SF Salsa Rueda Festival celebrates Cuba!

San Francisco is the home to one of the hottest music and dance festivals in Cuban Music.  I was contacted by Serena Wong who along with Nicholas Van Eyck organized the fourth annual SF Salsa Rueda Festival at the Hotel Whitcomb.  Serena and Nicholas also are leaders of the renowned Salsa Vale Todo dance troupe.  It was a joyful celebration of Cuban culture.  I was chosen to MC and present 13 dance troupes who came as far away as China to perform their interpretation of Cuban dance from Rumba to Son to Timba.  What a great show and a fine representation of dancing as large dance troupes showed their best Rueda de Casino moves while some couples displayed a full range of dance from dancing guaguanco to modern timba.  Deejays Antonio, Dark Rum and Walt Digz played music that packed the dance floor throughout the entire weekend.  I caught impressive live sets by Miami's Timbalive and SF's own Rumbache although I wasn't able to make it to see Manolin, El Medico De La Salsa due to the Bay Bridge closure.  However, I heard that he played a great set.  For those who missed this year's SF Salsa Rueda Festival, you may have another chance to check this show out in Las Vegas scheduled for this coming August.