“The Structure of Salsa” at Artisphere Monday, October 11

Maybe salsa music all sounds the same to you. Or you enjoy dancing to it but don’t know much about it. Or perhaps you’re curious but intimidated, because you forgot your high-school Spanish. Even if you’re a salsa expert, Artisphere’s “The Structure of Salsa” program will probably teach you something about the quintessential Latin genre. Eileen Torres, a longtime D.C. salsa dance instructor and aficionado of the style, will offer, with the aid of top New York combo La Excelencia, a presentation explaining and demonstrating Salsa’s framework. Expect to discover how the piano syncopation in a song’s introduction supports the vocalist’s melody, and to feel your body moving as the percussionists and horn section pick up the tempo in the mostly instrumental montuno section. Then show off your moves in the same space the next night, when La Excelencia kicks off Artisphere’s weekly salsa nights.

THE PRESENTATION IS AT 6 P.M. AT ARTISPHERE, 1101 WILSON BLVD., ARLINGTON. FREE.