In the Eastside Esplanade underneath the junction of the I-5 overpass and Hawthorne Bridge, the sounds of cars, and buses passing by overhead on I-5, were for the most part drowned out by the music and the chitter-chatter, as a crowd, made up of a couple thousands, convened and danced it’s feet off to music being played at this year’s Salsa en la Calle 2010.
Although, during any given moment it was possible to question whether it was a low note blaring from the brass performing or if it was the exhaust of a semi, rumbling as it passed by 50 feet above you. This experience of dancing to Salsa rhythms in the streets, under the I-5 corridor in Portland would definitely qualify as one of the key ingredients that drives people to purchase the “Keep Portland Weird!” sticker and put it on their back bumper.
And weird and funky, was definitely, Salsa en la Calle this year! For starters, both of the headliners Oscar de Leon and Eddie Santiago failed to show this year. (Apparently Oscar had health issues and Eddie missed his flight).
This made for an uncomfortable moment as DJ. Roger Rumba made the announcement, which spurred the crowd to start “booing”. However, after he apologized and promised the show would continue till 11pm, as advertised with Latin Expressions filling for the rest of the night, the crowd began cheering him on.
Luckily the show picked up where it left off. On the flip side, there were plenty of positive, funky qualities that made this year’s Salsa en la Calle definitely not to be forgotten. The following is a list summarizing what some of these were:
- Dance Instruction
- Performances- (Salsa-Dance,Rap-Reggaeton, Ms. Latina Pageant)
- Top notch local Bands playing Salsa
- A Youth Afro-Latin drumming workshop
- Salsa Product/s Vendors
- Food and beverage court
- And a not-of-the-ordinary (out of all things) a hair cut station!
Chavez Brothers at Salsa en la Calle-Jorge Alonso
As much as we all wanted Oscar de Leon, or for that matter Eddie Santiago, to headline the show, the fact that you had all this programming available for a straight 12 hour shift, one would be hard pressed to complain much about the event. And to top off the qualities that made it a an overall positive experience, during the middle of the programming DJ. Rumba, proudly announced and displayed the certificate awarded by the City of Portland, which declared the last Sunday of August as Portland’s Official Salsa Sunday.
For more coverage of Salsa en la Calle:
Shannon Butler’s Photography go to:
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoartportraits/sets/72157624853903052/
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoartportraits/sets/72157624853823722/
PdxLatino Photos:
Jorge Alonso Photography:
Daryle’s perspective on Salsa en la Calle:
Last but not least thanks to Rochelle Lessner for the great video!
pics for the website
pics for the website
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoartportraits/sets/72157624853903052/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoartportraits/sets/72157624853823722/
thanks!
Nicely done, Miko. The photos look great too. Thanks for including the link to my blog. When I post my final I’ll return the favor.
Daryle :razz:
Thanks Miko. It’s always nice to see that someone cares enough to do something!:) Like review and post and share a part of himself with the others. So the others better comment!?:) Or else! ( I am not sure what else, but it sounds good:)
Daryle, as much as I’d love to take the credit for the photos, it’s Shannon Butler’s work! And I would say that they look super great! Looking forward to your next read…;-)
Hi Tatiana! Thanks for leaving that threatening comment. I was trying to find the right words and time to say it but it looks like you beat me to it … See you on the floor soon;-)
Salsa en la calle was fabulous this year. Though I was disappointed that Oscar D’leon was unable to make it, honestly, Eddie Santiago’s absence did not detract one bit. The local bands were hot and Johnny Polanco playing with Afincando was an extraordinary treat. Cambalache and Expresion Latina–scorching. The crowd was wonderful and the performances excellent. The day was as good as it gets. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
This was my first Salsa en la Calle: We couldn’t have asked for better weather. I saw happy faces, many many happy faces — and lots and lots of enthusiastic dancers. I made time to dance myself even though I was working. I was pleased that people in the dance instruction tents were seriously committed to learning latin dances. The percussion tent attracted people who clearly wanted to understand the fundamentals of Latin music. I tasted the very delicious al pastor for the first time. Johnny Polanco gave me a hug. Sure, there were disappointments. I was crushed when we lost Oscar and after that, I never got all that worked up over Eddie Santiago. For me, Eddie was not the “main event”; the event – and my experience of the day – was the main event. Some of the remarks from the stage might have been better thought out; s**t happens, people make mistakes and hopefully, learn from them. Since Sunday, I have heard disgruntled voices and complaints about the day, and criticism ad nauseum of the organizers and the entertainers, and criticism of the decisions that were made. I’ve heard people expressing anger and frustration and disappointment about being used and ripped off – and to them I say, if you care about this event and you would like to see it continue, or even if you just want to vent a little, write a formal business letter to the event organizers (not hate mail – nobody pays attention to that). Voice your opinion. Be specific. Make constructive suggestions. Say what you liked and what you did not like. Use your voice to make a difference. And if you think it’s too much trouble to do this but you insist on whining and griping and criticizing everything you might possibly perceive as negative, then to you I say, please “just shut up and dance.”
yes thanks for reviewing the event! Esp for those of us who weren’t able to make it. It’s good to know what went on.