{"id":224400,"date":"2026-03-17T23:20:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T23:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/224400\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T23:20:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T23:20:08","slug":"a-queer-latin-dance-studio-in-oc-opens-the-floor-to-anyone-looking-to-dance-the-world-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/224400\/","title":{"rendered":"A queer Latin dance studio in OC opens the floor to anyone looking to dance the world away"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a cozy dance studio in Garden Grove, dancers of all experience levels, ages and backgrounds flock to Queer Latin Dance OC<\/a> to learn the steps to salsa, cumbia and bachata.<\/p>\n

For many, the dance class is more than educational \u2014 it\u2019s a place to get away from it all, to find community and to uplift one another through art.<\/p>\n

When Rodrigo Marquez founded Queer Latin Dance OC at the beginning of this year, he said he was filling a gap in Orange County that often lacks safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to make creative communities for us to learn in a safe environment,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cEveryone’s here to learn, and I want the pressure of whatever’s going on in the world, just to forget for the next hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Storefront<\/p>\n

Queer Latin Dance OC meets three times a week to learn the steps to salsa, cumbia and bachata. <\/p>\n

What are the dance lessons like?\u00a0<\/p>\n

When creating his teaching plan, Marquez said he considers the range of experience his students might have. Everybody starts somewhere, he added, and the hardest part is showing up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is scary, but if you’re already showing up, then just jump in and just forget about the world. It’s a great distraction, and dancing makes you feel better,\u201d Marquez said.<\/p>\n

Philip Lee, an elementary school teacher from Tustin, took his first class with the group Monday night, trying the quick steps of salsa.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a stressful day. \u2026 All my stress that I had in my neck and upper back just kind of went away,\u201d Lee said, adding that the high energy in the room is infectious. \u201cIt was nice just laughing with people in the community and meeting new people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lee said the dance lesson gave him a space to be with community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe queer community specifically, and just kind of let my guard down and just be free and laugh and enjoy being me and celebrated for a love for the arts,\u201d Lee said. \u201cThat’s not a space that is always safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before taking lessons at Queer Latin Dance OC, Melba Rivera said she came in with zero dance experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou come as you are. No matter what level you’re at or how you identify or what your experience is, everybody’s here and everybody’s learning,\u201d Rivera said. \u201cIt’s a very encouraging and motivating space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Salsa and bachata are social dances, Marquez said, but one thing that makes his class unique to many is that regardless of gender identity, anyone can follow or lead.<\/p>\n

Typically, the lead falls to the male dancer, and women follow. Marquez said it was important that no one feels pressured to be one or the other.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s why I created this, so people like me can just come and learn, not be expected to be in a gender role based on how they look,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cThey want to dance how they feel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why it matters<\/p>\n

Taryn Heiner said, especially in Orange County, it\u2019s challenging to find spaces that are queer-friendly and queer-open.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s really what makes this space so kind and warm and welcoming,\u201d Heiner said. \u201cWe have all that base understanding of respecting one another, no matter who they are, who they love and what they do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Growing up in Orange County, not every room you walk into is a safe space, Rivera added.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo walking into a room like this, where everybody’s friendly, everybody’s learning, everybody’s just here for the same purpose to get better, to support each other, is really important,\u201d Rivera said. \u201cNot just in the class, but [in] the friendships we make outside of the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside of dance class, Marquez\u2019s students meet up for monthly hikes and other get-togethers. Marquez said it is a privilege and an honor to bring people together through his love for dance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve seen people become friends since January, and I see them practice outside of practice,\u201d Marquez said. \u201cI’ve always had a dream to do my own dance classes, but to do it in a way where people can connect and just be themselves. It’s far greater than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Queer Latin Dance OC offers lessons to dancers of all experience levels and has created a new community hub in Orange County. <\/p>\n

Want to dance?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Salsa, cumbia and bachata classes are held three nights a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Classes are $20 per session, but Marquez also offers a free beginner salsa class every Monday.<\/p>\n

You can register for the class of your choice here<\/a>. Payments are taken in person.<\/p>\n