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Friday after work at Lux Lounge

The Mmabo Scene

Wow I didn't think any one knew about my blog

08.10.07
Salsa in DC blog up and running again

Posted in dance links, salsa at 10:58 pm by Maria

After a 4-month silence, Earl Rush has started posting to his Salsa in DC blog again. Earl runs StuckOnSalsa, the go-to source for information on the DC salsa scene.

As I’ve said before, I find StuckOnSalsa very hard to keep up with due to its confusing layout and lack of RSS feed (My life is so crazy that if something doesn’t have an RSS feed, it pretty much doesn’t exist to me. Google has succeeded in world domination at least in my corner of the world– pretty much the only things I use online these days are Gmail and Google Reader for all my blog feeds). It also drives me crazy with all the flashing ads, impossible-to-find content buried under a myriad of links, and cringe-inducing quantities of spelling and grammatical errors.

At any rate, the Salsa in DC Blog is worth a look. In my favorite post so far, Earl pledges to stop being so lazy with the spell checker.

Other highlights include a not-so-fictional online salsa soap opera in installments, and some commentary on El Cantante. Keep in mind that Earl is a promoter (and certainly without him the DC scene would not be what it is), but it looks like he’s using his blog as an expressive outlet, and leaving the promotion to StuckOnSalsa. I applaud this separation and look forward to more frequent updates from here on out.

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The Legendary Wille Colon speaks about the Movie "EL Cantante"

EL CANTANTE.

The Creators of El Cantante missed an opportunity to do something of relevance for our community. The real story was about Hector fighting the obstacles of a non-supportive industry that took advantage of entertainers with his charisma and talent. Instead they did another movie about two Puerto Rican junkies. The impact of drugs in the entertainment industry is nothing new; look at Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Whitney Houston today.

I think Hector deserves the recognition the movie pretended to give him. However, as someone who advised the producers, it's painfully obvious that they didn't understand what made him so important. It was the music. It was his talent. They didn't understand or respect the true importance of our music to people around the world. It's difficult to comprehend how two individuals who are in the music business like Marc and Jennifer are not aware of the damage and the consequences of promoting only the negative side of our Latin music culture.

I was disappointed that there wasn't a minimal effort to correct what I felt were serious chronological and factual errors. This tells me that they expeditiously crafted the simplest cliché script in order to just make a film quickly.

After the premier of El Cantante in Puerto Rico there were several statements of protest by people who had supported and participated in the project until they saw it. Their complaints were not about sour grapes or J-lo and Marc bashing but from a sense of betrayal and disappointment.

We are all invested in the world that this movie represents. For many of us the hope of our story finally being told sank into the horizon with the final version of this film.

Willie Colón

The DC Salsa Scene

As quiet as it is kept DC is the Unofficial number one Social Dancing Scene in the The States. You can get your on1 your on2 and your on clave on here in DC . We have all levels of dancers here from Beginner to the pros like Psyon Mauricio and Shaka Brown . Wow did you see these guys at the DC Salsa Congress.

That's right 2 brothers from DC who represented in 2 of the hottest dance performances so far this year. First at the Flava Invasion 2 which was the best performance without a doubt of the 2 and at the DC Salsa Congress. Damn they made A DC Salsero and Salsera feel good to see DC representing like that.

The bottom line is no matter what beat you break on any time you go out dancing in DC you will be able to find someone to help you get your Salsa Groove on .

Now I will tell you this right now there is no city in the country that can go 8 or 9 deep with thorough salsa DJs like DC can or maybe even more .

It's hard to get a DJ gig here because everyone is so good . Shout out to DJ Bruno, DJ Nancy Alonso, Dj Chris, DJ Andy "EL Mas Bailable", Dj Mike "EL Sonero" ,DJ Neo , Dj Elite Rumbero, DJ Ali "El Oso Negro" DJ Emily Dj Jon"Vino" Trevino all these Guys and Gals can throw dowm , That's an impressive roster .

More on DC Salsa Scene in the next post

Welcome to The Life and Time of a DC Salsero Salsa'sa only On line soap opera .The first Season

Welcome to The Life and Time of a DC Salsero Salsa's only On line soap opera .

The Life and Times of a DC Salsero is a half fictional half reality salsa soap opera based out of Washington, DC

Opening Characters

The Hero of the story Juan Carlos Club Owner of Whatever where they dance on1 and On2

Nick Johnson Club Owner of Club LA where they dance only on 1

Helena Nick Johnson's girlfriend who is sleeping with his rival Juan Carlos

Roberta a Mysterious salsera from Chicago

Slim Johnson Nick's cousin a private detective

and all the DC Salseros and Salseras

Episode No 1



His Great grandfather was a hustler his granddfather was a huslter his father was a hustler and Juan Carlos was no different.

He has 2 serious addictions which are making money and salsa. He grew up in DC and knew the city like the back of his hand. .He was the owner of Club Whatever one of the Salsa Hot spots in DC . His rival at the moment was Nick Johnson owner of Club La another DC salsa hot spot. Though he had made money all kinds of ways and had many connections Juan Carlos had left the Hustler life alone and had gone completely legitimate. Ths story is about Juan Carlos ' addictions and other people's addictions and how it affect their lives in Washington. DC, DC





Episode No 2 http://stuckonsalsa.com/life_and_times_of_dc__salsero_episode_2/

Episode No 3 http://stuckonsalsa.com/episode_3_life_and_times_of_a_dc_salsero/

Episode No 4 http://stuckonsalsa.com/episode_4_life_and_times_of_a_dc_salsero/

Eisode No 5 http://stuckonsalsa.com/episode_5_life_and_times_of_a_dc_salsero/

Episode No 6 http://stuckonsalsa.com/episode_no_6_of_the_life_and_times_of_a_dc_salsero/

Epsidoe No 7 http://stuckonsalsa.com/episode_no_6_of_the_life_and_times_of_a_dc_salsero/

Episode No 8 http://stuckonsalsa.com/episode_8f_life_and_times_of_a_dc_salsero/

Episode No 9 http://stuckonsalsa.com/episode_9_pf_life_and_times_of_dc_salsero

Episode no 10 http://stuckonsalsa.com/epsiode_10_of_the_llife_and_times_of_a_dc_salsero/

Episode no 11 http://stuckonsalsa.com/episode_no_11_the_life_and_times_of_a_dc_salsero

Episode No 12 http://stuckonsalsa.com/the_life_and_times_of_a_dcc_salsero_episode_12/

Episode No 13 http://stuckonsalsa.com/lofe_and_times_episode_no_13/

Episode No 14 http://stuckonsalsa.com/life_and_times_of_dc_salsero__no_14/

SPELL CHECK

I get a lot of E mails from people telling me they love www.stuckonsalsa.com they just ask that I stop being so lazy and start using spell check because there are just too many words that are spelled incorrectly. I need to stop being so lazy

WHY IS THERE SO MUCH DRAMA IN SOMETHING THAT IS SO MUCH FUN?

I have to admit in the 12 years that I have been dancing salsa I have had some of the best times of my life. I never real faced drama in the salsa world until I started promoting salsa events. Salsa Promoters especially those that are envious of others and those who do it for a living are cut throat , back stabbing salsa haters. You would not believe the lengths that salsa promoters do to try to make their events the best.

I myself try to promote every one and try to work with every one but if you turn on me I too can become a very dangerous adversary. I don't do it for a living but I do want to be the best. If you work with me and support me , I will use all my resources to help a promoter but if you try to use me or back stab me or talk behind my back I will not help you and you are on your own.

I will not do anything to sabotage any one's events but I will not promote you heavy on my site. I believe in if you scratch my back I will scratch yours. There are many promoters who are in it only for themselves and will ask you to help them but will not lift a finger to help any one else . In the end these promoters reap what they sew.

There are thousands of people who go to www.stuckonsalsa every day it is a very valuable promoting tool . It is easy for you to see who I roll with and who I don't, now business is business, I roll with any one who wants to pay to advertise on my site but if you don't roll with me I am just like the dance groups in DC If you aint paying I aint Playing

Salsa Promoting is a very dirty game but some body has to do it or do they? Hmmm I have to think about that one

Tito Puente Celia Cruz and Poncho Sanchez

Salsa Battle Tropical Gem against U Tribe

Hip Hop is not the only dance where they have battles check out battles between U Tribe and Tropical Gem

Hector Lavoe in Africa

If you had told me : Excerpts from GoGo Earl's Salsa Autobiography

If you had told me that when Kelvin Harris and I first started in the Salsa Promotions business that we would have hosted at our parties Juan Matos, Ismael Otero , Victor and Burju, Sekou McMiller. Ana and Joel Massicot, Griselle Ponce, Gordon Neil, Yesenia Peralta , Edie the Salsa Freak, Nilda Borerro, Beto Hererra, Stracy Diaz and Tony Hernandez, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Universal Mambo, Shaka Brown, Psyonmauricio , Darlin Garcia , Tatit and Cristel , Rona Leblanc, Chris Soto and the list goes on and on I would have told you that you were crazy. Some Salsa's A Listers have been to the StuckOnSalsa Experience.

The key to our parties have always been the music , the DJs are always the most important part of the party to me . And we have had some of the best play at our parties from Local heroes, Piero , DJ Chris, DJ Bruno, Mike Morales, Nancy Alonso, DJ Ali , DJ Jon Trevino DJ Andy and my Main Main from Philly DJ Jose Rodriguez and DJ Joey from Miami. All of these DJ's rock.


I never understood why a promoter would spend 2 , 000 dollars to fly from Italy for a 1 hour workshop and a 5 minute performance and offer a DJ 150 dollares to play for 4 hours, That's just dumb. Oh well who am I to tell anothet promoter what to spend there money on?

I never understood why a =n instructor would ask for 1, 000 guarantee for a workshop, I guess of they can get why not . That's just plain salsa wack . But you know what they there is a salsa sucker born every minute

Thoughts on El Cantante

I went to see the movie EL Cantante yesterday and I loved it. I knew better than to listen to the critics. I thought Marc and J Lo were great and the music of course was excellent.

I went home afterwards didn't hook up with Shaka like I planned to but I wasn't feeling it last night. I had to go home and check out who left messages about the All Star Salsa Cruise 2007.

I plan on checking out Zanzibar tomorrow to see Eileen Torres Presentation on Hector Lavoe

El Cantante

I am on my way to see the movie El Cantante . The critics have been pretty rough with their reviews,. but I am going to see it any way. I learned a long time ago a critic's review is just some one's opinion no more or less.

One of the reasons people didn't like it because they say J Lo was in every scene, That's why I am on my way out the door . I love her and cannot see her enough.

After that I plan on going to Clarendon Grill to hook up with Shaka and see some photos from the Curacau Salsa Congress.

Speaking of Shaka I am so excited about hos new dance complex that will be opening up this month in August.

WOW 4 years Excerpts from GOGO Earl's Salsa Autobiography

Wow I can't believe it's been 4 years since Kelvin Harris and I Earl Rush started StuckOnSalsa . It's been one heck of a ride,thats for sure. I have met people from all over the world and though I never made any money being a Salsa promoter as a matter of fact I lost a lot of money,I would not trade these last 4 years for nothing in the world.


I have made friends for life and even from the people who tried to use and abuse me I learned valuable lessons.

I had been dancing for about 8 years before We started promoting and for the last 4 years of that time I had spent on the Road with Rick Greenfield , Kelvin Harris, Maribel Soto and GoGo Tanya Vasquez from Va Beach .

Every week we would go up to Philly to hang out with DJ Jose Rodriguez and also go to New Jersey and Jimmy Anton's in New York every 1st and Third Sunday of the month. These were the best Salsa Times of my life this where I got exposure to great Music and Great dancers that allowed me to step up my Game. Oh I forgot to tell you I was working 12 hour shifts days a week and six hours on Sunday

On the weekend I would leave DC at 7 pm catch a train to Philly from Union Station take a nap while on the train Get to Philly and Go to the Club called the Eight Floor or the Stardust Ballroom on the second anf Fourth Sunday of the Month by 10pm. We would party until 3am go get a Philly Cheese Steak and get on the Train and come back to DC take a shower and go into work.


It was fun but it was killing me . In Philly was where we met DJ Jose Rodriguez and Bernie . They introduced to all the salaseros and it was a blast.
Yes I knew Darlin Garcia , Mike Andino, and some more famous Philly Salsros when they were first starting to dance Salsa.


Who knew that 2 of my favorite dance partners Sonya Saamova and Barbara Capaldi would end up owning their own Dance Studios.

I loved going to Jimmy Anton's and watching and learning from all the New York A Listers. They were not the friendliest crowd in the world and the were very cliqueish But if you knew how to dance there was never a problem . I never understood why people complain about cliques , they are a every day part of life. They are at work, when you go out, they are every where so just deal with it.

I was loving life but the wear and tear on my body started to show and it was getting expensive traveling all the time . There had to be a better way and I was going to figure out what it was.