eat oakland

Latin Music Festival - Jack London Square

NARRATIVE
It was a foggy Saturday morning. I thought I would just do my podcasting class and then come home. Since the sun peeked out I ended up going to the Filipino Festival and then returned to the East Bay and walked to Jack London Square to dance in the street.

By the time I got to the East Bay, full-on sun was mixing with a gentle breeze off the Bay to make for a perfect afternoon to enjoy musica sabrosa.

I wasn't disappointed. I danced my barefoot raw for about an hour and a half while the dj played classic salsa hits and Orquestra Salsa Dura from Hayward TORE IT UP with classics and original descargas that had the crowd out of their chairs and filling the dance floor.

Esta festival tenia SABOR!

CONTACT INFORMATION
I could only find a URL:
http://www.jacklondonsquare.com/index.php/main/event_detail/latin_music_festival/

HOURS
Saturday, August 11, 2007
11 am - 7 m

PRICE RANGE
Free - Some money to spend on food and artwork

SUMMARY
The selection of music was excellent for a first annual latin festival. The flavors were local, but included everything from Brazlian to latin pop, rock, and jazz, traditional ballet folklorico de mexico, and salsa!

The posters I came across pulled me in and let me know some time went into planning. It's good to know that my people are worthy of waterfront property in the middle of Jack London Square.

I selfishly went for the salsa at the end of the day. I arrived during the set-up music before Orquestra Salsa Dura went on and the dj was playing classic salsa (always a good sign) and people were dancing (another good sign).

By the end of the set, this 3 month old band had everyone up and dancing, including families with kids who were shy to come to the dance floor at first and then were grooving with their parents by the end. It reminded me of outings with my family when I was younger...everyone invited to dance, smiling, twirling, showing their best steps.

The foggy day gave way to excellent weather. The air was filled with the aroma of kettle corn and I met a couple of friends I didn't know would be there.

Clearly there were Latinos or friends of Latinos involved with the planning of this thing because the mix of music, the crowd, and the venue were perfect. Onlookers could feel invited to peek in on the Latino-ness from their wandering through from the Arts & Crafts booths, Barnes & Nobles, or dining about Jack London Square.

SERVICE
Volunteers were friendly and cleaned up rather efficiently at the end of the festival. Not a flyer, seat, or parasol was left as evidence of the day's festivities within 15 minutes of the end!

RESTROOMS
Port-o-potties, Barnes & Nobles, and the Jack London Square facilities. Enough to be had by all!

SUGGESTION
Bring it back next year!

Create a buzz among the salsa community through sfstation.com, or a festival website to receive feedback from the salsero/as and the soon-to-be converts to salsa!

Maybe include more youth performances and some Latin Hip-Hop to round the bill!

Labels: August 2007, ballet folklorico, brazilian, dancing, Jack London Square, latin jazz, Latin Music Festival, latin pop, latin rock, Oakland, Outdoor Festival, salsa

posted by wrki @ 9:56 PM