The second annual South Bay Salsa Music Festival, the only one of its kind in the border region featuring the hottest and best in live salsa, will be Sunday, July 9 from noon to 6:30 p.m. at Chula Vista’s “J” Street Marina Park.
Popular dance music originating during the 1960s in New York City, salsa is a fusion of musical genres. It includes Spanish guitar and Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban percussion merged with American jazz. Puerto Rican New Yorkers formed the first salsa bands in the 1930s. The music eventually spread throughout Columbia and the rest of the Americas.
The Latin-inspired, 21-plus-age event, to include south of the border cuisines and craft brew, was created and is being presented by KSDS Jazz 88.3 FM radio host Chris Springer of Chévere Entertainment.
The event line up includes: Chévere All Stars, Boogaloo Assassins, Bobby Astcoto, AfroSon, Carlos Mojica, Don Sonero, Willie Torres, world-renowned musician Frankie Vasquez, Rueda Dance Group, and DJ’s JoJo and Mo Lyon (Mauricio Nava) spinning mambo, cha-cha- cha, and salsa.
“This music is going to make you dance and jump to a new urban style of salsa music the New York way,” said Springer adding, “The annual South Bay Salsa Festival is an amazing cultural event with some of the greatest world-class talent in salsa. What’s more, knowing that we are giving back to the community through dance education is a great feeling.”
Part of event proceeds go to a local non-profit, Dancing After School, which teaches children dancing and social interaction with peers.
“Our goal is to bring this program to at least 30 schools every month,” said Walter Meneses, the dance school’s founder. “The Annual South Bay Salsa Festival has offered the community an opportunity to contribute to this goal, and your participation in this event and your contributions are greatly appreciated.”
Springer noted last year’s inaugural event was so well received, they wanted the second installment this year to be bigger — and better.
“These are Grammy Award-winning artists,” noted Springer about the event’s talent pool, including his own band.
Noting VIP guests are to include Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas, Springer pointed out he’s recruited lots of Chula Vista businesses to participate with concessions.
The radio DJ also said the venue is literally on the waterfront with “plenty of parking in huge lots.”
The South Bay festival will revel in all things Latin.
“We’ll have Cuban and Mexican food and drinks, and feature Latin American culture,” Springer said, adding he hopes to improve upon last year’s $1,800 non-profit donation, as well as ratchet up the crowd size and regional interest.
“What I’m doing is keeping this genre (salsa) alive and taking it to the next level by bringing this incredible music talent to San Diego,” he said adding he’d like to double last year’s attendance, with the ultimate goal of hosting the event next year in Sleep Train Amphitheater’s 20,000-seat venue.
Festival tickets are on sale at Ticketon.com or by calling 619-602-9146.
General Admission is $30, $40 at the door, VIP Reserved Seating $60 ($70 at door) Military discounts with Military ID.
There will be two large wood dance floors and free parking.
