Karen 'Salsa' McQuire
A dancer first.
A promoter second.
"I'm not a salsa snob, but the one thing I pride all my events on is great music. I bring DJs to Wakefield who really have a passion for it, who aren't afraid to break away from the safe zone."
Love Karen Salsa McQuire xx
Why Salsa Unity exists
Karen started dancing in 2013. Within a year she was spending her weekends on the motorway: London for the congresses, Bristol for the bootcamps, anywhere a great teacher was running a workshop. The teaching in Yorkshire was fine, but the people who inspired her were somewhere else.
So in 2015 she did the obvious, slightly mad thing and started bringing them here. SalsaUnity and the Yorkshire Salsa Congress were born in the same year, with the same idea: events for dancers, run by a dancer. Book the teachers, artists and DJs whose combination creates an atmosphere, and the floor takes care of itself.
Eleven years on, the formula hasn't changed. One party a month at Crigglestone WMC. One of the UK's top salsa DJs, every time. A class from a guest teacher when the night has one. 100% salsa. And Karen on the door, usually with cake if it's anyone's birthday.
The people who've made the trip
Tuli Mar, Eddie Hunt, Rupert Boyle, Lubi Jovanovic, Tony Crossbody, Julian Summers, Sassia, Gillian, Rizo and Smooth on the decks. Mauricio Reyes, Gary 'Mamboleo' Thomas and Emma Santino, Jaleh Fallah, Gil & Shelley, Marchant & Davina Birch, Mo T, John & Emma, David Fenton and Magda Sobolewska teaching. Tomas Guerrero, Sean Babatunde and Jessica Patella headlining the congress. All in Wakefield, so you don't have to travel.
The other hats
Karen is also a yoga teacher and runs Yoga Wakefield, teaching "Yoga 4 Dancers" at festivals like Salsa Rave in Spain. She owns a dance studio, reads too many books, and supports women in business. If you've danced at Bristol Salsa Congress, you've probably bought a discounted full pass from her.
The story so far
Eleven years, one floor at a time.
- 2013
Karen takes her first salsa class and is, in her words, "a complete addict" within weeks.
- 2015
Tired of driving to London for the good teachers, she founds SalsaUnity and the Yorkshire Salsa Congress in Wakefield.
- 2017
The congress fills the 650-capacity main hall at Unity Works with artists from across Europe.
- 2019
Yorkshire Salsa Congress: Tomas Guerrero, Sean Babatunde, Jessica Patella, Samuel & Lisa, Captain Salsa.
- 2021
Post-lockdown, the monthly party moves to Crigglestone WMC and its sprung wooden floor. "Friday is the new Saturday."
- 2022
The UK Salsa Marathon: three days, four DJs, food included. Then the first All Day Spectacular with Gil & Shelley.
- 2025
10th anniversary All Day Extravaganza with Marchant & Davina Birch and DJ Tony Crossbody. Rammed.
- 2026
Eleventh year. Karen turns 60 and celebrates the only way she knows how: on the floor, with a DJ.