7 Aug. Salsa & Music @ Danforth

Hands were reaching out this week-end at the annual Taste of the Danforth Festival. Hands for friendship, hands for food, hands for music and hands for money. Hands were everywhere.

The weather held off Saturday and the cooler temperatures were a blessing for the sea of people that coursed up and down the Danforth. The air was alive with laughter and the smell of freshly cooking food as people walked and ate and shopped their way from Broadview to Pape.

Even the Danforth embraces Salsa as the International Stage hosted Pablo Terry and Sol de Cuba for the evening set. If one was looking for some down and basic street dancing to a latin beat, this was the place to be. Mothers and children as well as couples and people were moving to the elemental rhythm that is salsa.

However, salsa is only one thin slice of the Taste of the Danforth.

Music and life are universal things that transcend all boundaries. Greece's Bouzouki has a similar role as Cuba's Tres in shaping the sound.

While the Leonidas Quartet was playing some traditional tunes, Evaristo Machado walked by - thoroughly enjoying the day. Perhaps he was sensing inspiration for future music?

Pavlo was the headliner band Saturday night on the Main Stage. His trademark "Mediterranean Sound" is a unique blend of Greek, European, Latin, Mediterranean and African influences and reaches across the entire planet with its message. Depending where you are, the music can have a Greek flavour or a decidedly latin flavour - either one is hot for dancing.

The streets around the Main Stage were awash in people all listening and cheering on Pavlo who had them in his hand from the very first note of the evening.

Touring across Canada, Pavlo looks forward to playing "The Danforth".

"My favourite part about playing this festival is I see my daughter in the audience," he noted between songs.

Things change, but a lot stays the same as a couple I met last year in Mocha Mocha spotted me again.

Looking over to me she asked, "Do I know you? Last year you were waiting for Pavlo."

"Yes, that was me last year and I'm here again for Pavlo this year too."

After a quick chat, they were off to get a spot to watch their relative Pavlo perform, and I found a spot by stage right.

Pavlo was full of surprises this year. Violinist Vasyl Popadiuk added even more texture to the sound.

And, take note that Turkey does not have a monopoly on belly dancing. Several songs into his set, Pavlov changed his music to a Greek Belly Dance Rhythm. And, a scarlett-clad woman put on a show that will have both Athens and Istanbul talking for some time to come.

Other music that rounded out the day was a sparkling performance by Jeannie Niokos, whose keyboarding enthralled the crowd.