4820 W. Irving Park Rd, Chicago
Cumbia Classes in Chicago
The one dance that plays at every Latin party in Chicago — learn cumbia in a friendly 4-week beginner course, no partner required.
Prefer to talk? Text/Call 717-PASAMBA(717) 727-2622
What you'll learn
- The cumbia basic and the relaxed back-step that drives the whole dance
- Leading and following in the open, hand-to-hand cumbia frame
- Turns, wraps and hammerlocks that fill an entire song
- How to hear cumbia rhythm across classic, norteña and modern tracks
- Footwork variations and playful styling for the social floor
- Party-ready confidence for weddings, quinceañeras and family events
If you only learn one Latin dance before your cousin's wedding, make it cumbia. It plays at every party in Chicago, the basic is forgiving, and it's the dance where nobody is judging your technique — they're just glad you got up.
Our Cumbia Level 1 course runs four progressive weeks. Week one is the basic and the frame; by week four you're linking wraps, turns and footwork variations into something that looks effortless. As with every course here, no partner is needed — we rotate partners throughout.
Cumbia pairs naturally with salsa and bachata, and Saturday makes that easy: Salsa Level 2 at 11, Bachata Level 2 at 12, Salsa Level 1 at 1, Bachata Level 1 at 2, and Cumbia Level 1 at 3. Plenty of students stack two or three in an afternoon.
Everything happens at 4820 W. Irving Park Rd in Chicago, with street parking outside — easy from Old Irving Park, Portage Park, Avondale, Jefferson Park and Logan Square.
Common questions
Is cumbia good for complete beginners?
- It's one of the best starting points. The cumbia basic is a relaxed back-step you can pick up in minutes, and the music is played at almost every Latin party, wedding and quinceañera in Chicago.
Do I need a partner for cumbia classes?
- No. We rotate partners all class long, so solo students get full practice and learn to dance with anyone.
How much does a cumbia class cost?
- $95 for the full 4-week progressive course, including free make-up classes within four weeks of your start date.
When are cumbia classes held?
- Cumbia Level 1 runs on Wednesdays and on Saturdays at 3:00 pm, so you can pair it with the salsa and bachata classes earlier in the day.
Where can I dance cumbia in Chicago?
- Our 1st and 3rd Friday socials play salsa, bachata and cumbia from 7 to 11 pm — a friendly floor where new dancers are genuinely welcome.
Is cumbia useful for weddings and quinceañeras?
- Very. Cumbia is the one style guaranteed to play at a Chicago Latin celebration, which is why we teach it in our wedding and quinceañera packages too.
Keep exploring
Full class schedule
Stack cumbia with salsa and bachata on Saturday.
Salsa classes in Chicago
The classic next step after cumbia.
Friday socials
Cumbia on the floor, 1st & 3rd Fridays.
Quinceañera choreography
Packages from $550 for the court and the waltz.
Wedding dance lessons
First dance and party dances for your big day.
Private lessons
From $125 for 55 minutes, solo or couple.
Your first night is easier than you think
Walk in alone or with a partner, wear whatever you're comfortable in, and you'll be dancing within the first fifteen minutes.