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With a commitment to the education, celebration, and preservation of Latinx and Afro Caribbean culture through the arts, Colorado Afro Latin Dance and Arts Collective (CALDAC) inspires the community to connect and celebrate our differences with recognition of our inherent oneness. We cultivate inclusivity and diversity to enrich the lives of attendees through high-quality artistry and service.
The main goals of CALDAC are 1) to educate, celebrate, and preserve Latinx and Afro Caribbean culture through the arts; 2) to effectively communicate the values of diversity, equity, and inclusivity that CALDAC exhibits; 3) to develop commerce opportunities by elevating and promoting small businesses in Colorado.
CALDAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, education, and preservation of Latinx and Afro Caribbean culture through the arts in Colorado. CALDAC events create equitable spaces that embrace all people of different orientations and different backgrounds. We celebrate our differences with recognition of our inherent oneness.
CALDAC (formerly known as Denver Salsa Bachata Congress) was founded in 2013 by performing artist, promoter and disc jockey, Nelson Nisttahuz, and dance instructor and event coordinator, Joseph Snowhawk. The organization made its debut in October 2013 with a successful 3-day cultural and performing arts event at Sherman Center in Denver. Since then, the organization's events have been sought out and requested by performing artists, singers, musicians, dancers, instructors, and DJs from all over the globe.
The organization has successfully collaborated with United Airlines, City of Aurora, Colorado Ballet and Gift of Jazz. A sampling of past performing artists include: Jimmy Bosch, Grupo Extra (Dominican Republic), Boogaloo Assassins, Timbalive (Cuba/Miami), Orlando Ortiz, Adolfo Indocochea (Italy), Carine & Rafael (Brazil), Marisol Blanco (Cuba), (bands, singers, artists, instructors, dance teams, etc.). In July of 2022, Denver Salsa Bachata Congress was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Colorado. In December of 2023, the name of the organization was changed to Colorado Afro Latin Dance and Arts Collective in an effort to showcase the encompassing inclusivity in the name.
CALDAC facilitates cultural and performing art works alongside newer performing artists, which enables the organization to appeal to and entertain a wide range of community members. In 2017, CALDAC secured its hosting location at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center. The organization is excited to continue holding its three-day event at this location in the upcoming 2024 and 2025 years. The Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center provides a central location for both local, out-of-state, and global attendees, performers, and artists.
CALDAC community outreach initiative provides a multitude of workshops taught by professional dance instructors. This initiative trains individual dancers, dance teams, and other dance instructors who seek to advance in their skillset. During the three-day event, students are offered over 105 workshops in a variety of dance genres that include Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Kizomba, Mambo, Casino Rueda, Cha Cha Cha, Hustle, Ballroom, Ballet, Urban Kiz, Afro-Latin House, Afro-Contemporary, Afro-Brazilian Dance, Dancehall, Timba, Pachanga, Lambada, Bhangra, and more. Students are led through vocabulary, dance foundations, movement, choreography, musicality, performance development, and instructor certifications. Through these workshops, students have the opportunity to progress in these dance genres, enhance individual and partnered dance coordination, increase strength and flexibility, expand creativity, develop teamwork skills, and engage in community development.
Organization name
Colorado Afro Latin Dance and Arts Collective
other names
CALDAC, DSBC, caldacon, Denver Congress, Denver Bachata Festival
2013
Tax id (EIN)
88-1403487
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
12001 E. 33rd St. Unit IDenver, CO, US
Aurora, CO, US
Boulder, CO, US
Colorado Springs, CO, US
Fort Collins, CO, US