After years of working to bridge cultural gaps in Walla Walla, Joe August has found a new medium in dance.

August is the founder of La Casa Cultural de Walla Walla, an organization dedicated to enhancing the relationship between the local Latino community and what August deems “mainstream” culture.

His La Casa Dancers have performed at several local cultural celebrations, including the multicultural celebration at Walla Walla High School and the “Latin Beat” concert at the Balloon Stampede. They also performed on Reid’s side lawn last year for Whitman’s Imagine Celebration.

While primarily members of Walla Walla High School’s Latino Club, La Casa encourages all ages and backgrounds to join. The group focuses on all types of dance ranging from modern hip-hop to the Afro-Caribbean variety, a mix that August hopes will encourage the dancers to expand their own cultural affiliations. “Some of these kids have never tried salsa. Latin dance has a lot of traditions they might not get to embrace or share otherwise,” said August.

For those looking for more traditionally Hispanic dances, another dance group, México Hermoso, focuses on the elegant dances of old Mexico. “Beautiful Mexico” consists of 40 families, men, women and children primarily from St. Patrick’s parish.

The dance program is also one way in which August hopes to provide Walla Walla youths of all cultures something better to do than hang out downtown. With the help of local sponsors, La Casa held an end of summer hip-hop dance for 150 students at the Verve. According to August, the dance went off without a hitch. “No problems, just fun. A chance for our kids to let their hair down and listen to some good music,” said August.

Peace among kids from divergent backgrounds doesn’t surprise August. If anything, it’s this comfort and ease with which the youth can get along which gives him hope for the future of Walla Walla.

“People have the wrong idea about Mexican Americans, they say they don’t want to learn English, that they don’t want to belong. Everyone misunderstands each other, but kids can be their teachers,” said August.

La Casa also uses students in translation services. Offering state certification upon graduation, the agency allows those who are bilingual to more effectively market their skills and further communication between Spanish speakers and the businesses and organizations that struggle to serve them.

Initially, August’s agency dealt primarily with business relationships between these infamously separate communities. “We work to increase exposure of Latino businesses through marketing and then consulting mainstream businesses on appealing to the substantial Hispanic community,” said August.

Somewhere along the way, August expanded his passion for breaching these two communities to a cultural level and found an effective medium by which to do it. “Music and dance gives us an excuse and a desire to take a few steps closer to one another, figuratively and literally. It helps us develop that crucial relationship of community,” said August.

August’s work is far from done. La Casa is currently fund raising to pay for the lease of a building downtown. The group will need $20,000-$30,000 to establish themselves at Second and Chestnut, where August hopes to hold dance lessons and performances.

“My goal is to hold three major multicultural events each year, and on at least one annual occasion attract major cultural performers from across the country to share with Walla Walla the beauty we might miss out on if we don’t leave these cultural safety zones.”

Already in contact with an Irish Riverdance instructor in Chicago, August is clearly moving forward.