Carlee WrightLooking for exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise…and maybe comes with new friends? Salem’s dance scene has you covered.
From céilí (said kay-lee) to salsa to a few steps in between, movement is happening all across the city behind studio doors, inside community halls, and over drinks at a late-night hot spot. Consider this your Salem primer for dance, highlighting who’s teaching, what’s happening, and how to get involved with a community that grows with every step.
CÉILÍ
What it is: Lively group dances rooted in Celtic (mostly Irish and Scottish) tradition. Think circles, lines, partner switches, lots of laughter, and music that practically lifts your feet for you.
Where to find it: Céilí of the Valley Society (CVS) keeps Irish and Scottish social dance alive and thriving in Salem with events that are as welcoming as they are lively. Their Second Friday Céilí is a no-experience-needed night of live Celtic music and called dances, which starts with a short lesson. Sound intimidating? Don’t worry, all dances are taught before the music starts. No partner required, just a willingness to jump in. 7 to 11 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE
If you want to build confidence before the monthly social, CVS also offers weekly dance classes blending Irish social dance and Scottish country dance. These Tuesday sessions are friendly, active, making them a great way to stay moving and meet people during the winter months. 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the VFW Hall. Click here for more info.
BALLET
What is it: A classical dance form built on precise technique, expressive movement, and steps that emphasize strength, balance, and graceful control.
Where to find it: Ballet blends precise technique, musicality, and expressive movement to build strength, balance, and grace, and it’s a form that welcomes dancers at any age. Locally, American Ballet Academy provides adult-friendly classes designed for newcomers, returning dancers, and those looking to deepen their skills. Instruction is supportive, accessible, and rooted in classical technique, with options ranging from gentle movement to more structured training, depending on your experience and goals. Click here for more info.
POLE
What it is: A blend of strength training, dance, acrobatics, and expressive movement. A strong, supportive community that centers empowerment and individuality.
Where to find it: Empowerment Pole & Fitness offers a supportive, inclusive space where people of all identities can build strength, confidence, and artistry through pole dance. Their classes blend movement, conditioning, and foundational technique, guided by instructors who focus on empowerment as much as physical skill. If you’re curious but not sure where to start, the Pole Taster is a one-time introductory class that lets you try basic moves, learn what to expect, and get a feel for the style in a relaxed, welcoming environment, perfect for coming solo or with friends. Click here for more info.
LATIN
What it is: Partner dance styles rooted in Latin American rhythm and social culture that’s energetic, expressive, and easy to fall into, even as a newcomer.
Where in Salem: Latin dance in Salem shows up everywhere: community halls, bars, restaurants, and dedicated dance groups that make it simple to learn or jump into a social. Rueda de Casino offers classes on Saturday at the VFW Hall. Salsa at 1 p.m. is ideal for newcomers or anyone wanting to solidify fundamentals. Bachata at 2 p.m. explores the three major styles (Dominican, Urban, and Sensual) with a focus on footwork, body movement, and rhythm. This class begins at the beyond-beginner level, so new dancers should complete a foundational salsa/bachata class first.
Across the city, you’ll find weekly opportunities to dance. Tuesday nights at Honky Tonk Bar and Grill feature an 8 p.m. salsa lesson followed by late-night dancing. Sunday socials at the VFW Hall rotate bachata (first Sundays) and salsa (all others), beginning with a lesson and leading into social dancing. For even more options, the Tiki Lounge hosts Saturday salsa nights with a lesson at 9 p.m. and dancing until 1; Adobe Restaurant offers dress-to-impress salsa and bachata events on the first and third Fridays; and Dragon Wolf Collective organizes Queer Salsa at Fork Forty on Sunday evenings, an inclusive, beginner-friendly space centered on community.
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BURLESQUE
What it is: Theatrical, character-driven performance that blends dance, storytelling, humor, costuming, and empowerment.
Where in Salem: If you’re drawn to movement with a little sparkle and a lot of confidence, keep an eye on Miss Minsky, who hosts burlesque-inspired classes from time to time. Sessions often focus on movement, poses, breath work, and floor travel, along with showgirl walks, turns, lines, and the kind of glamour-driven expression that builds confidence from the inside out. Classes are designed for all levels and center on self-expression over perfection. Click here for more info.
BELLYDANCE
What it is: Movement traditions rooted in Middle Eastern and North African dance.
Where in Salem: Rose Empire Dance offers drop-in and session-based classes for all levels. Beginner classes introduce foundational steps, isolations, and shimmies, with occasional work in veil and finger cymbals. Instruction is designed to help dancers build confidence while deepening their understanding of the dance’s cultural roots. Click here for more info.
AERIAL
What it is: Acrobatic movement suspended in the air with equal parts strength, flexibility, and artistry.
Where in Salem: Salem Aerial Dance Company offers adult classes in trapeze, lyra, silks, and sling, creating a space where absolute beginners and seasoned aerialists can build strength, learn new skills, and experience the sheer joy of lifting off the ground. Their adult recreational program includes both drop-in options and dedicated series focused on specific apparatuses, with coaches who guide you through each step, from your first climb to your first sequence. You can fly solo, come with friends, or even book a private group session for something memorable. Click here for more info.
CONTRA
What it is: American folk dance with roots in English, Scottish, and Irish traditions. High-energy, easy-to-learn calls, live music, and constant partner switching.
Where to find it: If you like the idea of dancing in long, lively lines with a room full of smiling strangers, Contra is Salem’s answer. Organized by the Salem Folklore Community, these traditional American folk dances feature live music, experienced callers, and an atmosphere that’s welcoming to anyone from age 9 to 99. Every dance is taught, no partner is required, and the patterns repeat often enough that beginners catch on quickly.
Contra nights take place on the First Thursday of each month, with a beginner workshop at 6 p.m. followed by dancing from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE. It’s energetic, social, and one of the easiest ways to step into community dancing without any previous experience. $8 to $15 sliding scale (cash only). Click here for more info.
CLOGGING
What is it: A high-energy percussive dance style rooted in Appalachian and Celtic traditions, where rhythmic footwork turns movement into music.
Where to find it: Clogging is what happens when rhythm refuses to stay still. It’s part percussive footwork, part joyful group energy, and entirely more fun than most people expect. If you’ve clogged before, Cherry City Cloggers welcomes returning dancers to their Tuesday night classes at the Square Dance Center, 3695 45th Ave NE, with a simple $5 drop-in fee.
If the style is new to you, they make it easy to jump in: an Intro to Clogging class launches each fall, followed by a beginners class in winter. It’s approachable, lively, and a great way to add some sound to your step during the colder months. Click here for more info.
SQUARE DANCE
What it is: A traditional American social dance where groups of eight follow a caller’s prompts through lively patterns, swings, and partner changes.
Where to find it: Salem Swingin’ Stars keep traditional square dancing moving in Salem with lessons designed for absolute beginners. Their next session begins in mid-February and welcomes both singles and couples, making it an easy entry point for anyone curious about learning the steps. No prior experience is needed, and dancers as young as eight can join in, making it a family-friendly option during the winter months. Click here for more info.
LINE DANCE
What it is: Pattern-based social dancing you can learn without a partner.
Where to find it: DYAO (Dance Your Ass Off) is hosting beginner-friendly line dance lessons on the first and third Monday of December at The BAD Space, 2572 19th St SE. Sessions at 6 and 7 p.m. make it easy to jump in, learn the basics, and enjoy a low-pressure night of movement. $5 cover. Click here for more info.
VARIETY
What is it: These dance studios teach multiple partner-dance styles, giving dancers a broad, flexible way to learn and explore different forms in one place.
Where to find it: For dancers who want to sample everything from ballroom to Latin, swing to social dance basics, Salem has a couple of studios that specialize in a variety of dance, giving newcomers and experienced dancers alike a chance to explore multiple styles under one roof.
RJ Dance Studio has been part of Salem’s dance community for decades, offering approachable instruction and a long-running weekly social dance that welcomes everyone — not just studio students. Tuesday night socials take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. While no lesson is included, they do provide a casual way to practice steps, see a variety of dances in action, and connect with other dancers in a friendly, low-pressure (and low-cost, just $5) setting. If you are looking for classes, they have a variety. Click here for more info.
Arthur Murray offers instruction across a broad range of partner dances, with private lessons and group classes that help students build confidence on the social dance floor. Their curriculum spans ballroom, Latin, swing, and more, making it a flexible choice for anyone curious about different styles. Click here for more info.
Whether you want to spin, sway, stomp, leap, or just shuffle along and smile, Salem offers numerous ways to dance it out. And if you are looking for a New Year’s resolution, maybe you just found it.
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 26 (Winter 2025/26)
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Author: Carlee Wright
Carlee Wright is a community instigator with a grand love for Salem and notably fashionable shoes (Hello, John Fluevog!) who turns waste into wearable art in her "spare" time.
