DJ icePink mixes Bachata Sensual, Urban Kiz and Brazilian Zouk and she is resident DJ at TenC Dance Company at their SBKZ Thursday Socials. In 2021, during the Covid pandemic, she began co-producing music remixes for Bachata Sensual and Brazilian Zouk. Her Bachata mixes, because she is also a dance instructor, are full of upbeat energetic latin vibes to please the most hardcore bachateros & bachateras.
Directed by Tania Wong multi-time World and National Salsa & Bachata Champion, Dance ConneXion provides many genres of fun and easy to follow group and private dance classes, even for those who claims to have 2 left feet.
The classes give you more confidence to meet and interact with people and to keep you in shape in the most FUN way. After that we take you to numerous dance socials for you to practice, show off what you learnt from class and meet more new friends.
For those who wants to take your dancing up a notch, learn from our Director through private lessons and/or join one of our award winning salsa, bachata or ladies styling performance teams!
There is definitely something for EVERYONE. See your life transform at Dance ConneXion!
Adis Rodriguez is considered to be one of the most versatile singers in the Toronto music scene. The Cuban Canadian started singing at a very young age and currently is the lead singer of La Borinquena Orquesta, El Charangon del Norte, Conjunto LaCalu and has contributed with many projects and artists like Jerry Rivera, Chucho Valdez, Jane Bunnett, Hilario Duran, Colin Clarke and the Toronto Youth Symphony Orchestra and many more. Adis was also recipient of the 2019 Canada Latin Award Winner/Band of the Year with La Borinquena Orquesta and a 2023 Juno Award Nomination for El Tinajon with Luis Deniz. Her own band, Adis Rodriguez and Havana 1950s is the largest Latin band in Canada lead by a woman.
Ricardo barboza is a venezuelan multi-faceted singer-songwriter and performer in the toronto latin music scene. Ricardo was born in Maracaibo Venezuela. He grew up in a family full of musicians which have inspired him to pursue music from a very early age. In 2004, Ricardo moved to Canada where he has continued to follow his family’s footsteps. He’s been part of many renown salsa bands in Toronto such as Salsotika, Café Cubano, Son de aquí, La Borinqueña, Son Ache, Lacalu, and Lula All Stars (LAS). With this last one, Ricardo recorded the band’s debut CD called “Salsa De La Buena!”, in which he was featured with 3 songs, two originals Esto Es Canadá, Y Pensaba Yo, and Mercedes , a special cover tribute to the late Venezuelan singer and Grammy Award-winning composer, Simón Díaz.
Ricardo’s solo artist career fully took off in 2014 writing original compositions and performing as a solo artist with his 10-piece band. Ricardo, has also shared stage performances with many well-known artists such as Tito Rojas, Herman Olivera, Jimmy Bosh, Roberto Blades, Luisito Carrion, Alfredo de la Fe and Ralphy Irrizary, Jorge Luis Rojitas to name a few. He has been fortunate enough to take part in many of Toronto’s music and cultural festivals such as TD Jazz Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival, Salsa On St. Clair by TLN (Telelatino) & Univision Canada, Dancing On The Pier at the Toronto Harbourfront Centre, and the latest PANAMania Music Festival during the 2015 PANAM Games, among others. That same year Ricardo became a father and dedicated more of his time to his family, to playing the guitar and writing music.
In 2020, Ricardo debuted on all digital music platforms with a romantic salsa single “Donde Esta El Amor”, and later that year he released, another single, this time it was a fusion of Rumba and Latin Pop called “LOCO”. In 2021, Ricardo changed gears and and teamed up with renown musicians from his native Venezuela, including Rodrigo Mendoza, the legendary lead singer of La Dimension Latina, and Ricardo’s brother Francisco Barboza (aka. FranAzuka), a multitalented percussionist and music producer who has worked with a many musicians from the Venezuelan latin scene, such as Los Blanco Orchestra, Happy Gaita Band and Argenis Carruyo Orchestra. This new partnership – which Rodrigo Menzdoza named “The Perfect Trilogy”, created a fresh salsa masterpiece written by his good friend Pabloski Rosales, called La Ley Del Vacilon,
Currently, Ricardo resides in Toronto- Canada, writing new music inspired by the Venezuelan old school salsa and folkloric music from his hometown in Maracaibo, Zulia-Venezuela. In spite of physical distancing, Ricardo is recording remotely with many musicians throughout Latin America, and is planning on releasing three new singles featuring two international salsa Icons before the end of 2021, and producing his new debut album for 2022.
Papaya is a high energy band focused on elevating the celebration to the next level. With its many configurations and musical arrangements, Papaya connects with the audience to bring the singer and dancer we all have inside of us.
We stroll through decades of the best Latin music and compile everything into an unforgettable show. We have performed at many events, big or small, weddings, and many other celebrations.
Papaya was founded in late 2018 and has rapidly become one of the favourite bands in the Latin scene, performing in Canadian events (City of Pickering Summer Concerts, TD Salsa in Toronto, Oakville Latin Festival), private events (Suah: La Weca), weddings, and many other upscale celebrations. We look forward to making you dance and sing your heart out!
Llasas, which means “pesados” (heavy ones), was created on December 10, 2007, in the city of Oruro, Bolivia, as a participating group in the Majestic Carnival of Oruro, recognized by the United Nations as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Since April 14, 2009, Llasas has also been showcasing Bolivian folklore at various multicultural festivals around the world.
Bass player, Fhanor Molina, began his musical experience at an early age in the city of Cali-Colombia, where he has participated in several large musical groups and Salsa bands. He is a highly recognized Latin artist in the community and has had the opportunity to record several professional LP’s and perform internationally.
After years of musical training and dedication, Fhanor Molina started his own Latin orchestra know as the Latin Swing Orchestra, to carry forth a modern musical legacy of Salsa and Tropical Music.
The Latin Swing Orchestra is a group of professional musicians that has had the opportunity to participate in numerous festivals such as the Beaches Jazz International Festival, TD Niagara Jazz Festival, Brantford Jazz Festival, as well as private and local parties in various cities throughout Ontario.
In Brazil, it’s always time for Carnaval, an enchanting cultural event that has something for everyone. In Toronto, Canada, Maninho Costa – a Brazilian from Rio, or Carioca – created the group Batucada Carioca in 2004 to perform at the city’s annual Brazilian Ball fundraiser. The group continued performing at this prestigious event every year, soon began to perform more shows around the city, and has been constantly evolving to this day. Batucada Carioca has performed at many different events both in Toronto and outside of it: in clubs, at weddings, at corporate and private events, and numerous festivals and community happenings.
With a repertoire based faithfully on the samba school rhythms of Rio, Maninho and his drummers from varied backgrounds are a living example of how to approach samba seriously and have a great time playing it. All of the group’s members are filled with passion and respect for the culture of samba schools throughout Brazil.
Using a mix of instruments, Batucada Carioca also features additional rhythms and musicians that often involve the cavaquinho (a Brazilian ukulele), acoustic guitar, horns, and vocals. These different rhythms are interpreted as fusions played with samba instruments. But of course, samba is our flagship – our guiding light. It is what moves us.
A sample of Batucada Carioca performances:
– Brazilian Day opening ceremonies at Dundas Square in Toronto
– World Cup 2010 and 2014 events for CBC
– Promotional video for CBC’s coverage of the Rio Paralympics in 2016
– Featured players on the TV show Rich Bride, Poor Bride
– Two appearances at the Festival du Monde in Montreal
– TD Niagara Jazz Festival in St. Catharines
– Multiple appearances in the Toronto Pride Parade
– Annual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
– Various workshops around and outside Toronto
Our band colours, blue and white, are an homage to one of Rio’s most legendary samba schools. Portela is a major player on the Carnaval scene in Rio, and inspired the creation of the “bloco” Batucada Carioca of Toronto. Our shows will make you smile and dance – guaranteed to transport you to a party in Rio, if only for a short time. We are Batucada Carioca.
Fé no samba /Faith in samba
Inspiracion Latina Dance Company provides live entertainment in a variety of dance styles such as Latin Salsa, Merengue, Brazilian samba, Bachata, Cha Cha. Rumba, etc as well as Bellydance, Hawaiian and Las Vegas Show for a diversity of events like birthday parties, corporate events, weddings, bridal showers, holiday parties, anniversaries. Restaurants, festivals, quinceañeros, etc. Along with dance performances, Inspiracion Latina Dance Company also provides dance classes, professional dance choreography, hostess services, corporate team building and school workshops.
Founded in 2020, Salsa & Sabor is a Colombian dance academy based in Toronto, dedicated to promoting authentic Colombian dance styles across Canada. Our mission is to connect, inspire, and engage people who are passionate about learning and experiencing the vibrant rhythms of Latin dance.
We specialize in Salsa Caleña and Salsa Choke, two dynamic and culturally rich styles that showcase the energy and spirit of Colombian dance. Our in-person classes are taught in Spanish by experienced Latin American instructors, offering an immersive cultural experience.
Salsa & Sabor currently offers classes at multiple locations across the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, North York, Hamilton, and Vaughan. Everyone is welcome—whether you’re new to Latin dance or looking to deepen your connection to Colombian culture