Latino vs Non-Latino Scenes

[Salsa Bear]

Seattle appears to have two Salsa scenes, with many Latinos apparently favoring particular clubs. Also, if you keep tabs on the local scene via Facebook or meetup groups, you'll see events that seem to attract Latino crowds, with other events that attract mostly Latinos.

Do most large cities in the U.S. have a similar dual Salsa community? What are the reasons for this split, and how do the two communities differ?

I'm guessing that some Latinos simply look for venues that serve Latin music that they're familiar with. For example, people who have emigrated from a certain country might prefer cumbia, or whatever it's called.

Of course, Latinos would also share a language and cultural bonds.

I'm curious about the differences between the Latino and non-Latino groups.

 

[terence]

Do most large cities in the U.S. have a similar dual Salsa community?

I'm curious about the differences between the Latino and non-Latino groups




.

Atlanta had a good e.g. of "duality ". One club ( the 1st to open for Salsa ) was primarily latino clientele.

As other venues opened, they seemed to attract more of a mixed latino/ anglo type crowd .

The differences ? hard to pin down .

Tampa, on the other hand , was pretty much total latino in all the clubs .

 

[SirDancealot]

I've observed such a distinction in many places.

That said there latinos *everywhere* in salsa however it is true to say that there are certain clubs which throng with them.

It appears in my experience that clubs at which casino and columbian are danced are more likely to attract latinos and that venues that play more reggaeton bachata and merengue will attract them too. Lastly I've noted that often the cuban nights often seem to be the same ones that play lots of reggaeton, bachata and merengue and as such a pattern emerges.

While that has been an observation I've made in many cities it hasn't reached the level of being a robust conclusion yet so take it as my musings on the subject and I'd be interested to hear what others have to say!

 

[Big10]

Seattle appears to have two Salsa scenes, with many Latinos apparently favoring particular clubs. Also, if you keep tabs on the local scene via Facebook or meetup groups, you'll see events that seem to attract Latino crowds, with other events that attract mostly Latinos.

Do most large cities in the U.S. have a similar dual Salsa community? What are the reasons for this split, and how do the two communities differ?

I'm guessing that some Latinos simply look for venues that serve Latin music that they're familiar with. For example, people who have emigrated from a certain country might prefer cumbia, or whatever it's called.

Of course, Latinos would also share a language and cultural bonds.

I'm curious about the differences between the Latino and non-Latino groups.

In Houston, a significant portion of the population is Latino, so I don't encounter any places with Salsa music that I would call "non-Latino." It's probably more accurate in Houston to say "Latino" versus "mixed."

The biggest distinction between those places seems to be based on how much the venue caters to a Spanish-speaking clientele. "Latino" places tend to have their advertisements in Spanish, with promotions on Spanish radio stations -- then when you're inside the venue, all of the DJ's announcements will be in Spanish and fluency in English isn't required for the staff (not even the host/hostess taking money at the front desk). So, it makes sense that people who stick to English-speaking media aren't even aware of the existence of most of those places, except for driving by in their cars. Or, if the non-Latinos do go in by accident, they may not feel comfortable. The "mixed" venues will do promotions in English, and announcements inside the venue will probably be repeated in both English and Spanish. The staff will be expected to be bilingual, with reasonable fluency in both English and Spanish.

Having said that, furthermore the Latino population in Houston is large enough (and diverse enough) to have places that cater to sub-categories of Latinos. Obviously, the music from Mexico is different enough so that there are places where the clientele is almost entirely of Mexican heritage. Salsa-wise, there used to be one club that was heavily populated by Venezuelans, and there are a few clubs that cater mostly to Colombians. At one point (until just 1 or 2 years ago) there was even a club whose clientele was mostly light-skinned Colombians directly across the street from a club with mostly dark-skinned Colombians.

In all of those instances, the venues probably help some people retain a sense of "home," by giving them an opportunity to spend time with people who share a common background and/or set of experiences from back in their home countries. So, it's not simply an issue of the music or the language. I know that we like to think of the United States as a "melting pot," but some residents don't want to be completely assimilated to the point of losing the little things that connect them to the unique cultures of their heritage.

 

[SirDancealot]

In Houston, a significant portion of the population is Latino, so I don't encounter any places with Salsa music that I would call "non-Latino." It's probably more accurate in Houston to say "Latino" versus "mixed."

The biggest distinction between those places seems to be based on how much the venue caters to a Spanish-speaking clientele. "Latino" places tend to have their advertisements in Spanish, with promotions on Spanish radio stations -- then when you're inside the venue, all of the DJ's announcements will be in Spanish and fluency in English isn't required for the staff (not even the host/hostess taking money at the front desk). So, it makes sense that people who stick to English-speaking media aren't even aware of the existence of most of those places, except for driving by in their cars. Or, if the non-Latinos do go in by accident, they may not feel comfortable. The "mixed" venues will do promotions in English, and announcements inside the venue will probably be repeated in both English and Spanish. The staff will be expected to be bilingual, with reasonable fluency in both English and Spanish.

Having said that, furthermore the Latino population in Houston is large enough (and diverse enough) to have places that cater to sub-categories of Latinos. Obviously, the music from Mexico is different enough so that there are places where the clientele is almost entirely of Mexican heritage. Salsa-wise, there used to be one club that was heavily populated by Venezuelans, and there are a few clubs that cater mostly to Colombians. At one point (until just 1 or 2 years ago) there was even a club whose clientele was mostly light-skinned Colombians directly across the street from a club with mostly dark-skinned Colombians.

In all of those instances, the venues probably help some people retain a sense of "home," by giving them an opportunity to spend time with people who share a common background and/or set of experiences from back in their home countries. So, it's not simply an issue of the music or the language. I know that we like to think of the United States as a "melting pot," but some residents don't want to be completely assimilated to the point of losing the little things that connect them to the unique cultures of their heritage.

As a spanish lover and salsaholic Houston is beginning to sound like a eutopia for me ;-)

 

[Big10]

As a spanish lover and salsaholic Houston is beginning to sound like a eutopia for me ;-)

Houston is the most diverse city in Texas and it's clearly the best Salsa city in Texas, too. We like to think that the quality of our Salsa dancing and music options compare favorably with any other U.S. cities besides New York and Los Angeles.

P.S. -- I'm not sure where you live, but you should consider visiting the Houston Salsa Congress in January and/or the Texas Salsa Congress (also in Houston) during March.....

 

[Salsa Bear]

Houston is the most diverse city in Texas and it's clearly the best Salsa city in Texas, too. We like to think that the quality of our Salsa dancing and music options compare favorably with any other U.S. cities besides New York and Los Angeles.

P.S. -- I'm not sure where you live, but you should consider visiting the Houston Salsa Congress in January and/or the Texas Salsa Congress (also in Houston) during March.....

Hmmm... I wonder if Texas is one of the two or three dozen states that have designated the square dance the official state dance. If not, they ought to be the first state to adopt Salsa. It has a nice Southwest flavor and also promotes Texas' Hispanic heritage.

 

[SirDancealot]

Houston is the most diverse city in Texas and it's clearly the best Salsa city in Texas, too. We like to think that the quality of our Salsa dancing and music options compare favorably with any other U.S. cities besides New York and Los Angeles.

P.S. -- I'm not sure where you live, but you should consider visiting the Houston Salsa Congress in January and/or the Texas Salsa Congress (also in Houston) during March.....

Unfortunately I'm in the UK and, until august at least, the cost of transatlantic flights will be a little prohibitive! That said this should cease to be a problem next year!

As for January it's possible I wouldn't be able to attend it anyway as I already have two weekends in January booked up! (one non salsa event and also the Scottish Salsa Congress!). Once I can travel stateside I'll add Houston to my list of travel destinations based on what you've said though! ;-)

 

[tresto]

You may want to update your location in your profile (in user cp).
You can either write just "UK" or "Nameofmycity, UK" if you prefer

 

[Big10]

Hmmm... I wonder if Texas is one of the two or three dozen states that have designated the square dance the official state dance. If not, they ought to be the first state to adopt Salsa. It has a nice Southwest flavor and also promotes Texas' Hispanic heritage.

Until you mentioned it, I had no idea that there was such a thing as an "official state dance"! According to Wikipedia, though, the official dance for Texas is the Texas Two-Step -- and I can tell you right now that that's not going to change anytime soon.

Plus, I don't think of Salsa dancing as having much of a "Southwest flavor." Salsa really is much more Caribbean in nature, so it makes the most sense for Florida to adopt Salsa as the state dance. And, according to Wikipedia, Florida doesn't have any official state dance yet....hmmm, so maybe something could happen there....

 

[Salsa Bear]

Until you mentioned it, I had no idea that there was such a thing as an "official state dance"! According to Wikipedia, though, the official dance for Texas is the Texas Two-Step -- and I can tell you right now that that's not going to change anytime soon.

Plus, I don't think of Salsa dancing as having much of a "Southwest flavor." Salsa really is much more Caribbean in nature, so it makes the most sense for Florida to adopt Salsa as the state dance. And, according to Wikipedia, Florida doesn't have any official state dance yet....hmmm, so maybe something could happen there....

It has a Southwest flavor if you think of the OTHER salsa - the salsa people eat. I think Texas and maybe one or two other states also adopted an official pepper (chili pepper?), or something like that.

I'd actually prefer to see New York adopt salsa as the official state dance. Iowa could adopt bachata to boost its economy.

 

[salsera_alemana]

Plus, I don't think of Salsa dancing as having much of a "Southwest flavor." Salsa really is much more Caribbean in nature, so it makes the most sense for Florida to adopt Salsa as the state dance. And, according to Wikipedia, Florida doesn't have any official state dance yet....hmmm, so maybe something could happen there....

I am all for it!!! Yes, salsa is Caribbean!

 

[Salsa Bear]

I am all for it!!! Yes, salsa is Caribbean!

A war between New York and Florida over who deserves to call salsa the state dance would certainly help publicize Latin dance. Perhaps some rare intelligent lawmakers will one day designate On2 Salsa New York's official Latin dance and On1 Salsa California's Latin dance.

Then North Dakota and Utah can fight over Paso Doble.