The Word From DC March 1999
April 28th - May 2nd, 1999 Washington DC will be the home to this year's First International Salsaweb Convention. DC is also the home of one of America's fastest growing Salsa/Mambo communities. To help illustrate this point, Jeri Dembrak has allowed me to republish one of her weekly e-mail newsletters covering the Salsa Scene in DC. Thank you Jeri! If you want to get on Jeri's e-mail mailing list then contact her at JDembrak@aol.com
-Manny Siverio
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to Salsanews, a weekend and weekly publication with over 2300
recipients and growing, printed over the internet regarding all DC salsa
related activities!!! The author does her very best to gather information
together and put it all in one publication. If I have any information
incorrectly posted or if you of any new events or info, please do not hesitate
to let me know. Many people have complained about the length of the e-mail so
I will not be sending any attachments. If you would like to receive the text
or html file, please send me an e-mail and I will be happy to forward it to
you --if anyone has any other technical suggestions, I am always open and
willing to learning and advice is most definitely appreciated.
-Jeri
NOTE TO THOSE INTERESTED IN THE INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED WORKSHOP:
The workshop will start March 7th and classes will be held from 3pm to 5pm for six
consecutive weeks. Classes are $120 for all six classes paid in advance or $25/per
session. Sessions are as follows: 1st: spinning including double, triple turns, hook turns,
turns from various positions, men leading turns and controlling turns and learning how to
stop spins politely and on beat. 2nd: leading and following issues, little things, styling issues,
clear signals, ladies learning to read clear signals and not anticipate them. 3rd: fancy
footwork--mambo steps broken down, converted and taught on 1, not 2! Also, timing of
when to do it, how to pick up on eachothers' steps 4th: safe, simple dips, on time and
careful 5th & 6th classes will include complicated combinations based on the previous
4 classes. Please e-mail me with questions and/or registration information.
Here goes!
Fridays
CHELSEA'S OF GEORGETOWN
1025 Thomas Jefferson St., N.W.
(202) 298-8222
11pm to 3:30am
Music: Only Place with a Live Band: Peligro -- Danny Alexander and the rest ofthe crew--Ivan, Randu, Mikey and Vivian is back:<)! Billy however is gone :<(!
As Sammy of Salsaweb says, if we don't support live music, then who will? Also
check out DJ Chris' new set of 70s and 80s music like Car Wash, Ladies' Night
--- bring back those Disco Days!!!! Hustle on down!
Free Indoor Parking (very important in bad weather), $10 cover after 11pm,
free before.
Attire: Elegant, coat & tie for men, evening gowns, cocktail dresses for
ladies
Atmosphere: True salseros head here on Friday nights---older dance crowd, very
few people under age 25. Peligro plays 2 salsas to one merengue. There are
some awesome dancers that come here on Fridays and they are incredible to
watch but there is most definitely a "clique" which many of my students have
complained about that no one will ask them to dance not because they don't
know how, only because no one knows who they are. It can be disappointing but
I will tell you this, if you hang in there long enough and spend enough time,
they see you dance, they will eventually let you in....it's just a bit of door
that takes a little pounding to say "hello, I'm here, I want to dance
tooooo!!!"
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HABANA VILLAGE
1834 Columbia Road, N.W.
(202) 462-6310
Class from 7pm to 9pm, dancing from 9pm to 3am
Music: DJ Miguel Dutary often alternating with club's co-owner, Eduardo
Parking on the street can be tough to find, lot available on 18th street fills
up quickly. $5 cover charge - FREE FOR THOSE WHO COME TO CLASS from 7:00 pm to
9:00 pm ($10 charge for salsa classes with Leon Harris and Ruth Kubishen--they
are both incredible teachers!)
Attire: Anything from t-shirts and jeans to coat and tie, your preference. All
that is required is hoses and shirt, gentlemen are requested to remove their
hats.
Atmosphere: All ages but usually a younger crowd that hangs out or lives in
Adams Morgan. For serious salseros, there's not much room after 11pm so if you
plan to really dance salsa, get there early right after Leon's classes around
9:30pm!!! There's also a real music mix of salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata,
Gypsy Kings and reggae played.
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LATIN JAZZ ALLEY
1721 Columbia Road, N.W.
(202)328-6190
Classes are from 7pm to 9pm, dancing from 9pm to 2am
Music: DJ plays salsa, merengue, cumbia, latin jazz, latin house
Parking on the street can be tough to find, lot available on 18th street fills
up quickly. Two drink minimum at the table. $5 cover charge or FREE with $5
charge for beginner salsa and merengue classes with Miguel from 7pm to 9pm.
Attire: Anything from jeans and t-shirts to business suits can be found but
all that is required are shirt and shoes.
Atmosphere: Can be very crowded. All ages can be found but it's mostly thelocal Adams Morgan crowd peppered with a younger crowd that hangs in Adams
Morgan on the weekends.
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ZONES
919 Street, N.W.
Washington, DC
Classes from 9pm to 10:30 pm, dancing afterwards to 3:30 am
Parking: Parking can be found on the street if you arrive early enough or in
the parking lot at 10th and E Street, N.W. Cover charge is $10 unless you are
on the VIP list which entitles you to a 2 or 3 discount.
Music: Music is provided by Ricardo, "El Salsero". A free beginner's salsa
and basic casino rueda class is taught by Ricardo and Elba from 9:00 to 10:30
pm with dancing afterwards.
Attire: Casual, some upscale but jeans are permitted as are tennis shoes.
Atmosphere: There are several ZONES, the SALSA ZONE is on the 3rd floor
opposite the SWING ZONE. There are also free SWING lessons at the same time.
There is also a RETRO ZONE and a LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE. It's a younger
crowd but alot of fun! I enjoyed teaching there and it's okay to hangout when
you don't feel like dressing up! It reminds me a little of Habana Village on
the weekends.
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BRAVO BRAVO
1001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
(202) 223-5330
Opens around 10 pm but kicks off around midnight until 3am!
Music: DJ plays salsa, merengue, bachata, international, eurotech - DJ
Guillermo doesn't play there any more on Fridays so I'm not sure how it has
changed but I am sure he is missed.
Parking can be difficult on street but there are some lots available, $10
cover.
Attire: Business casual to elegant but you will see some nice black jeans but
no tennis shoes please.
Atmosphere: Very young crowd, mostly 18 to late 20s. This place gets very
packed on the weekends and often there are lines around the corner so if you
plan to go, go early!
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EL CUZCO -great place to bring a date!!!!
5831 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA
(703) 845-1661
Open all day for lunch & dinner, dancing starts around 10:30 pm til 2 am
Parking: Available in their lot. Great food and a $5 cover charge for the
band.
Music: Live band plays salsa, merengue, cumbia and folkloric dances all night
long.
Attire: Proper attire required, no tennis shoes or jeans preferably.
Atmosphere: Family-oriented although there is also a mature crowd that comes
to dance. Great food and drinks, try some lomo saltado and a pisco sour!
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LATIN PALACE -no longer happening!
509-13 S. Broadway St.Fells Point, Baltimore, MD
(410) 483-4111
SATURDAY
All of the places listed on Friday are also available and open on Saturdays.
However, there are a few differences. At Habana Village, there are tango
classes from 7pm to 9pm with Leon and Ruth for $10/person. Guillermo plays
the music on Saturdays at Bravo Bravo! Zones becomes The Ritz, Chelsea's
Peligro plays one salsa to one merengue all night long although sometimes,
there are surprises and a few more salsas are played.
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SALSAROBICS - Learn your basic beat, dance to our favorite music and most of
all, workout and work up a sweat! FROM 2PM TO 3PM!
Ballston Sports and Health Center in Ballston Mall
Arlington, VA (703)
522-3011
Parking is only a $1.00 in the mall. Classes are $10 per person for members &
nonmembers. We start with a slow stretch and warm-up, pick up basic footwork
and a few shines and keep on going all to the salsa beat!!!
Music: Fast-paced, high-energy salsa
Attire: Comfortable, sweats, tennis shoes if you like, biker shorts, t-shirts!
Atmosphere: Fun, hard-working and high-energy!
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PACHANGA AT NICK'S
642 S. Pickett St.
Alexandria, VA
CLASSES ARE FROM 9PM TO 11PM IN THE BACK ROOM!
dancing from 11pm to 2 am
Music: DJ Eddie D plays salsa, merengue, bachata and house.
Swing lessons from 7pm to 8pm with Swing Dancing until 11pm.BEGINNER &
INTERMEDIATE SALSA CLASSES ARE HELD WITH SALSEROS SABROSOS-SAM & JERI FROM 9PM
TO 11PM IN THE BACK ROOM, At 11pm, we switch and come to the main floor to
dance the night away!! Also $8.96 PRIME RIB SPECIAL EVERY SATURDAY! Remember,
it is also a restaurant and children are welcome if accompanied by their
parents.
Parking: Free in their lot!
Attire & Atmosphere:Everyone will be dressed up for the band, it's Saturday
night!!!!There will be lots of great salsa to dance to!!!!With the overflow
from the swing crowd, this should be alot of fun!!!!!As Edwin would say,
calling all the great dancers!!!!!! Great food available, quesadillas and
chicken tenders.
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Cato Z's Latin Nights at Fellini's
18th & M Streets, N.W.
(202) 785-1117
Salsa will be played all night til 3:30 am!
Music: DJ "El Padrino" will play mostly salsa and merengue! !!Cato Zegarra
has heard the prayers of the salseros and has answered!!!Cato does his best tobring the very best to his friends, supporters and patrons!
Attire: Elegant & Upscale
Parking is available across the street for $5 or on the street if you are
lucky to find a place.
Atmosphere: All ages from young college crowd to those in their fifties. Come
early for dinner, the Italian food is fabulous and I love their bread!
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"SOFRITO SATURDAYS" at THE NEW BAR NUN CLUB 2000
1326 U St. NW
Washington, DC
Dancing from 8pm to 3am
Cover charge is $5 before 9pm
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SUNDAY
SPECIAL INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED WORKSHOP FROM 3PM TO 5PM AT NICK'S!
Lulu's/Blackie's in Springfield, VA
6710 Commerce St.
Springfield, Virginia 22150
(703) 585-3009
Directions: From 395, 495 or 95, take the Franconia Exit, Franconia on
Franconia, go one light and make a left on Commerce St. & you will see it on
your left hand side.
Music: DJ Ramiro "El Padrino playing awesome salsa, merengue, cha-cha
Salsa & Mambo Lessons 7-9 PM with Esteban Rockett & The Rucasalbo Crew
alternating with Ricardo & Elba.
Parking: There's a great big parking lot all around the club. $5 cover charge.
Attire: No tennis shoes please, otherwise, be comfortable!
Atmosphere: Huge place, large dance floor!!! I will hopefully have more info
soon but knowing Ramiro, all the hard core, ready to dance, true salseros will
be there similar to the crowd at Eleventh Hour!!!! It should be alot of fun
with Esteban and the crew--come check it out, it's only 25 minutes from the
District, afterwards, everybody heads down to Coco Loco!
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Avignone Freres - no longer happening!
1775 Colombia Road, N.W.
(202) 462-2050
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Coco Loco's
CALL TO CONFIRM!!!! Rumor is they may be moving to a different
night of the week!
810 7th Street, N.W.
(202) 289-2626
Dancing from 10pm to 2am
Music: Live Band - Orquesta Melao with Sylvia, Luis and Alexei, if we don't
support live music, who will?
Parking is can usually be found on the street although there are some lots
available at $5 and up to $10 for the night, $10 cover charge
Attire: Business casual to elegant, jeans and t-shirts or tennis shoes wouldnot go over well.
Atmosphere: Nice mix of people from Eleventh Hour, Chelseas and Lucky Club --
all ages from 18 to 60. Buffet of great food. Dance floor has grooves in it so
ladies, be sure to wear a wider heel so you don't twist or fall.
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CANCUN CANTINA
NEAR BWI AIRPORT IN MARYLAND - no longer happening!
7510 Hanover Parkway
(410) 761-6188 - directions on recording
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MONDAY
Lucky U Bar(formerly Planet Fred)
1221 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
(202) 466-2336
Music: DJ Ricardo "El Salsero" plays some great old and new salsa and
merengue. He does not play any cumbia, bachata or latin rock
Parking can be hard to find but there are lots available around the area for
$5 and $10 but usually street parking can be found. No cover charge! Free
beginner salsa and merengue lessons with Ricardo and Elba from 7:30 pm to 9pm.
Attire: Jeans and t-shirts and just about any old thing you are comfortable
dancing in including tennis shoes.
Atmosphere: This place is crowded, as Ricardo says, it's HOT, because salsa is
meant to be danced HOT and you should sweat!!!! There is no air conditioning
which makes it really hot in the summer but for dancers, there are free tubs
of DC water and great music and all ages of partners to dance with. It's a
great time on a Monday night
PRIVATE LESSONS AVAILABLE, E-MAIL JDEMBRAK@AOL.COM
LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH Y SALSA, JERI
Disclaimer from Jeri: If you do not wish to receive this e-mail concerning salsa events
this week or have been sent this e-mail in error, please click reply and put
remove in the subject and the author will take you off the list. This e-mail is only
intended to inform in a fun and friendly manner and is not intended to
offend--it's simply a list of classes, clubs and places to go to learn and
dance salsa. In some cases, more detailed information concerning an event or
club is not available and therefore cannot be provided. Comments or
suggestions are always welcome and the author's own personal comments are just
those --personal comments and should not be read into or taken offense. If I
have incorrect information or if I am missing information, please don't
hesitate to let me know. The author does the best she can to gather
information from various sources as well as from personal experiences as much
as possible.