By The Shout

The following announcement is based on a press release from Baila Wichita.

WICHITA — From October 9-11, Baila Wichita will host its inaugural Afro-Latin Dance and Music Festival, bringing together dancers, instructors, musicians and culture enthusiasts for a weekend of dance, music, learning and connection.

Designed for all experience levels, the festival will give attendees the opportunity to learn from professional artists, experience Afro-Latin dance and music, social dance, and connect with dancers from Wichita and neighboring communities.

“Festivals have been some of the most inspiring parts of my dance journey, creating a unique opportunity to learn directly from professional artists, experience their creativity and expression up close, connect with dancers from different cities and backgrounds, and discover how small and interconnected the dance world really is,” said Elisa Rosales, the event organizer and owner of Baila Wichita, a local dance studio.

“I wanted to bring that experience to Wichita so our local dancers can learn from exceptional artists while connecting with neighboring dance communities, and I hope every person who attends leaves feeling inspired, energized and rejuvenated, with a broader perspective of what Afro-Latin dance can be.”

Beyond the dance floor, Baila Wichita aims to showcase Wichita’s welcoming spirit and vibrant cultural community to visitors traveling from across the region.

“I hope visitors experience just how welcoming Wichita can be—not only through our dance community, but through the city as a whole,” said Rosales. “We have a reputation for being a friendly, welcoming place, and we truly want to roll out the red carpet for everyone coming to town.”

Rosales hopes the festival also challenges expectations of what Wichita has to offer.

“I want visitors to discover just how diverse and vibrant Wichita’s community is. I recognize that people may not immediately expect Wichita to have a thriving Afro-Latin dance and music community, and I love the idea of surprising them. There is so much culture, creativity, and community here, and I hope the festival gives visitors a glimpse of everything Wichita has to offer.”

Tickets are available now, with limited capacity for some festival activities. In addition to individual classes and partial and full festival passes, a free ticketed community class will be offered.

For event times, locations and tickets, visit www.bailawichita.com/dance-festival. 

Announcements are submissions from arts and cultural organizations and community members. They are published at the discretion of SHOUT editors and may be lightly edited. Send press releases and other announcements to emily@shoutwichita.com.

Support Kansas arts writing

The SHOUT is a Wichita-based independent newsroom focused on artists living and working in Kansas. We're partly supported by the generosity of our readers, and every dollar we receive goes directly into the pocket of a contributing writer, editor, or photographer. Click here to support our work with a tax-deductible donation.