The Salsa Socialite: Salsanomics
Ashanti Altovese - professional dancer and instructor
Hola Salseros,
As the world economy reels over the decline in consumer spending, crash in the housing market, and fraudulent practices in the finance and banking industry, people are looking for an escape from the reality of the American dream gone south. Was it ever really there to begin with? Who knows! But what we know for sure is that it’s on a hiatus until gold, oil, or diamonds start falling out of the sky. Of course there’s endless reality television programming to keep you in the land of the lost, dysfunctional, and desperate. And don’t forget good old X-Box, PSP, and Wii Sports to keep your mind and body preoccupied for hours on end. But the best relief from the madness is a glass of classical Salsa from the Fania All Stars with a shot of Mambo shines and a chaser of Salsa combinations to finish it off. The only problem is, the clubs are closing, the drinks aren’t selling, and the dancers aren’t dancing. Has the economic recession put Salsa in a depression?
The evidence is clear; clubs that were once packed with patrons are now closing their doors to the public, Salsa festivals and world class competitions have been postponed due to weak ticket sales and low sponsor commitment, and Salsa dancers all around the world are cashing in their dancing shoes for a gas card or a grocery gift certificate. Yes, times are tough! But is there a way that we can support our beloved Salsa without breaking the bank and ultimately the genre as a whole?
There are options available to us like the discounted price or free guest list for nightclub and social dancers. There is also the random house party with free-flowing Sangria and plenty of Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, and Celia Cruz music to keep the party going. And don’t leave out the spontaneous Salsa street party with a boom box, broken fire hydrant, and stray dogs running around like an authentic breezy evening in the sultry Havana nights of Cuba. There are options and we have to be really creative in how we support the art because this is the time when we need to do it the most. Support your local band by coming out the club for an hour or two and if you can’t, by their CD and invite folks over for barbecue and beer. Attend a social, festival, or congress and if you can’t, purchase the DVD, a t-shirt, or even a bumper stick that reads, “I missed the Congress, but I Salsa all the way home.”
Understand that it’s important to save our pastime and the people who make our time pass. So, thank you to all the DJs, instructors, competitors, students, performance teams, musicians, promoters, media affiliates, volunteers, and sponsors who make our Salsa world possible, because it’s more than a dance, it’s a lifestyle!
Ashanti Altovese
