Salsa’s popularity dismantles racist beliefs and strengthens Latin legacy in Brisbane

Increasing in popularity, Latin dance classes across Brisbane are causing a change in attitudes around race, culture, and diversity.

The increased accessibility to learning Latin dance has created spaces across the city where cultures combine over the love of dance.

“[It’s] not just finding a great place to learn Latin Dance but most of all has been like finding a family,” Maria Ercules, who attends Latin dance classes in Brisbane, says.

Since the 1960s the popularity of salsa and Latin dance has increased drastically in Australia; seeing Latin dance schools established in many suburbs of the Brisbane region.

Nancy Ehrenreich, salsa dancer and social justice lecturer, reported, “white reactions to salsa invite an engagement with, and critique of, the rhetoric of pluralism and tolerance for diversity.”

Photo: Paradizo School of Latin Dance

Personal relationships are one of the most powerful tools in removing racial stigmas and increasing cultural understanding.

Whilst increasing diversity, Latin dance also allows the Latin community to form connections within the city and put a cultural mark on the map.

Carlos Redono, a teacher at Paradizo School of Latin Dance in Albion, sees large crowds from different backgrounds come for lessons weekly.

Photo: Paradizo School of Latin Dance

Due to COVID-19, many Latin dance classes have faced temporary closures, affecting both community connections and Latin businesses.

Despite the closures, classes are still seeing maximum volumes of people wanting to participate in Latin culture and cementing the Latin legacy in Brisbane.