Senior Dance Events Curator
Specializing in dance community development and event curation across Portugal
Curating and documenting authentic salsa social events across Lisbon, Porto, and major Portuguese cities. I've built relationships with venue owners and instructors to bring you verified, accessible salsa experiences designed for mature dancers.
My signature project since 2015. Started with 40 dancers and grew to over 300. I know every instructor, every venue, and the seasonal rhythm of Algarve's bachata community. You'll find real details about what's happening when.
Finding and verifying outdoor dance events throughout Portugal—beach socials, park sessions, garden festivals. I travel regularly to check locations, confirm dates, and meet organizers personally to ensure you're getting current information.
Understanding how Portugal's dance festival calendar works across regions—what happens in spring versus autumn, which festivals cater to mature dancers, and how to plan your year around the events that matter to you.
I'm not just documenting events—I'm part of this community. I attend regularly, know dancers by name, and understand what makes spaces welcoming for people discovering dance after 45. Connection matters as much as scheduling.
Every region has different rhythms and communities. I've spent years mapping what's available in Algarve, Lisbon, Porto, Central Portugal, and the North—and I know where hidden gems are that don't make mainstream calendars.
From corporate events to Portugal's most trusted dance community resource
I was 38 years old and working in corporate event management when I attended my first salsa social in Lisbon. That night changed everything. I'd never danced before, felt completely out of place, and somehow kept going back.
I noticed a massive gap. There were dance events everywhere, but no real resource for people like me—adults discovering dance in their late 30s and 40s. Information was scattered across WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages that were hard to navigate. I started documenting what I found.
I organized the first coordinated bachata weekend series in Algarve. Started small—just 40 people who wanted a proper experience. By year three, we'd grown to over 300. That success showed me there was real demand for someone to organize and verify these experiences.
Shifted entirely to dance community work. Built relationships with instructors, venue owners, and event organizers across Portugal. Travel regularly between Algarve, Lisbon, and Porto to verify information firsthand. My expertise is real because I'm actually part of these communities, not just observing from outside.
Building resources, establishing connections, creating access
Founded in 2015 and grew from 40 to 300+ attendees over three years. Became the model for coordinated dance event programming in Portugal. Now hosts dancers from across Europe.
Developed comprehensive, updated resources specifically for adults 45 plus seeking salsa, bachata, and dance festival opportunities. Covers all regions with verified, current information.
Maintain direct relationships with 50+ instructors, venue owners, and event organizers. Travel monthly between regions to verify schedules, discover new opportunities, and understand community needs.
Worked with event organizers to ensure welcoming environments for older adult dancers. Developed guidelines for beginner-friendly socials and festival programming that considers mature adult needs.
Created detailed guides covering outdoor dance gatherings, seasonal festivals, and social events in Algarve, Lisbon, Porto, and beyond. Each guide includes venue details, instructor information, and accessibility notes.
Created content helping mature adults navigate dance communities, understand different styles, choose appropriate events, and build confidence. Written from lived experience, not theory.
"Dance isn't about being young or perfect. It's about connection, movement, and finding your people. I discovered this at 38, and it transformed my life. That's why I do this work—to make sure nobody else has to search as hard as I did to find their place in Portugal's dance communities."
Comprehensive guides I've created based on years of research and community involvement
Lisbon's salsa scene is vibrant and welcoming to older adults. This guide covers the main venues, regular event schedules, instructor profiles, and tips for finding your rhythm in the community. I've attended most of these socials personally.
Read the full guideFrom accommodation to dance schedules, meal planning to social events. This is the resource I created after starting the Algarve Bachata Weekend series in 2015. It's grown from 40 to 300+ attendees, and this guide covers everything.
Explore the guidePortugal's weather makes outdoor dancing possible year-round. This guide maps where and when you'll find outdoor events, what to bring, and how to prepare. I travel regularly to verify venues and confirm schedules.
Discover outdoor eventsSpring brings different festivals than autumn. This comprehensive guide breaks down what happens when across all regions, which festivals welcome mature dancers, and how to build a year-long dance calendar.
View the festival calendarWhether you're just discovering dance or looking for your next event, I've built these resources to help you find the right community. Browse the guides above, explore upcoming events in your region, or get in touch with questions.
