Afro Latino Dance

"In North America, there are a lot of commercial style dance classes, such as New York-style salsa,” explains Albena De Assis, who runs AfroLatino Dance Company. “Not that many places offer the authentic versions of these dances to their clients; this is precisely what we specialize in here.”

She launched the studio in 2005. "The commercial North American styles draw from ballroom dance and from ballet, with great emphasis on spinning,” she says. "Whereas authentic Cuban salsa, for example, puts much more emphasis on body movements and different rhythms."

AfroLatino Dance Company offers dance classes and shows with a focus on their authentic versions. "We were one of the first dance companies in Toronto to offer Cuban salsa and our Brazilian samba class is very popular. Other big hits are our Dominican batchata classes, Afrocuban and Cuban rumba and Angolean kizomba. We really do make a point of offering these styles in their most authentic forms," Albena says.

The company also produces dance shows for its customers' events and parties, delivering an authentic experience whenever dance entertainment is called for. "You get the same extravagant experience you would get by attending a dance show in Brazil or Cuba, with the lavish costumes and headpieces and the very energetic dancers."