The Mainstage Theatre almost erupted at the seams after the Kings of Salsa left their mark on Buffalo.
Trumpets, trombones, cowbells, and almost every type of percussive instrument infiltrated the Center For the Arts to an interactive, high-energy audience last Wednesday night.
"That first dance just made me want to jump out of my seat and join them," said Estela Castillo, a senior nursing major. "I knew I'd love [the whole show] the minute they got on stage."
The Cuban group, led by Roclan Gonzalez Chavez as both the lead male vocalist and choreographer, kicked the performance off with an original salsa tune sung by Chavez and his female counterpart, Danais Valdes. Their mind-blowing chemistry set the scene for their seven-person dance troupe.
The group, made up of four men and three women, displayed not only the traditional and historical themes of salsa in their performance, but also a young, carefree vibe that one would not necessarily correlate with Cuban life.
The Kings of Salsa used their show to give insight to Cuban history through their wardrobe. During one song, the men dressed as the indigenous Taino people and the women dressed in traditional Spanish garb to express the love-hate relationship between the two cultures when they first encountered each other in 1492.
To keep a balance of the old and new, the Kings of Salsa also shared the concept of the "malecón" in their native of Cuba. "Malecón," which directly translates into "pier," is a popular term for a hangout spot in Cuba. Chavez and his dancers set this humble setting as Chavez took the time to introduce his band and dancers, giving them the opportunity to freestyle dance and show their talents.
Chavez then took the time to thank everybody who helped make the show a success despite troubles in transportation due to international relations.
"America and Cuba working together! What a beautiful thing, eh!" said Chavez as he smiled from ear to ear.
The most pleasant surprise during this show, however, was the wide array of dance styles throughout the night.
One song, performed with no vocals, displayed the love between a man and a woman with a performance that can be easily compared to the end dance scene in Dirty Dancing. The couple started with normal salsa style moves and progressed into ballet, ending with the legendary leap made famous by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze.
The Kings of Salsa also showed their talents in modern dance sporadically throughout the night, and the male performers flexed their talents in swing and jazz while decked out in zoot suits.
In addition to using wardrobe to keep the energy and attention high, the Kings of Salsa also had no qualms using props including flags and bandanas, as well as conga drums and claves to create onstage percussion.
The Kings of Salsa seemed satisfied with the crowd as they whistled and cheered throughout the performance.
"It's like a taste of home has come to visit," said Michelle Conde, junior nursing major originally from the Bronx. "This is the music and dance I grew up with. It helps with homesickness, especially during these midterms."
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