Welcome to the gallery of events Marie has been involved with – either performing, directing, choreographing, producing and/or designing. The images are slideshows to click through and the buttons are films on Youtube – a heads up – many are very grainy, shot with the first flip phones!
2025
December. Nosotros Esperanza at Paradiso. The night opened with the astounding New Mexico School of Arts Latin Jazz Band – the high school students were incredible and the room was on fire! Then, the Salsa Santa Fe dance group performed and gave Salsa lessons to a packed dance floor. The evening ended with the exciting powerhouse sound of Nosotros – what a great night! Check out the links below – the first is the student’s last number of the night, and the second is the Nosotros Esperanza music video – highly recommended to view!
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July – December. Son y Soul and Friends at La Fonda. Marie offered Salsa lessons during the weekly live music event with Sol y Soul, where locals and visitors join together, enjoying live music and dancing. Here are some pictures from a special night in September when quite the talent joined the band! First, Max was featured on violin, and later, Christina Gomez spiced up the party with vocals, along with other friends who joined on guitar and percussion.
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Before the Hiatus…
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2012
June. Cultural Exchange Celebration at The Evergreen State College. Marie joined Ocho Pies during their concert for one last performance before she took her hiatus. Marie as Lead.
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May. Rueda in the Studio. As Marie was ending teaching and performing (for family support), she brought together some of the dance group for a recording session to go over the details of Rueda moves, in hopes that someday she’d teach again. To loosen up, they recorded this – it’s a good example how Rueda can be enjoyed with only two couples. Marie as Follow.
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2011
September. GRuB Harvest Fundraiser. The dance group performed to promote a live auction item of Salsa dance party with lessons. GRuB is a non-profit organization, promoting gardening by partnering with “youth and people with low-incomes to create empowering individual and community food solutions”.
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August. Ocho Pies at Olympia Music in the Park. The dance group performs social Salsa dancing during the Ocho Pies concert, followed by introduction Salsa lessons.
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May. Cinco de Mayo at South Puget Sound Community College. The college hired Marie to bring entertainment to their celebration for the students. Seattle’s Salsa sensation, Cambalache, was the featured band, and the dance group performed and gave Salsa lessons. Here is the rehearsal for the choreography of Mambo No. 5 for one couple. Marie as Lead.
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2010
October. Hispanic Month Celebration at St. Martin’s University. Alejandro, a local favorite teacher, invited Marie to join his performance at the Hispanic Month Celebration at St. Martin’s University. Here is their rehearsal at the studio.
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June. Quinceañera. Marie choreographed to the Quinceañera’s favorite song, following the request to have it all – Salsa, Rueda, solo footwork, and traditional Quinceañera stage movements. The Corte de Honor of 16 dancers had no prior Salsa dance lessons, nor performance experience, and they only had time for 6 lessons before the party! Beautiful!
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2009
March. Water Resources in Africa Fundraiser at Olympia High School. The dance group performed samples of social Salsa dancing and gave Salsa lessons. Here is a rehearsal with Marie and Mark.
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August. ¡Fiesta! at Mother Joseph Care Center. Marie and her band plays for the patients and their families.
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2008
October. ArtsWalk Salsa Party at Olympia Ballroom. Marie produced this event for ArtsWalk with performances, dance lessons, and DJ music rotating throughout the evening. Photos by Shawn Donnelly.
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September. Maraca at South Puget Sound Community College. The dance group performed the opening act for the famous Havana Latin Jazz flutist, Orlando “Maraca” Valle and his band.
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September. Ocho Pies at Lacey Community Market. The dance group performed and gave Salsa and Rueda lessons during the live music event. Photos by Shawn Donnelly.
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August. Salsa Dance and Music at Lacey In Tune. Marie’s dance group and band were hired to help promote the city’s Salsa dance program. The choreographed pieces were first, then the Rueda was featured, with both Level 1 and Level 2 dance groups. There were over 700 in attendance, the dancers had a great time, and the classes filled up immediately! Images by Shawn Donnelly and clips from TCTV.
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July. Diversity Fair at Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. The dance group performed Salsa choreographies and samples of the Rueda.
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2007
October. ArtsWalk Salsa Social at Olympia Ballroom. South Puget Sound Community College students perform social Salsa dancing, assist with introduction lessons in Salsa and Rueda, and DJ.
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September. Northwest Salsa Congress at Tacoma Convention Center. Marie was invited to teach Rueda at the Albert Torres Northwest Salsa Congress. These exciting events, held nation-wide, featured four days of workshops, competitions, performances, live music, and dancing to 3am.
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July. Salsa Social at Lacey Farmers Market. South Puget Sound Community College Salsa students perform social Salsa and Rueda, assist with introduction lessons, and DJ.
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2006
October – July 2007. Trombanga at Trosper’s Bar and Grill. The dance group performed and gave Salsa lessons during the weekly live music Salsa socials.
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October. Fundraiser for Turning Pointe at Little Creek Casino. Dinner and dance fundraiser for the non-profit, Turning Pointe, who assists victims of domestic violence. Live music with Trombanga and introduction Salsa lessons.
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September. Latino Heritage Month Celebration at Shelton Library. Introduction Salsa lessons and dance party.
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2005
November – January 2006. Salsa Dance at the Abby Ballroom. The dance group presents Rueda performances and gives introduction lessons at the weekly Salsa social.
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October. Harvest Moon Gala Scholarship Fundraiser at South Puget Sound Community College. The dance group performs to promote the donation of a Salsa Dance Party and lessons. The winning bid came in at $1,600 – yay for education scholarships!
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October. One Hot Night of Dance at the Eagles Ballroom. The dance group performed and gave introduction Salsa lessons to a group of over 100.
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September. Kick Off Event at Center of the Arts. The dance group joined the band, Bevy, as the first performances of the newly-opened Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College.
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August. Social Dance Day at the Olympia Farmers Market. Marie produced this event, bringing together social dance instructors of Olympia in Ballroom, Tango, Swing, Salsa, and Rueda for performances, lessons, and a social dance. Marie’s dance and music group presented Afro-Cuban dance with live drummers, Salsa, and Rueda.
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July. Music in the Park with Obrador. The dance group performs a choreography with a Latin Jazz band and gave Salsa lessons during the concert.
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June. Spring Soirée at South Sound Business Women’s Annual Spring Event. The dance group performs social Salsa and gave lessons every half hour between speakers.
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June. Super Saturday at The Evergreen State College. The dance group performs at the college’s annual festival celebrating the end of the school year.
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May. Cultural Appreciation Day at North Thurston High School. Performance of social Salsa dancing and introduction Salsa lessons for students and teachers.
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May. South American Travels Event at Church of the Living Water. Performance of social Salsa dancing and introduction Salsa lessons for students and their families.
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May. Cinco de Mayo Cultural Celebration at Tacoma Community College. Performance of social Salsa dancing and introduction Salsa lessons for students and their families.
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April. ArtsWalk Collaborative Show at Columbia Street Pub. Marie designed and produced a multi-media experience show, collaborating with photographers, artists, bands, dancers, and a restaurant for cuisine offerings to enhance an all-encompassing experience of Salsa and Rueda.
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April. Procession of the Species Parade Celebration at Heritage Park. After the big community parade, where local schools and community groups work for months creating costumes, music, and choreographies honoring the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, there was often a big celebration at the end of the parade route. Marie’s dance group was invited to perform with the band Obrador. This was in the early stages of Marie learning Salsa, Rueda, and Afro-Cuban, so she just put everything she knew into this and it was a great time for everyone! And, yes, it was a dark, rainy day.
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March. Bird Dancers for the Procession of the Species. Marie designed and taught a choreography with Afro-Cuban dances for the Evergreen State College students.
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March – October. Sizzling Salsa Nights at Eagles Hall. Marie produced monthly social Salsa parties with performances, Salsa and Rueda lessons, and DJs.
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February. Student Club Fair at South Puget Sound Community College. The Jitterbug Club performed and taught introduction Salsa lessons to fellow students.
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February. Lunch-time Salsa Social at Black Hills High School. The band Ocho Pies joined the lunch-time event, where the dance group performed social Salsa dancing, and gave introduction Salsa lessons.
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February – April. Salsa del Caribe for Procession of the Species. Marie designed and directed a community dance and music group, open to all ages and levels of experience, for performance in the annual parade. There were over 70 participants playing music or dancing. There was Salsa, Rueda, and Afro-Cuban dance, and the musicians brought their own instruments – horns, clarinet, violin, with the drummers playing on 5 gallon water jugs. Everyone made their own costumes from recycled materials, and there were workshops in making chekerés, too! This was all possible with support from local dancers, musicians, the Mariah Arts School for Kids, and Earthbound Productions.
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2004
March. Cultural Exchange Travels with The Evergreen State College. Marie taught Salsa lessons to students who were preparing for a culture exchange.
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April. Lunch-time Salsa Social with live music at Olympia High School. Marie taught over 500 students introduction Salsa lessons in one day and the next week, Ocho Pies played during a lunch-time Salsa party.
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2003
August – July 2012. Salsa lessons in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Tacoma, Shelton. Marie taught Salsa, Rueda, Afro-Cuban, and Latin Percussion in dance studios, dance halls, at private parties, community events, and schools.
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2001
July – May 2006. Bevy, a Latin Jazz Septet. Marie brought together a group of women musicians to collaborate in all aspects of the band: management, directing, and playing. Their repertoire included Cuban Son and Bolero, Brazilian Samba and Bossa Nova, and pieces written by local Jazz artists. They played for public and private events, and at the once-renowned establishment for local Jazz, the Spar Cafe and Lounge. Here is a short clip from a concert.
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Salsa Santa Fe 