BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Droves of Latin music fans made their way to Jacob Brown Auditorium, dancing the night away at the Texas Southmost College Scorpion Salsa Social on June 12, 2026.
The event, sponsored by the TSC Foundation and Charro Days Fiesta, is one of several centennial celebration events planned throughout the year.
Guests enjoyed salsa lessons, performances by local salsa academies, and live entertainment by musician Tito Puente Jr., son of legendary six-time Grammy Award winner Tito Puente.
“It is such a pleasure to be here with TSC and, of course, the Foundation and everybody that’s here to celebrate the life, legacy and music of Tito Puente,” Puente Jr. said. “My father’s legacy is so immense and intense with the music that he has left.”
Puente Jr. performed many of his father’s iconic songs while sharing stories about the Latin music legend.
“My father performed in Brownsville numerous times — here in McAllen and Brownsville,” he said. “Those of you who might remember Tito Puente and Celia Cruz performed at the university here numerous times, as well as local stadiums and nightclubs.”
The evening began with a salsa lesson led by local instructor Belle Reyna, setting the tone for an energetic and vibrant celebration.
Edgar Alberto Abrego, a Rio Grande Valley resident who attended UTB/TSC from 1985 to 1992, said he heard about the event from a friend who works at the college.
“In Houston, every other bar plays salsa and merengue,” Abrego said. “Here in the Valley, you really have to search for salsa. I’m glad TSC went in that direction. Salsa, baby–salsa!”
The event also provided TSC composition and literature instructor Jonathan Baker with the opportunity to showcase his dance background. Baker, who began his career as a ballroom instructor, trained for three months with his dance partner, Dalia Ornelas, a physician from Matamoros.
“You’d be surprised,” Baker said. “It’s catching on. There are more than five salsa academies in Brownsville alone. There are also academies in Harlingen, McAllen, and Pharr. “It’s a growing movement. It’s great to be a part of that movement and celebrate here with TSC. We hope the Scorpion Salsa Social returns next year.”
Ornelas expressed similar enthusiasm about participating in the event.
“I enjoy being part of this celebration,” she said. “It’s great to see people dancing. For those who don’t normally do salsa or Latin dance, it’s exciting to have them come out, celebrate and enjoy it.”
TSC continues its 100th anniversary celebration with its next centennial event, Movies on the Lawn. The free, family-friendly event is scheduled for Friday, June 26, 2026, at the South Hall Lawn from 7 p.m. to midnight.
