Boston's
Salseros Host Univision's "Caliente" Show!
On July 29/30, 2000, Univision's
"Caliente" program rolled into Boston and filmed two episodes
featuring Latin Dancing from the Beantown perspective! About 75 dancers
were invited from the Boston and Providence area, some performers, some
who auditioned, and probably a few others that just walked in. It
was a beautiful weekend in East Boston's Pier's park, overlooking downtown
across the harbor. The Boston skyline and the last of the departing
tall ships made a spectacular background for the show. Caliente's
Charlie Bravo (left center, sitting and pointing at sign, wearing yellow
and a blue cap) hosted the show, along with "Pachanga Latina's"
Terri Fuentes. The program was hosted by WUNI,
Univision's Worchester affiliate and directed by Angel (I forget his last
name, 2nd from right on bottom). If you aren't familiar with the show,
it is based on the old "American Bandstand" show, also similar
to "Soul Train". It features music from selected artists
and live dancing, shot with some roaming cameras. The show comes out
of Miami and is always set with a tropical or beach-like flavor. We danced each song
about two or three times and the cameramen would come around, just filming
anything they thought looked interesting. The key was to wait until
the camera came near, and then show off your moves! Hamming it up
for the camera was definitely encouraged, and there was no shortage of
sexy bikinis and well tanned muscles. While there was a lot of standing
and waiting around between takes, the group had a lot of fun trading dance
tips, learning new moves, and just meeting new people. There were
also a lot of impromptu performances of sorts, including a lively hip-hop
circle, and a passerby's 2-year old that could dance merengue like nothing
I've ever seen from a child that young! The kid is truly a natural, and
dad was very proud of "Jr"! So many of the dancers circled
around the boy that Angel finally came and turned on his camera to
catch the action. "Caliente" is a really impromptu show and is filled with
great spirit. 
Brenda K. Starr with Hacha y Machete
Dance Stylists and friends
(back row, from left to right, Felipe (Pito), Susy, Javier, Brenda
K. Starr, Dania, Wanda, Zayda and in front from left to right,
Rolando and Joel
Brenda K. Starr joined us on the set for two numbers, as
well as a number of Merengue acts. Also, local dance companies, Jam'Nastics,
SALSAlort
Latin Dance Company from Worchester, and
"Hacha y Machete," Sammy Lopez's company from
Providence all gave featured performances for the camera. Instuctors Seemore
and Cristina also hammed it up and a fair number of dancers from the
Boston club scene were there as well (I'm just above the last 'e' on
"Calente!" in the big group photo). The first episode aired on Aug. 12 on Channel 27,
and the other one has yet to be aired. The show is on from 1-2pm on
Saturdays. Look for us! -Olaf |
