YA Salsa will be hosting a screening of the documentary, Part I–La Epoca: The Palladium Era, followed by a Q&A session with the movie’s executive producer and Director, also, master musician, Josue Joseph, followed by workshops to introduce metro Detroit dancers to the old-school style of dance. Attendees will also get a sneak peak at Joseph’s upcoming film, Part II–La Epoca: The Lost Rhythms in Salsa.

The screening will begin at noon on Saturday, June 11, at The Phoenix Center dance studio in Ann Arbor followed by the Q&A session about Mambo, its roots behind “salsa” and its effects on following generations of musicians and dancers. The session will be moderated by YA Salsa member and professional dancer, musician and instructor, Dimas Caraballo.

With the assistance of Cuban-born, Mitchell Herrera, a top dance instructor specializing in Mambo On2, Joseph will teach a master dance class beginning at 3:30PM focusing on the musicality of the Mambo rhythm and how to apply old-school styling to contemporary dancing.

Attendees may also take a workshop at 4:30PM focusing on the Son-Montuno rhythm, pauses, absorbing the beat, Cha-Cha-Cha, and which rules were meant to be broken.

A short practice party will follow the workshops that will last from 5:30 – 6:20 p.m.

Cost to attend

Admittance to the June 11 events are pre-sale tickets online only, as follows:

• $35: Package-limited availability (screening, Q&A, workshops and practice party)
• $25: Movie screening and Q&A with limited seating (12–3PM)
• $10: Old-school Mambo workshop (3:30-4:20PM) and practice party (5:30-6:20PM)
• $10: Son-Montuno workshop and practice party (4:30-6:20PM)

Tickets for June 11 events are available at www.YASalsa.com/LaEpoca.

Dancers wanted for filming Part II
Those who attend the workshops can practice from 5:30-6:20PM, in preparation for filming for Joseph’s next film, Part II–La Epoca: The Lost Rhythms in Salsa. Filming will take place, during the YA Salsa Social, from 6:30–10PM Sunday, June 12, at The American Legion Post 346 in Farmington.

Dancers selected for filming will be exceptional in Mambo, Salsa On1 and On2 and, particularly, those who are well connected to their partners during Cha-Cha-Cha. For consideration, review La Epoca’s filming requirements: signed release forms and particular styles of dress for maximum effect.

This event is sponsored in-part by Meriseph Pictures New York Group and, also, by CEMA—a non-profit organization. DVDs of La Epoca–The Palladium Era will be made available for purchase after the screening.

About the films:

Part I La Epoca-The Palladium Era is an internationally-attended documentary on the Mambo, the roots behind the umbrella term “Salsa,” and its effects on the generations of musicians and dancers. It features many well-known Palladium-era musicians and dancers including: “Cuban Pete,” Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Freddy Rios, Mike Ramos, and others.

Part II La Epoca-The Lost Rhythms in Salsa teaches the in-depth clave musicality and musical elements and dance styles of five Afro-Cuban rhythms: the Mambo, Son-Montuno, Guajira, Danzon, and Guaguanco rhythms. It features filmed interviews and dances from Palladium-era legends (Mambo dance pioneer “Cuban Pete,” Carlos De Leon, Alfonso El Panameno and others), as well as modern-day figures (Griselle Ponce, Frankie Martinez, Jimmy Anton, Delille Thomas, Amanda Estilo, Victor Karisma, Mario B, and others).