Timeline: The Making of The Philly Salsa Scene

Jan 1, 1995

Delaware Ave. Nightclubs

DJ Jay Rockwell comes to Philly from NYC and begins DJing at Gotham and South Beach Nightclub on Delaware Ave.

Dec 1, 1995

South Beach Nightclub Collapses

Domino Sugar Plant demolishes all the nightclubs on Delaware Ave and South Beach collapses.

Dec 2, 1996

Brasil's Proposition

The owner of <a href='http://www.brasilsnightclub-philly.com/' target="_blank">Brasil’s</a> (restaurant at the time) comes knocking on Rockwell's door “You’re the DJ from South Beach! I need you in my club, now” He shows Rockwell the empty room upstairs. There’s a bar and a DJ booth, “Jay, I want a Latin Night.”

Feb 1, 1997

Wednesdays at Brasils

It’s slow at first. Rockwell brings in a bunch of different instructors, figures out what works and what doesn’t Every time Rockwell plays a Salsa, people slowly sit down. He noticed that people liked the music and enjoyed it, but just didn’t know how to dance it.

Jan 1, 2000

8th Floor

Barbara Capaldi begins to teach a Salsa lesson at The 8th Floor nightclub on Fridays. Jose Rodriguez is the DJ there for their Latin night.

Feb 1, 2001

Atrium Dance Studio

Barbara Capaldi leaves Universal Dance Center and all of her students follow her. In February of 2001 she opens up <a href='http://www.atriumdance.com/' target="_blank">Atrium Dance Studio</a> in Pensauken, NJ.

Apr 1, 2001

Sonya at Brasil's

Jay Rockwell notices that people like the music, they enjoy it, but they just don't know how to dance it. Sonya begins to teach a Salsa lesson on Wednesday nights.

May 1, 2001

Salseros Unidos

Salseros Unidos forms under the direction of Barbara. Some of the originals were Mike Andino, Mirka Ibarrondo, Jessica Moya Rodriguez and Darlin Garcia.

Jan 1, 2002

Wild On Salsa

Wild On Salsa Company forms under the direction of Sonya Elmore. Some members included Joe Figueroa, Kimberly Figueroa and Sonya Elmore, among others.

Jul 1, 2002

Puerto Rico Congress

Salseros Unidos were the first team to lead the area representing Philly at the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress in 2002.

Aug 1, 2002

Workshops with Jesus Morales from LA

Sonya is going to LA all the time to dance Salsa and she meets this guy Jesus Morales who then becomes her dance partner. She flies him in to Philadelphia for workshops. Fun Fact: Early Philadelphia Salseros were quite heavily influenced by Jesus Morales. The surrounding cities of New York and DC are "mambo" cities, meaning they dance on 2. However, LA dances on 1 and therefore Philly picked up on that style from Jesus rather than being influenced by their surrounding cities.

May 1, 2003

La Luna Dance Studio

Sonya Elmore opens <a href='http://www.lalunadancestudio.com/' target="_blank">La Luna Dance Studio</a> in Bensalem, PA.

Jun 1, 2003

Cuba Libre

The manager at <a href='http://cubalibrerestaurant.com/philadelphia/nightlife.php' target="_blank">Cuba Libre</a> asks Sonya and her partner to perform there on the weekends. Sonya along with Joe and Kim Figueroa, Jessica Moya Rodriguez, Mike Andino, Amber Rawls, Jose Maldonado, Arnold Convento, Eli Torres and Victor Colon become the original dancers at Cuba Libre on Friday and Saturday nights. They continue performing there for about 5 years.

Jan 1, 2004

Art In Motion Company

Darlin Garcia forms the Art In Motion company. The team members Darlin, Mirka Ibarrondo, Mike Andino, Jessica Moya, Alex and Lilly all met at the Atrium, taking lessons with Barbara.

Jul 1, 2004