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Swirling, steamy dancers are packing the floor. Men are spinning women around gracefully. Dozens of bright-eyed, passionate people crowd in front of the stage, arm in arm, in a constant, dynamic embrace. "Mi negrita, dame un beso de tu boquita ," sings the salsero on stage, guiro in hand. The singer exuberantly leads the full salsa band--guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and percussion--as they work the dancers into frenzy. Then the conguero lets loose with an amazing conga jam.
This is not Caracas or San Juan. No, it was a little closer to home. This salsa party happened at Hapa's in Kihei Aug. 27 with Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo. The Latin music and dance scene on Maui is growing. And it's all-inclusive. It isn't necessary to be Latino to get into the exciting vibe. Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo, the main proponents of live salsa and Latin funk on Maui, always raise the energy level. At the Aug. 27 Hapa's show they were in top form, which was good considering that the event was the latest Salsa for Orphans Latin Dance Party Benefit.
The band was tight and had scores of people on the dance floor going all out for two sweaty hours. Some outstanding salsa dancers were twirling and grooving across the surging mass of people. But it isn't so important to know the steps well--the important part is to get out there and feel the energy of the rhythm. Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo mix various styles of Latin music--salsa, son, samba and timba.
"As the world gets smaller the styles merge and there is a fusion of different elements," says Dr. Nat. "Latin music is becoming more and more popular here. People who don't know the steps now feel comfortable enough to go out on the floor and make their own thing up. They just want to let it all out and not be chained down by the steps, their bodies start to feel the rhythm and move any old way." The salsa movement on Maui has become an altruistic party scene. For example, Dr. Nat works with Enlace Hispano and Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) to help newly arrived Latinos.
The Salsa for Orphans Latin Dance Party Benefit, founded and led by Russian native Kira Bogouslavski, has become the premier Latin music and dance event on the island. Bogouslavski also operates www.mauisalsa.com to keep people informed of dance opportunities. He has manifested a unique concept that brings out more people each time around.
This outstanding party always starts out with a free salsa dancing lesson and practice session with a salsa DJ. Then several remarkable dance acts show their stuff on stage, from Afro Cuban to Belly dancing. All this happens by 11 p.m., before Dr. Nat and Rio Ritmo get things really fired up. Bogouslavski is a passionate influence on the development of Maui's salsa scene.
"I started the charity one year ago as a fun fundraiser," he says. "I moved here and got to know people through dancing, so I want to keep developing a community and get more people dancing. I want to see more venues open to it, more bands, and continue to invite guest teachers. Anyone can get involved, and once they do they love it and become salsa addicts."
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