LOS ANGELES, CA (back in 2004) — It was said that out of the more than 100 salsa congresses that Albert Torres Productions put together around the globe at that time, the West Coast Salsa Congress that took place in Los Angeles, CA, was the biggest in the world! In 2004, and with the slogan of "Creating Unity Through Salsa," ATP set out to organize what seemed to be a world salsa convention and seemed grander than life for Salsa lovers. It truly was a production bigger than most events you can think of, even outside of Salsa, and of the likes of "Fiesta Broadway" in Los Angeles, CA or "Calle 8" in Miami, FL. 

Let me reiterate that again...the event was seriously massive (I mean it). I got to personally witness the work and long hours of preparation that went into it by legions of professional service workers, as…

L.A. CUBAN MUSIC FEST — On Saturday, July 16, 2011, Live Nation and Gibson Amphitheater are proud to present the 2011 L.A. CUBAFEST, which will headline Willy Chirino, Albita, Rey Ruiz, Hansel y Raúl, and the Miami-based Celia Cruz  All Stars. 

The LA CUBA FEST will be an outstanding opportunity to listen, enjoy, and dance to some of the greatest music and musicians of our Salsa community in celebration of the roots that Cuba has contributed to the global phenomenon of Salsa. 

TICKETS ON SALE AT LIVENATION.COM >> CLICK HERE

Willy Chirino is a very popular Cuban music star that has combined the musical traditions of Cuba with American rock and jazz. For decades, he's been one of the premier vocalists in South Florida, where he helped create the "Miami Sound" of Salsa music. 

Albita is a Grammy-winning Cuban-American singer, producer and composer. She works under…

AFRO CUBAN DANCE CLASS — Kati Hernández is a native of Cuba and an Afro-Cuban Dance Master who teaches different levels of Afro-Cuban dance in Los Angeles. This is a treat for our Los Angeles dance scene and one that, I personally feel, should be taken advantage by all salsa and dance afficionados who wish to improve their control on body mobility, sabor, and style. 

[ AFRO CUBAN DANCE CLASSES: SEE FULL CLASS LISTINGS HERE ]

Kati teaches at Live Arts Los Angeles (LALA) near the area of Echo Park, and at Universal Dance Designs Studio near the Miracle Mile in Los Angeles, CA.

Her classes are taught with LIVE DRUMMING according to Cuban costumes and are a great experience for anyone who has never seen anything like this. I truly recommend you go if you have an interest in Afro-Cuban! 

The reason why I recommend Afro-Cuban to salsa dancers…

LOS ANGELES, CA — A report tonight on NBC News at eleven showcased a couple who in 2008 (read their blog) paid a 'professional' photographer, Frank H. Papini (possibly a fake name), to take photos of their wedding. They paid over $2,000 in advance and are still waiting for photos that they can print and do something with. This report, although not a salsa dancing topic, needs to be out for anyone in our salsa scene who might be thinking of getting married soon and might run across his information as someone who could take photos of their wedding.

We just felt really bad for the couple and want to aid putting that photographer's name (Frank H. Papini) and his bad professional ethics out on search engine's natural results. 

Frank H. Papini is a photographer (working out of North Hills in California) who, according to NBC's on-television report takes…

SARAH OXLEY, LOS ANGELES SALSA — A few weeks ago I had a chance to go to the Warehouse on a Friday night and I happened to dance with one of the best follows that I have ever had the pleasure of dancing with in Los Angeles. Her name? Sarah Oxley. A truly beautiful girl, it is easy to imagine that guys are just flocking to her on the dance floor and are almost fighting for a chance to dance with her, simply because of her looks. I am always suspect of things like that, as I do not like to be classified as a 'wolf' and am there for the dancing, not anything else. But as I got the opportunity to dance with her that night, wow!, the feeling was amazing! No weight, so light, so much ease of follow; resulting in me being able to interpret to the salsa song so…

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…

Sportsmen's lodge may of had a face lift but the sound system (person) is pathetic. There is no excuse for having a half hour sound check @ 10:30pm (with 500+ people waiting to dance) when it could have easily been done 2 hours prior. The band was great but the sound was horrible. That being said....

Septeto Nacional opened with Echale Salsita, the Pineiro tune that's sometimes credited with giving salsa its name, and barreled on from there. Son is usually a suave thing, but this ensemble, the fourth generation of musicians for this band founded in 1927, played with exceptional precision and drive. This wasn't the turbo-charged overdrive of timba, but it was relentless enough: tres, guitar, stand-up bass, bongos (and cowbell), maracas, trumpet, and singer all beautifully locked in, the arrangements precisely calibrated, the rhythm section as regular as a drum machine. Danced my ass off!

Can't blame the…

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…

TOP SALSERA LOS ANGELES 2011 — This year, the 5th Annual LA's Top Female Salsa Dancer Competition took place one more time at the hottest Salsa club in Los Angeles, Stevens Steak House!

In this competition, solo female dancers go face to face against each other to prove WHO is the best female salsa dancer in the city. There is a professional and amateur division and it is all great entertainment. 

Stevens Steak House has become a mecca for Salsa competitions in Los Angeles in the recent years, which has fed life into a Latin dance scene that has influenced Salsa dancing all over the world.

Coming up will be the Amateur Salsa Competition, which will have its preliminary nights on July 31st and August 7th, and will conclude on August 14th. Competitors will win $2,500 in prizes. Registrations are already open by calling 310-800-4195.

The…

(Mayan Nightclub, Sat Oct 3, 2009) - The defending 2008 champions, Luis Aguilar's "Tropical Rhythm," took second place in a battle of dancing and choreography like the Mayan nightclub and Los Angeles had never pesenced before. The 2009 Mayan World Salsa Team Showdown was an incredible event!

Their routine had strength, was very musical, almost theatrical, and was executed with a lot of heart and almost flawlessly. At the end, only 5 points separated them from their former place at this competition, behind Gaby Equiz's "Alma Latina" of San Diego/Tijuana.

The Tropical  Rhythm dance team is currently L.A.'s number one dance team, with the most committed members, the best choreographies, and the most appeal to a wide range of audiences. We surely hope that they are able to sustain the trajectory that they have carried so far, and remain strong for years to come, as many have been…

EL FESTIVAL COLOMBIANO — El Festival Colombiano de Los Angeles in Pico Rivera, will be takin place this coming Sunday, July 17th, 2011 from 10 AM to 10 PM. 

[ VIEW EVENT LISTING DETAILS ]

This year, El Festival Colombiano has some really great sponsorships, which shows how hard these guys work for their event. The yearly event was first established in 2007 and within just a few years, they've become the largest South American festival on the West Coast. 

Among this year's sponsors are:

- AviancaTaca Airlines

- Telemundo Canal 52

- MUN2 Television (Mundos)

- FORD motors

- LATINO 96.3

In the past, this particular festival has had great sponsorships as well. It is apparent that they will continue to work hard and this event will continue to grow. 

Good luck to the organizers and lots of fun to all that will…

SAN JOSE, CA — The Western Region Puerto Rican Council is celebrating its 33rd Annual "Día de San Juan" Festival at the History Park, in San Jose, CA, on June 25th, 2011. The event is also a scholarship fundraising and to be on its 33rd run, you know it's well-organized, well-supported, and a lot of fun!

Amongst the musical line-up, they will have: 

- "Las Bomberas De La Bahía," an all-female ensemble of Bay Area artists, educators, and activists that is dedicated to continuing to maintain Bomba alive (Puerto Rico's oldest African-influenced musical tradition).

- "Latin Rhythm Boys," a popular Latin ensemble in the bay area managed by Montuno Productions. 

- "Pa'L Bailador," the most original Bay-area combination of horns and percussion since the Lebron Brothers, directed by founders, Neftali Rosado Jr. and Agustin Martinez.

- "Angel Lebrón y Su Sabor Latino," one of the hottest Los Angeles-based salsa bands…

WILLIAM LEVY, SALSA DANCE — William Levy has been shopping around for a platform on which to market his brand in Hollywood and the American market, and Dancing With The Stars needs more Latin viewers. Great move! William is no fool, and knew that making anytihng out of the rumors with J-Lo last year was a bad PR move for him, because she is simply not a very attractive woman in Latin standards...and we just continue to be puzzled why the American market is so in love with her. Good going William! Jennifer Lopez is ucky...ugh. Anyway, so, why is this on SalsaHook.com? Well, because when William gets to dance the hot Salsa or Cha Cha Cha, he will be raved by critics, judges, and viewers either in a good or bad way!Of course, such a hot Latin sensation must be a great Latin dancers, right? Of course he has to be…

Tito Gómez was born Luis Alberto Gómez on April 9, 1948 in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico and died in June 11, 2007 in Cali, Colombia. A beloved salsa singer whose music captivated the hearts of millions around the world!

His musical career started at the age of 15 singing with the Conjunto Antoanetti before joining the renowned Sonora Ponceña as co-lead vocalist in 1967. In 1973 Ponceña trumpeter Joe Rodriguez, percussionist Mikey Ortiz and Gómez broke away and formed La Terrifica. Later, Gómez joined Ray Barretto's band sharing vocal duties with Ruben Blades most notably on the 1975 Barretto album by Gómez and Ruben Blades. The following year he returned to La Sonora Ponceña where he remained for two years. In 1979 he moved to Venezuela to join La Amistad, a short-lived project with former members of La Dimension Latina. In 1982 he went solo once again and returned to…

EL FLORIDITA, HOLLYWOOD — El Floridita Cuban Restaurant offers the most authentic Cuban experience in all of Los Angeles. In business since 1987, El Floridita has become a Latin entertainment landmark in Hollywood, CA. 

The venue is known for being an intimate locale with a very unique old-world style setup that is complemented by the warmth and hospitality that patrons receive as soon as they walk in.

El Floridita offers a wide range of Cuban delicacies to choose from and which are intended to please the taste of every diner. From Moros and Cristianos, Mojo de Ajo, Platanos, Ropa Vieja, and Arroz con Pollo, to Yuca con Mojo, Camarones al Ajillo, Pierna de Puerco, and Vegetarian dishes, El Floridita ensures the complete satisfaction of all its patrons. 

And what could be better after a delicious Cuban feast than some hot Latin dancing to the best Latin orchestras…