Ever wondered why salsa dance is called SALSA? I chat with my bestie Hayley (an amazing salsa dancer) about the history, styles, and cultural roots that make salsa so irresistible.

We cover how salsa originated in the U.S. with deep Caribbean influences, why the word “salsa” literally means “sauce,” and how legends like Eddie Torres, the “Mambo King,” shaped the dance. Hayley also shares her personal journey — from Colombia to San Diego’s Melomano Dance Studio — and how social dancing connects people across cultures.

Topics:

🌶️ Salsa’s origins and cultural mix

🥁 Key salsa styles, from New York to Cuban salsa

👯‍♀️ How social dancing builds community

Whether you dance, love music, or love to eat salsa, this episode is packed with trivia, insider tips, and personal stories that’ll make you want to hit the dance floor (and might make you hungry!)

Links:

Tango Del Ray: https://www.tangodelrey.com/

Melomano Dance Studio: https://www.instagram.com/melomanoent/?hl=en

Grupo Niche: https://www.instagram.com/gruponicheoficial/?hl=en

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Salsa Dancing

05:56 The Roots of Salsa

11:34 Why Hayley Loves Dance

13:00 Exploring New Cultures

14:45 Salsa Around The World

19:25 The Mambo King

21:30 On-One vs On-Two

24:25 Structured vs. Social Learning in Salsa

28:31 Exploring Salsa Styles and Their Cultural Significance

29:45 The Many Flavors of Salsa

33:16 Personal Growth and Connection Through Dance