Deriving harmony from Salsa music and disparate dance movement: Mambo - Modern - Afro Cuban - Latin Jazz - Hip Hop - Tango - Ballroom - Ballet - Swing - Jazz

Bay Area Salsa Bands

The Bay Area salsa music scene has been a powerhouse of West Coast Latin music for decades; producing such all-stars as Conjunto Cespedes, Azabache, and Orquesta la Moderna Tradicion as well as hosting all the best bands from around the world. Here is a list of great local bands that perform on a weekly basis throughout the Bay Area.

Ritmo y Armonia
Benny Velarde Supercombo
Quimbombo
Candela
Pep y su Orquesta
Chambo
Orquesta Gitano
Charanga Nueva
Orquesta Borinquen
Charanson
Mazacote
Los Compas
Mark Levine & Latin Tinge
Conquista Musical
Julio Bravo
Cubanacan
Jesus Diaz y su QBA
Danilo
Tiempo Latino
Expression Latina
Dulce Mambo
John Santos & Machete

Bay Area Salsa Clubs

You can find fine dancing throughout the Bay Area every night of the week. You'll find excellent dance floors, tight DJ's, sweet atmosphere, and the best live bands. Here are a few of the top salsa venues around:

East Bay:
Down Low Lounge
Allegro Ballroom
Danceasy
Club Montero
Concord Sheraton
Lil Havana

SF:
Cafe Cocomo
Jelly's
Roccapulco
Glas Kat
El Valenciano
Jillian's
El Rio
Pier 23
Jazz @ 33
The Ramp
Metronome Ballroom
Elbo Room

South Bay:
Alberto's
Carribean Gardens
Decathlon
Dance Spectrum

Bay Area DJ's

The Bay Area DJ's are internationally known for their variation, style, and knowledge. Here are a few of the best:

DJ Freddy
Tony O
Carlos Lopez
Ivette Fuentes
Luis Medina
Chata Gutierrez
Luis 'El Caballero'
El Baron de la Salsa

Bay Area Dance Instructors

There seem to be hundreds of salsa dance instructors in the Bay Area teaching all styles, levels, and types of Latin dance. If you want to learn something, look-up these fine folks:

The Harmony Project
Ramon Ramos-Alayo
Roberto Borrell (danzon)
Ava Apple
Jake & Techi
Garry Johnson
Isabelle
Susana Arenas
Manuel Suarez
Maria Elena
Joel & Sorci
Adrienne
Indra Thadani
Ricardo & Michelle
Ricardo & Sara Tellez
Stephanie Palmeri
Gabriel Romero
Salsa Crazy
John & Liz
Jose Francisco Barroso
Pantea
Ciro & Mary Ann
Gil & Naomi

Bay Area Dance Companies

The Bay Area salsa dance scene is fairly tight knit and many dancers get their start in one of the many dance companies in the area. It's a great way to learn, grow community, and have fun. Add The Harmony Project to the stellar list of Bay Area Salsa Dance Companies:

Latin Symbolics
Pretty Boys & Girls Dance Company
RicaSalsa
Salsamania
MamboRomero
La Evolucion
Mambo SF
Los Matanceros
Salsa Rhythm

Bay Area salsa resources:
Salsa Gang
Salsa Crazy
Salsa Roots
Salsa SF
Salsuba - The Bay Area's Guide to Cuban Salsa Dancing