by Ruth Aman
December 30, 2022
On the last Friday night of the year, an electric Latin beat played in the background of a warm and cozy restaurant called the Queen St. Fare in downtown Ottawa. Guests packed the restaurant wearing metallic and shiny apparel and their best dancing shoes, all ready to see the band Fiesta Cubana play some famous tunes and dance the night away.
Fiesta Cubana is a 10-piece musical ensemble with instrumentalists and singers of different ages and heritages. They play music that celebrates their multicultural roots ranging from Afro-Cuban beats, merengue, and salsa, which was the focus of the night’s fiesta. The band is led by musician Miguel De Armas, who played the keys and is also an arranger and composer for the Miguel de Armas Quartet.
At 9 pm, Yasmina Proveyer, the organizer of this event titled Salsa Party with Fiesta Cubana, stood at the door and began to welcome hundreds of guests into the event as a DJ played salsa music. These guests varied in age, gender, and ethnicity. Many came with their friends, dance crews, and family members while some came alone ready to make new friends. There were guests as old as 80 and some as young as 8. It was a dance party for all ages.
During the early moments of the event, as people continued to arrive, many individuals walked towards the stage and invited themselves to their own time of salsa dancing. Others headed immediately towards the bar to get some drinks for themselves and their company.
As 10 pm hit, the room was bustling with laughter and conversation until Fiesta Cubana approached the stage and introduced themselves. Singer Raul Corzo welcomed everyone to the dance floor and people from all corners of the room grabbed their friends, family members, and partners and rushed to the front. With smiles and cheers, the people watched on eagerly waiting for the band to begin playing.
And at once the music began. Around 50 people crowded the front, grabbed a partner and immediately started their salsa dancing. Others were spread throughout the area, just having private dances with their close group of friends and family. As the first song concluded, Fiesta Cubana received great applause as they next posed a question to the audience, ‘Do we have any Francophones with us tonight?’ The crowd cheered and the group then began to play a slow song, originally by Celine Dion. Individuals grabbed ahold of their partners and engaged in slow dancing as the female lead singer, Cristina Sayén DaSilva Sepúlveda sang. The crowd was in for a surprise as Sepúlveda and the band then adjusted the song beat and sped it up, transforming it into a classical salsa. After a few more songs, the band took a short break allowing partygoers to rest. However, many stayed and continued to dance. After a short period of time, the band returned with regained strength and energy and continued playing some salsa favourites.
Overall, the event was amazing and gave many the opportunity to conclude the year 2022 with great joy and fullness of heart. It was a night to never forget. People danced away the worries of 2022 and entered 2023 with their best foot forward!
For more information on the events that Fiesta Cubana has in the upcoming year make sure to check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FiestaCubanaOttawa
******************************************************************
Ruth Aman is a Project Officer with Black History Ottawa. She holds a Bachelor of Global and International Studies (Honors) degree, with a specialization in Law and Social Justice from Carleton University.