Salsa at Sunset: The Hottest Summer Night in SC
July 15, 2021
Summer Series continues in Downtown Greenville on July 16
Salsa at Sunset: the Hottest Summer Night in SC continues its dynamic summer series of live Latin music and dancing tomorrow, Friday, July 16. Upstate International’s free public event is a community celebration of Latin culture. The 3-part series will take place on the new Camperdown Plaza in front of the AC Hotel once a month on Fridays, July 16, August 13 and September 10. Hosted by Upstate International and Pura Alegría Dance Company, Salsa at Sunset will feature a free group dance lesson, live bands, dancing, and a cash bar, from 6:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. each evening.
Salsa at Sunset provides an opportunity to engage in the arts and experience the joy of cultural music and dance, while at the same time encouraging diverse communities to participate together. Art, whether it is music, dance, painting or something else, is a universal language. Upstate International and Pura Alegria are delighted to share 3 nights this summer of free music and dance, connecting us with our neighbors, and building a stronger, more welcoming community.
On Friday, July 16, the Marcel Portilla Band, led by Marcel Portilla, a highly regarded South American singer/songwriter, will blend sultry Latin rhythms with modern pop tunes, rhythm and blues riffs and quaking rock arrangements. He is an extraordinary band leader that originates from Cali, Colombia. Marcel has mesmerized countless audiences with his powerful music. Most importantly, his goal is to use his music to spread a message of diversity, love and peace.
David Rodriguez and the Latin Caravan headlines the event on Friday, August 13 with great energy and enthusiasm. Their band features members from all over Latin America and the States and plays a fusion of New Latin, Salsa, and jazz. With David Rodriguez on saxophone, the Latin Caravan features Juan Lanzot on vocals and percussion and Willie Olenick on trumpet. Attendees may hear the music of Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Carlos Santa, Bill Withers, Miles Davis, and even John Coltrane.
Finally, on Friday, September 10, and coming all the way from Atlanta, the C.O.T Band, founded by Willie Ziavino & Juan Bonini, will play a musical fusion of Caribbean Rhythms with elements of Funk, Pop and Brazilian beats. The band loves to play salsa, timba, merengue, cumbia, bachata, ballenato, reggaeton, bolero, rumba, samba, samba reggae, bossa nova and more.
Pura Alegría Dance Company will lead a complimentary beginners’ Salsa class at the start of each event. The plaza will fill with hundreds of people learning to dance the basic steps, building community and setting the tone for an exciting free, family-friendly evening of music and dancing under the stars.
