Bringing Musica Latina to Life in Newberg: Community Latin Night

When you walk into Community Latin Night, the first thing you’ll experience is the music. The large speakers at the front of the room play a mix of iconic salsa, bachata, merengue, and cumbia classics with beats so strong you can feel them in your chest. 

Next comes the ambiance. With the space dimly lit by multicolored spotlights moving around the room, there is an excited, party-like atmosphere in the air. The dance floor in the center of the room is initially vacant, until all the seated participants are welcomed to fill the space, and the night officially begins with dance lessons. 

This is the second Community Latin Night hosted by Chehalem Cultural Center on Wednesday, February 20. The monthly event is meant to introduce non-Latin Newberg residents to Latin music and dance, while providing a space for Latin people in the community to celebrate their culture.

DJ Julian Rios — the DJ and dance instructor for Community Latin Night — wants to create a welcoming atmosphere, he says. The mix for his dance lesson includes songs from Colombia, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other Latin countries to showcase the variety of cultural music. As he instructs the group for the first hour of the night, his knowledge of music and dance is put on display.

“This night is for anyone who wants to learn Latin music,” he says.

As he leads the group in the intricacies of salsa, merengue, and bachata, Rios makes everyone feel capable of learning the steps through his words of encouragement. While many of the attendees may have no experience with Latin dance, all are encouraged to try. 

“You just need to listen to the beat,” Rios says throughout the lessons. 

Many of the participants smile at his reassurances and help one another through the more difficult dance steps. Everyone is noticeably ready to learn and enjoy their time. Strangers pair up as dance partners, couples laugh off small accidents such as bumping into other dancers or tripping over their own feet, and most lend a helping hand when someone occasionally slips. 

As the night continues, the smell of oil cooking mixed with grilling meats floats onto the dance floor. A participant comments on how delicious the food smells. 

For the first hour of the event, Rios instructs the group on how to learn the various dances before everyone is free to either dance more on their own or grab some food. Catered by Caballero’s Catering, the celebration of Latin culture extends beyond the dance floor and into the cuisine. Street taco selections, wine, and drinks are all available for sale at the event. 

Making a Latin Culture Home in Newberg

The idea for Newberg’s Community Latin Night was born from events which Chef Erick Caballero, owner of Caballero’s Catering, and Rios hosted together. After working on several Latin dinner nights across Northwest Oregon, Rios and Caballero wanted to develop an event that focused on various aspects of Latin culture, not just the cuisine. That is when the idea to include music and dance lessons arose. 

“In doing the dinners came the conversation to do music down there [Newberg],” Rios says, “we planned to do it once a month, and that was how it started.” 

After organizing the event with the Chehalem Cultural Center, Rios and Caballero hosted their first Community Latin Night on January 17, 2024. Rios says the first event was successful, but the turnout for the second was even better with around 25 participants. 

Community Latin Night welcomes both English and Spanish speakers through Rios’ song mixes. Many of the songs that are heard throughout the night are popular English-speaking artists remixed with Latin beats in the background, such as Ed Sheeran’s ballads turned into bachata — a style of dance and music developed in the Dominican Republic known for its themes of love, heartbreak, and romance. 

Rio says that the night is important partly because it gives a space for Latin music to be celebrated and interacted with, but the real importance of evenings such as Community Latin Night is that they address larger community issues. 

“I noticed there is nothing for the Latin community in Newberg,” Rios says, “so that would be one of the goals in the future.”

He hopes to create more spaces by and for Latin people, and in the process welcome non-Latin residents to learn and connect with different Latin American cultures, people, and experiences, he says. 

Rios, who currently resides in Salem, has many ideas in mind for how to introduce more Latin culture to the general Newberg population. However, he says that music may be the best way to share with a large audience. His dream is to someday open a dance studio in the Newberg community and continue to teach Latin dance to anyone interested.

While Rios does aim to create more spaces for Latin community members, he makes it clear that Community Latin Night is an event that encourages all local residents to participate. The dance instruction is taught in English, and many of the participants are from various backgrounds and age groups. 

“I am doing this for people who want to learn about Latin music,” he says, “Everyone is welcome. Latin music is not just for Latin people. It is for everyone.” 

The Chehalem Cultural Center will be hosting its next Community Latin Night with DJ Julian and Caballero’s Catering on March 20, 2024. 

For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://www.chehalemculturalcenter.org/store/latin-nights-2024.