top of page

History

History Salsa Latina Christchurch

Salsa Latina is primarily a Salsa Dance school, "Salsa Latina Academy" You can see these listed on the classes page.
Today in 2025 our Salsa dance classes have been running since 2005, 20 years. 
Bachata Introduced in 2007 and Kizomba introduced since 2015. 

History of Salsa Latina


• October 2004

The Start: We originally started under the name Danza Latina, from 17th October 2004. Kicking off Cuban Miami Salsa dance classes. Located in 'The Civic', shortly after we moved to the Music Centre on Barbadoes St. We ran classes for several years in this location, but we were quickly out growing this space. Then an opportunity to gain our own proper dance studio presented itself and jumped at it.

• August 2008

Manchester Courts Studio:  After renovating this inner city office area into a dance studio, we moved our classes to the Manchester courts building 'level 1'. it was our first official dance studio. ​

Name Change: In 2009 we changed the business name to "Salsa Latina" due to Internal structural changes within the business and advertising purposes, because 'Salsa' was becoming a more well known term.

• September 2010

The Darfield Quake: A massive quake damaged the Manchester courts building beyond repair, it had to be knocked down not long afterward. We suffered huge losses to our business at that time. Thanks to some individuals who helped us recover. We are forever grateful for all the help we had during these hard times.

• September 2010

Fitzgerald Studio: After losing our 1st studio,  we renovating a 6 room office building, knocking walls out to create 2 dance studios. A couple of weeks later we then moved to our 2nd studio located on Fitzgerald Ave. With a great location we got up and running very fast.

• February 2011

The BIG quake: Then once again Christchurch suffered the most severe earth quakes imaginable. The "Christchurch-Lyttelton earthquake".This also damaged the new studio, but luckily just out of the City, we were able to run dance classes just after the quakes. It was a great outlet for people wanting to dance & a great distraction for people going through hard times. 1 year later we had insurance news to have that building demolished as well!

• May 2012

12 Bath St Studio: We moved again to our longest running studio at 12 Bath St, on the 14th May 2012. We once again renovated this space which was severely run down, with the help of friends, family & students who came to help, we managed to get up and running within a couple of weeks. However after more than a decade of use and happy memories we released this for land redevelopments.

• April 2025

461a Colombo St Studio: Our current location which we have moved into recently is our current home base, with tons of car parking and easy access its our newest space with the best air conditioning yet. Come down and join a class!

See location details here >

the_manchester_courts_was_demolished_fol

Manchester Courts Studio 
Our 1st studio; located on the 1st level just after the quake in 2010.

manchester-courts-salsalatina.jpg

Manchester Courts Studio 
Photo during the demolition  in 2010-2011

fitzgeraldave.JPG

Fitzgerald Studio 
Our 2nd studio; located on the 1st level. Demolished in 2012

img_6456-crop-u1498689.jpg

Bath Street Studio
Our 3nd studio; located on the 1st level in South City Christchurch, set for demolition.

bottom of page