About
To the music of Marta Elena’s band, join us for an unforgettable evening of dance that spans the vibrant beats of Latin America. The show begins with the fiery passion of salsa, where every step tells a story of love and longing. Next, be swept away by the exhilarating adaptation of a cha cha cha in a display of footwork and flair and the mesmerizing moves of casino rueda, a dance of skill and spontaneity that promises to captivate you.
The night continues with a free salsa class by Lake Ontario, where seasoned dancers and beginners are welcome to learn salsa dance movements.
About AfroLatino Dance Company
Albena de Assis grew up in Luanda, Angola, where she studied ballet and modern dance at the National School of Dance. After moving to Toronto, de Assis started salsa dancing in 2001 and studied with some of the city’s best salsa and Afro-Cuban instructors and taught as a senior instructor for United Salseros for two years.
In 2005, she founded AfroLatino Dance Company, a company dedicated to the performance and instruction of dances of Afro and Latin origin, from her native Angola (kizomba, semba, afro-house) to Cuba (salsa, afro–Cuban, rumba), Brazil (samba) and more. de Assis has over 18 years of experience teaching (Cuban) salsa, samba, afro-Cuban, kizomba, semba, and many more. She has performed and taught on a global stage, from Toronto and the GTA to international events such as the Danse Encore Festival in Quebec and Detroit. She believes that as a teacher, you are always a student, and you always learn something new each time you teach a class.
About Marta Elena
Marta Elena, a JUNO and Excellence Award winner was born into a musical family in Havana. She is a proud member of a new wave of Cuban musicians, dedicated to preserving the island’s Afro-Latin musical heritage while also pushing the boundaries of expression in the music that is so deeply ingrained in the country’s culture.
Her musical journey began at the age of 10, when she started performing at school events and amateur presentations. At 18, she made her professional debut as part of the chorus of the Company of Zarzuelas and Operettas of the Teatro Lirico Nacional, one of Havana’s most renowned theatres. After years of performing with various bands in Cuba and worldwide, Elena moved to Canada to further her musical career. Her relocation to Toronto in 2011 opened new opportunities, leading her to perform with some of the most prominent figures in the Canadian music scene at local venues and festivals.
Elena’s recent highlight performances in Canada include her Western Canadian tour in 2022, her Bader Centre appearance as a Guest of Hilario Duran and his Latin Jazz Big Band, and her performance with the Ontario Pops Orchestra. As an educator who has worked with children for over a decade, she brings the joy of music to students while sharing her cultural background through information, education and entertainment. Presenting a comprehensive Cuban music journey, she has exposed students to the various styles of Cuban music, combining the magic and flavour of Cuban music with the graceful sound of traditional Cuban songs.
Dates & Times
Tickets
No tickets required