The Importance of Dance Storytelling at FUERZAfest
As FUERZAfest celebrates its 10th anniversary, dance continues to be at the center of the festival’s mission to uplift queer Latine voices through art, culture, and community. At FUERZAfest, dance is more than performance. It is storytelling brought to life through movement, rhythm, and emotion. It allows artists to share stories of identity, resilience, love, and liberation in ways that words alone often cannot express.
For the past decade, FUERZAfest has created space for LGBTQ+ Latine artists to be fully seen and celebrated. Through dance, performers honor their heritage, challenge stereotypes, and express themselves with honesty and pride. Audiences do not simply watch these stories unfold. They feel them. Whether through salsa, Afro Caribbean traditions, contemporary movement, or experimental choreography, every performance carries emotion, memory, and truth.
At its heart, FUERZAfest believes that art can heal, connect, and create change. Dance brings people together to celebrate survival, honor those who came before us, and imagine a more inclusive future. It preserves cultural traditions while also reimagining them through queer perspectives and lived experiences.
Most importantly, dance storytelling reminds us that movement is universal. Even without words, people can connect through emotion, energy, and shared humanity. At FUERZAfest, every step tells a story, and for the last 10 years those stories have inspired empathy, pride, joy, and transformation.
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Carlos Falú is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Growing up on the island, Carlos developed an early sense of urgency to diversify his artistry and live a creative life. With a foundation in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and the many Latin styles inherent to Puerto Rican culture, his movement is a constant evolution—seamlessly blending and transitioning between different dance forms to express both tradition and innovation.
On 2025 Carlos Falú was Awarded with the LATA AWARD (Latin Alternative Theater Awards) for his work on FUERZAfest 2024 Opening Night "Conexiones Efímeras" as a Choreographer
Carlos’ diverse career has taken him to some of the most notable stages and projects in the entertainment industry. He is currently at the "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos Tour". His dance credits includes, The Buena Social Club Broadway (OBC 2025)( Dance Captain) , ILLINOISE on Broadway (Tony Award for Best Choreography) The Buena Vista Social Club at The Atlantic Theater (Lucille Lortel Awards in 2024, including Outstanding Choreography) Bradley Cooper’s Maestro (Netflix), Bad Bunny’s Coachella 2023 performance, the World’s Hottest Tour 2022, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story , and performances with artists like Kat Graham (GLAAD Awards 2022), Wyclef Jean, Luis Fonsi, and Ednita Nazario, among others.
In addition to his work in the commercial and performance sectors, Carlos has collaborated with contemporary dance companies such as BocaTuya, Andanza, and Falcon Dance. He has worked with renowned choreographers like Javier “Javi” Padilla, Dolly Sfeir, Karla Puno Garcia, and Jena VanEislander, performing both original works and classical repertoire. In addition Carlos has taught in different states, Puerto Rico, Japan and more.
Carlos continues to push the boundaries of movement and storytelling, merging the rich traditions of his Puerto Rican heritage with the dynamic, ever-changing world of contemporary dance.