The Word From DC September 1999
Check out Jeri's website @ www.thesalsanews.com
by Jeri Dembrak

Mid September 1999

Hi Everyone!!!

The weekend was fun!  Saturday----we had a great beginner's class but way too
many ladies------guys, where were you??????There was an average of 3 ladies
to every 1 gentleman....now if only I could get the Saturday ladies to come
to the Tuesday and Wednesday classes......I try, I try!!!!!

TONITE is the first night that we are now back to having both the main floor
and back room at Nick's so for all those who thought it was too crowded or
noisy, WE NOW HAVE SEPARATE CLASSES IN EACH ROOM WITH SEPARATE SOUND SYSTEMS, MICROPHONES, ETC......this week starting at 8pm so COME BACK AND SEE US! 
Starting next Tuesday, there will be 4 levels----levels 2 and 4 will start at
7pm til 8:30pm and levels 1 and 3 will start at 8:30pm til 10pm.......level
1:  introductory beginner, level 2:  advanced beginner/beginner intermediate,
level 3: intermediate/advanced intermediate, level 4: advanced---levels 3 and
4 will include fun footwork, intricate combinations and occasional
rueda.......the idea is to reward those who have been taking classes for a
while and to really help those who want to learn but not to have a beginner
guy struggle to lead an advanced lady or vice versa---this is to your
benefit---I don't want any guy to tell a lady he's going to buy a drink then
dance with somebody else and I don't any lady to tell a guy she's tired then
go dance with another guy.  I want every guy to have the ladies lined up to
dance with him and I want every lady to have 3 dances ina row promised at any
given time......aka, HAVE A GOOD TIME AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY! I have the
handout from last week!  IT IS NORMA'S B'DAY AND WE WILL BE CELEBRATING WITH
HER AFTER CLASS!

I DO HUMBLY APOLOGIZE to those who may have missed the Oscar D'Leon
concert....I never received any info regarding my requests for
information....I understand he played at The Gallery--did anyone go, can
anyone tell me anything about the club or how well he played, etc???????I
also understand that he played at the Montgomery Latino Festival---any
reviews, thoughts, comments???

Early September 1999

WOW!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS BIG TIME TO SAMMY RODRIGUEZ OF SALSAWEB.COM/DC AND
THE TM GROUP FOR ORGANIZING AN INCREDIBLE CONCERT AT THE OMNI-SHOREHAM
HOTEL!!!!  It was really standing room only---the sound system and lighting
for the stage was top-notch quality and Diversite's security guys and ladies
who were hired for the concert did an outstanding job of watching and
controlling any potential problems which could occur among the 3000 people
that were there!  I can't say it was much of the regular salsero crowd but
there were lots of new faces.  GRUPO NICHE gave an excellent performance
although I was disappointed that they did not bring Diana Serna, their female
singer on their past album with them.....People were still coming in at 1am
for Elvis Crespo who not only sang some great merengue but really entertained
the crowd according to Sam Boone---he gave a great performance and Sam is not
really into merengue! Even Adriana said he was terrific!  Sammy did open
another room to let people chill and relax and talked---way to go, Papi. Only
complaint was there wasn't enough room on the dance floor-time to get a
larger venue, perhaps----LOOKING FORWARD TO FUTURE PRODUCTIONS FROM THIS
GROUP!!!!!!VERY IMPRESSIVE, GUYS! CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE AT www.thesalsanews.com .  YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE GRUPO NICHE AND ELVIS CRESPO CD'S ON-LINE AS WELL BY GOING TO www.thesalsanews.com  " IT HELPS KEEP THESE EMAILS GOING AS WELL AS THE WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING, we would really appreciate it!

Afterwards, we headed to Chelsea's and for me it's like coming to another
home.....Peligro was kickin all nite long and I had a ball dancing my butt
off with everyone!!!!!It was good to see familiar faces that I've known for
so very long---Danny, Randu, Sammy, Ivan, Mikey, Laura, Rigat, Louie,
Orlando, Maria .....there were plenty of new faces too and it wasn't that
crowded that you couldn't dance...due to the holiday weekend!!!!!Peligro also
played some new numbers and the new young lady in their band is really
improving and should be congratulated---it's tough hangin out with the boys!

THE LOW DOWN ON TERRA MARRE---NEW CLUB IN FALLS CHURCH, VA--pls check out the
emails we received from those who went at the end of this email......

SATURDAY AT NICK'S was fun and ORQUESTA LA ROMANA GAVE A GREAT PERFORMANCE, 
professional and well-done and coordinated three sets all before closing
which in VA is 2am!!!! THANKS FOR MY FAVORITE SONG, "STILL"---it just sounds
better and better every time you guys play it!!!  Joel is just a wizard on
the keyboards!!!!Mauricio's voice is so smooth and sultry! DJ BRUNO, EL UNICO
played some awesome cuts----he truly is the UNIQUE ONE when it comes to
mixing old and new salsas without missing a beat!!! We had a great
intermediate class and taught a few beginner steps in La Rueda thanks to Luis
and we have watched the videotapes like all of the other DC area instructors
and will now be teaching rueda classes at Nick's. As long as you keep your
beat, it's very easy!

CATO Z'S SATURDAY BEACH PARTY AT RELISH was packed as usual!!!!!Although not
everyone wore their beach clothes, Mike---no way I'm wearing my bathing
suit!!!! My question is did Cato and Ramiro wear theirs--were they briefs,
boxers or Hanes???? Anybody know?????

SUNDAY AT NICK'S was also a good time----Los Salseros Sabrosos' workshop was
well-attended with approximately eight couples who learned new footwork, the
art of turning versus spinning and the intricacies of keeping your beat,
leading and following....as usual, there were handouts and we also included
individual evaluations of what to work on for each student. We ended around
7:30pm with dinner and discussion.  PAM, I hope I didn't pick on you too
much!  WE HUMBLY THANK ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDED AND HOPE THAT YOU LEARNED ALOT
and LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE NEXT WORKSHOP IN OCTOBER! Please let us
know your thoughts, critiques and comments so that we can continue to provide
you with what you really want to know in the dance----WE AIM TO REALLY HELP
OUR STUDENTS LEARN TO DANCE WITH ANYONE ANYWHERE! Sunday night, Melao with
Sylvia Mendez and a new singer, I apologize I don't remember his name gave a
great performance---this guy is TRULY A SONERO!!!! He jammed with the band
and harmonized with Sylvia and just ad-libbed whatever passed him by right
into whatever song he was singing-----VERY WELL DONE!  Melao played two long
sets and also incorporated the El Gran Combo arrangement of "QUE ME LO DEN 
EN VIDA", AWESOME JOB, GUYS! Also, I had a great time dancing with a visiting
dancer/instructor from New Jersey, Josh---whew---he's tough to keep up with,
some really cool and different moves! Josh is the young man who won the
amateur competition with his partner at the DC SALSAWEB CONVENTION last May!!!

Late August 1999 Newletter

Wow, what a weekend....Friday night's Hector Tricoche was wonderful---this
man has one of the most beautiful, sultry voices from old sonero's school. 
Millenium is a nice club, pretty nice dance floor, a little dark, music was a
little loud and alot of bachata and merengue are played but that may have
been due to the fact that Hector would be all salsa.  Cecilia performed
beautifully with Francisco Vasquez, El Rumbero de Los Rumberos.  Saturday's
workshops were packed with over 60 people.  We would like to thank Nick and
his staff for the FREE USE of his club , for opening up early on a Saturday
when he's usually closed til six, cranking the AC on high, moving the
furniture and providing plastic cups with ice and water and to Ty for playing
the music all day and setting up my mike for Francisco....without Nick's kind
generosity, the workshops would not have been possible and it was very
disappointing that other than for a very few, most people did not stay for
dinner to help support his costs for providing the facility.  Most clubs and
studios charge a facility fee but not Nick, he let us fully utilize both
rooms........he is truly one of the few club owners who support the dance of
salsa and the music.....we thank you, Nick! 

Saturday night was a blast! Larry Harlow and the Latin Legends gave an
incredible performance as usual---you could expect nothing less from La
Fania's piano player and his crew----Yomo was wonderful, Emo and Nestor are
the soneros of soneros and sang kickin renditions of La Cartera and Vampiro
and our favorite all-time cha-cha-cha---Quittate Tu...... Personal Note: 
Larry, we found the flag costume that Sammy made you wear for the first
set---Duncan, the bartender at Nick's wanted to know if it was okay to use it
as his Captain America costume for Halloween (there is a Practice Party on
Halloween) before he returned it?

I danced my butt off---people were dancing everywhere on the stairs at the
bar and of course, all over the dance floor--Brenda and La Sensual gave a
great performance as well---by the way, a special happy birthday to Brenda's
hubby, Rolando!!!!!!  To purchase the latest cd from Larry Harlow, click on
www.thesalsanews.com --- we would appreciate the credit-it helps support this
email and our website! 

Sunday at Leon's was awesome packed for Francisco's workshop.  Francisco is
an incredible performer and a very thorough, patient and kind instructor.  He
clearly explains the little nuances of the LA style.  Leon, another very kind
individual without whom the workshops could not have been held...lent out his
whole house to all the students with air-conditioning--even though it was
really crowded, even though he, himself was not home........thank you,
Leon---you truly are the spirit of salsa!
For plenty of photos and a complete article on the entire weekend in more
detail, please check it out at www.thesalsanews.com  

It was a great weekend and we thank Francisco for coming and we thank Cecilia
and Jim for hosting him in their home, circulating the flyers and collecting
all the monies from the students........It was also very kind of Eileen,
Wendell, Sammy and everyone to circulate the info on the various emails and
websites......it is a beautiful thing when the whole community comes
together.....

On that note, please mark your calendar for this Sunday, August 29th for the
Practice Party at Nick's.  There will be special beginner's class for
everyone's friends from 2pm to 3pm taught by Los Salseros Sabrosos.  DJ
Bruno, El Unico and DJ Sammy, el Rey de la Salsaweb will both be DJing at the
end of Summer Super Salsa Sunday Practice Party.  There will also be a
special performance by Young Ambition, the young group from New York
City---five young women and one young man ranging in age from seven to 15
years old.  Feel free to bring your kids---the $5 charge for kids will go
directly to the group to help contribute to their transportation costs to the
zoo, etc. while they are here.....Eileen Torres of  www.salsamundo.com will
be teaching the mini-lessons.  Also, Jose Vanegas will be showing his Que
Pasa Washington at 6pm regarding the DC Salsaweb Convention.  He also had
several interviews over the weekend with Larry Harlow, Yomo Toro, Francisco
and Cecilia---check it out  on Saturday, August 28th at 4:30pm...We will have
it on at the Practice Party at 2:30pm, Sunday, that's Channel 30 (FCAC)!!!
Jose says we should be really surprised! We will party til around 7-7:30pm. 
We will also have cd giveaways as always for those who dance with the most
people all after noon.

Also speaking of the DC Salsa Community coming together, please mark your
calendar for NEXT Tuesday's, August 31st at NICK'S, FREE SALSA CONCERT in the
hope of finding a bone marrow transplant match for George Falcon who suffers
from leukemia.  He is the uncle of DC local salsa singer, Steven Falcon who
will accompany Melao and La Romana.  THIS IS A FREE CONCERT, PERFORMANCE BY
YOUNG AMBITION AND FREE SALSA LESSONS--BEGINNER AND FOOTWORK (FOR ADVANCED)
IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH--REGULAR CLASSES WILL BE CANCELLED .....we don't want
any money, we need donors so come by and enjoy the evening, get tested---it's
not painful and remember you could save a life!!!!!PLEASE, PLEASE PASS THE
WORD!!!!!!THIS IS A FORMAL REQUEST TO ALL OF THE LEADERS OF THE DC SALSA
COMMUNITY--TO ALL OF DC'S INSTRUCTORS, PROMOTERS, EMAIL PUBLISHERS AND
WEBMASTERS...PLS CIRCULATE!  This is not a stranger, this is one of our very
own local DC salsero's family members.....PLEASE SUPPORT!

Washington DC was 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 some 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

LATE BREAKING NEWS!!!
Jeri has co-founded a DC based Salsa site called The Salsa News. To check it out surf on over to www.thesalsanews.com

August 1999 E-Mail Newsletter

Hi Everyone!

The weekend was a blast!  Congratulations to Sammy and Oscar ---Friday night
with El Gran Combo was a big success!!!!!! Brenda Y La Sensual performed some
awesome mambo before El Gran Combo stepped up to the stage.  El Gran Combo
was wonderful, these guys are no where near retirement!!!!! They are going
stronger than ever!  Check out all the pictures and articles on
www.salsaweb.com/dc (Salsaweb DC) --Sammy Rodriguez
www.thesalsanews.com (TheSalsaNews.com)
www.latin-dance.com (Latin-Dance.com)

There are also links to all these websites on TheSalsaNews website!! Also, for those who are interested in purchasing El Gran Combo cd's, check out the following website, www.comborecords.com (El Gran Combo Cds) -address courtesy of Manny
Siverio of Salsaweb.com/ny.   Check out Manny's site for more music stores at
www.salsaweb.com/ny (Salsaweb New York). 

Regarding the Salsa Congress in Puerto Rico, articles and pictures can be
found on
www.thesalsanews.com (TheSalsaNews.com)
www.salsamundo.com (SalsaMundo.com)
www.justsalsa.com (JustSalsa.com)
and there are newspaper articles on the congress from El San Juan's Nuevo Dia, http://www.picadillo.com/vgdesign/articles/9907301.HTM
El Congreso Bacardi de la Salsa -- info courtesy of Saul!  Thankyou!

Also, I didn't realize it but Tony Vega was in town in Baltimore this past
weekend.  Anyone get a chance to check it out????

SPECIAL REQUEST: I am trying to put together an accurate club listing for
salsa----if anyone has any information on clubs in the area that play salsa
and/or offer salsa lessons--rumors--Mr. Henry's in Adams Morgan---is this
happening????Complete info???Also, Felicita's in Rockville is still playing
salsa and merengue---additional info, supposedly there are lessons on
Thursdays---whose teaching, etc?  Also, a new club called STARS is
opening---any info available????Coco's in Arlington has also started having
salsa nights.....Any info????Any news on Cecilia's????Please email me at salsanews@aol.com

THANK YOU! Also, please feel free to email me with any suggestions or thoughts or what information you would like on TheSalsaNews.com website or in this email----I do my best to try to please everyone--input and feedback are always appreciated regarding anything The SalsaNews or Los Salseros Sabrosos do!!!!Just send me an email at salsanews@aol.com

Also, for those who enjoyed Felipe Polanco's performance and that of the many
groups who danced his style of salsa on clave, check out the interview that
was done just before the Congreso in May at the following address: http://www.picadillo.com/impacto/may.html Felipe Polanco. Thanks
Saul!!!!!

Get ready for Los Rumberos and Larry Harlow at Nick's Night Club on Saturday
August 21st-----TheSalsanews was able to get Nick's to open early to allow
for Los Rumberos workshops on Saturday and Leon Harris was kind enough to
donate his house to holidng workshops on Sunday.  They will be performing at
Millenium Night Club on Friday night and at Nick's on Saturday night, for
more information, please go to Cecilia and Jim's website, www.salsafuego.com (SalsaFuego).  For more detailed information on Los Rumberos, check out the following website information, http://www.salsaweb.com/la/teach-francisco_vazquez.htm Los Rumberos-Frankie & Johnny Vasquez.  These guys are the most incredible dancers along with their brother- Luis Vasquez of Salsa Brava---they combine so many shines, hip-hop, break-dancing and all kinds of dancing into THEIR STYLE OF SALSA!  As Luis says, one, two, three---it doesn't matter- JUST DANCE!

For complete information on Larry Harlow---this man has been an icon in the
salsa world for decades on end.  He has produced cds for several other
artists, is an incredible pianist on his own and an awesome arranger and
production manager.  Please be sure to check out his web page designed by our
very own DC webmaster, Sammy Rodriguez at http://www.salsaweb.com/harlow/mrlarryharlow.htm Larry Harlow and the Latin Legends To purchase, his latest cd, go to www.thesalsanews.com (The SalsaNews.com) and click on amazon.com -- we would appreciate the credit-it helps support this email and our website!  You can also purchase The Dance With Me Video by going to our website as well and clicking on the icon. Jose Neglia's instructional videos and The
Confirmed Salsaholic shirts are also on sale at www.thesalsanews.com. We really do appreciate your support!

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH CECILIA VILLALBOS AND JIM JOHNS FOR WINNING THE ZANZIBAR SALSA COMPETITION!!!!!WAY TO GO GUYS, SEND THEM A CONGRATULATIONS

My apologies, I have finally caught up on all the emails while I was in
Puerto Rico--there were over 300!  Thank you for your patience and I do
apologize for the delay. Also my apologies to Billy and the gang from Nuevo Cache, I really wanted to go after salsarobics but I've had this terrible cold since I got back from
Puerto Rico......no fun and decongestants make me sleeeeepy!.  I can't seem
to get rid of it!!!!  Can anyone tell me how it was at The Carter Barron on
Sunday?

Also, good news---La Mega and Amor radio stations are broadcasting salsa and
merengue and all types of latin music 24 hours seven days a week, check it
out at http://209.73.224.4/index.htm La Mega and Amor courtesy of LaMusica.com

Also, for those interesetd in a Salsa Cruise in October, check it out at the
following address:  http://209.73.224.4/salsacruise.htm.

Oscar D'Leon has been cancelled at Diversite, September 3rd.  Instead, Elvis
Crespo and Grupo Niche will be performing however, they will be at THE OMNI
SHOREHAM ON SEPTEMBER 3RD---they will not be at Diversite although Diversite
is still sponsoring the event as far as I know....My understanding is that
there will be a second hearing next week regarding Diversite--it's liquor
license and various other issues......check this past Sunday's Washington
Post.

Also, FYI EVERYONE WHO FEELS LIKE MAKING A ROAD TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY---all it will cost you is transportation and lodging because  THERE WILL BE FREE SALSA IN NEW YORK CITY, check this out again thanks to Saul:

Free Latin Music at NYC Twin Towers for August, remaining dates are as
follows:

August 13 - Pedro Conga
August 20 - Pete "El Conde" Rodr"guez
August 27 - JosČ Alberto "El Canario"

All dates are on Fridays with a starting time of 6:00pm and end at
9pm---still time to hit the clubs-La Copa, etc., for a list of NYC's clubs,
check out Manny's page at www.salsaweb.com/ny.

Well, I am wondering how the Children's Disco went.....any news?????

A SPECIAL BIG HUGE THANK YOU GOES TO GUSTAVO AND NORMA FOR COVERING CLASSES  WHILE LOS SALSEROS SABROSOS WERE HANGING OUT IN PUERTO RICO!!!! GRACIAS, MIL GRACIAS, MUCHAS GRACIAS, ETC.....

FINALLY, SALSEROS AND SALSERAS BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS!:
A SPECIAL HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO PAUL ROBILLARD!!!!!NO HONEY, WE DID NOT FORGET!!!!! SO IF YOU SEE PAUL, WISH HIM A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

ALSO WISHING HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAYS WHICH WERE CELEBRATED IN PUERTO RICO TO HERNAN VIDAURRE AND ESTEBAN ROCKETT!

AND WISHING VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO TWO OF THE HABANA FAMILY CREW:  MILENE AND ERIC!

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offend--it's simply a list of classes, clubs and places to go to learn and
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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
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