MY SALSA DIARY

By: Memo Hernandez, September, 2007

I’ll start my first Salsa Diary on my favorite salsa spot.  It’s the Radisson in Whittier.  Yes, I said the Radisson.  It’s Salsa Summer Nights at the Radisson.

Background on the club

Well so much for this being a club, it’s just a hotel. You dance outside on the hard concrete floors with the Susie Hansen Band performing live and the crowd later moving to the two dance floors inside, to a variety of music.  The Radisson has had the Salsa Summer Nights for 20 years and its happening.

Music

I just love the atmosphere and the crowd, something about dancing outside by a swimming pool to a live Salsa Band makes the mood feel like you are out in the tropics.  Susie Hansen plays there every Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 pm for the Salsa Summer Nights. Although hers is not my absolute favorite band, she is still great and one of the top Salsa Bands in L.A.!!  The music inside is hit and miss, with different bands and dj’s, but what d’ya expect for five bucks?

Crowd

The crowd is varied, with of all ages and levels of dancing. If you are a beginner this is one place you won’t be intimidated-the crowd is friendly. Even if you wanted to do some head spins and summersaults, you can’t because you are gonna hurt if you hit that hard concrete floor. Stand about 20 feet from the dance floor, if you don’t want to dance; although the friendly crowd will ask you to anyway.  

Logistics

Cover Charge is free until 9:00 pm. They started charging $5.00 this year when the music starts inside. Parking is free and crowded at the hotel, but a small walk will give you plenty of parking on the streets.  The dance floor gets packed and there are a lot of people standing and eating the $10.00 carne asada plate, it’s good and plenty.  My friend, Salsa Master Bob, has salsa lessons inside at 6:00 pm. Oh, before I forget, watch out for Whittier Police, they are out in force and set up sobriety check points, so don’t get flattened on those Mojito’s….

Yay or Nay

I give it a Big Yay, it is my favorite spot!!!  Too bad that it only lasts for the summer.

Background on the Author

I started dancing Salsa many years ago. I grew up in the South. Yep, SOUTH BRONX !  I remember my Puerto Rican and Salvadoran Family having big block parties in the 1970’s.  It all started with my dad. He was a great dancer. That was where my love for music and dancing was born. My family would make all the kids dance and perform, it was crazy.

Now I’m In Los Angeles and have hit many Salsa Clubs. I hope you enjoy my reviews.

I hope it sheds a little light on where you choose to have some fun.  If not, oh well.   My Salsa Diary is strictly based on a New York Salsero trying to rollout on the salsa scene in L.A.