At Flama Salsa Festival, you’ll dive into the world of Cuban dance and bachata for three unforgettable days with top instructors. Expect a vibrant mix of Cuban salsa, bachata, rueda, son, reggaeton, reparto, rumba, and Cuban afro – a diverse selection of rhythms and movement guaranteed to ignite both body and soul!
Explore the workshops, check the schedule, and get your ticket!
Please note that pre-registration is required for all workshops
All couple salsa workshops at Flama Salsa Festival are taught in the Cuban style. Cuban salsa is an energetic and joyful social dance. The workshops explore salsa rhythm, footwork, body movement, styling, and the characteristic partnerwork patterns of Cuban salsa.
Cuban salsa has its roots especially in Cuban son, a music and dance style that emerged in the early 20th century, blending African rhythmic traditions (such as clave, call-and-response structures, and percussion) with Spanish melodic influences (including guitar and vocals). Musically and movement-wise, Cuban salsa is a rich fusion influenced by Cuban rumba, mambo, cha-cha-chá, and other Cuban and Afro-Cuban rhythms and dances.
Please note that all couple salsa workshops include rotating partners throughout the class.
Matias says: “Since the beginning of 2025, I have been gradually renewing my teaching methods and perspectives on the fundamental elements of partnerwork in Cuban salsa.”
In this Flow class, salsa takes on a smoother, more fluid and playful quality. The focus is on exploring different directions of movement, continuity, and deepening the connection between partners.
Dive into the playful and joyful side of Cuban salsa! This approachable workshop explores moments in partner dancing where both dancers break out of partner hold to dance solo with the music before reconnecting. No previous experience with solo classes or flashy moves is needed — this workshop is all about relaxed vibes, enjoying the music, and having fun together.
At its best, Cuban salsa is a playful dialogue between two dancers — full of ideas, reactions, and shared flow with the music. This workshop focuses on styling in Cuban couple salsa and how to bring more expression, personality, and delicious details into your dancing. You’ll explore styling through elements such as arm movements, body movement, and footwork variations.
This workshop dives into interpreting salsa music and exploring different rhythms, accents, and musical structures. You’ll discover how musicality can add new layers, creativity, and depth to your dancing.
This workshop blends Cuban salsa with Cuban rumba, exploring how rumba movement and energy can be incorporated into partner dancing. Guaguancó, the most popular and well-known style of Cuban rumba, is a playful and flirtatious partner dance that includes the symbolic vacunao (“vaccination”) — a teasing gesture of playful approach between the dancers.
Cuban Afro dances are rooted in the cultural heritage of enslaved Africans and have evolved into their own distinctive forms in Cuba over centuries.
In this workshop, you’ll deepen your understanding of Afro-Cuban culture while exploring how movements from Cuban Afro dances (including Yorùbá traditions) can be combined with salsa. The workshop is danced to Cuban salsa/timba music.
In rueda de casino, dancers form one big circle and dance Cuban salsa together, switching partners dynamically throughout the dance. Rueda is a fun, energetic, and highly social way to experience Cuban salsa.
In the Timba Contratiempo class, dancers explore timba music through the rhythmic interpretation of son.
Alain and Katerina describe the class as follows: “If we listen carefully to timba, we discover that within it clearly live the rhythmic patterns of Cuban son, especially contratiempo. For this reason, for a long time we have been adapting the traditional steps of son and integrating them into timba dancing while respecting the music’s energy, structure, and musicality. We call this approach Timba a Contratiempo.”
Timba music was born from son and rumba. In this class, we explore the musical structure of timba especially through the idea of contratiempo: how the body can respond to the music’s energy naturally and musically. The class is not focused only on patterns and combinations, but on understanding the music itself — the rhythmic structures of son, the clave, and how these elements appear within timba. We practice movements familiar from son and apply them to timba while preserving the dance’s power, flow, and Afro-Cuban roots.
The goal is to deepen musicality, rhythmic awareness, and connection to Cuban dance culture — not to learn a “new style,” but to reconnect with the rhythmic essence of timba.
An energetic couple salsa workshop danced to the vibrant rhythms of Cuban timba music. Timba is a dynamic style of Cuban salsa influenced by, among others, the rhythms and movement of Cuban rumba and Afro-Cuban traditions. In this workshop, you’ll explore lead and follow technique, musical interpretation, and a variety of partnerwork patterns.
Cuban son (son cubano) is one of Cuba’s most important and influential music and dance styles. Elegant and rich in tradition, son is often referred to as the “mother of salsa,” as it laid the foundation for Cuban salsa. One of the key differences between son and salsa is the timing: son is danced contratiempo, meaning the steps are timed differently from salsa — stepping on counts 8-2-3, 4-6-7 instead of the salsa timing 1-2-3, 5-6-7.
Couple Son workshops include rotating partners throughout the class
Bachata is a sensual music and dance style originally from the Dominican Republic. Today, bachata is one of the world’s most popular social dances, with a variety of styles including traditional Dominican bachata, sensual bachata, bachata moderna, and bachata fusion, which blends influences from different styles.
Please note that all couple bachata workshops include rotating partners throughout the class.
Dominican Bachata is a vibrant musical and dance expression originating from the Dominican Republic, born from the fusion of rhythmic bolero with Afro-Caribbean genres such as Son, Cha-cha-cha, and Merengue. For Dominicans, bachata is more than music and dance — it is a living cultural tradition deeply rooted in social gatherings, celebrations, and everyday life.
Bachata lyrics often express deep emotions of love, passion, longing, and nostalgia. Originally, the word bachata referred to an informal gathering or lively party where people shared music and dance together.
Traditional bachata music features guitars, bass, bongos, maracas, and güiro, creating its distinctive rhythmic and emotional sound. The dance itself is known for its sensual hip movement, playful footwork, musicality, and simple yet expressive eight-count structure.
In bachata dominicana workshops you will explore the authentic roots of Dominican Bachata through rhythm, body movement, partner connection, and musical interpretation. These classes focus on foundational footwork, timing, body motion, and the natural flow and energy that characterize Dominican style bachata.
The classes offer an opportunity to deepen your understanding of bachata’s cultural roots while enjoying its joyful, passionate, and social spirit.
Workshops in the Bachata Dominicana style at Flama Salsa Festival are taught by Marcela Cardenas.
An energetic partnerwork bachata class focused on bachata connection and partnerwork skills. In this class, you will practice leading and following, partner connection, timing, and musicality through a variety of partnerwork combinations and exercises.
The class focuses on creating a smooth and comfortable connection between dance partners while developing technique, communication, and confidence in social dancing. Suitable for dancers with some previous bachata experience.
Bachata Sensual is a style that originated in Cádiz, Spain, and was developed by Korke Escalona and Judith Cordero. After learning the foundations of Dominican bachata in 1998, Korke began developing his own dance style by incorporating movements inspired by Brazilian zouk. Bachata Sensual emphasizes fluid body movement, sensual expression, and a close connection between partners. Signature elements of the style include body rolls, head rolls, and dips.
Workshops in the Bachata Sensual style at Flama Salsa Festival are taught by Pinja Simola.
Bachata Moderna is characterized by turns, dynamic footwork, and step variations. The style has been influenced by other partner dances, particularly salsa. Compared to Bachata Sensual, the dance hold is generally more open and the style includes fewer body rolls and waves.
Workshops in the Bachata Moderna style at Flama Salsa Festival are taught by Giuseppe De Luca.
Chachalokafun is one of the fundamental step patterns and movement structures in the Afro-Cuban Yoruba dance tradition, performed in different ways by many orishas. Each orisha has its own hand movements, gestures, and symbolic attributes that reflect the energy, character, and story of that particular orisha. The dance is both technically demanding and highly expressive.
Chachalokafun combines syncopated rhythm with strong coordination between different parts of the body: the torso, legs, and arms move simultaneously in their own rhythmic layers.
During the class, participants will practice the rhythm, coordination, body isolation, and movement qualities and expression associated with different orishas.
Elegguá is an orisha in the Afro-Cuban Yorùbá tradition, known as the guardian of roads, crossroads, and opportunities. He is considered the first orisha — the one who opens and closes paths in life and acts as a messenger between the human and spiritual worlds.
Elegguá’s energy is playful, quick, clever, and unpredictable, and his dance reflects curiosity, mobility, and constant transformation. His movement is rhythmic, playful, and deeply grounded.
This workshop explores the movement language, rhythms, and symbolism associated with Elegguá. Expect fast changes of direction, a low center of gravity, playful footwork, and precise rhythmic expression. The movements also reflect Elegguá’s dual nature, where childlike playfulness meets wisdom and protection. You’ll work on coordination, footwork technique, body isolation, and expression to the rhythms of Afro-Cuban music.
This workshop features live drumming by percussionist Yuniel Miranda.
Shango is one of the best-known and most powerful orishas in the Afro-Cuban Yoruba tradition. He rules fire, thunder, drumming, and dance, and represents strong sexual energy, moral courage, and justice. Shango’s dance is energetic, dynamic, and proud, combining powerful postures, quick changes of direction, grounded movement, and — as with all orisha dances — a strong connection to drum rhythms.
In this class, participants will explore the movement vocabulary, rhythms, and expression characteristic of Shango. We will practice body movement, coordination, step technique, and the strong, symbolic movements of the arms and upper body. The dance emphasizes confidence, presence, and energetic expression.
This workshop features live drumming by percussionist Yuniel Miranda.
The Yemaya class invites you to dive into the world of Afro-Cuban dance, rhythms, and embodied expression.
The class focuses on the dance of Yemaya, the orisha of the sea, motherhood, and the primal force of life, whose energy is wave-like, protective, and flowing. During the class, participants will explore the movement vocabulary, rhythms, and embodied expression characteristic of Yemaya’s dance.
Afro Contemporáneo is a dance discipline created in Cuba and taught at the Escuela Nacional de Arte de Cuba. It combines modern dance technique with Cuban folklore, helping dancers improve technique, musicality, coordination, and body isolation.
The class includes rhythmic exercises, technical movement work, and choreographic practice in an energetic and expressive atmosphere.
This workshop focuses on the foundations of bachata technique and body movement. You’ll work on weight transfer, rhythm, and technique that create the foundation for smooth, musical dancing.
This workshop focuses on footwork and proper technique in bachata. Expect work on step technique as well as different step and rhythm variations.
This workshop focuses on feminine styling in bachata, with special attention to arm styling and body movement.
Dive deeper into interpreting bachata music while exploring different rhythms and musical structures. You’ll discover how musicality can add new layers, creativity, and depth to your dancing.
This is a role-free workshop open to everyone. You’ll learn a choreography with a focus on footwork and styling, making it a great choice for anyone wanting to develop their expression and musicality in bachata.
Femmology is a heels dance discipline created by Yunaisy Farray that fuses sensuality, professional technique, floor work, hair styling and musical interpretation. More than dance, it is a way to discover your potential and connect with your femininity. You do not need previous experience. Femmology is designed for women of all levels. Yunaisy adapts each class to your pace and guides you step by step. The only thing you need is the desire to learn.
Reggaeton is a globally popular dance and music style that emerged in the early 1990s, drawing influences from dance traditions across Latin America and the Caribbean, including dancehall, Afro dance styles, and hip hop. Its roots can be traced to Panama, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.
Reggaeton movement is characterized by playful use of body isolations, especially through the chest and hips. Strong dynamic contrasts are central to the style, with sharp, powerful accents alternating with softer, more sensual movement.
Reparto, currently rising in popularity internationally, is a subgenre of Cuban reggaeton (cubaton). Originating in Cuban neighborhoods and closely connected to youth culture, reparto is a fast-paced music style whose rhythm is rooted in the clave patterns of Cuban rumba. Many of its dance movements are built around this same rhythmic foundation.
Cuban rumba is a traditional music, dance, and cultural form that emerged in 19th-century Cuba among descendants of enslaved Africans and working-class communities. Guaguancó is one of the three main styles of Cuban rumba (yambú, guaguancó, and columbia). Guaguancó combines rhythmic intelligence, Afro-Cuban identity, and playful flirtation. A key element is the symbolic vacunao (“vaccination”) — a teasing gesture of playful approach between the dancers.
This workshop uses choreography to explore Cuban salsa footwork variations, body movement, and musical interpretation.
This workshop blends the energetic dynamics of salsa with movements and styling from Cuban rumba. Rumba guaguancó, the most popular and well-known style of Cuban rumba, brings a playful and flirtatious energy to the dance.
This workshop focuses on feminine styling in salsa, with special attention to arm styling and body movement.
Cuban son (son cubano) is one of Cuba’s most important and influential music and dance styles. Elegant and rich in tradition, son is often referred to as the “mother of salsa,” as it laid the foundation for Cuban salsa. One of the key differences between son and salsa is the timing: son is danced contratiempo, meaning the steps are timed differently from salsa — stepping on counts 8-2-3, 4-6-7 instead of the salsa timing 1-2-3, 5-6-7.
Timba is a powerful, energetic, and modern style of Cuban salsa music. While rooted in son, timba also draws strong influences from other Cuban and Afro-Cuban rhythms such as rumba, reggaeton, and Afro-Cuban traditions. The result is a wild, dynamic, and musically rich style that’s impossible to resist.
Three days of dance, good vibes, and shared moments!
Dance, learn, and connect in beautiful seaside Naantali, Finland. With 58 workshops, world-class instructors, live music, spectacular shows, and two nights of parties on three dance floors, Flama Salsa Festival offers an unforgettable dance weekend – all under one roof.
