Arts Off 75 November: Dancing to the Rhythm of Culture

In all of my years (decades) moving through the world of dance, I am continuously struck by how the dance community encourages us to step into the fullness of global culture. Dance is one of the most profound teachers of multiculturalism. Traditions live in the rhythm of each genre, from the measured, architectural precision of ballet to the grounded, polyrhythmic richness of modern dance. And then, there’s salsa, the vibrant and communal dance style that holds an entire history of a culture in the swing of the hips and the syncopation of the beat.

Born from Afro-Cuban rhythms, shaped in the barrios of New York City, influenced by Puerto Rican, Dominican, Venezuelan, Colombian and other Caribbean musical traditions, salsa is a layered cultural inheritance. It is a living testament to what happens when cultures meet and create something gloriously new. Great bandleaders and practitioners like Tito Puente and Celia Cruz brought these sounds into dance halls, radio stations and eventually to the world. Salsa is an artistic form of migration, resilience and great joy; it carries the spirit of a community that has always found ways to celebrate even in the face of hardship.

This understanding has deepened my appreciation for the art, and I’ve been hooked ever since. And while my personal music library is filled with legendary recordings like Celia’s clarion call and Tito’s energetic rhythms, nothing compares to hearing salsa music performed live, where the room itself becomes a resonant instrument. On Sunday, November 23, we have a remarkable opportunity to experience this musical phenomenon in its richest form at the University of Dayton’s Roger Glass Center for the Arts. The Dayton Jazz Ensemble and the Dayton Salsa Project will be putting on a live performance

Many in the Miami Valley already know the joy of hearing The Dayton Salsa Project perform at the Levitt Pavillion during neighborhood festivals. If you’ve had the privilege to witness their talent, you already know that this is not just a performance, it is a shared experience. These artists have made Southwest Ohio their home, bringing with them the best of their cultural heritage, musical mastery, and deep commitment to sharing the spirit of salsa with each of us.

Salsa embodies multiculturalism with its lively celebrations. It is the American story at its best: cultures in conversation that enrich one another and give the rhythm to move forward together. So I invite you to come ready to listen, to learn, to sway, and if the music calls you (and it will), to dance. Because joy like this is meant to be shared. See you there!

Rodney Veal
CET/Think^TV Producer and Community Arts Liaison