For the 22nd year, the Chicago International Salsa Congress is back to get lovers of Latin music and dance out on the floor.

“It’s sort of a nonstop entertainment, cultural coming together of all kinds of people,” said Rosita Alamin, who organizes the event with her husband, Saladeen Alamin. “It’s intergenerational, it’s multicultural, and we’re celebrating Latin and Afro-Latin music and dance.”

The four-night, three-day event at the Westin O’Hare kicks off on Thursday with three free beginner dance workshops teaching salsa, bachata and rueda casino.

“They’re for breaking the ice and people who haven’t been to the Congress or haven’t danced before or are just curious — meet some people, laugh on the floor with them with some great teachers,” Rosita Alamin said. “After that, there’s a concert and social dancing.”

The remainder of the event features more advanced workshops, dance performances and concerts. Tickets and the full schedule are available on the event website.