Salsa Lives

From the streets of New York to the dance floors of Cali – join us on a journey through the history of salsa!

Salsa is an umbrella term for a range of energetic musical styles that blend Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz and other Latin American traditions. From the vibrant streets of New York in the 1960s and ’70s, salsa has spread across the globe – not least to Cali, Colombia, known today as the world capital of salsa.

Through rare archival footage, concert recordings, and encounters with salsa icons such as Rubén Blades, Willie Rosario, and Henry Fiol, Salsa Lives traces the evolution of salsa music and dance from its golden age to the present day. Juan Carvajal’s documentary is a celebration of salsa and a tribute to a cultural heritage that continues to thrive on dance floors around the world.