It’s official! El Guateque II is on and happening tonight in Asheville, NC. If you missed El Guateque 1, you missed a great party. The venue was super nice and everyone had plenty of room to dance and socialize throughout the evening. If you missed seeing the photos from the last party I took, just look to the left of this post and I have a gallery posted under the “Salsa” page.
Tonights event is hosted by DJ Carlos Carmona of Latin Factor and Andres Montoya of Mangos Productions. The Venue they have reserved for the salseros tonight is at the absolutely beautiful “Homewood” estate in Asheville, NC. If you want to check out this beautiful place, you can click here:
http://www.mybelovedhomewood.com/
There will be a variety of performers at this event including: Proyecto Barrio (Atlanta, GA), Salsa Knoxville (Knoxville, TN), Maria “Guajira” representing Ashville,NC (Salserors 828), and a very special debut from “The Ashleys” (Johnson City, TN) There will also be a group of salseros riding up from Greenville, SC to support Ashville, and there will be other special guests in attendance, including: Bernardo D’ La Vega, Rodrigo and Wendy Jimenez (Charlotte Salsa), and a few others.
So, if you live close to the Asheville area and you want to check out a cool salsa event, head on over to Homewood for what is sure to be a most memorable evening of dancing and performances. For directions or questions regarding this event, you may call the following people:
DJ Carlos Carmona - 828-335-6849
M.C. Andres Montoya - 828-216-1452
For directions, just click on the Homewood site link I posted above within this post.
I look forward to seeing everyone there tonight and I’m very anxious to get some nice photos for all of you to see 
BW
This event was crazy fun! There were folks from all over the Southeast in attendance for this spectacular event. As I glanced around the room I noticed dancers from Atlanta, Asheville, Greenville, Augusta, and of course, Charlotte! There were maybe too many cities there to mention! This is the first time I’ve seen so many cities in Charlotte to dance. It was a cool feeling, for sure. The energy was great and people were definately there to dance the night away.
I have posted a sample gallery of the images I took at this event. The images can be found on the Salsa page of this site just to the left of this post. I didn’t post ALL of the images, but these are the ones that caught my eye. If you’re really lazy, you can just click here
http://bwaltonphoto.com/?page_id=860
The salsa scene in Charlotte is growing steadily and looks to become a premier place to hold large-scale events in the future. I look forward to seeing what Charlotte has to offer next! Not only is Charlotte, NC a beautiful city to visit at night (the skyline is incredible), the people there are very friendly and ready to dance!
Charlotte Salsa hosted this event (Rodrigo and Wendy Jimenez) and I hope that there will be more to come! When more cities offer big events, it’s better for everyone who loves to dance.
It was nice to see everyone there and I hope that everyone had a great time!
Brian
This Saturday, Charlotte Salsa is hosting a special dance event. This event is scheduled to be held at the Crown Plaza in Charlotte, NC. and will feature 3x ESPN world salsa champions: Abel and Zulmara.
Dance workshops begin at 12 p.m. Saturday and end around 4 p.m. The evening party will begin at 9 p.m. The party will be the highlight of the evening and there will be a performance by Abel and Zulmara, plus additional guest performers from Augusta, GA and Charlotte, NC.
For a full list of workshop times, prices, and more information about the evening party at the Plaza, just click on the link below. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom so that you can see all of the information available. Charlotte Salsa has made available rooms with special rates and a there is a link on this page to reserve rooms, view directions with a map, and other important information regarding this event.
Click here to view information:
http://charlottesalsadance.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=55
Abel and Zulmara will be performing for the very first time in Charlotte this Saturday, so it should be a show no one will want to miss!! There will also be some incredible social dancing going on as there will be guests from all over upstate South Carolina, Augusta and Atlanta, GA.
If there are any questions regarding the event, email Charlotte Salsa or find them on Facebook and other social networks here:
http://charlottesalsadance.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3
Enjoy the show and take advantage of the workshops if you can! It’s not often world champs come to town.
Brian
Ahhh…the smell of fresh pine needles! To most people, pine needles smell like work, thus they aren’t appreciated! Spreading pine needles is pretty hard work (if you’re used to a desk job), but it’s very rewarding at the end of the day when the job is done.
Just last weekend, a cousin of mine asked for some help spreading some pine needles on a job he had to do. When he told me there would be 200 bails (yes 2oo!) to spread, I felt like throwing in the towel immediately. I’ve done smaller jobs (around 50 bails) before and it wasn’t too bad, but doing 200 was the biggest job I’ve helped tackle. Now, let’s make one thing clear! Spreading the needles is not the hardest part. What makes spreading needles difficult is the fact that not all lawns are ”flat” to lay the needles in. I’ve had to climb hills (while carrying bails) and spread them while sliding because the soil underneath was soggy from rain the night before. Then, there’s getting pricked with briars, thorns from shrubs, stumbling upon fire ant hills, and the ever elusive pile of dog crap you might step in!
I’m not complaining, but I’m just letting all know what’s out there and what one might get his/her self into.
I managed to make it through the day and I was able to help spread every bail we had to spread. I was very tired, but as I looked around the yard we completed, I noticed a huge change in the overall presence of the yard. I couldn’t believe what a difference the new needles made on this lawn. It literally turned an ordinary lawn into an “extraordinary” lawn. I was asked to help on this particular project because the homeowner was hosting a party and she wanted her yard to look really nice for all of her guests. Usually, folks wait until the Spring season to lay pine needles out, but this was a special occasion.
I’ve always enjoyed outdoor work and I find a great deal of satisfaction after a job is completed and the lawn looks nicer than ever. A lot of folks like to do their own yard work, but some are just not able to because of time constraints or other reasons. So, if anyone reading this post within the Greenville, Spartanburg, or Greer area would like to get a quote on having their yard maintained, mulched, or pine needled, my cousin can be reached at this email address: rockbottomlandscaping@hotmail.com
He offers a variety of services and has over 15 years of experience in the lawn care industry. He’s done everything from irrigation to weed prevention and control. Here are some of the services offered:
- Leaf Removal (Fall and Winter seasons)
- Irrigation and drip line installation
- Scheduled lawn maintenance: grass cutting, edging, hedge trimming, etc…
- Weed prevention and removal
- Bed detail and installation
- Sod installation
- Aeration and re-seeding
- **Free Estimates**
This time of year, most people are often looking for someone to get rid of the leaves that have fallen on their lawns or their gutters cleaned as a result of the fallen leaves. If anyone is interested in the above services, contact Jason at Rock Bottom Landscaping.
By phone: 864-415-2975 or by email: rockbottomlandscaping@hotmail.com (as mentioned earlier)
Everyone loves a clean yard because it says a lot about the homeowner. Not only is a clean yard fun to look at and enjoy, it also provides peace of mind and a sense of achievement.
BW
It has been a hot minute or two since I’ve been deep into the mountains that surround my home. In fact, I’ve all but taken them for granted at times. Where I live, I pass grocery stores, strip malls, car dealerships, and cheesy check cashing businesses everyday. So, this past weekend, I decided to grab the camera, hop in the car, and try and get some fresh air.
I found not only fresh air, but freezing cold air, also. Should you care to check this place out or its many offerings, just click on the link provided below:
http://www.grandfather.com/
It was well worth the drive, though. For those who read this post, you are likely within driving distance of the magnificent area known as the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you haven’t been there, I suggest you take a day to explore the breathtaking views this area has to offer. There is certainly a sense of tranquility and inner peace within these mountains.
Now, I know I can’t compare these mountains to the likes of a Yosemite or Yellow Stone National Park, but there is certainly a unique and special feeling that these mountains provide. As I looked at the photos I took while visiting, I noticed the raw beauty that was right before me. I’ve been to the mountains around my part of the Country (N. Carolina/Tennessee) many times, but this time was different. For the first time, I looked through my camera lens and I really liked what I saw. Taking the pictures was easy! Appreciating what I was seeing was the trick.
A lot of times I pass places and I don’t even take the time to look and feel what surrounds me. It’s really easy to get caught up in daily life and its demands, so I have found that it’s extremely therapeutic to get out and just absorb what nature has to offer. Nature is more than just camping trips, a curvy road, or a nice sunset; it’s medicine for the mind!
So, if the chance arrives to get out for a few hours and take in some much needed scenery, my advice is to take it! You never know what it might do for you and your current state-of-mind.
I will post a gallery here soon with some of the pictures I gathered while out having a look around. They are well worth sharing. So, stay tuned and I’ll have a gallery for all to see soon.
BW
Tuesday, September 29th, Charlotte Latin Dance is hosting their monthly salsa social at CANS restaurant in Charlotte, NC. Only this time, there will be a performance given by Jonathan and Mariana of Greenville, SC.
They have performed at USC-Upstate, Furman and Clemson Universities in SC, the Greenville Civic Center, and have participated in a salsa reality show in 2006, which they won 1st place. They have also performed at El Congresito de Greenville for the past two years and recently performed at Michelin, also.
This will be the first performance at CANS that I have seen since I’ve been driving up to take photos for the scene dating back to February of this year. This will also be Jonathan and Mariana’s first performance in the Charlotte area, so you will not want to miss this special occasion. They are very excited to put on a show for Charlotte, and I hope everyone will come out and support them. Their routine is very high-energy and full of Colombian style rhythm and fancy footwork.
For directions to CANS in Charlotte or for times, and other information, just visit www.charlottelatindance.com and click on their events link. CANS is easy to find off of I-85 and they also have free parking just across the street!
See you there!
Brian
El Guateque was a blast! There were so many people from so many different cities attending this event. The atmosphere was wonderful and everyone appeared to be having a great time. There were performances to watch and tons of good music and social dancing to enjoy.
I have a gallery available to look at on the left entitled “El Guateque.” Enjoy the photos and if you see one you like, they are readily available for purchase.
BW
On Saturday night, September 19th, Mangos Productions will be hosting a salsa social featuring some of the best dancers in the area. As seen on the flyer, there will be dancers and salseros from Augusta, Charlotte, Greenville(SC), and Johnson City. There should also be a good turnout from Asheville, also. The start time for this event is not stated, but my guess is that the doors will open around 10 p.m. or so. Cover charge is only $10 for this event. I expect this event to run late into the evening hours and into the early morning. There will be performances and tons of social dancing. So, for you dancers out there with a Saturday night free, hop in the car and cruise up to scenic Asheville for what is sure to be a pretty cool evening of dancing and performances.
BW
Rodrigo and Wendy Jimenez are going to be in Greenville on July 23rd!! They will also be delighting us with a sure to be fabulous performance! Rodrigo and Wendy are mostly known for their sizzling style on the dance floor and their humor, while teaching classes, helps break the ice and make people feel more at ease while learning new moves! These two gave a delightful workshop at El Congresito de Greenville this year and I expect the weekend workshops to be even better. To clarify, Rodrigo and Wendy will be @ Bongos Discoteca in Greenville, SC on July 23rd. A beginner class will be given by SalsaGreenville at 8:30 p.m. and will last about an hour. A performance by Rodrigo and Wendy will follow later in the evening. Then, they will return on the 25th (Saturday) from 2-4 p.m. to host a workshop not to be missed! This workshop, brought to you by SalsaGreenvilleSC, will be fun, entertaining, and a great experience.
To register for this workshop, visit www.salsagreenvillesc.com, and sign up quickly! The workshops are $12 each in advance/or $15 at the door. Both workshops are given for $24 in advance/ or $30 at the door. Signing up in advance is definately the smarter thing to do! So, visit www.salsagreenvillesc.com and sign up today!
The performance on the 23rd of this month and the workshop that follows on Saturday, the 25th will make for a week to remember! So, get out, sign up and be a part of something really special. Rodrigo and Wendy also have a site and can be found at www.charlottesalsadance.com .
Don’t forget to come out Thursday night, July 23rd, to take a peek and experience Rodrigo and Wendy’s cool style on the dancefloor.
I hope to see everyone there!
Brian
Click photo to view gallery
