Toronto (July 2016) – Once again there was no shortage of music festivals to entertain Torontonians and tourists alike on the streets of our city. A change of season often leads to an altered state of mind and spirit – summer literally comes alive here with well-known local bands as well as new and up-coming talent filling the air with the sweet sound of music – voilà, an instant ingredient for happiness and light-heartedness. At least for me, that is the case. And you?
This year, as part of the 28th annual Beaches International Jazz Festival, the Beach Salsa Festival say the organizers is “nuevo por 2016” and kicks off the highly popular Jazz event that is attended by thousands of revellers each year. Many people plan their holidays around the festival so that they don’t miss the over 100 bands from Canada, U.S.A., Colombia, Ecuador and Cuba who delight the crowds.
It comes as no surprise to those who know me that I simply had to check out this nuevo festival latino. The 2-day event certainly got the onlookers, young and old, on their feet tapping and dancing to the rhythms of soulful, fiery, vibrant latin beats; even non-dancers took to the dance floor learning basic salsa, merengue and bachata steps from Cuban-born Dailyn Martinez and Venezuelan-born Mike Sobreira, Toronto dance instructors.
I even had my 2 mins of fame on stage dancing to the up-beat tunes of La Gran Colombia Orchestra. Half way through the song, a group of us ladies were invited to join them on stage, so up we dashed not wanting to miss this opportunity. Giving in to the temptation and losing myself to the rhythms, I had a very memorable afternoon and made some new friends in the process.
[On a side note, though an introvert by nature who generally shies away from being in the spotlight, especially in front of a crowd and on stage to boot, something magical happens when I hear the sound of energizing music. Poof, my shyness seems to evaporate, and my feet and body take over].
The main stage featured:
- T. Dot Batu, samba reggae band
- Saul Torres, Mexican rock musician
- Changui Havana Orchestra, 12-piece Cuban ensemble
- Bachata Swing, musicians hailing from Dominican Republic, Chile & Ecuador
- Lucho de Sedas, national icon in his native Panama
- Johannes Linstead, multi-award winning Latin guitarist
- La Gran Colombia, 14-piece orchestra
- Chantel Collado, a.k.a. “La Princessa de la Bachata”
Traveller's Lingo 