Medellin Living

Colombian nightlife revolves around music and dancing.  Reggaeton may be increasingly popular, but salsa still rules the airwaves, buses, bars, and crossover clubs.  Salsa dancing’s appeal spans generations, and you’re just as likely to see an 18-year old dancing salsa as a 50-year old. Learn salsa in Medellin, and you’ll learn to appreciate the culture [...]

In 2009, on my last weekend in Medellin, I spent two nights dancing at the 1st Colombian Salsa Festival. As luck would have it, I ran into Yamile, one of my dance teachers, at the door. I had a way better time as a result of her company than had she not attended. Therefore, it [...]

Cali may be Colombia’s salsa capital, but Medellin is home to the country’s annual salsa festival (or Congress, as they’re called in Western countries). This weekend, from July 8 – 10,  Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB) hosts the 3rd Colombia Salsa Festival. The Festival is a mix of dance classes, competitions, concerts and social dancing. Singers [...]

When Jessica expressed an interest in contributing to Medellin Living, little did I know I’d end up with a new salsa dancing partner. I had invited her to my apartment to go over how to use WordPress.  She arrived fresh from a tango lesson, and before I knew it, Marcello (Wandering Trader) was recording us [...]

I met Benny (Fluent in 3 Months) when he arrived in Medellin last November for a 2-month stay in Colombia. He wanted to learn salsa in Colombia, so I referred him to my teacher, Yamile, at the dance studio I’ve used the last few years. In the first part of the video, you’ll see footage [...]

My first visit to El Tibiri was in early 2009 with a few Colombians, and my German roommate Martin, before I had any experience dancing salsa.  Yet at the same time, it was exactly what I imagined a typical salsa bar should be like.  It is a small, basement level bar with low ceilings, a [...]