Event Review

That was one crazy social!!  Once again we would like to thank everyone for coming out to dance and have a good time with us. The official numbers are not in yet but we can safely say that over 400 people turned out for our first social in 2010.   I think back to the days of our first few socials when there were only 40 or 50 of us at the salsa social.  We had a great time then just as we do now and it is always exciting to us when more kindred spirits find us and fall in love with the same music and dancing as we have.

The January social was definitely one of our best! There is no substitute for the energy that live music brings to the dance floor and Orquestra Ire truly delivered.  They did a fantastic job and it was great seeing all the facebook messages complementing them on it.  What most people probably don't know is that it may have very well been Bobby Guzman's last performance with his band.  Much to our chagrin, he has decided to hang up the spurs for a while.  Hopefully not forever!  If you see him out and about, be sure to stop, give him a hug, and let him know that his presence on stage will be missed!

This is the review of the musicality workshop; in reference to: http://www.yasalsa.com/node/942

Ok, I can't find enough words to describe this workshop.  but if I were to describe it in just two words:  WOWly AWESOME! :)  hehe

Here's why:

January 9th in Ypsilanti was the scene for by far the best night of salsa ever dedicated to one person.  That night 250+ people came in from all over the Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Ohio to pay tribute to one of Detroit’s icons of the salsa community.  In short, the Dance Pavilion was the place, salsa was the dance, and the guest of honor was of course Mama Nellie!!

It became clear very early how many people would come out to honor Nellie.  The open dancing didn’t even start yet and the salsa class was packed!  It was a great start to what would be a memorable evening.  Following the class people began to fill the 2800 square feet of dance floor and it was on!!  The dance floor was as a giant whirl of salsa. Beginner, advanced, On1, On2, On whatever…  it was all there. The place was jumpin’ while DJs Marc, Koki and Samer kept the music thumpin'.  There was no way you could not feel the heat and excitement of this night.  Then came the moment we were all there for the tribute to Mama Nellie.

Caliente AND Classy! That's how I would describe this past Friday night at the Caliente Black & White salsa party. First of all, the date the promoters chose was ideal; it didn't interfere with Thanksgiving dinner plans; it was comfortably scheduled on that Friday of Thanksgiving weekend. A very beautiful venue, Via Nove in Ferndale; the out-of-towners here for the weekend got a real treat -- they will probably go back to wherever they live thinking that the Detroit salsa scene really knows how to throw a classy, successful salsa dance event (which we do!).

This party had it all: spacious, beautiful wood dance floor (on two levels); a great DJ that spun a wonderful variety of salsa (including lesser-known old school tunes including some Ruben Bladés) as well as just the right amount of merengue and bachata, DJ Sabor; a fun theme -- everyone decked out in their finest black and white attire; a comfortable venue to get to with easy parking; a class included by Meredith with a fun partnering combination; and two vivacious promoters who are committed to creating a successful salsa night with class, Ashley Calderon and Meredith Watkins.

The great news is that last I heard, they are planning another one of these for December, with some surprises! Trust me -- stay tuned for more information and don't miss out on the next one. And save me a dance!!!  -- Mambo Marci 

Classic! That's the best way to describe last night at Pi with a true to its name "All Star" band, two fantastic performances by Dal Bouey and an electric vibe from Detroit's salseros. The bar has been re-set and you really can't ask or hope for more from a night of dancing. You never know how the best ideas will take shape and if they will fly, but this really was great planning and great execution rolled into one.

I'm always telling people "we have something really special and unique" in our dance scene - its unlike any others I've encountered - maybe not the biggest or the most advanced, but probably the most open, enthusiastic and committed. In that spirit, Salsa Pete's vision to combine members of 4 bands into a super group for one night really paid off and we all benefited as they sounded fantastic and brought a new energy to so many classic songs. Its no doubt a lot of effort went into this endeavor for everyone including Pete the band and the musical director Bobby Guzman so they are really to be congratulated. It would be fantastic in my humble opinion to see this band play on a big stage like the Chicago Salsa Congress or Canada Salsa Congress - they would be a surefire hit.

Since it's inception, Pi has been one of the best opportunities to go out and experience Detroit's salsa scene and for their "Thank You" to their patrons for one year of support, I say no - Thank You!