Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 1:50 PM
Subject: Salsa Update #155: FRIDAY! Competition Finals and Salsa
Festival! Guest DJ Loaiza from DC


Hola Salseros!

     Formatting messed up?  Read this on the web at
     http://salsaboston.com/archive

This issue:
- Salsa Competition Finals This Friday!
- Olaf's Editorial Commentary
- This week's highlights
- SalsaBoston events
- Sponsor news
- This week's mailbag
- NEW SECTION:  Letters to the editor

   Right at the top for THIS FRIDAY since we haven't advertised that much yet...
   (please forward!)

****************************************
  2nd Annual Salsa Competition FINALS!
  FRIDAY, August 9   8pm-1am
  Knights of Columbus Hall, Charlestown
****************************************

Featuring:
  -Competition! 6 couples go for the grand prize!
  -All Salsa all Night with
     Guest Internationally Renowned DJ Ricardo Loaiza from Washington, DC!
  -Performances!

  Doors open at 8.  Come early and Salsa!  This party has to end at 1am.
  75 School St.  Ample Free parking, or take the Orange line to Bunker Hill College
  $15 at the door, includes lesson, Cash Bar, 21+

6 couples left out of 16, competing for big money after having advanced in the preliminaries and semi-finals!
http://salsaboston.com/competition

directions: http://salsaboston.com/congreso/directions.html


************************************
   This week's editorial comments:
************************************

Another fabulous Salsa week came and went, not the least of which was a great crowd at the Miami Club finally!  We are getting great feedback about the place (read some in the new letters to the editor section at the end of the Salsa Update).  Pretty much everyone liked it as much as I did, with the exception of the strobing club lights.  We've worked out a possible solution for that, so this weekend it should be perfect.  Anyway, the management is happy, the dancers are happy, and we're happy, so it looks like there's finally going to be a Salsa spot on a Saturday that's going to stick!  By the way, this Saturday is $5 cover for anyone attending the JAM'NASTICS Social earlier in the night.  Pick up a coupon at the social.

Also, on Sunday the 3rd Sunset Salsa Cruise sailed, with nearly 200 on board!  It was perfect weather and I'll let the pictures do the talking...
  http://salsaboston.com/gallery/cruise/cruise_8_4_02/
Unfortunately the SalsaBostonCam ran short of batteries so there are many people I missed.  Sorry!
See you on Aug. 18th for the next cruise.

Since there's so much going on now and so many of you have been so supportive that we can't keep track of everyone anymore, we're glad to announce that we are going to be issuing frequent Salsero cards which you can get stamped at any SalsaBoston event.  After you get a certain number of stamps on your card, you can turn it in for free admission.  We are also considering issuing VIP cards, which will get the cardholder a discount at most events (you'll get to use one or the other.)

Other news snipits, WEPA Salsa Sundays are moving!  Movin' on UP!  to Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 100 Mass Ave (at Newbury St. that's across from Urban Outfitters and Virgin Records).  Should be a nice step up from the VFW.  Also, the Salsa Picnics are now every other Sunday, opposite of the Salsa Sundays, so no picnic this week but a social at Fred's.

Lastly, another milestone has been reached, a technical one.  Last month the SalsaBoston website exceeded 16,000 visits!  A visit is when someone goes to the site in any given day, though they can visit repeatedly in a month.  The server logs keep track of that and there are programs that go in and analyze this information.  The mailing list also keeps growing, over 2200 Salseros now.  So, World, you want Salsa, come to Boston!  On that note, let me also say that it's regrettably nearly impossible for me to go to most events nowdays as I used to be able to do, though I try to move around as much as I can to stay current on the scene.  If you'd like to report in on something special that happened, please send a letter to the editor at letters@salsaboston.com or post it on the message board.

See you tonight at Sophia's!
-Olaf

P.S. I've been asked to ask you if you want to join Dan Marshall's Salsa email list which features details on his nights at Sophia's.  Send email to dan_y_marshall@prodigy.net


***********************
 Highlights this week:
***********************

-  SalsaBoston Night at Sophia's!  Every Wed, http://salsaboston.com/sophias
   This week: dance floors refinished!  Featuring Mojitos as usual!

- "Salsa for Gringos" beginners class at Sophia's with Olaf "el Gringo Salerso",
   8-9 Thur. $5  Check it out in the Globe Calendar!
   http://salsaboston.com/salsa4gringos/

-   2nd Annual Salsa Competition FINALS!
    FRIDAY, August 9   8-1
    Knights of Columbus Hall, Charlestown
    http://salsaboston.com/competition
    http://salsaboston.com/congreso/directions.html

- Saturday, Salsa Social with JAM'NASTICS and Miami Club to follow!  ($5 cover at the Miami Club for anyone attending the social)

- Sunday Aug. 11, WEPA Salsa Sundays moves to Fred Astaire Studios, 100 Mass. Ave, Boston.

*********************
 SalsaBoston Events
*********************

     **************************
      SalsaBoston.com presents
   The "Miami Club" at Ekco Lounge
          Every Saturday
     **************************

"Boston's newest Salsa Hotspot!" with DJ D. Martinez
41 Essex St, Chinatown (look for "Hollywood KTV")
$15, $10 vip list. To join the vip list, send email to miamiclub@salsaboston.com
1 Block from Chinatown Orange Line T, 2 Blocks from Boylston T  (T runs until 2:30am)
Parking lot adjacent, $10 all night.
Salsa Lessons from 9-10 with Johnny and Kelly
Directions, info, and photos!  http://salsaboston.com/miamiclub
Plenty of local restaurants within 1 block open until 4am
Read what the Globe had to say: http://salsaboston.com/miamiclub/globe.html


Q: Why is it $15?
A: Well, it's $10 if you're on the VIP list, just email to join.  But to answer the question, Salseros drink an average of about $4 worth of water on a night out.  On a Saturday, unfortunately that isn't going to do it.  A nightclub downtown needs to take in about $20 per person between cover and drinks in order to be acceptably profitable on a weekend.  Some of that cover goes to cover what's called a "bar minimu".  Nightclubs are businesses afterall, so they need to have profit.   That's the unfortunate reality of it and Salseros have to realize that.  But think of it this way: around $20 for a full night of excellent Salsa dancing at a beautiful club in a great location on a Saturday is a pretty good deal, no?!

Q: What if I don't spend $20?
A: Well, you don't have to of course, it's a free society.  But the bottom line still applies... you're ultimately being subsidized.  If the nightclub owner doesn't make any money then it comes out of someone's pockets, usually the promoter's.  While most promoters can stand to take some losses, after a while they too have to throw in the towel and the Salsa club closes in favor of a new binge drinking night to replace it.  So the real answer is, eventually the club closes and Salsa on weekends stays in the dives out in the burbs.  In a round-about way, it is an obligation if you like Salsa in the city.  Going out to a club really is buying a service, like going to the movies or calling the Maytag Man.


     **************************
      SalsaBoston.com presents
      Salsa Night at Sophia's
         Every Wednesday
     **************************

"Boston's original all Salsa, 'by Salseros for Salseros' hotspot!"
1270 Boylston St., Boston (near Kenmore Sq. and Fenway Park)
Lessons with Johnny and Kelly at 9:15,
beginnner and intermediate, no partner necessary!
Salsa until 2am!  Featuring
    DJ Luis Arroyo
    DJ Antonio Ortiz
    DJ Nik
21+ Proper ID and Dress
$10 Cover, $2 extra for lesson
http://salsaboston.com/sophias


   *********************
   Salsa Harbor Cruises!
   *********************

 - Sail at 8:15 from Long Warf, Boston Harbor Cruises
 - 3 decks of dancing, 2 DJ's, Salsa and Latin Mix
 - Preparty at "The Landing" on the dock, with a Salsa lesson by Johnny and Kelly, from 7-8
 - 8pm boarding, on the water to catch sunset!
 - Cruise until about 11 pm, in time to hit another club or early enough for the early risers on Monday.

 $15 advance or 4/$55.  Order online or order in person: call 617-513-9841

 Details, discounts, and directions
 http://salsaboston.com/cruise

 Cruise Sails RAIN OR SHINE!

 Cruise are every other Sunday this summer, July 21, Aug. 4 & 18, Sept. 1 & 8


******************************
 SalsaBoston T-Shirts are in!
******************************

T-shirts are going fast!  Thanks to all who have made purchases!

Just in time for the spring weather, SalsaBoston.com T-shirts are in, and
they look great!  Check them out at http://salsaboston.com/shirt  For a
limited time pick up 2 or more for $17.50 each, $2.50 off the $20 price.
Show off your SalsaBoston colors wherever you dance this summer!  Also, why
not pick up some extra's to trade or give as gifts?

Anyway, 2 styles, regular T's and Girly-T's, standard sizes, 100% cotton.
These are high quality shirts.  Proceeds help support salsaboston.com.  You
can even order online!


**********************************************
             Sponsor News
  (please patronize the establishments
   that help bring you SalsaBoston.com)

"What's a sponsor?" email: info@salsaboston.com
**********************************************

TEMPORADA LATINA @ RYLES
Salsa & Merengue Dancing - Thursdays in Cambridge
Friendly environment for beginners,
Quality dance space for more experienced salsa enthusiasts,
Nonsmoking, 21+

Dance Lessons with Dance Caliente
Intermediate Salsa: 8:30 pm - 9:15 pm
Beginner Salsa: 9:15 pm - 10:00 pm

Ryles Jazz Club, 212 Hampshire St.,
Inman Square, Cambridge, (617) 876-9330
Dancing: 10:00 pm - 1:00 am
Admission: $12 before 10:00 pm; $8 after 10:00 pm

Presented by: Suzanne Steele, Assorted Affairs, (508) 224-5120

---

SuperShag Mega Dance Complex
406 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02453
781-894-7424 (SHAG)
http://www.supershag.com

Salsa Night 3rd Sat. each month!
This summer:
"Duel of the Dancers" gives the best dancers in Swing, Latin, Salsa and Ballroom a chance to compete for over $2,000 in cash and prizes. Winners of finals in each dance will proceed to the final "duel" on Friday, September 13th!  All events are held at the Waltham studio, 406 Moody Street.
Lesson: 8:15 p.m. Admission: $12, $10, for SuperShag Members. Dance from 9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

---

Salsa Socials with April
2nd and 4th Sunday each month with DJ Nik
Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 100 Mass. Ave, Boston
Classes prior
www.aprilon2.com

---

SALSA NIGHT PARTY with ASIAN taste
Every 1st Sunday
8:30pm - Midnight, $5
Drinks & Food available (sorry it is not free)
All Asia Cuisine & Bar, 332 Massachusetts Av, Central Sq, Cambridge
www.hipsonfire.com

---

JAM'NASTICS' Sunday Salsa Lessons with Ana & Andres at Johnny D's:
 "If you would like to get your dancing feet in gear on the weekend,
  JAM'NASTICS teachers Ana and Andres are teaching every Sunday night at
  Johnny D's in Somerville.  Salsa class from 9 to 10 p.m., followed by
  dancing to a live band!  More information at
  http://salsaboston.com/clubguide/sunday.html

Also

Jam'Nastics and SalsaBoston.com bring you

Salsa Saturday
2nd Saturday each month at the Brazillian Cultural Center, Cambridge
www.jamnastics.org



****************************
 This Week's Mailbag
****************************


1) Pabon at MFA Wed. Aug. 14 7:30-9:30
2) Road trip to NYC with Pabon on Labor Day Weekend
3) Alexander y Orchestra, Performance Schedule
4) WEPA Sundays moving to Fred Astaire Studio, plus class schedule
5) Hips on Fire Latin Motion workshop plus class schedule
6) Update from Dan Marshall, Thursday this week at Sophia's7)
7) Supershag Duel of the Dancers Dance Competition - July 11 - September 12
8) Classes with Hedwidge at Choices
9) JAM'NASTICS PRESENTS SALSA MASTER CLASSES with JOEL SIMEON MASSICOT
10) Wed. Aug. 14 6th Annual Friends of Bay Cove Harbor Cruise w/ Salsa
11) Ride for Hunger: Salsa dancers spin their wheels to help the hungry Sept. 22


*****************************************************************
1)
From Edwin Pabon
Hello salseros,  Concerts in the courtyard @ the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
"Edwin Pabon and his Orchestra" also bostons best salsa dancers
come and dance under the stars! pack a picnic dinner and bring a friend!
wednesday, August 14,  7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
to purchase tickets by phone..617-369-3306 or visit the web @                                                                                                     www.mfa.org/education/concerts/
museum of fine arts 365 Huntington ave boston,ma     

*****************************************************************
2)
From Edwin Pabon
Labor Day weekend trip to the big apple
friday august 30 till saturday august 31
enjoy the new york city life .. live entertainment provided my "oscar de leon" "la banda loca" "willie and orchestra" dancing all night!!!!!!!!!!! for info 781-704-6796

*****************************************************************
3)
Alexander y Su Orquesta's Live Performance Schedule!

       Join Alexander, one of Boston's premier Latin singers, and his
       grand orquesta, for their great performance schedule this month:

       Sunday, Aug. 4: Brockton Puertorican festival, 5pm
       Sat., Aug. 10: TELEMUNDO Party- Galaxia Nightclub, Lawrence 9pm
       Sat., Aug. 17: "Kids against Pollution"-City Hall -Gloucester-9pm
       Sunday, Aug. 18: - Festival Hispano de Lynn -5pm
       Saturday, Aug 31: Latin Festival, Salem 4pm

       For More Information, Contact:
       ALEXA PRODUCTIONS
       657 Worcester St, #1207
       Southbridge, Mass 01550
       Tel 508.765 6950
       preguntas@alexaproductions.com
       http://www.alexaproductions.com/

*****************************************************************
4)
HOLA SALSEROS de Corazon!!!!

The Wepa Salsa Social has a new home.  It's the Fred Astaire Dance
Studio in Boston!  Join us this Sunday (August 11) for the opening at
our new location with hardwood floors, air conditioning, mirrors, two
rooms, and a view.

$5 SPECIALS:
   Newcomers: bring a friend and get in for $5 each!!!!
   Oldtimers: bring a newcomer and get in for $5 each too!!

Come and enjoy the best DANCING in the Boston area to the very best
music for DANCERS!!!!  SALSA CLASICA, SALSA DE HOY, MAMBO, and CHA CHA.

8-9pm NEW YORK STYLE Salsa class
   for ALL LEVELS with APRIL of New York's
   Eddie Torres Dance Company

9-12pm SALSA DANCE PARTY with DJ NIK!

At the Fred Astaire Dance Studio
   4th Floor, 100 Massachusetts Ave., Boston
   (corner of Mass. Ave. and Newbury St.,
    above Urban Outfitters)
   The #1 Bus stops across the street
   The Green Line Auditorium T stop is half a block away.
   Metered street parking on Mass. Ave. and Newbury St.
   http://www.fadsboston.com/directions.asp#Boston-Studio

$10 for class and party!
 $5 special for all newcomers who bring friends, or vice versa!!

Mark your calendars--WEPA SALSA SUNDAYS are every 2nd and 4th Sunday!

Questions?  Write to aprilon2@aol.com or call 617-388-0925.


*****************************************************************
5)
From Hips on Fire
Thursday August 15th ->The Original LATINO MOTION

Salsa Merengue and Bachata, among others, are Latino rhythms. For us, Latinos, the way you move is probably the most important component of your dance. Learn to dance with "SABORRRRR", adding movements to other parts of you body besides your feet and hands: hips, torso, shoulders, pelvis and butt. All of them, nicely combined, can make a huge difference when you jump to the dance floor. So what do you think?? Do you want to try it out and see how much you can improve?? Even if you don't take your dance that seriously, come over and join us, we guarantee you will have a lot of fun and, you will find lost parts of your body. Come and learn with real Latino dancers. After 3 years of absence, Latino Motion is back: improved and with real applications.

3 weeks: August 15th, 22nd, 29th
3 Thursdays: 7pm-8:30pm
1 location: VFW
299 Green st,
Central Sq, Cambridge
A deal: $12/1 class, $30/3 classes.
All levels. No partners needed. Dress comfortably.


This week Regular Classes:

MONDAY - BEGINNER SALSA - 8pm -9:30pm
Dance Complex
536 Mass Av
Central Sq, Cambridge

WEDNESDAY - INTERMEDIATE SALSA - 7:30pm-9pm
VFW
299 Green st,
Central Sq, Cambridge
After that we have the Hips On Fire Salsa Practice Night! 9pm to Midnight!

THURSDAY -
CUMBIA & BOLERO SON Workshop - 7pm-8:15pm
INTERM/ADV SALSA - 8:15pm-9:30pm
VFW
299 Green st,
Central Sq, Cambridge

FRIDAY - No Class right now


*****************************************************************
6)
This Thursday at Sophias with Dan Marshall
Intermediate Level Bachata & Puerto Rican Salsa Footwork &
    Partnering Lesson Lesson - on the 1st & 2nd floors - NO PARTNER
    NECESSARY, featuring:

    * 9:00 - 9:40 p.m. -- Warmup, followed by Romantic Bachata footwork
                          & partnering;

    * 9:40 - 10:15 p.m. -- Smooth Puerto Rican Salsa footwork &
                           partnering;

    * 10:15 - 10:30 p.m. -- An individual help session in which our 4
                            instructors, Dan, Chantale, Tomas, & Emi,
                            will come around to help you with the
                            partnering combination.

    ** FREE before 9:00 p.m., $5 9:00 - 10:30 p.m., $10 thereafter **
    ** Please mention that you came for our dance lessons **

10:45 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. - Our live Sophia's Latin Salsa, Mambo,
Cha Cha Cha, & Bolero band, The Latin Party Boys, playing their great
music for dancing, with Dan Y. Marshall DJing an ALL SALSA mix between
sets - on the 1st floor.

 CALENDAR OF SOPHIA'S TUESDAY & THURSDAY CLASSES FOR UPCOMING MONTH: *

August 6, 2002:     Cumbia & Puerto Rican Salsa Footwork & Partnering
August 8, 2002:     Bachata & Puerto Rican Salsa Footwork & Partnering
August 15, 2002:    Cha Cha Cha & Mambo-Salsa Footwork & Partnering
August 22, 2002:    All Salsa & Mambo-Salsa Footwork & Partnering
August 29, 2002:    Lambada & Puerto Rican Salsa Footwork & Partnering
September 5, 2002:  Merengue & Puerto Rican Salsa Footwork & Partnering

 Note that the above Thursday class schedule (August 8 - September 5)
   is repeated every 5 weeks, with new material taught each time.


Also, every Tuesday, Join Dan and Hips on Fire at Sophia's

*****************************************************************
7)
Supershag Duel of the Dancers Dance Competition - July 11 - September 12 -
    Yearly Event:

    This summer dancers in Swing, Ballroom, Latin and Salsa will
    compete.  Each winner will proceed to the finals held at SuperShag
    on September 12, 2002.

    At stake-over $2,000 in cash and prizes.
    Bragging rights are up to you.

    ALL EVENTS HELD AT SUPERSHAG
    July 11th - Swing Duel (Previously Held)
    August 9th -Ballroom Duel
    August 16th -Latin Duel.
    Enter. Watch. Dance.


*****************************************************************
8)
SUNDAY NIGHTS...SALSA & CHA/CHA CLASSES WITH
HEDWIGE!!!

Noche Latina every Sunday night brings you the hottest
steps from beginners to advanced and everything in
between.Learn both Salsa and Cha/Cha in one hour!!

Beginners Class: 6:00pm
Intermediate Class: 7:00pm
Advanced Class: 8:00pm

Classes are only $12 per hour or check out our great
group, private and semi-private packages!!

Classes are held at Club Choices, 381 Somerville Ave
in Somerville.

Call for more info: (617)391-3605 or E-mail us
 @nochelatina2002@yahoo.com

*****************************************************************
9)
DIRECT FROM LA! DIRECT FROM LA! DIRECT FROM LA!
JAM'NASTICS PRESENTS
SALSA MASTER CLASSES 
with JOEL SIMEON MASSICOT
(Former Seaon Stylist Dancer)

Thursday, August 15th and Friday, August 16th
At the Dance Complex, 536 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
Salsa Footwork, Partner Work and Body Movement
Thursday from 7:30 – 9:30 pm -  Studio 2          
Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm – Studio 5

Space Is Limited!
Register In Advance!
Exciting new material taught each night!
1 day workshop: $20
2 day workshop: $35
Workshops FREE for all members of JAM'NASTICS Intensive Training Program
who register in advance.

For more information
telephone: 617-354-5780
online:  www.jamnastics.org

Performance training, private and semi-private lessons are also
available from August 9th-20th.
Private lessons $75 for one, $100 for a couple.
Call to reserve your spot today! 

Look for a special performance by Joel and JAM'NASTICS instructor Ana
Tinajero
@ JAM'NASTICS Salsa Social on Saturday, August 10
@ The Brazilian Cultural Center
310 Webster St., Cambridge, MA
Salsa or Cha-Cha-Cha lesson at 8:30 pm. 
Choose your level (beginner through advanced) and style (on 1 or on 2).
$10 (includes both floors and the dance lesson!)
21+, ID required


Here is a quote about Joel, excerpted from an article by  Sherry Lynn
Blackwell in SABOR Magazine:


Joel Simeon Massicot is a talented dancer and gifted musician
from..the..island of St. Croix...Joel danced with "DC Salseros",
performing in Puerto Rico at Bacardi's 1999 Salsa Congress...In
November, 2000, Joel joined Seaon Stylist Productions, best known for
their outstanding style of Mambo dancing, intricate footwork and
precision spins and turns.  They most recently performed at the Los
Angeles Salsa Congress and Bacardi's 2001 Salsa Congress in Puerto
Rico...He is as much fun to dance with as he is to watch with his
unmistakable style, inexhaustible energy and contagious, boyish
grin!...There's no telling where this young, multi-talented athlete,
photographer, dancer, musician, etc., etc., is headed, but you can rest
assured that he will make quite an impact, once he arrives!

For more information about jam'nastics, go to www.jamnastics.org, or call us at the office: 617-354-5780.  To subscribe to this list, go to http://www.topica.com/lists/jamnastics_latin.  You can also join our list via email by sending a BLANK email to
jamnastics_latin-subscribe@topica.com. 

*****************************************************************
10)
Submitter:
Lynda Butler

Email:
lbutler@baycove.org

Info:
Join us for the 6th Annual Friends of Bay Cove Harbor Cruise to benefit Bay Cove's Small Wonders.

Let's Rock the Boat!
Wednesday, August 14, 2002
6:30 - 9:00 pm aboard the New Boston at Rowes Wharf.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the boat.
Ticket cost includes DJ, salsa dancing, wine tasting and great raffle prizes.
There will be snacks and a cash bar.
Call Mary at 617-371-3013 or Lynda at 617-371-3167 to purchase tickets by credit card or send your check for $40 per ticket made payable to Bay Cove Small Wonders to Bay Cove Development Office, 66 Canal Street, Boston, MA 02114.

Small Wonders is the newly relocated early intervention program and nursery school of Bay Cove Human Services, a private, non-profit organization that specializes in delivering residential, day, outpatient and educational services to people of all ages affected by a broad array of disabilities throughout Greater Boston.

Bay Cove's Small Wonders is a comprehensive child development center designed to promote the healthy development of children, ages birth through five. At Bay Cove's Small Wonders, we work in full partnership with each family to help children achieve developmental milestones, make strong family bonds and develop the skills necessary for school success.

The Friends of Bay Cove are a dedicated group of young professionals who volunteer their time and talent to help us Make Small Wonders Happen. This year's harbor cruise is a night out that you don't want to pass up! But hurry -- tickets are limited and time is running out!

*****************************************************************
11)
Salsa dancers spin their wheels to help the hungry

Two years ago, a group of salsa dancers formed a team to participate in the Ride for Hunger.

The Ride for Hunger is an annual event organized by Project Bread,the organization that does the Walk for Hunger every year. This Ride will benefit the hungry people in Massachusetts.
Did you know that nearly half a million people in Massachusetts do not have adequate food, and that one in five children under age 12 is hungry or at the risk of being hungry?

You can help out by sending a pledge or you can become a Salsa Spinner yourself and join us for the Ride!! You can check out the full details about the Ride at:

http://www.projectbread.org/ride.htm

To send a pledge, make a check payable to Project Bread and mail it to:

Salsa Spinners c/o Eugenia Corbo,
14 Hull St. Apt. 4, Boston, MA 02113.

This year's Ride for Hunger will take place on:

* Sunday September 22nd
in Cochituate State Park in Natick.

Riders have two choices: A leisurely 25-mile ride and a more challenging 70-mile ride. We are hoping to have Salsa Spinners on both teams. If you don't want to ride a bike, you can participate as a volunteer.
To participate in the shorter ride, you need to raise at least $125. For the longer ride, the minimum pledge is $350. It sounds like a lot, but if we ask our friends and coworkers and pull our efforts together as a team, it will be easy to raise the money, and we will help feed thousands of hungry people.
All riders will receive a long sleeve T shirt and we will have the Salsa Spinners logo printed on the shirt. In order to get the logo printed on your shirt, you need to register by AUGUST 23. You can fill in the registration form at:

http://www.projectbread.org/Ride/register.htm.

Remember to sign up as a team rider and write "Salsa Spinners" as organization name.
If you need more information you can e-mail Ellen and Eugenia at:

salsaspinners@yahoo.com.

See you on the dance floor and hopefully on the Ride!!

Ellen Botshon and Eugenia Corbo
salsaspinners@yahoo.com.


***************************************************************
NEW!    Letters to the editor
***************************************************************
   To submit your letters, simply email letters@salsaboston.com
   In general your contact information will not be published but
   please include a name or pen name with which you would like your
   letter signed.  SalsaBoston reserves the right to edit letters for
   length and inappropriate content.


Olaf, Thank You as well for what you are doing for the
salsa community. Ever since I met you, I have been telling all my friends
and anybody new about salsaboston.com.

Thursday's (August 1, 2002) Boston Globe's article on the Ekco Lounge was
excellent and Boston Globe's Cindy Rodriguez hit dead center when she
mentioned that the Ekco Lounge is the only Saturday night salsa club in
Boston. The Ekco Lounge is by far the best club to go to if you want only
salsa. No other club in Boston plays back-to-back salsa except for Sophia's
on Wednesday nights. Temporada Latina at Ryles is good on Thursday nights,
but it is not as consistent with the salsa as Sophia's or the Ekco Lounge.
Depending on the crowd, some Thursdays, the Temporada Latina may play a lot
of merengue and bachata w/out any advance warning (yikes!). If you see a
large gathering of merengueros, then get ready to hear a lot of merengue.

Overall, the Temporada Latina is still an excellent club and plays more
salsa than anything else. But it is still only Sophia's and the Ekco Lounge
that are full fledge salsa dance clubs. Expect to dance salsa all night if
you come to any of these two clubs. Trust me, if anything, you might hear
only three to four merengue/bachatas throughout the entire night at any of
these two clubs. I was at the Ekco lounge two weeks ago and heard only three
merengues all night(I arrived there at 9:00PM and stayed until closing), the
rest was salsa. Dance clubs like Vincent's, Copa, Roxie's, etc. don't even
come close because these clubs play only small segments of salsa all night.
El Bembe can be nice on some friday nights but it is opened only part of the
year. I can't comment on Johnny D's club on Sunday nights because I have not
attended yet.

What we need to do is to pack the Ekco Lounge to full capacity every
Saturday night so that the owners are forced to knock out some of the walls
and make it bigger or add one of the upstairs floors. Since Sophia's has the
salsa scene covered for Wednesday nights and the Ekco Lounge has it covered
for Saturday nights, what we now need is a true salsa club for Thursdays and
Fridays.

What's nice about these two clubs is not just the salsa music, but the
dedicated salsa dancers that you meet there. Dancers like Andres, Johnny,
Kelly, Rob, Olaf, Roberto, Ruben, and Lisa just to name a few. All of them
are friendly and will help you with your dance steps. Recently, at the Ekco
Lounge, I remember Roberto leaning over to me and in a quiet, friendly voice
saying to me 'You are too aggressive, you are going to hurt your dance
partners.' and then he took his dance partner and demonstrated to me the
proper way of doing what I had been doing wrong all along. Now here is a
great salsa dancer, with such a passion for the dance that he will go out of
his way to teach salsa dance on his day off! Where else will you get that
kind of treatment? Thank You Roberto. My salsa dancing learning curve has
increased dramatically since visiting these two clubs.

P.S. I have been so busy that I have not taken a moment to say to you
how much I enjoyed the Salsa Cruise on July 21, 2002. The weather was
perfect, the boat ride was excellent, the dance floor was much, much better
(You must of received my e-mail about the dance floor. Thank You for
correcting the problem.), but what I enjoyed most of all was the three hours
of straight salsa music. This is why I have purchased tickets to the next
four Salsa Cruises. See you on deck.

Signed,
A.

Editor's note:  Thank you for your kind words. I should point out though that SalsaBoston is hardly just myself--it's the collected interest of a lot of people, yourself included, that makes all this work.  In fact, your mention of the dancers at the Miami Club and how they helped you out is a perfect example.
See you out there!
-Olaf


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