Social media personality and Zumba instructor Israel Landa Alvarez returned to Patterson with his popular “Cumbiamba” dance tour, attracting over 60 participants for a community event at Futbol es Vida Indoor Soccer. This marks the second time Landa Alvarez has brought his high-energy fitness tour to the city this year.
Landa Alvarez, who has nearly 100,000 followers across social media, combines Cumbia music with Zumba choreography in his signature tour, which focuses on promoting fitness through Latin dance. Wearing white shorts and a black tank top, he led the crowd through nearly two hours of continuous movement.
Victoriano Cortez, the owner of Futbol es Vida, hosted the event after a successful collaboration earlier this year. “Yeah, it was the second time. He came earlier in the year. I don’t have an exact date, but this was his second event in Patterson,” said Cortez.
The partnership began through a mutual connection. Landa Alvarez had previously held an event at Patterson High School but was looking for a more accessible indoor venue. Cortez was happy to offer his facility. “They were looking for somewhere else, which was a little easier because you need to get permits and all that,” Cortez explained. “We had a close friend in common, and I said, ‘Yeah, shoot them my info. We could definitely host that here.’”
The turnout exceeded expectations. “The first time, it was around 50 people, but the second time it was definitely over 60,” Cortez said. “You saw a lot of new faces. We shared the event on our social media, and that really helped. But honestly, people came just because they were excited to dance.”
Cortez emphasized that hosting such events aligns with his facility’s mission to serve the community. “The indoor soccer facility is for the community,” he said. “It’s a place for people who are passionate about soccer, but I also want it to be a space for health and wellness. When Israel said he wanted to do something for Patterson, I was all for it.”
With growing interest in the events, Cortez is open to making them a regular part of the facility’s programming. “Hopefully, we can bring him back two or three times a year,” he said. “It just keeps getting bigger.”
Q&A with Victoriano Cortez, Owner of Futbol es Vida
P.I.: What was it like hosting the event with Israel Landa Alvarez? It was the second time, right?
Victoriano Cortez: Yes, it was the second time. He came earlier in the year. I don’t have an exact date for that, but this was his second event in Patterson.
P.I.: How did the partnership between your facility and his event come about?
Victoriano Cortez: I have a contact who was looking for a place to hold their event in town. I think they had the event at Patterson High School last year, but then they were looking for somewhere else that would be easier to book because of permits. We had a close friend in common, and I said, “Yeah, give them my info. We can definitely host it here.”
P.I.: How did the community respond to the event? I heard there were over 60 participants.
Victoriano Cortez: That was actually a surprise. The first time was on pretty short notice—about two weeks. We shared the event on social media, and I think the turnout was higher because of that. The first time, there were about 50 people, but the second time, there were definitely more than 60. It was great to see so many new faces. Some people came because of the flyer, while others came because they were excited about the event and the chance to dance.
P.I.: How does hosting events like this align with the mission of your facility?
Victoriano Cortez: The indoor soccer facility is meant for the community. It’s a place for people passionate about soccer, but we also want it to be a space for health and wellness. When Israel said he wanted to do something for Patterson, I was all for it. Hosting fitness events like this is a perfect fit.
P.I.: Are you planning to host more events like this in the future, possibly bringing Israel Landa Alvarez back?
Victoriano Cortez: If it keeps growing, that would be great. The events have been a success, so we hope to bring him back a couple of times a year. It would be nice to make it a recurring event. We’re definitely looking at doing another one toward the end of the year. Hopefully, we can bring him in at least twice a year.
