Michelito Herrera

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Michael "Michelito" Herrera is the former Musical Director of the world-acclaimed Cuban folkloric dance group Yoruba Andabo. Alongside General Director Yosvany del Pino, Miguel led Yoruba Andabo for four years, in which he managed the musical arrangements, vocal and musical instrument performances, as well as the artistic dance repertoire of an exceedingly-talented group of dancers and musicians. A self-taught dancer and musician, Miguel has been deeply immersed in Cuban folkloric dance and performance since he was six years old, performing in child dance ensembles. A native of La Habana, Cuba, he has shared the world stage with some of Cuba's and Latin America's most prominent musicians and artists, including Chucho Valdes, Juan Formell & Los Van Van, Oscar de Leon, Xiomara Laugart from Yerba Buena, Calle 13 and Juanes in stages all over the globe, including the UK, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Brazil and Cuba. Most recently, Miguel performed with Yoruba Andabo and Chucho Valdes at Carnegie Hall in New York City in November of 2012.

Michael currently resides in Miami, Florida, and is the director of the Cuban orchestra Timbashe, an ensemble of musicians that fuse Cuban funk music, timba with many AfroCuban rhythms that normally do not get blended in with more mainstream Cuban popular music, such as Timba with Mozambique and Changui. Miguel holds vocal and percussion duties in Timbashe, and the group is composed of former members of Yoruba Andabo.

Miguel's dance and musical expertise in his workshops spans from teaching students methods and techniques in the Bata drums, Rumba, Abakua dances, Columbia, and Tambor Yuca.

Steve & Renate Bio

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Steve Reed

Native of Jefferson City, MO, Steve has been a Lead Instructor of SALSAtlanta since 2009 and co-directs the SALSAtlanta Performance Group with his partner of 14 years, Renate Dugans. Introduced to Renate and Salsa while serving in the U.S. Army, Steve was instantly drawn to the dance, music and Latin culture. He began to acquire his skills informally at dance venues, congresses and social events. After fulfilling his military obligations, Steve joined Renate in Atlanta in 2005 and met Julian Mejia, SALSAtlanta and the world of Casino and Afro-Cuban dancing. Under Julian's tutelage, he became versed in the history and music of Cuban popular and Afro-Cuban dancing.

Steve's talents in these genres were further enhanced and strengthened by Master instructors and dancers including the late Felix (Pupy) Insua, Roberto Borrell, duane Wrenn, Kati Hernandez, Luis Gonzalez of Clave y Son, and Ricardo Hayes.

Renate Reed

Native of Lawton, OK, Renate has been a Lead Instructor of SALSAtlanta since 2009 and co-directs the SALSAtlanta Performance Group with her partner of 14 years, Steve Reed. Both met while located in Columbia, SC, serving as Group Fitness instructors at the Ft. Jackson fitness facility. And at the same time, Renate stumbled upon Salsa for the first time. She was instantly taken by the dance, music and Latin culture, and began to acquire her skills informally at dance venues, congresses and social events.

Renate's full-time employer transferred her to Atlanta in 2004 when she met Julian Mejia, SALSAtlanta and the world of Casino and Afro-Cuban dancing. Under Julian's tutelage, she became versed in the history and music of Cuban popular and Afro-Cuban dancing. Renate's talents in these genres continued to flourish and bloom, thanks to Master instructors and dancers including Kati Hernandez, Ana Llorente, Neri Torres, the late Felix (Pupy) Insua, Roberto Borrell, and Ricardo Hayes.

BAILAtlanta Instructors

Instructors participating on 2019 BAILAtlanta.

BAILAtlanta

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June 14-16, 2024 in Atlanta

A weekend of great Cuban music, dance, workshops and friends in Atlanta. June 14th - 16th, 2019.
3 DJs, 7 professional dance instructors, 10 dance workshops, dance performances and 3 salsa parties.

The Parties

FRIDAY • SATURDAY • SUNDAY

We are celebrating 25 years of SALSAtlanta promoting Cuban music, dance and culture. 

Friday night, Salsa • Rum • Friends hosted at Independent Distilling 
Saturday night, main party at, Academy Ballroom 
Sunday Matinee at the Beltline.

3 Djs every night spinning the best Cuban music, timba, son, rumba and bachata. Attendees from Michigan, New Orleans, Georgia, North Carolina, California, Kentucky, Indiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Canada and Florida have already confirm and we expect many more.

Dance Workshops

Two workshops every hour on Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. Check out the schedule

Casino, rueda, son, rumba and Afro-Cuban workshops.

Confirmed Instructors
Michelito Herrera - Cuba/Atlanta
Jonathan Burke - Atlanta
Chris Rogicki - NY
Renate Reed - Atlanta
DC Casineros - Washington DC
Duane Wrenn - Detroit MI

Private classes

All our instructors are available for private classes. Rates will vary. This is a rare opportunity. This is your chance to learn from the best on Afro-Cuban dance, percussion and dance, Cuban rumba, traditional son dance, music appreciation, timing, ladies styling, Cuban salsa and more.

Schedule:

Friday Opening Party at Independent Distilling - Decatur

Friday June 14 – 7:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
547 E College Ave, Decatur GA 30030

Dance Workshops at Academy Ballroom

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Saturday June 14 – 10:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
800 Miami Circle, Atlanta, GA 30324

Party at Academy Ballroom

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Saturday June 15 – 9:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Performances will start at 10:30 pm.

800 Miami Circle, Atlanta, GA 30324

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Saturday June 15 – 9:30pm - 3:00am
800 Miami Circle, Atlanta, GA 30324

DJs

DJ Timba Titan - Baltimore
DJ Mane - Atlanta
DJ Jae - Atlanta

Domingo Timba at the Beltline

Sunday June 16 - 2:00 - 7:00 PM

The party on Sunday is at the Beltline in front of The Victorian and across from New Realm Brewery

There is plenty of street parking and also paid parking.