Salsa Crazy at the 2007 Detroit Jazzfest!
Posted September 3rd, 2007 by Jamin
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Two free salsa concerts in the same night? What more could a salsero ask for?? If you missed Sunday night at the Detroit International Jazz Festival, then you missed a really good time. The weather was perfect, the music was awesome, and it seemed like every salsa dancer in the city was there!
The first band of the night was the Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO). They packed the area with salsa music lovers, young and old alike, and I’m sure they created a lot more as the evening went on. When we finally arrived at the outskirts of the Chase Main Stage, I couldn’t help but notice new faces moving to the music. It was exciting to see such a mass of people from Detroit I've never seen before getting into salsa music! Then I realized, "Here are a bunch of people just dying to let their inner salsero out, and I forgot to bring my fliers!!" Doh!
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We finally made our way to the dance area right in front of the stage. It seemed like everyone we knew was there and if felt like coming home. The dance area was packed to the limit, but that didn’t stop people from having a great time. Dancing even spilled over into the aisles of seated people. It was cool because I’m guessing that many of the people who came just to listen to the band had never seen salsa dancing like that before! They watched in awe as some of the best salseros in the city put on a show right in front of them. Again, I kicked myself for not having a salsa social flier handy! But no worries: My priority was on enjoying the night!
Before I knew it, the show was over even though it felt like the orchestra had just started. But you know how it is: Time flies when you’re having fun! Dancing with the SHO might have been over, but the party was just starting over at the Ponchartrain Hotel. Orchestra Sensacional performed salsas all night long with a few merengues and bachatas thrown into the mix. Again, it seemed like every salsero in the area was there...and them some! The people on the dance floor were shoulder to shoulder, a good thing and bad all at the same time. Even Gordon Neil of Atlanta showed up! (Don’t ask me why. That dude just turns up places.) Later, Jimmy Bosch of the SHO popped in and joined the band on stage for a quick trombone solo. After that, the rest of the night was a blur. I danced and then danced some more until they finally kicked us out. The entire evening was a blast! A big shout out to SalsaDetroit.com and the Detroit Latin Jazz Festival for working together to throw great salsa parties like these! Nice job and we look forward to next year!
P.S. Next time, please make a bigger dance area. We're expecting company:)
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The first band of the night was the Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO). They packed the area with salsa music lovers, young and old alike, and I’m sure they created a lot more as the evening went on. When we finally arrived at the outskirts of the Chase Main Stage, I couldn’t help but notice new faces moving to the music. It was exciting to see such a mass of people from Detroit I've never seen before getting into salsa music! Then I realized, "Here are a bunch of people just dying to let their inner salsero out, and I forgot to bring my fliers!!" Doh!
photos
Before I knew it, the show was over even though it felt like the orchestra had just started. But you know how it is: Time flies when you’re having fun! Dancing with the SHO might have been over, but the party was just starting over at the Ponchartrain Hotel. Orchestra Sensacional performed salsas all night long with a few merengues and bachatas thrown into the mix. Again, it seemed like every salsero in the area was there...and them some! The people on the dance floor were shoulder to shoulder, a good thing and bad all at the same time. Even Gordon Neil of Atlanta showed up! (Don’t ask me why. That dude just turns up places.) Later, Jimmy Bosch of the SHO popped in and joined the band on stage for a quick trombone solo. After that, the rest of the night was a blur. I danced and then danced some more until they finally kicked us out. The entire evening was a blast! A big shout out to SalsaDetroit.com and the Detroit Latin Jazz Festival for working together to throw great salsa parties like these! Nice job and we look forward to next year!
P.S. Next time, please make a bigger dance area. We're expecting company:)
WTH???
How did I miss this.....?
Efrain from Cleveland.........!
You were at the NYC Congress
You were at the NYC Congress :)
Spanish Harlem Orchestra @ Detroit Jazz Fest
Jamin, I couldn't have said better! I WAS THERE AND HAD A BLAST!!! There certainly a misture of hugs & kisses among the many salseros & lots of people who were dancing but we had not seen before! I also feel guilty for not passing out our flyers!
I had enjoyed the Spanish Harlem Orchestra before, but each time they excel themselves. Yes, the big space they provided for dancers was totally packed, but who cared! We just danced, listened, watched, happily enjoying every note, every step, every turn...
And yes, the public did watch us & certainly looked like they were admiring it!!!
Pleease bring them back!
Nellie