Luke Kadria ’26 came to Clark never having danced before. But he’s found his footing, and moves, as co-captain of Salsa Encendida, a 22-member dance team and club that hosts high-powered dance shows and workshops featuring salsa, bachata, merengue, tango, and more.
Kadria and his fellow captains, Virginia Crispin Garcia ’26 and Natalia Caicedo ’25, will lead Salsa Encendida in its biggest event this semester — a performance at Worcester’s Mechanics Hall on April 12 in collaboration with the College of the Holy Cross Latin American Student Association. Holy Cross students will perform with Clarkies.
Kadria, a psychology major, has been in the club since his first year at Clark. He’s seen an engaged and growing audience at performances.
“We’ve always had a decent-sized audience at our shows,” Kadria says, “but it feels as though it’s increasing. To see our club expand and get attention in spheres that we didn’t see before is very cool evidence of its growth.”
Salsa Encendida generally hosts two major shows and workshops a year, one each semester, as well as additional performances like the Mechanics Hall show. Dancers move in precise patterns, gliding across the floor in a range of costumes, from flashy dresses and crisp button-down shirts to contemporary streetwear.
The major draw for audiences and members alike is the culture and community. Crispin Garcia, a theatre major and dance minor originally from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, and Caicedo, a psychology and business major from Bogotá, Colombia, both describe being drawn to the club to reconnect with their cultures.
“Salsa Encendida was exactly what I wanted to do on campus because I grew up with dance,” Caicedo says. “It is the perfect space for me to be with my culture and my people, and people who speak my language.”
Caicedo wants other Clarkies to share that experience and feel at home in Salsa Encendida. The group incorporates a diverse array of cultures into its dance routines.
“Anything that relates to the Latin culture, Hispanic culture, we try to incorporate it,” Caicedo says. “If people are willing to learn and choreograph, we are willing to do it.”
Salsa Encendida holds weekly nighttime rehearsals, which can be tough to schedule, but Caicedo, Kadria, and Crispin Garcia all agree it is well worth the challenge.
“Even when it’s exhausting, everyone’s in it together,” Kadria says. “Having a space where members can find moments to experience and appreciate their culture in a different country than their home, and a place to dance and catch up with friends, is worthwhile.”
The captains encourage each other to choreograph more complex pieces. “This year has been overwhelming but very rewarding at the same time,” says Crispin Garcia.
Each rehearsal begins with stretches to get the body moving. From there, the dancing begins. If the team is learning a new dance, the choreographers lead with a demo before giving instruction. Once the team has the steps down, they practice until everyone feels comfortable.
“Nighttime rehearsals are a good way for me to get away after being on my computer all day,” Caicedo says. “I get to say, ‘I’m going to go dance with my friends and be creative and move my body.’”
The captains say one thing that makes their dancing so special is that the club relies on partner dancing.
“I think that’s part of the reason we’re so close,” Crispin Garcia says. “We have to dance together, and when you’re up close and personal with someone, you want to get to know them. We’re in each other’s minds.”
Salsa Encendida also hosts open dance workshops after each show where non-members can participate.
“We’re all very grateful to be a part of this club,” Kadria says. “We all try so hard, and we all care so much. It’s really about the people. To be in a position where we can create this experience at Clark is very special to us.”
Watch Salsa Encendida perform from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 12 at Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St. in Worcester.
