Latin dance in Minneapolis

Twin Cities Latin dance keeps the scene alive through winters that would kill most outdoor cities' floors. The community is tight-knit, seriously international (the Somali, Mexican, and South American diasporas all contribute), and proud of how much dancing happens despite the weather.

Uptown and the North Loop run the downtown socials. St. Paul has its own parallel scene worth the Metro Transit trip. Indoor socials dominate nine months a year; the three summer months explode with outdoor dances in parks and on rooftops. Wednesday and Saturday are the weekly anchors.

Hotel lobbies and community centers host more socials than nightclubs here. Don't skip them. Bring indoor shoes separately in winter — street salt destroys a good pair.