For the Love of Bachata is the paradise for Bachata Lovers. 🇩🇴
(If you call it Traditional Bachata, Authentic Bachata, or Dominican Bachata, we’re talking about you!)
fri-sun July 25th-27th in Pittsburgh, PA
Fill your dance cup with 2 nights of 100% PURE SOCIAL DANCING.
The first night will be a magical one outside on Mt. Washington, one of Pittsburgh’s most beautiful locations. The 2nd night will be our big Saturday party at the dance studio. Both places carry their own special something and will leave your heart full, excited, and happy. The music will be played by none other than DJ Tay (aka Jessica Taylor, organizer/owner of FTLOB), whose passion for music will keep you inspired all night long.
Take these 8 WORKSHOPS to feel more confident and creative on the dance floor!
We’re bringing the most inspiring, caring, and effective guest instructors to inspire more Flavor, Flow, & Fun in your Bachata. These artists are some of the most passionate and dedicated to Bachata 🇩🇴 (aka Traditional Bachata or Dominican Bachata). Their workshops will give you a well-rounded experience to help you grow the skills you’re ready to learn next.
The Dominican flavor doesn’t end there, we literally will have DOMINICAN FOOD available for sale during the lunch break.
Iliana’s Catering will be serving a tasty lineup for all in the small room of the studio during lunch. Your plate will cost $15 and you’ll pay her directly (cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Cashapp). She will have a variety of meats as well as tasty vegetarian/vegan options.
Grab some Bachata swag ahead of the event in our no-waste online print shop!
Our printful shop delivers items helps us reduce waste by not having to keep stock on hand while still offering a variety of styles you’ll love! Order yours now to make sure you have it in time for the event!
* We will have some limited release items on hand during the event as well. *
General Schedule
Friday Night - BACHATA ON MT. WASHINGTON!
6:30-10PM - Mini lesson & outdoor social dance on Mt. Washington, one of Pittsburgh’s most picturesque locations and the place where FTLOB events began!
Location: Paul F. Jones Overlook on Grandview Ave., across from the Carnegie Library. (for GPS use 315 Grandview Ave.)
Recommendations for dancers: Bring water! Wear street shoes. Pack light, there is no place for your stuff. Restaurants are located on Shiloh Ave. 1/2 mile up from the pavillion.
Attire: Wear what makes you feel good
Saturday (Day)
11am-4:15pm Workshops at Arthur Murray Dance Center, 136 6th St. Pittsburgh PA (downtown)
Transit & Parking info:
Garage on 6th St. has $8 parking per session
Free street parking after 6pm & on Sundays
Public transit accessible
Saturday Night Party
9pm Pre-Social Workshop
10pm-2am PARTY! 100% pure social dancing
Location: Arthur Murray Dance Center, 136 6th St. Pittsburgh PA (downtown)
BYOB Responsibly
Attire: Wear what makes you feel good
Sunday (Day)
11am-3:15pm Workshops @ Arthur Murray Dance Center, 136 6th St. Pittsburgh PA (downtown)
Transit & Parking info:
Garage on 6th St. has $8 parking per session
Free street parking after 6pm & on Sundays
Public transit accessible
WORKSHOP Schedule:
saturday
10:30 - registration & warm-up
11am - Fundamental Basics w/ Argenis & Carolina
Every good workshop lineup starts with a solid foundation. This is where you get warmed up to what’s to come, review and perfect your technique, and dive deep into the skills that make advanced dancers.
12:15pm - Guides & Energies w/ Argenis & Carolina
This Bachata workshop will dive into the language of your connection with your partner: how you can communicate hand to hand and how to both guide and be guided so both partners can be equal parts of the conversation. Argenis and Carolina will be sharing with you Dominican flavor, elegance, and fun all the while.
1:15pm - LUNCH HOUR (Dominican food by Iliana on site for sale — approx 15 per plate)
2pm - Musicality in Partnerwork w/ Jessica Taylor
This class will help you connect your ears and your body in a step-by-step progression. First, Jessica will help you hear different energies in the music and how to predict them, and with increasing complexity she will encourage you to feel, express, and ultimately, social dance in ways that honor the music. In just one hour your musicality will improve greatly!
3:15pm - Hip-ology (+ partnerwork) w/ Melanie Mueller
Melanie is returning to Pittsburgh with an updated version of her popular Hipology class. If you’ve been in this class before, it’s likely you are still working on your hip movement (I know I am!), but this update will help you apply your caderitas in partnerwork!
break
9pm - Merengue Partnerwork w/ Melanie Mueller
Merengue is simply joy. The energy, the movement, and the space for play will leave your heart feeling like a child again (and grinning ear to ear!). Melanie will help you connect to several styles of Merengue music so no matter what’s being played at the social, you can confidently get your play on.
sunday
10:30 - coffee & stretch
11am - The Art of Openings w/ Argenis & Carolina
In this workshop, you will fine tune the openings, or ways of leading and following, that will improve your overall dance experience. These openings can bring you into footwork, body movement, and more.
12:15pm - Find your Flow in Traditional Bachata w/ Jessica Taylor
This workshop will help develop your understanding of what is “Traditional Bachata” music and dancing through guided musicality and dancing exercises. Each round will give you a new idea to play with until, by the end, you will feel free to apply your learning in social dancing.
1:15pm - LUNCH HOUR (Dominican food by Iliana on site for sale)
2:15pm - Bachata Footwork w/ Melanie Mueller
Melanie will guide you through a Bachata footwork sequence that will help you with: body articulation, musicality, and creativity. Whereever you are in your journey, this class will give you a final push for the weekend to re-wire your brain, improve skills, and get comfortable playing on the dance floor.
3:15pm - photos, hugs, & goodbyes
WHAT LEVEL? All of these workshops are OPEN LEVEL. That means space will be made for all types of learners, from those focusing on essential movements and big ideas to those looking to fine tune and/or decorate their movements in increasingly complex ways.
PRICING
Online prices up until Jul 25:
Full pass: $150
Saturday Pass: $100
Sunday Pass: $70
At the door prices:
Full pass: $180
Saturday pass: $110
Saturday 9pm workshop + social: $30
Saturday social only: $10 after 10pm
Sunday all workshops: $75
Individual workshops: $25/workshop
Friday’s social on Mt. Washington is a free event. Donations are welcome to help cover the permitting costs, but not required.
Discounts:
Full-time students get 40% off with code: FUNSTUDENT
As-needed discount: If you need a discount to be able to attend this weekend, send me an email at fortheloveofbachata@gmail.com and tell me what price you CAN pay. I’ll make you a custom discount code to bring the price down to that and send it back.
Sorry, online registration is now closed.
Walk-ins are welcome! At the door, you can pay with cash, Zelle, Venmo, or Paypal.
Attendee Packet
Not from around here? Use this Attendee Packet to find addresses, schedules, plus the nearest coffee shops, restaurants, parking garages, & more
Hotels
We have a modest hotel block at the DoubleTree by Hilton downtown Pittsburgh location. Your room will be just $159/night plus tax. However, you must book your room by July 15th to secure this rate.
Click the button below to book your room using our discount or you can also book by calling the reservations line at 1-800-222-TREE (8733),