Photos courtesy of CONTRA-TIEMPO. Photography by Tyrone Domingo
Southern California has lots of great dance talent and I love learning about dance groups that make a difference in our local communities. CONTRA-TIEMPO is one of these dance groups.
CONTRA-TIEMPO is a Los Angeles-based activist dance company founded in 2005 by choreographer Ana María Alvarez and a dynamic group of performers. The company fuses Salsa, Afro-Cuban, Hip-Hop, and abstract dance-theater to create an invigorating blend of physically intense and politically based performance. The dance company prides itself on its community roots and involvement with the local community itself. The group strives to incorporate geographic, economic, political, and even national focus into their dance presentations. Here is a short preview of what you can expect from CONTRA-TIEMPO:
We are lucky here in San Diego as CONTRA-TIEMPO will be presented by the United Association of Labor Education’s 2010 Conference at San Diego City College on March 26th, 2010.
Just a quick reminder that our monthly 1st Wednesday’s of the Month with Meetup.com event is coming up Wednesday March 3rd at Cafe Sevilla. For March we are going to have a DRESS IN IRISH GREEN theme. If you have any green shirts, pants, shoes, whatever make sure you wear it when you show up at 8pm to meet and greet other members. Remember that this is a FREE event and everyone is welcome to attend (especially people that need to get out of the house like our friend in this video below:)
Latin Dance Store, a salsa dance clothing supplier, is offering our Meetup.com members and Ritmo Bello readers a special 5% off all purchases when you use coupon code “SDSALSAMEETUP”. This new sponsor offers a variety of tops, dresses and accessories for the salsa dancers in your life.
Our second new sponsor, Burju Shoes, is well known in the salsa community for her innovative salsa dance shoe designs. Burju is offering our Meetup.com members and Ritmo Bello readers a great discount of 10% all products if you use coupon code “RITMOBELLOPROMO”.
On behalf of Ritmo Bello, I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year. 2009 was a tough year for many of us, but it was great to have lots of fun filled events with the San Diego Salsa & Latin Dancing Meetup Group to help us get through it.
Thanks to everyone in the San Diego Salsa and Latin Dance community for your continued support. We hope you can all make it out to our first official event for 2010 at 1st Wednesday’s of the Month with Meetup.com at Cafe Sevilla January 6. I plan on giving away FREE EK Clothing Latin Dance 2010 calendars at 8pm sharp (see the pictures above)! See you all in 2010!
1stWednesdays of the Month with Meetup.comis coming up again and with it a great opportunity to meet new people here in San Diego. It’s hard to believe that this is the twelfth and final Meetup event for 2009 at Cafe Sevilla!
Pleasebring any new, unwrapped toys for donatingto the Marine Toys for Tots. We will have an area on site at the event (8pm to 10pm) to collect any new unwrapped toys to help out the less fortunate during this Christmas season. For those of you unfamiliar with the Marine Toys for Tots organization check out these videos here that explain some of the great services they provide to our community:
This monthly event held at Café Sevilla is a great way to break the ice with new people in a safe and friendly environment.Just like last month, the event is FREEto attend!
The event is open to everyone so feel free to come alone or bring any friends. We’ll meet downstairs at 8pm in the VIP area of club that will be reserved for our group. Just look for the Meetup.com signs. Valeriewill give a free salsa lesson starting at 8:30pm.
1stWednesdays of the Month with Meetup.comis coming up again and with it a great opportunity to meet new people here in San Diego. This time the event will have a different twist in that we are asking people who attend to donate food to the St. Vincent de Paul Villages in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Pleasebring any NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS for donatingto theSt. Vincent de Paul Village and Food pantry. We will have a box on site at the event to collect any canned food and other non-perishables to help out the less fortunate during this Thanksgiving season. For those of you unfamiliar with St. Vincent de Paul’s Villages check out the videos here that explain some of the great services they provide to our community:
This monthly event held at Café Sevilla is a great way to break the ice with new people in a safe and friendly environment. Just like last month, Café Sevilla has eliminated the cover charge for Wednesday so it will again beFREEto attend!
The event is open to everyone so feel free to come alone or bring any friends. We’ll meet downstairs at 8pm in the VIP area of club that will be reserved for our group. Just look for the Meetup.com signs. Valeriewill give a free salsa lesson starting at 8:30pm.
As any salsa dancer will tell you, it’s ten times better dancing to live music as compared to recorded music. The obvious reason for this is that the salsa dancer can really connect with the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement of the live entertainer as the performance goes on.
Johnny Polanco and his group La Conjunto Amistad are a prime example of how great live salsa music is to the dancer and listener alike. With years of experience in the salsa music world, Johnny Polanco is a rare gem that plays frequently in the Southern California area. I had a chance to talk with Johnny Polanco before his upcoming performance at Anthology night club this Saturday October 17 and learned that if something is to be done, you ‘DO IT WITH SALSA!’ I hope you enjoy the interview which follows below.
Ritmo Bello:Johnny, thanks for taking the time to address the Ritmo Bello dance community. Let’s begin. What would you say is the main focus of your salsa music?
Johnny Polanco:Hi John. The main focus of my music are two reasons. One is to make everyone dance. Secondly is to give the listener a great visual through our performances. Everyone listens to CD’s. But it’s a lot different when you actually see it “live”. The listener can actually feel and absorb the music. It becomes more versatile. And the most important issue about a “live” performance is that the number can be stretched out a little longer, thus letting the band be more creative. Especially during the solos.
Tito Puente once told me, “Live tells no lie”. AND THAT’S SO TRUE. In this age of recording and digital “Pro Tools” you can do wonders in the recording studio. But you can “clean it up live”!
Ritmo Bello:What are the origins of your salsa music career?
Johnny Polanco:My career begin in the Bronx, New York City. I performed with various bands, in the earlier days, but the first known band I played with was with JOHNNY PACHECO and PETE “EL CONDE” RODRIGUEZ. I was 17 years old.
Ritmo Bello: Why did you choose La Conjunto Amistad for your band name?
Johnny Polanco:I choose Conjunto Amistad because the band was composed of all of my friends.
Ritmo Bello: What types of influences have impacted how you’ve created your salsa music?
Johnny Polanco:The conjunto music of ARSENIO RODRIGUEZ, who is one of the most well known Cuban tres guitar players. Also the BIG 3 bands of the fifties that consisted of TITO PUENTE, TITO RODRIGUEZ and MACHITO. The sounds of trio music like LOS PONCHOS and TRIO MATAMOROS also played a role.
And believe it or not, the music of the big band era featuring FRANK SINATRA, TONY BENNETT, JOE WILLIAMS, SARAH VAUGHN and many others from that era were so musically rich for me to listen.
Ritmo Bello:How and where do you find inspiration for creating new salsa songs?
Johnny Polanco:The inspirations come to me in spurts. That’s why I always try to have something to write notes or my cell phone to record the moments. My song feature all different types of topics. If you listen to my latest CD, “AMISTAD PARA EL MUNDO ENTERO” you will see the many topics.
Ritmo Bello:What has your experience been like working withDimelo Records?
Johnny Polanco:My experiences with Dimelo Records has been an enjoyable one and something that I wish I would have done years ago. Nissim Baly is a great guy and is very business savvy in the direction that the recording industry has been heading. He possesses very strong marketing skills and that has contributed immensely in the success of the bands under his label. Not to mention his assistant Valerie Guzman. She is definitely on the ball at the office.
RitmoBello: Can you tell me a little about your CD’s that you’ve released to date?
Johnny Polanco: Absolutely. Amistad Para El Mundo Enterois my best production yet. It has 14 original, never recorded numbers. It features some of the best musicians in Salsa music today such as RAY DE LA PAZ, FRANKIE VASQUEZ, AZUQUITA, FRANKIE MORALES, JIMMY BOSCH, ARTIE WEBB, NINO JESUS and others. The production was great. It took a while but I’m very happy with it. I also put on it, my version of ”Happy Birthday”. It has been very popular in all the clubs.
Ritmo Bello: Are there current plans for new CD releases coming up soon?
Johnny Polanco: The last CD has only been out for 9 months and DIMELO RECORDS is going to release it on their label soon. My next CD is going to be recorded live on a venue to be announced later. I feel that this will really capture the true sound of the band.
Ritmo Bello: I’ve noticed that there are a number of videos on YouTube showcasing your salsa music. How has YouTube and other types of social media like Facebook and Twitter helped you gain more exposure worldwide?
Johnny Polanco:It truly has. My music has reached places throughout the world that I haven’t traveled to yet. We have had the pleasure of working with Albert Torres, who has been my personal manager for 15 years. And he is helping create and participate at all these Salsa Congresses world wide. These types of social medias have been a blessing. Also non commercial radio has played an important part also. They play everyones music and we are very blessed to have Canto Tropical and Alma Del Barrio here in Los Angeles.
Ritmo Bello:What are some of your best memories from your performances? Are there any in particular that stand out in your mind?
Johnny Polanco: Oh GOD, there are so many because each of those have left me with something unique. Such as performing for our new L.A. Philharmonic conductor from Venezuela, Gustavo Dumadel a couple of weeks ago at the Hollywood Bowl. He is the first Hispanic to lead this great orchestra. Working with Prince in Las Vegas was great too. He is an extraordinary musician. Doing the 2007 Playboy Jazz Festival., the 50th Anniversary of the Grand Prix in Macau. Doing our Mayor’s Inaugural Ball. And the many Salsa Congresses throughout the world such as in Spain, Toronto, Japan, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Vancouver etc.
Ritmo Bello: I’ve seen you perform in San Diego in the past. How often do you make it down to San Diego and when can we expect to see you again in America’s Finest City?
Johnny Polanco:I don’t perform as much as I like but I will be performing Sat Oct 17th at Anthology. This is the premier venue to perform in San Diego. It is such a beautiful supper club with great sound, food and hospitality. I am so looking forward to it!
Ritmo Bello: What advice can you give to up and coming salsa singers?
Johnny Polanco:The best advice is to listen to the old stuff from the early years. Especially from the 70’s. All those guys are now salsa legends now. PERIOD. I had the pleasure of working with many of them. Their sonero’s and deliveries are unmatched. Any vocalist after that era will tell you that they were influenced by them. If they don’t admit it, they are just plain lying.
Ritmo Bello: Is there anything else you’d like to share that I haven’t covered so far?
Johnny Polanco: You covered many of the issues that are important to me. But the final thing I would like to say is to please support live entertainment. It take an enormous commitment for someone to get musicians together and form a band. And a lot of work to get music and the administrative side of it in getting booked. It’s not easy. But we do it to spread the music, make you feel good, help you meet new friends, dance to great songs, see musicians do what we do best and let’s face it guys. The most beautiful women in the world are dancing to salsa and waiting for you. So if you guys aren’t Salsa dancing, you better get some lessons because you are DEFINITELY missing out. Most clubs offer lessons. So you have no excuse. Ever wonder where your best friends at? He is at a salsa club dancing away with the girl of your dreams Ha, Ha.
Ritmo Bello:Do you have contact information in case anyone from the Ritmo Bello audience wants to contact you?
Johnny Polanco:Yes. My website iswww.johnnypolanco.net Also we have a hotline where you can find out where we are at on a weekly basis at 562-220-4929.
Ritmo Bello:Johnny, thank you so much for your time and I hope to attend some of your salsa performances in the near future.
1st Wednesdays of the Month with Meetup.com is coming up again this week and with it a great opportunity to meet new people here in San Diego. This time the event is FREE to attend too!
The monthly event held at Café Sevilla is a great way to break the ice with new people in a safe and friendly environment.This month we are going back to basics and having a simple Meetup event without any overarching theme. Roman Castro Photography, a sponsor for our Meetup group, will be on hand at 8pm to take pictures of the event. As an added bonus, Café Sevilla eliminated the cover charge for Wednesday so now it will be FREE to attend!
The event is open to everyone so feel free to come alone or bring any friends. We’ll meet downstairs at 8pm in the VIP area of club that will be reserved for our group. Just look for the Meetup.com signs. Valerie will give a free salsa lesson starting at 8:30pm.
If you’ve been a part of the salsa and Latin jazz music scene for a while I have no doubt you’d recognize Tito Puente. Known throughout the world as “El Rey” (the King) of the timbales and “The King of Latin Music,” Tito Puente left an incredible legacy of Latin jazz and mambo music.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Tito Puente Jr. continues that great musical tradition and brings new life to Latin jazz and mambo today. Tito Puente Jr. will be performing live in San Diego on September 5th at Anthology in downtown’s Little Italy district. Ritmo Bello was fortunate enough to connect with Tito Puente Jr. before his upcoming San Diego show and talk with him a bit about him being the standard bearer of Latin jazz royalty.
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Ritmo Bello: Tito Puente Jr., thanks for taking time to the talk to the Ritmo Bello readers about yourself and your music. Let’s begin with a question I’m sure you get all the time. How has being the son of the famous Tito Puente affected your decision to pursue a musical career for yourself?
Tito Puente Jr.: Music was always a part of me growing up, but by choice - my father never forced it on me. Of course, being my father’s son poses challenges in the sense that it’s next to impossible to follow or match such an incredible talent, so I’m very clear that my mission is not to try and compete, it’s simply to entertain audiences and carry the torch of my father’s music to a new generation of people.
Ritmo Bello: When and how did you begin your own musical career?
Tito Puente Jr.: I started in the mid 1980’s surrounding myself with all types of music growing up in New York City, where there were so many influences. Professionally I started on the trap drum kit when I was 16 years of age, working in different nightclubs in Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.
Ritmo Bello: It’s clear that you are often compared to your father, Tito Puente and his musical style. For those unfamiliar with Tito Puente can you explain how you might be similar and different to his legacy?
Tito Puente Jr.: I think of course one blatant similarity is that I look a lot like him! I seem to have a connection with older fans that were fans of his and to younger ones as well. I have a certain quirkiness about me when I’m performing that people seem to enjoy. I dance and sing like my father did when he was younger in the 1950s, but I give it a modern edge, like a taste of Latino classic and urban mixed up with cha cha and mambo…
Ritmo Bello: How and where do you find inspiration for creating new music?
Tito Puente Jr.: My father taught me to always surround myself with creative people, as they will serve as inspiration…it works.
Ritmo Bello: I know that you have collaborated and performed with many notable artists in the salsa and Latin jazz world. What are your most memorable performances that you’ve had over the course of your career?
Tito Puente Jr.: Well, I’ve been fortunate to have many: Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz and José Feliciano come to mind. But I think the most influential would have been with my father himself – being on stage together.
Ritmo Bello: Can you tell me a little about the albums that you’ve released to date?
Tito Puente Jr.: I’ve had three major label releases to date but the most exciting is my new album coming out next month entitled “Got Mambo?”. It’s a really exciting project where I step up my game with original material and some great guest artists like Jon Secada and others.
Ritmo Bello: Are there current plans for new CD releases coming up soon?
Tito Puente Jr.: “Got Mambo?” is scheduled for a late October release, along with a new music video, tour and the whole internet promotion scene.
Ritmo Bello: I know that you, like your father, are a master at percussion and in particular the timbales. What is it about this particular instrument that excites you the most? Are there other instruments that you feel comfortable performing with as well?
Tito Puente Jr.: I have to correct you – I am a student of percussion, not at all a master percussionist. I would hope through practice and time I could be. My father was a “master.”
Timbales have a distinct sound in all aspects of music plus it gives an engine to any song. I also enjoy piano and bass.
Ritmo Bello: On a side note, I know that you’ve expanded into different enterprises including acting as the official spokesperson for Havanera Co., a clothing line I absolutely love to wear myself. How has this and other experiences outside of your music affected your musical career?
Tito Puente Jr.: In today’s world attaching yourself to a brand is important. I like to be a part of certain brands which can help bring our Latin music to the masses. The consumer is looking for more now. Branding and endorsing certain products and items has helped me bring my music to other parts of the globe.
Ritmo Bello: My first contact with you was via Twitter and I was impressed to find you using the medium to reach out to your fans. How has social media like Twitter and Facebook impacted how you interact with your fan base?
Tito Puente Jr.: Amazing how Twitter and Facebook has gotten me directly in touch with the fans. It’s the new millennium of marketing and promotion for any artist out there. And yes it’s really me responding to you!!!
Ritmo Bello: Although I know that you perform great music, do you ever get an opportunity to dance to salsa or Latin music as well?
Tito Puente Jr.: I do, at home in front of my kids because that way I will look silly for them and not the rest of the world. I have great rhythm in my blood but it doesn’t seem to travel to my feet that well.
Ritmo Bello: I’ve heard that you’ve also given back to the community in a number of ways. Can you share with me some of the fundraising events you’ve supported?
Tito Puente Jr.: The cancer, leukemia, diabetes and AIDS foundations are the ones closest to my heart since I have people and personal friends who have these horrible diseases. I love animals as well so give back wherever I can for them.
Ritmo Bello: Is there anything else you’d like to share with the San Diego salsa and Latin dance community that we haven’t covered yet?
Tito Puente Jr.: Get ready to mambo and cha cha the night away on September 5th at Anthology…and bring your dancing shoes!
Ritmo Bello: Do you have contact information in case anyone from the Ritmo Bello audience wants to contact you?
Ritmo Bello: Tito Puente Jr., it has been an honor to talk to you today. On behalf of the San Diego salsa dance community and Ritmo Bello thank you for your time!
Tito Puente Jr.: Muchas gracias and thank you to all the Tito Puente fans and the new Tito Puente, Jr. fans…I’m looking forward to seeing everyone!
Last month our group met for Tapas and drinks upstairs at Café Sevilla before going to the salsa club for lessons and the live band. For those of you unfamiliar with Café Sevilla, the venue is known for its great Spanish Cuisine and as a great salsa dance venue. The photos, taken by Roman Castro Photography (a Sponsor for our Meetup group), give a glimpse of the great people that attended and the fun time we had. This month we are having a DRESS IN RED theme where we encourage our members to wear any red shirts, skirts, dresses, shoes, etc to identify members of our group at the club.
We plan to meet DOWNSTAIRS at 8pm to take advantage of the free lesson offered by Valerie at the club. If you don’t take the salsa lesson you are invited to join us in our special VIP area of the club set up for Meetup.com members.
The event is open to everyone! Bring your friends or come alone to meet some great people. We’ll be there by 8pm.
With the summer of 2009 almost over, Café Sevilla is taking the opportunity to host another “Sevilla on the Bay” Yacht party!
For everyone that went to the first Café Sevilla boat party earlier this summer, you know that the event draws a large group of people ready to party. This time Café Sevilla is doing some different things that are important to note.
First, Café Sevilla has secured a larger yacht called the “Inspiration” that holds 1,000 people and is 30,000 square feet. Secondly, the party will have an “All White Party” theme where everyone is encouraged to wear any white pants, shirts, skirts, dresses, etc in celebration of the end of summer 2009.
There will be 3 floors of music ranging from a live Salsa band, hip hop, and live Spanish guitarists. Along with the music there will be free salsa dance lessons, photographers, and a special cigar lounge sponsored by Excalibur Cigars.
Along with all these attractions Café Sevilla is also hosting complimentary tapas and providing 5 fully stocked bars for your enjoyment.
The Colombian/Peruvian Salsa Festival is this Sunday August 2nd! Hosted by Rumba Entertainment, the event enters its second year bringing us 3 live bands (Ritmo Peru, Grupo Mi Tierra, and Mambo Salvaje) in this all ages event. Dance shows begin at 7pm.The festival will be a good opportunity to learn about the music and culture of Colombia and Peru. I’ve included these two YouTube videos here to give you more information about the two countries:
Of course the main focus of the night is salsa dancing and for those arriving before 8:30pm you can take advantage of the free lesson offered by Valerie at the club. If you don’t take the salsa lesson you are invited to join us in our special VIP area of the club set up for Meetup.com members. Look for the Meetup signs (see the picture below) to find us.
Believe it or not July is fast approaching and with it comes another First Wednesday of the Month with Meetup.com event! The San Diego Salsa and Latin Dancing Meetup Group is doing something a little different this time and we will be meeting earlier in the night (7pm) to share some Spanish tapas. Cafe Sevilla is well known for it’s great Spanish Cuisine (check out this review of the food) and the sharing of tapas between our group members will help encourage great conversation so you can meet your fellow dancers. After sharing tapas we’ll already be in the club area downstairs so you can either take the free lesson at 8:30pm or go to the VIP area that is set aside for Meetup.com members.
The event is open really to anyone interested in Spanish food and salsa dancing but I’d encourage you to RSVP ahead of time as we tend to get lots of people who attend the First Wednesday of the Month events at Cafe Sevilla. You can access the RSVP page here.
