ALEX DA SILVA TRIAL SENTENCE 2012 — Today, the Alex Da Silva trial story that has captured the attention of the worldwide Salsa community finally culminated as the long-awaited sentencing hearing finally took place.Alex Da Silva, 43, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was convicted of one count of rape and one count of assault with intent to commit rape. Two remaining charges were dismissed during the trial in 2011, as the jury deadlocked on them. — All alleged victims were his former students. Additionally, Alex Da Silva was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Given time served since his initial arrest in 2009, his sentencing is probably worth 7 years, of which he has to serve a minimum of 80% according to California law. Some even believe that even less time will be served given the overcrowding of California prisons.Judge Kennedy, who sentenced Alex…

JOHNNY VAZQUEZ 1999 (Year) PERFORMANCE — For anyone who has ever been anyone within the world famous Los Angeles Salsa Scene, Johnny Vazquez is a name that resonates strongly and carries a lot of weight with it. Johnny is truly a legend of the west, of Los Angeles, of Salsa, of the L.A. Salsa Style that is taught around the world. Johnny began dancing at an early age following the footsteps of his brothers Francisco Vazquez and Luis Vazquez, both of whom are also Los Angeles Salsa mega-stars. All three of the Vazquez brothers are legendary around the world, but Johnny Vazquez, in specific, is a legend ranking at a level of his own. What would it be to be Johnny Vazquez and be known for so many accomplishments? We'll have to ask him one day...Well, this is a video posted by Anthony (Tiny) on Youtube.com. Anthony is an afficionado videographer…

SALSA SCREAM 2011 — Salsa Scream is a multiple-day Halloween salsa event being planned for the dates between October 27 and October 30. This Halloween salsa event will be the place to be for Halloween this year!!BUY PRE-SALE TICKETS HERE & SAVE MONEY!!! Click!(Pre-Sale ends Wed., Oct., 26 at midnight)

The event will be held at the IRVINE HYATT REGENCY HOTEL (see exact location and get driving directions) and it promises to be one event that will have you screaming, literally, of salsa joy and happiness! Salsa Scream will have salsa and bachata dance workshops, performances, and open dancing to some of the best music by some of the very best DJs in the city. (see complete event info here) The open dancing goes all the way until 4 A.M.!There will be an open Dance Competition with a total of $2,000 in prizes and a Best Costume Contest with…

ALEX DA SILVA VERDICT 2011 — The jury found Alex Da Silva guilty on 2 counts, one of raping a 22-year old woman in August 2002, and another of attempted rape of a 25-year old woman in August 2009. All other chargers were declared as a mistrial by the judge, which included 2 additional rape charges on 2 additional alledged victims. Alex faces up to 14 years in prison and will return to court in November 8. With the 2 years of time served that Alex already put in, and the shortage of jail space and California's financial struggles, sources tell us that Alex Da Silva could quite likely be out between 1 or 2 years. Although others believe he might have to serve up to 85% of his sentence time. The idea of a shorter time in jail (even though already extensive) may come as a true disappointment for so many people…

SALSA WEBSITES LIVING IN THE PAST — Judging from a standpoint of a web developer (salsahook.com was developed by parent company, Makeview.com), it is unthinkable what would make people in the year 2011 feel that adding music to their websites is a good thing. It is not!

For one, it is annoying! Then it takes up time to load, depending on file size and connection speed, and may surprise anyone visiting the site. And finally, wasn't that practice ended in 2004?

Either way, users will choose NOT to visit the site again if they found that it was disturbing, annoying, and imposing. Why would you, a website owner, impose a youtube video or sound clip on users that are visiting your website?

Unfortunately, if you feel the need to be that imposing to "attract" attention to your specials or your musical likes, there is probably something wrong…

ALEX DA SILVA TRIAL 2011 — If anything has been proven by the level of attention that so many people are giving the event of Alex Da Silva's trial and how websites and search engines are flooded with queries regarding the event, is how relevant of an individual Alex was, whether in positive or negative perspectives, to so many people inside and outside the salsa scene.

In an era when celebrity gossip seems to rule media airways everywhere and when people are fascinated by dull and empty reality TV stars who are famous for simply being famous, it seems only appropriate that people are behaving this way.

Some being anxious and hungry to see the latest on Alex Da Silva, savoring the moment when the trial would commence (which started Aug. 24th), and in a frenzy to hear what the verdict will be at the end of it…

SALSALEGRE ORGANIZATION, LOS ANGELES — Founded in 2007 by Susannah Kloepfer, SALSALEGRE's mission has been, since its conception, to provide music and dance lovers with the great opportunity to rejoice in the celebration of being able to benefit the poorest of the poor when attending a Salsalegre event. 

With that purpose in mind and in heart, Susannah has, year after year, worked arduously to bring together the best musical and dance talent into greatly organized entertainment productions that call LA salsa dancers to dance for a good cause - not just for pleasure. 

Musicians, dancers, dance troupes, venue owners, and even popular Hollywood celebrities have donated what they have to offer for the events organized by Salsalegre, and Angelenos have responded in kind by attending and supporting the cause. Although, more and more support is always welcomed, not just in attendance, but also in donations. 

DONATE…

LABOR DAY STEVENS STEAK HOUSE — Each year, Labor Day weekend madness is long awaited by Salseros/as everywhere, just to be able to attend the already world famous, Stevens Steak House Labor Day Celebration! 

This year, September 4th, will be filled with lots of dancing at Stevens Steak House! -- Like never before!

Chino Espinoza will be playing live in the ballroom, Angel Lebron will be playing live in the lounge, and even a Bachata Room will be open upstairs, through the ballroom area. 

Best of all, it is only $10 all night long to enjoy such a great Latin dance festivity like only Stevens Steak House can bring! 

Plus, Stevens Steak House is giving away new Salsa and Bachata shirts throughout the night! DO NOT MISS IT!!

There is no work the next day, so plenty of dancing until the last song ends will be just enough…

BATTLE OF THE BANDS, STEVENS STEAK HOUSE — Los Angeles will face-off against San Francisco on August 21, 2011, with CHINO ESPINOZA going against GRUPO BAKKAN. 

EVENT INFO: Sunday Nights at Stevens Steak House

Chino Espinoza y los Dueños del Son are veterans of the world famous Stevens Steak House "Battle of the Bands" events, and they've faced off against some of the very best talents in our Latin music community. They are some of the best live acts that L.A. has seen in years, and they have been for long one of the most popular salsa bands in the city. 

Grupo Bakkan of San Francisco are coming down to prove that their talent is at the heights of some of the very best that L.A. has to offer. They have been together since 2000 and their members are from Central America. They offer a new musical…

JOE ARROYO SALSA, R.I.P. — Today is a very sad day for our Latin music community. At age 55, Colombian salsa singer Joe Arroyo has died Tuesday morning at a hospital in Barranquilla, Colombia. Rest in peace, Joe! 

Also, on the day of his death, it was announced that he was among the recipients of the Latin Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Joe Arroyo, born Alvaro Jose Arroyo González, was born on November 1st, 1955. At the age of 10 years old, he was already singing in one of Cartagena's popular music halls. 

In 1971, Joe was discovered by Ernesto Estrada, the bass player and singer of the band Fruko y Sus Tesos and he was signed with Colombian record label Discos Fuentes. He performed with the band for 10 years until 1981, when he began his solo career leading his own band, named "La Verdad." (The Truth)

PUERTO RICAN FESTIVAL, QUEEN MARY — The BoricuaFest at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, is one of the most highly anticipated Puerto Rican Festivals in Southern California. This year, the festival will take place on Sunday, August 14, 2011. 

[ SEE EVENT FULL DETAILS ]

The BoricuaFest, which is on its 5th year running, is produced byFiestabuena Promotions and is proudly sponsored by important names like Ford Motors, Hollywood Music Television, Latino 96.3 FM, Liborio Markets, The Auto Club (AAA), and many more. 

Tickets are selling for a limited time at $20, and will soon climb to $25, when bought online or at one of their participating ticket locations (see listings). The price will be $30 at the door on the day of the event. Teens 13+ will pay $15 on the day of the event, and Seniors 55+ with proper ID will pay $15 on the…

ADRIAN & ANITA SALSA — The names Anita Santos Rubin and Adrián Rodríguez might be completely foreign and unknown to, even, 'hardcore' salsa dancers in Los Angeles. But to thousands around the world, mainly in Europe, Australia, and Asia, the names Adrián and Anita are as well-known as Jennifer López and Marc Anthony are to us here in LA (notice I didn't dare compare them to any local salsero couple). 

In LA we fail to realize how much talent is out there and how much more advanced they are in skill, creativity, speed, cleanliness, showmanship, and execution.

LA is said to have been once at the top of the world when it came to Salsa dancing. We had the best of the best right inside our clubs and people would come from all over the world to our LA Salsa Congress to see "us" dance. Now, LA is…

LAURA LUU, SALSA INTOCABLE — Laura Luu, founder and director of Salsa Intocable Dance Company, has been a key player and has contributed tremendously to the growth and spur of the salsa dancing scene in the city of Long Beach, CA - a city on the outskirts of Los Angeles and part of the LA Salsa scene. 

With all the diversity that exists in the city of Los Angeles when it comes to salsa dancing, 'Salsa Intocable Dance Company (SIDC)' is surely a name that you come across very often in the LA salsa scene. The company is fairly new, founded in 2008, but it has grown rapidly and currently has over 40 dancers training and performing routines in their Pro/Am team, Semi-pro team, Professional team, and Ladies' team.

Its growing membership surely makes SIDC an important part of the current Los Angeles Salsa Scene, and with…

JOBY BRAVA SALSA — Many who visit SalsaHook.com tend to realize that I often write about the magnitude of importance and influence that Salsa Brava Dance Company had in the global popularization of the Los Angeles Style of Salsa Dancing. Salsa Brava not only performed and taught worldwide, but they also were the foundation of most of the L.A. professionals who, in part, went on to teach other dancers that also became key players in one way or another, and so forth. It all starts with the Vazquez name. 

Salsa Brava Dance Company officially dissolved on June 1st, 2004, after ten years of success in Salsa dancing. But still to this day, the name of the main female director of the company: "Joby Vazquez", is one that many cannot and do not forget - as she remains an iconic figure in the Los Angeles Salsa Dancing scene (even as…

STEVENS STEAK HOUSE SALSA — Stevens Steak House is known to be the best and most popular salsa dancing club in Los Angeles, CA. It is very spacious, has some of the best DJs and dance instructors in town, features some of the best Live bands in a weekly basis, and is constantly attended by some of the best dancers in all of LA.

No other Latin club in Los Angeles does what Stevens Steak House does: have 7 nights of dancing throughout the week that are highly popular amongst Latin music and dancing lovers in the city. 

[ VIEW STEVENS' WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF DANCING ]

Sundays nights at Stevens attracts hundreds of salsa dancers eager to dance to the best Latin tunes played by DJ Luis "Pachanga" and DJ Martin "El Travieso". This is like church for Salsa dancers in the city -- a night of…