Do I need a partner to join a class?

No. Most students show up solo. We rotate partners every few minutes during class, so you dance with the whole room, not just one person. Half the fun is meeting everyone.

I've never danced before and I'm sure I have no rhythm. Will I keep up?

That's exactly who we built this for. Every class breaks steps down to the count, one piece at a time, and Foundations starts from zero — no assumptions, no judgment. Most people who tell us they have “no rhythm” are dancing full turn patterns by week four.

What should I wear to class?

Something you can move in and shoes with a smooth sole. Sneakers are fine for your first class — just avoid anything with heavy grip that'll stick to the floor when you turn.

How much does a class cost?

$15 to drop in, or $100 for the full 8-week cycle. Socials are $10 at the door, which covers a beginner lesson plus the party after.

Do I need to sign up before I show up, or can I just walk in?

You can walk in, but reserving your spot online first means we're expecting you and can place you in the right level. Cycles fill up, so if you know your night, grab your spot ahead of time.

I found you in the middle of a cycle. Can I still join?

Yes, through week 3. After that we hold your spot for the next 8-week cycle instead, so you start on the same choreography as everyone else instead of jumping in halfway through.

What's the difference between Foundations, L1, and Intermediate L1–2?

Foundations is for people who've never danced — and also for anyone who's danced socially for years without ever learning technique or counts. If you've never counted your steps, start here. L1 is for anyone who's finished Foundations or already dances with technique. Intermediate L1–2 is for dancers who've worked through L1 and want to keep building vocabulary.

What days and times are classes?

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6–9 PM, at AFAS. What’s running each hour changes every 8-week cycle, so check the current schedule for this cycle’s lineup.

Where are classes held? Is there parking?

AFAS, 630 N Liberty Street, 2nd floor, Winston-Salem. Park free on Liberty Street after 5 PM and on weekends, or use the 6th & Cherry Street deck for a fee.

How long is a cycle, and what happens when it ends?

Each cycle runs 8 weeks. When one wraps, you can re-enroll for the next, move up a level, or take a break — no auto-renewal, no pressure.

What styles do you teach in class?

Salsa and bachata, taught by people who grew up dancing them in the Caribbean and Latin America — not a fitness-class version. In salsa, we teach on2 — if you've learned on1 somewhere else, the switch is easier than you'd think.

Will I hear other styles besides salsa and bachata?

Yes — our socials mix in merengue, cumbia, cha-cha-cha, and kizomba alongside salsa and bachata. Class builds your salsa and bachata foundation; socials are where you try everything else on a real dance floor.

What actually happens at a social?

An hour of beginner-friendly lesson first, then three hours of open dancing to a live mix of salsa, bachata, merengue, and more. Come solo, with friends, or on a date — most people leave with three new dance partners and one new friend.

Do I need to finish a class cycle before I can come to a social?

No. Socials are open to everyone, and the first hour is a free beginner lesson built for people walking in with zero experience. Plenty of people try a social before they ever take a class.

Where do your socials happen?

Second Saturdays at AFAS (630 N Liberty St) and fourth Fridays at The Coal Pit at Incendiary Brewing (486 N Patterson Ave #105) — both in Winston-Salem, 7–11 PM, $10 at the door.

Do you offer private lessons?

Yes. Private lessons are $75/hour, in 30- or 60-minute sessions.

What are the cultural trips, and how do I sign up?

Once a year we take a small group to where these dances were born — Cali, Santo Domingo, Havana — to learn from local dancers in the cities that shaped the music. Spots are by application; watch the newsletter and Instagram for the next one.

How do I stay in the loop on new cycles, socials, and events?

Subscribe to the newsletter — one email a week, max, no spam — or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. That's where cycle openings, pop-up socials, and schedule changes post first.