Event Review

I went to the Chicago Salsa Festival this past weekend, and thought you Detroit salseros might be curious what it was like... it was AWESOME! Unlike the February Congress, there were HUNDREDS of people as opposed to THOUSANDS. Because of this, one could actually see and hear the instructors; the performances were more intimate; the social dance floor, although full to capacity, was not so full as to induce injuries... basically, it was a wonderful experience.

Mother Nature. With us or against us? Just when it seemed like our biggest worry would be the heat, the Michigan weather changed it up and sent the high winds, torrential rain, fallen trees and power outages. On the upside, the storm cooled things down like nothing else and didn't deter more than a handful of the dancers who have been anticipating this Super salsa weekend.

We call them super salsa weekends because they are truly big weekends for YA. Months of planning and effort from many volunteers goes into delivering top notch instructors and performers with unique and interesting styles and talents to our collective doorstep here in Detroit. Offsetting the cost of these super socials is where the majority of proceeds from the regular socials end up. The more support and enthusiasm at the other events, the more encouraged and capable we are of delivering the super events.

The super social weekend started off with a fun impromptu performance with Johnny, Andres and Laura Geldys at The Harem. Johnny and Andres demonstrated their 2:1 partnering style where they simultaneously dance with the same partner -- pretty slick and of course kudos to Laura for being so exceptionally adaptable. After a fun night there, things started early Saturday with a full day of workshops at the new Jewish Community Center location. After that, it was on to the Canton-Plymouth High School Salsa club's social and then if that were not enough dancing a final stop at the Dance Revolution Serious About Salsa social. Then came Sunday...

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As always we would like to thank everyone for coming out to learn and dance salsa with us. About 300 people turned out for this one. The interesting thing is always the percentage of new faces that show up each month. Many times we on the YA team wonder: How all these first time visitors hear about this once a month event held in a unremarkable building that’s tucked away in a very quiet and non-descript suburb of metro Detroit?.

The answer is simple yet inspiring. It is you! As we have said before, YA Salsa is a completely volunteer effort. Each one of us has full time jobs and responsibilities that soak up 90% of our day. That does not leave a lot of time for us to get the word out as much as we would like to but thanks to you it seems to be happening and the proof is seen every month! Passing the word about the salsa not only keep the socials going strong, it also gives the YA team renewed strength to keep going.

It's true. The word got out and we continue to blow the doors off of the American Legion. The March social was a whopper with 325 dancers coming IN and then walking out (or hobbling in the case of a few unlucky feet) tired and happy. Yes it's crowded, but its a great crowd and one can't even begin to explain to the uninitiated, the energy and feel of these events. It's not only an opportunity to dance or meet up with people you haven't seen in a while, we also get the opportunity to acknowledge the people who by doing their thing make our lives better.

Thanks & Happy B-Day

This month it was a birthday shout out to Cisco whom with his Salsa Detroit crew have been pillars of the Detroit salsa scene for longer than I've been dancing and a he is a key member of YA Salsa too. Everyone knows, the dancers can be tough on the DJs and promoters but that's because we are so into the scene that we want it to be perfect all the time every night -- which is of course different for everyone. So Sunday Jamin made a special point of not only calling out "happy birthday", but also making Cisco step out from the DJ station and join the rest of us on the dance floor for the snowball with a great running commentary. Little does he know that he'll probably be dragged out there every month until he goes willingly.

I just wanted to share my thoughts about Flava Invasion 3. I had an awesome time. Gordon Neil and iMambo.tv have done an impressive job putting together this event.

Downtown Atlanta was the site for the weekend's activities. Among the many performers were several names that will be familiar to any follower of YA Salsa: The above noted Gordon Neil, Troy Anthony, Sekou McMiller, Magna Gopal, and Shaka Brown. For the Saturday concert, Fania All Star Larry Harlow, Joel "Masacote" Massicot, and Orquesta Macuba played a blistering set. Add to this dancing that was easily on the level of a congress, and you can see why I am giving this event such a good review. As always, I took a few photos to share. I hope you enjoy them.

As always we say thanks to you for coming out to dance with us on Sunday. Surprisingly 250+ people braved the sub zero temperatures just to dance salsa! It was bitter cold on the outside, but once inside it was blazin’. When you have 250 people dancing non-stop, not even the artic temperatures can keep a room cool! By the way, where did all the new faces come from??

Every time I try to describe the difference between a YA Social and a club, I get it wrong. Not that the description isn't accurate, but that the comparison is wrong. You can't compare it to clubs, congressos or studios. The YA social is like a big living room and a giant house party.

You take this kind of non-descript building on a non-descript street, invite a few thousand people from all walks of life -- almost 500 show up. You have a band -- one of the best in town. Have 10 or 15 salsa slaves running around to make it go smoothly and this is what you get. It's unique. Any of the individual elements on their own is good. A band like Grupo Salvaje playing is great, but with dancers -- each their own show, it's something else. 450 people dancing at a club is nothing new, but when you take salseros - young and old, new and hard-core, mix them up shake them around -- its completely different. You pay a few bucks to cover the cost and there's nothing more to buy. There's no security, no VIP, no dress code, no formality. Maybe the best comparison -- a street party.

More Pictures Online & Video coming soon!

Last Sunday was one of several first: A new venue, a new promoter and a return to a town that has been dormant on the salsa scene for three years. Noel Noche at the Crofoot was the first Salsa event by DJ Mis.Match and it was the first salsa event at the Crofoot a newly restored club and concert venue in Pontiac. There were four questions I had in my mind... One -- would enough salseros turn out? Two -- who they dress up? Three -- would they put together a quality event and Four -- and maybe most important -- would it be the start of an expanded salsa scene? The first three were pretty clearly answered. Of course the salseros showed up to the opening. The die-hard salseros will literally travel anywhere they need to go to dance. We all love openings and new venues so even though for a second straight Sunday, the weather gods conspired against us with snow and cold -- we turned out and made it happen.