It’s the Latin music and dance highlight of the year, the 4th Annual MN Salsa Fiesta! Close out Cinco de Mayo weekend with an all-star collection of performers from all the area salsa bands including Charanga Tropical, Malamanya, Salsa del Soul, Salsabrosa, Seven Steps To Havana, Q-Band, Havana Gypsies, and more.
Doors open at 7 p.m. with DJ Prieto from Chicago spinning salsa hits mixed to rare music videos. Then it’s a lively salsa lesson from one of the best- Cuban born instructor Rene Thompson, former lead dancer at La Tropicana in Havana.
At 8 p.m. the music goes large and live. Performing groups to include Charanga Tropical- the first American band ever to perform at Havana’s danzón festival, Rumba del Norte-a new authentic Cuban style percussion ensemble, and La Gran Charanga- an 18-piece all-star group featuring 6 horns, 5 violins, 4 singers, and a full Latin rhythm section. Gran Charanga members include Twin Cities talent from Malamanya, Salsa del Soul, Seven Steps to Havana, and Salsabrosa. Also performing will be include Chi-town Salsa singers Franklin Paz and Juan Castro, Latin jazzer Craig Russo, and incredible Cuban singer and pianist Viviana Pintado.
Salsa Fiesta is a coproduction by Salsa Explosion productions and the music group Charanga Tropical. Salsa Explosion is dedicated to promoting Latin music and dance through events held throughout the Twin Cities. Minneapolis-based Charanga Tropical is the only American group ever to perform at the International Danzón Festival in Cuba. As part of that landmark 2015 tour, Charanga Tropical played in Havana’s grand concert halls, appeared on national Cuban radio, and recorded in studios of Buena Vista Social Club. The resulting CD, “In Cuba” has received rave reviews in both United States and Cuba and is available at www.charangatropical.com, itunes, amazon.com, and elsewhere.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.