kindly say, “Thank you, I’d like to stop dancing.”

If you’re looking for a dance, stand at or on the curb. If you’re a follow (men as much as women can also follow) don’t be afraid to ask a lead for a dance. If you’re a lead, don’t be afraid to do the same as well. Stand close next to a follow or lead you’d like to dance with and simply ask them. “Would you like to dance?”.

More on asking for a dance or being asked a dance:

When asking someone to dance, follow these simple steps: look in their general direction, make eye contact, approach them, and politely say, “Would you like to dance?” Remember, proper social dance etiquette discourages physically tugging anyone for a dance. Always ask respectfully and, if rejecting a dance, do so graciously and with humility.

If you’re taking a break, move away from the areas where people typically ask for dances to avoid confusion. Also, it’s considered thoughtful to avoid immediately accepting a dance after declining someone else. Everyone has the right to accept or decline dances, and respecting this ensures a welcoming and inclusive environment. Good etiquette helps maintain a healthy and non-cliquish dance community. The scene is small so you’ll likely bump into them next Sunday or on your future salsa 4 day weekender festival for example!

Lastly, feel free to ask anyone to dance, regardless of gender. Women can ask men, men can ask women, and anyone can ask anyone!

It’s also good to ask your dance partner or tell them that you’re still learning, learning how to properly follow or lead in salsa (for example) can take time but don’t get frustrated, it may not happen overnight but with patience and practice, an average follow or lead will pick salsa up in just under 2-4 weeks! For leads, don’t completely teach if the follows do not ask. Ask them if they’d like some pointers, follows can do the same. Can leads or follows dance multiple songs in a row with the same partner? Absolutely—but only if both of you agree! While it’s not uncommon to keep dancing with the same partner for several songs, it’s equally common and encouraged to dance with a variety of partners. Social dancing is all about connecting, sharing, learning and enjoying the experience with others on the floor.

BUT that’s why we’re here, for you to join and improve your life as a social dancer, stay fit, get fit, enjoy music and express. You wouldn’t even need to drink, the music alone is enough for social dancers!

LA is also growing in salsa social dance! Just look at the yearly weekender social dance events it has in each and every season! (follow our insta page to get more news of these).

If you’re out with a partner or significant other, remember that other dancers might not realize you’re together and may ask them to dance. To avoid confusion, you can stay close together near the DJ booth and enjoy dancing as a pair—other social dancers will usually pick up on the cue.

If you’re declined for a dance, don’t take it personally—just move on. There will be more opportunities to dance.

While social dancing can be improved with practice, learning about salsa and other dance styles at a studio is also highly recommended. It not only helps you grow as a dancer but contributes positively to the entire dance community.

Learning how to actually dance–social dance, is like gaining the ability to speak a new language! Once you have these skills, you can enjoy social dancing at events happening weekly, not only in LA but all around the world! This is the place to begin! Salsa at 3rd Street Promenade has been thriving for over 15 years. Join us Sunday evenings—look for us near Cabo Cantina on 3rd Street. Just follow the sound of salsa music, & when you spot the social dancing, you’ll know you’ve found the right spot!

Social dancing, dancing is a lifestyle! If someone—or even you—say “I like to dance” or “I can dance,” have you experienced social dancing? Social-partner dancing is more than just moving to music, it’s about conversing without saying a word, it is learning, growing, and truly appreciating styles like salsa. It’s also important to explore its various forms, such as LA Style Salsa On1 (known for dips, showy moves, and athletic flair), Salsa On2 (which is more musical, lead gently), Cuban Salsa, Sensual Bachata, & Traditional Bachata, Zouk, Kizomba among others. Yes, we play these genres too and each style offers its own unique flavors, enriching your journey as a social dancer. Welcome to the dance floor—see you on 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica!

Looking to start your social dance salsa bachata or want to learn more?

Make friends acess this link here.

How to find us

Listen up, if you hear salsa music playing you’re close. We’re always playing music Sundays starting 6PM on 3rd Street Promenade. NOT WEEKDAYS. But weekends, especially Sundays.