Hola Salseros!
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     http://salsaboston.com/archive

This issue:
- SALSA CONCERT OF THE SEASON!  Cunjunto Classico and Rey Sepulveda,
    @ the Roxy, Sunday, Dec. 21
- New Year's Eve Guide
- Guayaberas, last chance before Christmas!
- Salsaboston Events (BCCA, Sophia's with Casino Rueda)
- Sponsor News
- This Week's Mailbag

What are you doing this Sunday?!  Latin Spectrum presents the "Salsa Concert of the season" this Sunday at the Roxy with Cunjunto Classico and Rey Sepulveda.  You don’t want to miss this!  Rafael Jaimes called me and told me, "Listen, people ask me all the time, 'Why don't you bring Salsa?'" and he explained that he usually takes a loss when he does, but nonetheless, he's doing it for US anyway!

So this is the chance to not only see a great concert, but to PROVE OURSELVES!  Tickets are only $15!!!!!

SALSEROS!  WE WILL PACK 'DA HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday Dec. 21
Conjunto Classico and Rey Sepulveda
@ the Roxy
$15 adv, $20 door
Tickets available at all of the usual outlets.
Or by Phone: Latin Spectrum  617-325-8900
Order tickets online at Ticketweb: http://www.ticketweb.com/user/?region=ma&query=detail&event=481128



New Years Eve Guide

Salsa:
-Salsa Night at Sophia's with SalsaBoston (we're still working out details, stay tuned!)
  Tentatively:  $35 downstairs, includes 4-star food, champagne toast, party favors
                $100, advance tickets only, include open bar upstairs
                details and online tickets TBA 
-Temporada Latina New Years Party at Ryles  $25  see mailbag

Latin:
-New Year's Eve at Club Lido with SalsaBoston and Avive (Wonderland)
  Tentatively: $20, live band, party favors, champagne toast
  details and online tickets TBA

Black Tie:
-SalsaBoston recommends the Resolution Ball
   http://salsaboston.com/resolutionball.html

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Guayaberas for sale!

We managed to get ahold of a bunch of nice ones wholesale from Miami for the Congress but were too busy to sell them, so we have some left!  If you don't know, these are short sleaved, embroidered men's shirts based on the casual Cuban style.  They have a straight cut bottom and are worn loosely.  These have retail tags on them for $30-$50, but this batch we're selling for $20 each!!!!

Colors are across the board, mostly black, blue, pastels, cream, and white, but a few others.  Various sizes.  If interested, email size and color preference to info@salsaboston.com and I'll let you know what we have left in stock.

Here is a picture of a typical one: http://www.suavecito.com/images/Shirts/BlueGuayaberra.jpg

Great Holiday Gift for your "DANCIN' MAN!"


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 SalsaBoston T-Shirts are in!
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T-shirts are in stock again!  Thanks to all who have made purchases! Just in time for the holidays, SalsaBoston.com T-shirts are in, and they look great!  Check them out at http://salsaboston.com/shirt Pick up 2 or more for $17.50 each, $2.50 off the $20 price. Show off your SalsaBoston colors wherever you dance!  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.



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  Salsa Night at the BCCA
      Every Saturday!
**************************

BCCA's Salsa Night is now open with a modest crowd but very fun!

14 Green Street, right in the heart of Coolidge Corner.
Lessons at 9:30pm
Dancing until 2am
$10/$12 with lessons
Plenty of street parking
1 block from Green Line
All ages
More info and directions: http://salsaboston.com/bcca

If you haven't heard about it already, there's a new dance space in
town:
  Brookline Community Center for the Arts (BCCA)
  Opening April, 2003
  in Coolidge Corner, Brookline
The BCCA website is being updated daily.  Please log in to www.bccaonline.com and add yourself to the mail/email list to get all the latest info.

     SALSA CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED!  Programs with
  -- Burju and Victor (Hacha y Machete)
  -- Johnny and Kelly
  -- SalSalort
  -- JAM'NASTICS
  -- Dan Marshall

Schedules and registration online

The BCCA is interviewing instructors (dance, yoga, martial arts, dance
fitness) If you're interested in a new place to instruct, or better hours, contact the center at bcca@salsaboston.com


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    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)

Every Wed:
7:45-9:00
NEW!  Casino Rueda classes with JAM'NASTICS 7:45-9:15, introductory and intermediate.  Details: www.salsaboston.com/sophias/rueda.html or scroll down a bit

9:00-10:00
Follwing that, Salsa Lessons with Johnny and Kelly at 9:15, beginnner and intermediate, no partner necessary.

10:00-2am
Salsa until 2am!  Featuring each Wed. each month:
1st    DJ Nik
2nd    DJ Antonio Ortiz
3rd    DJ D. Martinez
4th    DJ Hernan
5th    Guest (when there is a 5th Wed.)
21+ Proper ID and Dress
$10 Cover, $2 extra for lesson (i.e. $12 before 9pm, $10 after) http://salsaboston.com/sophias

PROPER DRESS REQUIRED, no tshirts, jeans, caps

Salsa Night at Sophia's new includes a Casino Rueda class from 7:45 to 9:00, as part of the night.  We're doing this because Casino Rueda is a blast and we don't see much of it around here. In other words, we want to get it going in this area!  The lessons will be taught by members of JAM'NASTICS.  There will be an introductory lesson concurrent with an ongoing intermediate level class. If you've never done Casino Rueda but know basic Salsa, take the introductory class once or twice and graduate up to the intermediate level.  If you've never danced Salsa at all, Johnny and Kelly's regular Salsa class will of course still be happening as usual from 9:00-10:00.  $12 covers you for the whole night ($10 after 10:00).  If you're an expert and don't plan to take Johnny and Kelly's class, you will have an hour inbetween to practice, have a drink, or get a bite to eat downstairs.

If you've never heard of Casino Rueda, it's an "exhilarating" dance that comes from Cuba via Miami, that can best be described as "Salsa meets square dancing", or "sychronized Salsa".  It's a group Salsa dance, with partners in a circle, there's a caller and and a bunch of moves that everyone knows.  As the dance progresses, everyone does the same moves together, often trading partners as part of it.  The whole thing is a blast!  If you ever danced in Miami, it's extremely popular down there.

More details will be posted in www.salsaboston.com/sophias/rueda.html,
with a video clip as well.

*******************
Sponsor News:
*******************

Sangria & Salsa is HOT - Red Hot!
Every Friday, salsa your way over to the best social party in town. Our professional dance teacher Rix brings years of experience offering beginner and advanced Salsa, Merengue and Bachata. The fun starts at 7:30pm and NO partner necessary! Optional salsa lessons begin at 8:00pm (8-9 Beginner 9-10 Intermediate) Bring your friends, sip sangria and get ready to salsa all night long. THIS EVENT IS GREAT FOR GROUPS, BACHELOR-ETTE PARTIES, SINGLES or COUPLES ON A DATE.

http://www.bostoneventguide.com/ss.htm

---

The Havana Club presents Mambo Mondays
@ Toast, Union Square, Somerville

The Havana Club provides a casually elegant evening (Mambo Mondays!) for beginning and serious Salsa dancers.  The night features a beginner lesson from 8-9, followed by an open Salsa dance from 9-12. Havana Club is located at Toast, an upscale restaurant and bar which can luxuriously seat 75 while 150 dance Salsa. (Yeah, Baby!)  The restaurant serves gourmet food and the bar makes authentic Mojitos! Free Valet Parking is available for women traveling alone. Club Code of Conduct: Treat her like a lady! Admission is $10. Opening night is Monday, November 17th!

Toast is located at 70 Union Square in Somerville. To drive there from Cambridge's central square, go 1 mile up Prospect St., take a left at the Dunkin Donuts and look for the sign "Toast" on your right. There are free public parking lots next to and behind the restaurant. Bus routes 85, 86, 87, and 91 have Union Square stops.

For more information call Jeff Robinson at 617.312.5550 or email havanaclubsalsa@yahoo.com


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

1) BCCA's Winter Solstice dance concert series
2) El Bembe, season ends this week with Grupo Fantasia
3) Mango Blue Dec. 18, Benefit for Congregation Beth El /Sudbury Cuba Fund
4) Noche Latina update at Union St.
5) Sat. Dec. 27, Salsalegre
6) Salsa Holiday  Platforms this Sunday (RI)

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1)
For the Love of the Arts!

BCCA Presents A 4-Part Winter Solstice Concert Series
Event: Throughout the month of December (11th, 12th, 19th and 20th), The Brookline Community Center for the Arts (BCCA) will host a 4-Part dazzling Winter Solstice Concert Series of performances by faculty, students, and visiting artists to showcase their talents and end-of-year dance, martial arts, music, poetry, theatre, and visual arts projects. Join this incredible and diverse assortment of veteran artists and new talents of all ages to help support key BCCA fundraising initiatives including wheel chair access to the basement, community, education and arts programming, facilities improvement, & community outreach. The concerts conclude with evening functions and catered receptions by Organic Kitchen's Fausto Carrasquillo.

More details: http://bccaonline.com/winter_solstice.html

Buy Tickets Online !!
Concert Tickets: Adults: $13 in Advance / $15 at door
Children/Students/Seniors: $11 in Advance / $13 at door

To Buy Tickets:
Online:  www.BCCAonline.com/buy_tickets.html
Phone:  (617) 738-2800

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2)

Be sure to join us on Friday, December 19th for the last el Bembé of the season with special guests Grupo Fantasia!  Friday December 19th Last El Bembe of the Season! Join us for LIVE salsa with Grupo Fantasia! Led by Angel "Cononi" Wagner, Grupo Fantasía has been a mainstay in the local Latin music scene.  The band performs an array of music in diverse styles, specializing in Merengue and Salsa. Visit www.grupofantasia.com for more information on this great band

El Bembé happens every Friday Night through December 19th featuring * Complimentary Salsa/Merengue Dance Lessons with "HIPS ON FIRE TEAM" * Live music by the best Salsa/Merengue bands in the region * Salsa/Merengue Disc Jockey * Full Bar Service * Off-site parking with shuttle service to and from a supervised parking lot for just $5.00! 21+ event $10.00.

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3)

CUBAN CONNECTION ~ BENEFIT BLAST!

LATINO & CUBAN RHYTHMS BY MANGO BLUE
Thursday evening, Dec. 18th, 7:30 p.m.
Jorge Hernandez Cultural Center - Boston's only "Casa de Cultura" Benefit for Congregation Beth El /Sudbury Cuba Fund


MANGO BLUE: This 8-piece NY-based band recently received its 8th nomination for BEST WORLD MUSIC GROUP by the BOSTON MUSIC AWARDS. In addition to their program of Latin music there will be a special set of Cuban rhythms.

Boston Phoenix’s 2000 Readers’ Poll Award recipient for “Best World Music Act” and Boston Music Awards 2003 nominee, MANGO BLUE is an all-original music ensemble now based in NYC.  Led by Ecuadorian composer, bassist and singer Alex Alvear, MANGO BLUE brings a mixture of musical influences to create a refreshing new sound in Afro-Latin and World music. This invigorating new music reflects a wide array of influences from Rhythm and Blues, Jazz and Funk to Caribbean roots, with a strong rhythmical foundation that draws from diverse Afro-Latin musical traditions.  This stylistic fusion allows for a concoction of styles that translate into music that transcends ethnic boundaries, providing a new color in the Latin music palette. The members of MANGO BLUE are from different parts of the world and are amongst the best instrumentalists from the region.  Born in Quito, Ecuador, Alvear has been involved in numerous musical projects ranging from Rock and Roll to traditional Andean folklore, from Urban folklore to Cuban Son Montuno.  Upon his arrival to the US in 1986, he began to work with some of the best Salsa, Merengue and Latin Jazz ensembles of New England.  Alvear was the co-founder and director of the Afro-Cuban ensemble Aché, nominated for the Boston Music Awards Best Latin Act in 1991 & 1992. During this time he performed with master drummer and singer Orlando "Puntilla" Ríos, Daniel Ponce and Celia Cruz.  His musical career includes numerous appearances in national and international Jazz, Folk and World Music festivals, recordings, and TV and radio performances.  In addition, since 1988 he has performed extensively throughout Massachusetts' schools and arts organizations, presenting workshops and lecture/demonstrations on the music of the Caribbean and Latin America through Young Audiences.  Finally, Alex Alvear has been an active promoter and producer of Latino arts and culture, including New England's only Latino performance series, CAFE TEATRO, since 1992.  This cultural program has been provided through IBA, a Boston-based Latino Community Development Corporation where Alvear works as Performing Arts Director.

THE JORGE HERNANDEZ CULTURAL CENTER:
Located at the Villa Victoria, 85 W. Newton St. 
The Center just opened its Latino Casa Cultura with a jewel-like
art gallery & expanded space.
(Reserved parking will be available @ $5/car).

THE CUBA FUND AND THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF CIENFUEGOS:
Monies from the Beth El-Sudbury Cuba Fund provide religious materials, assistance & support (educational, cultural, medical and nutritional) to the Jewish community of Cienfuegos, Cuba.

Admission: $25.00 in advance Limited reserved cabaret seating: $35.00.
(This is an over-21 event; handicapped accessible).
Advance sales encouraged; donations welcome if your social calendar is too full!

Congregation Beth El~Sudbury
ATTN: Cuba Fund
105 Hudson Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776
Beth El office: 978-443-9622; Gary & Linda Hirsch: 508-653-0161

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4)
This is a friendly reminder that our classes will be starting again on Tuesday, December 23rd at Union St Restaurant in Newton Center. 

This will be our Holiday Party to get in the spirit of the season.  Union St will be providing food for the night. 

The current class schedule is:

Every Tuesday
Beginner/Intermediate: 6:45pm to 7:45pm
Advanced:  8pm to 9pm
Salsa Night: 9pm to 12am
Classes are $10 and salsa night is $4 at the door, free with class

A look into the new year...
We will be celebrating our one year anniversery at Union St. on January 6th.  Details will follow on this special event. 

Please remember that we do offer private classes and this is a great way to improve on those diffucults moves or to catch up when you can't make it on Tuesdays!  Please call Melissa to schedule a time at 617-461-5100.

Also, we are looking for a new location for Sunday night classes.  If you have any ideas or know of anyone that would be interested in hosting us then please let us know by email or phone. 

Thank you for all your support and we hope to see you all back out on the dance floor.

Noche Latina Dance Company

Email nochelatina2002@yahoo.com
Phone  617-461-5100

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5)
Metro West's once-a-month Salsa  Dance.
Salsalegre! Saturday DEC. 27TH @ The Sons of Italy Lodge 1411 37 Washington AVENUE (not Washington St) Natick, MA (DIRECTIONS FOLLOW) 8-9pm Beginner Salsa Lesson 9pm-12 Dance to Salsa, Cha-Cha and Merengue!Cash Bar(must show ID 21+ at bar) 18+ (younger welcome with adult) Beautiful, large dance floor!
visit www.salsalegre.com for more information!  or e-mail: salsalegre@salsalegre.com or call: Guillermo at 617-522-2524 Tracey at 508-655-7142

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6)Submitter:
Jeanne Oki

Email:
okisalsa.netzero.com

Info:
Annual Christmas Party at Strictly Salsa Sunday on December 21st at Platforms Nightclub in Providence R.I. Lesson from 7:30 p.m sha rp to 8:00 p.m.  There will be food served after the lesson.  Dancing until 1:00 a.m. Enjoy some dance demonstrations by our local Salseros and Salseras. Great floor, friendly atmosphere and dancing on 1 and 2.
come and join us in Providence. Take Rt.95 South from Boston to Exit 18..Thurbers Avenue.. Take a left at the end of exit.. Allens Avenue and then the 3rd left..Oxford Street...you can see the club from Allens Avenue..pull into our free parking lot.  Entrance fe e for this night only is $7.00 Hope to see all our Boston area friends. For more information contact JEANNE OKI AT okisalsa@netzero.com




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