The Glendale Galleria and Glendale Arts will be hosting free Latin dance classes every Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the Summer Pop Up Series that continues through Sept. 23.

The free dance lessons are located on the second level of the Bloomingdale’s wing in the Glendale Galleria. For nine weeks, all ages and skill levels are welcome to learn how to dance four popular music styles from Latin America, including Merengue, Salsa, Bachata and Cumbia, from Sergio Leal, owner of Latin Dance Pro.

“Introducing people to Latin dances of our culture gets people together,” Leal said. “They wanted to come and learn some of the rhythms of Latin music.”

Every session on Tuesday is designed after one of the Latin styles of music. At every session, participants have the chance to win an eight-week dance class series compliments of Latin Dance Pro.

The Pop Up series culminates with a live performance from Salvadorian salsa singer, composer, actor and musician Bobby Rivas and his band on Tuesday, Sept. 23. This will allow the dancers who have been practicing to show off all the moves they have learned over the weeks from Leal.

The July 29 dance lesson started off with a good showing as people passing by curiously watched Leal give instructions on the basic salsa steps to the group that gathered. Some shoppers stopped and stayed for about 10 minutes, while others were there the entire two hours. By the end of the lesson, about 40 people were swaying to the Latin grooves. Leal had dancers switch partners every few minutes to keep things fresh.

“It’s rewarding to teach people,” Leal said. “Honestly, people were not dancing in the beginning. So to teach them four dances in two hours is rewarding to me. That’s why I do it.”

For more information on the Summer Pop Up Series, contact Christina Riojas, Glendale Galleria marketing director, at (818) 459-6832 or visit the Glendale Arts website at www.GlendaleArts.org.

For more information on Latin Dance Pro, visit www.latindancepro.com.