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This event took place on June 21, 2026.
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Salsa by the Sea

Santa Cruz Community Salsa & Bachata Social Dance with Javier & Lauren

Session Date & Time

Jun 21 2026 (Sunday)

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Location

The 418 Project

In the: Lobby

Ticket sales concluded. This session has already taken place.

About This Event

Step onto Santa Cruz’s premier sprung hardwood dance floor and experience the vibrant energy of Salsa by the Sea at The 418 Project! A cherished Santa Cruz cultural tradition, Salsa by the Sea brings together dancers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels for an uplifting evening of Latin rhythm, connection, and pure joy.

Whether you're taking your very first basic steps or you're an experienced salsero looking to spin the night away, our welcoming community is here to dance with you. No partner or previous dance experience required—come solo, bring friends, or come ready to meet your dance family!

Evening Format & Schedule

  • 6:00 PM – Doors Open & Warmup
  • 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM – Introductory Salsa & Bachata Lesson: Led by beloved Santa Cruz dance instructors Javier Pontifice & Lauren, covering essential footwork, lead-and-follow technique, rhythm timing, and fun partner turn patterns in an encouraging, low-pressure environment.
  • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Open Social Dance Party: Guest DJs spinning the finest mix of Salsa (Dura, Romántica, Timba), Bachata (Tradicional & Sensual), Cha-Cha-Chá, Merengue, and Cumbia.

What Makes Dancing at The 418 Project Special

  • Massive 2,000+ Sq Ft Sprung Hardwood Dance Floor: Designed specifically for dancers' knees and joints, providing the smoothest spins, turns, and footwork in town.
  • Full Theater Sound & Warm Ambient Lighting: Immersive club-quality sound system and welcoming lighting setup.
  • Oasis Community Lounge: Comfortable seating, refreshing non-alcoholic beverages and elixirs, and plenty of space to socialize between songs.
  • Inclusive Community: Rotating partner dance culture where everyone is invited to lead, follow, and connect.

Come celebrate the universal language of dance with Santa Cruz’s warmest Latin dance community!

Visiting The 418 Project: What to Expect

House guidelines to ensure a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone

We are committed to a safe, welcoming environment where everyone is treated with cultural and personal respect across all backgrounds and identities. We hold the highest standards for consent—in movement, touch, and conversation. Always check in first, honor boundaries, and ensure that consent is clear, voluntary, and ongoing.
As a community-run non-profit collective with a small staff, we cannot clean everything after every event. Please help us care for the space by picking up after yourself, placing recycling and compost in the bins provided, and treating every room with kindness so it remains welcoming for the next gathering.
We have a filtered water bottle refill station on-site, so feel free to bring a refillable bottle. All restrooms are all-gender, ADA-accessible, and located conveniently on the ground floor.
To ensure everyone can breathe and move comfortably—especially community members with chemical sensitivities and asthma—The 418 Project is a low-fragrance space. Please refrain from applying perfumes, scented colognes, or strongly scented lotions before attending.
As an artist-driven non-profit collective, we believe movement and art should be accessible to all regardless of financial circumstances. Many events feature sliding scale tickets, and we offer work-trade opportunities for community members who wish to volunteer in exchange for admission.
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Plan Your Visit

Venue & Accessibility

The 418 Project is located in downtown Santa Cruz. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming space for all dancers, artists, and community members.

Address: 155 S. River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Accessibility: Ground floor entrances & all-gender accessible restrooms
Parking: On-street parking & nearby River Street public garage
Get Directions on Google Maps

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