Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Dec. 7, for Salsa Night at Cardoso 520, 520 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union.

By David Slone
Times-Union

WARSAW — If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to salsa, bachata or cumbia, Cardoso 520, 520 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, is offering weekly lessons at 7:30 p.m. sharp Fridays.

The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Dec. 7, for Salsa Night.

Erica Cardoso said, “There’s going to be instructors coming in from Notre Dame, Plymouth, just depending. It is a group so most of them already know each other, depending on who will be closest. If you get a group, they will show you how to lead, they will show you step by step one-two — salsa, bachata, cumbia — just depends. Twenty different genres.”

The instructors will look at the crowd and make a determination on what kind of dancing to teach.

“You don’t have to dance. You can always come in and eat, drink, appetizers. Bring your family,” she said.

The cost for lessons is $5 for students, with their student ID. For adults, it is $10 per person.

Erica said in as little as two classes, a person could be a good salsa dancer.

“Just because you’ll dance, they’ll show you step by step and we’ll rotate. And then the rest of the night, it’s free. And it’s like a rule — you can’t say no because we’re here to dance! Dance brings people together, and I think for the community it will be nice,” she said.

A person doesn’t have to go with a partner, either, but they can if they desire.

“It’s more of a social network. You’ve got to social network, talk, meet new people. I feel like Warsaw needs something like that,” Erica said.

The classes are family friendly, she emphasized.

“It’s a class so 18 and up would be recommended, but if you come in with your family, it’s always nice. Kids come in with their family, parents come in and bring their families and it’s just a family thing. A family environment,” she said.

Cardoso has been in Warsaw for over six years, but only 1-1/2 years at their new establishment at 520 E. Winona Ave.
“It’s family friendly, come on in. Don’t be shy. You don’t have to dance,” Erica said.

There are seats for people to come in and eat and drink if they’re not taking the lessons. Eduardo Cardoso said the capacity is about 80 people.

“We’re trying to expand it. That’s the biggest thing,” he said, adding that they’re trying to bring something to the Warsaw and Kosciusko County community with the dance lessons. “It’s something different and I think the point is to bring the community in.

What better way than dancing?”

“Dancing does bring people together,” Erica said.

“So with food, drinks and dancing, I think that’s a good way to get people socially active, get them going and the sky’s the limit after that,” Eduardo said.

Erica said they have the building next door, which is their next project.

“We see the bigger project. We want people to come in first,” she said.

As for food, Cardoso is big on breakfast, but they also offer brunch and other meals of the day. There are $6.99 breakfast specials Mondays through Fridays from 6 to 11 a.m.

Find them on Facebook under Cardoso 520.