Pontins Salsa Weekend (Brean Sands) - December 2005
Added on Tuesday 6th December 2005
December is the time for the popular Pontins Salsa Weekend at Brean Sands (Somerset), run by Club Cubana (www.clubcubana.com). Over a thousand dancers descended on the holiday resort to dance to Salsa, but also to get a taste of other styles including Reggaeton, Bachata, R&B, Argentine Tango and Bollywood. There was always something happening, a lot of the time three different things going on in three different venues.I played a Hip-Hop / Reggaeton / Dancehall / R&B set on the Friday night in the party room, Salsa sets on the Saturday and Sunday nights in the main room, and Cuban music in the afternoons in the Queen Vic pub.
The Rowing Club (Nottingham) - 5th November 2005
Added on Thursday 10th November 2005
Despite it being bonfire night, there was a great attendance at this monthly Salsa night at the Rowing Club in Nottingham. It started off with a fantastic lesson with Simon from Flip n Bounce, then I took over with music until the end of the night.
Halloween at the Black Swan (Newcastle)
Added on Tuesday 1st November 2005
David and Margaret (www.salsanewcastle.co.uk) have recently started a weekly Friday night at the Black Swan in Newcastle (not far from the station). They invited me down to DJ for their Halloween special, and they'd really put in the effort with the decorations and their costumes. The evening started with some great dance classes from Colin Piper, then everybody dancing until the club closed at midnight.
The Rowing Club (Nottingham) - 1st October 2005
Added on Monday 3rd October 2005
The Rowing Club in Nottingham is run by Midlands promoters Trevor and Vinnie. I was the DJ there on 1st October and will be back on the 5th November. It's a very friendly club, with a great wooden dancefloor and lessons with Trevor and Vinnie, plus guest teachers.
Salsology (Manchester) - 9th September 2005
Added on Monday 12th September 2005
Salsology (www.salsology.com) is probably the biggest Salsa night in the North West of England, held every two months (with a couple of special events during the year). Salseros travel from as far as Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield and even London for this night. I really enjoyed DJ-ing at Salsology, playing a more specialist, New York style Salsa set for the dancers here.
Moso Moso (Manchester) - 28th August 2005
Added on Monday 29th August 2005
Moso Moso is a new Salsa venue in Manchester. It's actually a two floor Chinese/Thai restaurant, with modern decor and wooden floors made for dancing. DJ Carlito organised a Latin day there over the August Bank Holiday Sunday. There were workshops in the afternoon, a Thai buffet, then dancing until 3am. There were two floors, with Salsa downstairs and Reggaeton upstairs. There were shows during the evening and plenty of party spirit from Nigel Maye. DJ's (apart from myself) were Carlito, Cubanito, Silvao, Mauricio, Lubi and El Caballero.
Moose Salsa (Exeter) - 27th August 2005
Added on Monday 29th August 2005
Moose Salsa is a friendly club in Exeter. I was the DJ there in February and they asked me back again in August.
Absolute Salsa (Derby) - 20th August 2005
Added on Monday 22nd August 2005
Ian F was the DJ at Absolute Salsa (www.absolutesalsa.co.uk) on 20th August 2005. It was an excellent night, up to Absolute Salsa's usual high standards, with lessons from Angus Peters (www.anguspeters.com).
Rendezvous, Liverpool
Added on Wednesday 3rd August 2005
Here are some photos from Asaad's Monday night at Rendezvous in Liverpool, where I was the DJ a few times.