I’ll just come clean and admit it; when I first came here I wasn’t the biggest fan of salsa. It was ok, I thought, but I preferred dancing to music that I could actually dance to. How things change. Now when a club only plays a selection of Western music I get a little bit bored of all that upper-body movement and long for an excuse to awkwardly shuffle my hips from side to side.
So it’s good timing from the local council here in Bogotá, since they’ve arranged for Rock Al Parque’s partner in crime, Salsa Al Parque, to take place this weekend. Sure, maybe it’s part of the celebrations that are seeing the U20s World Cup off in style, but I like to think it’s because I’m starting to see the magic involved in the work of artists such as Willie Colón and the recently deceased and much missed Joe Arroyo.
The party begins on Friday 19th August in Parque Bolívar. Colombian favourites La 33, Calambuco and Los Hermanos Purizaga will all make an appearance, as well as a tribute to the aformentioned salsa legend, Joe Arroyo. Headlining on Friday will be Rey Ruiz. The party will then continue on Sunday and close with La 33 at 6pm. Should be sweaty, sexy, salsa-y fun.
Salsa Al Parque is part of a massive effort on the part of Bogotá to make this weekend, the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in Colombia, full of 24 hour action. Theatres will be offering free shows, there’ll be music concerts throughout the city, and many of the museums in the city will be opening their doors until 10pm in the evening.
Party hard, Bogotá, party hard.
Paul
Check out Joe Arroyo’s classic, La Rebelion, here: La Rebelion
