Siempre Salsa Philly Week Kicks Off, Bringing Latin Culture To The Dance Floor
CITY HALL (CBS) -- All things Salsa are in the spotlight this week in Philadelphia - Latin dance music - although there might be a spicy tomato sauce on the side.
This year's Siempre Salsa Philly Week serves up an introduction to salsa music, the artists who create it, and the neighborhoods in which it is a staple - in night clubs, bars, restaurants, and outdoor festivals.
Salsa dance is a combination of different dance styles, just like the sauce, "salsa."
Violinist, flutist, and singer Felix "Pupi" Legarreta, former member of the Fania All Stars, was awarded the Siempre Salsa Philly Lifetime Achievement Award.
'This not belong to me," Legarreta said. "This belongs to the people."
This year's program is dedicated to Wilfredo Gonzalez, the community activist and former longtime owner of Centro Musical Record Store in North Philadelphia.
"Salsa music originates in Cuba and Puerto Rico," Gonzalez said. "The two islands, they're like brother and sister."
Various countries of the Caribbean and Latin America have distinct salsa styles of their own.
Events this week include a festival on Wednesday at Schmidt's Commons, formerly The Piazza, on American, near 2nd and Girard, which includes music by the Siempre Salsa All Stars, and lessons by the Philadelphia Dance Foundation.
On Thursday, Parx Casino holds a Latin Night. Friday features Pablo Batista and Mambo Syndicate at the Painted Bride Arts Center. On Friday, Centro Record Store at 5th and Lehigh hosts a Legends Reunion. To cap it off, Concilio hosts its annual Hispanic Fiesta Saturday and Sunday on Penn's Landing.
