Salsa on St. Clair - 14-15 July 2006

The Rushton on St. Clair Avenue West sizzled Tuesday as TLN & Hillcrest Village BIA & the City of Toronto launched Salsa On St. Clair!

Hillcrest BIA Co-chair Frank Pronesti's The Rushton was the summery and elegant backdrop for a polished noon time show that announced the Friday and Saturday 14-15 July 2006 Salsa on St. Clair dates. A small colorful folder with a CD and a DVD made this a 21st century paperless press conference.

Brilliant sunshine lured the guests, Margueritas in hand, to the terrace where the show began with pulsating salsa and merengue music.

Live speakers including Ward 21's Joe Mihevc, Hillcrest BIA Co-Chairs Victor Cappella, Frank Pronesti and TLN planners spoke about the many cultures converging on St. Clair to make the community and Salsa on St. Clair a defining event like Caribana or Pride. Miami based Co-Host Ismael Cala said the same thing via his plasma screen TV presentation.

Mihevc let people in on the first meeting he had with TLN's John Montesano when they sketched out plans on the back of a napkin. The possiblities seemed endless and Mihevc was impressed by the way that TLN seemed to "make cultures happen." The Hillcrest Business Improvement Association joined in and the fun began that sparked not only a trademark street festival but a community renaissance.

Hispanics are the second fastest growing community in Toronto Mihevc noted, and they "add such spice and color to business and culture."

Salsa on St. Clair's color, spice and imagination is 21st century as TLN is creating a show, and CBC (FM 99.1) Radio 1's Claudia Garcia de la Huerta will be broadcasting Big City Small World live from Salsa on St. Clair. " [We were] so thrilled and had such a fantastic time!"

More spice and color came out when Betty Colon teased the gathering with some sexy salsa and Evaristo not only got the crowd shaking their marakas, but serenaded them with original material.

Quick Facts

Main stage acts for 2006 have a Columbian flavor and include Diego Marulanda, Wayové, Caribe Son, Son Ache, Evaristo.

Entertainment hotspots on both sides of St. Clair Avenue West will feature markets, music and salsa lessons/shows, including; Imbayakunas, Fuzion, Mariachi Viva México, Betty Colon's Salsa Social Club, Santerías ,Samba Squad, Jennifer Aucoin - Canada Salsa Congress.

A family event, YTV will entertain the children with their Weird on Wheels, and there will be facepainting for all!