The Mayor and City Council invite the public to enjoy an evening of Latin music and dancing at Center Stage Theater on January 14. Presented by the Community Services Fontana Arts program, “Noches con Ritmo” kicks off this January and is scheduled to run until June 2010 on select Thursday nights. From 7:00 to 8:00 pm participants will receive dance instruction from Ivelisse Quiñones. Then from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am the dance floor opens up with live performances from local bands and/or DJs. There is a $5.00 entrance fee. Appetizers and beverages are not included but available to order. This event is for 18 years and over only. Center Stage theatre is located in Downtown Fontana at 8463 Sierra Avenue next to the Lewis Library.
Scheduled dates for the upcoming Noches con Ritmo are January 14, 21 & 28; February 18 & 25; March 4, 18 & 25; April 8, 15 & 22; May 13, 20 & 27; June 3 & 10. At 7:00 pm Ivelisse Quiñones will instruct participants on the various styles of Latin dance. Known by her friends as Evie, the Puerto Rican born instructor moved to the states twenty two years ago. In Puerto Rico she started dancing in Jr. High learning various styles such as Plena, Merengue, Salsa, Cha-Cha and more. When she arrived in LA she noticed the salsa was a different, more of a "Hollywood” style, so she decided to take some lessons with the Vazquez Brothers to catch up on this new style. Evie is a fast learner, great dancer and a fantastic teacher, so upon the suggestion of her friends, she decided to teach others how to dance. Her love and enjoyment for dance is evident through her instruction to others.
On January 14, Mambop will bring their pulsing mambo and be-bop rhythms to Center Stage ensuring an exciting night to kick-off the Noches con Ritmo series. The MamBop style is an intriguing combination of driving Cuban and Puerto Rican Mambos and American Bebop Jazz as well as "Salsa Dura" Hard Salsa. MamBop started out strictly playing Latin Jazz that was on the fiery side. As their audiences grew they noticed their music made people want to dance. As a result MamBop added singers and extra percussion and now also plays Salsa Dura and Latin classics which appeal to the hard core Salsa crowd and makes MamBop a more versatile group. The band was founded and is led by timbale player Jim Munoz. Over the years, the band has changed and grown into what it is now with seasoned players that give it a strong confident sound. To view upcoming performances and listen to Mambops music, visit their Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/mambopjazz.
Noches con Ritmo is part of the Fontana Arts program focused on enriching life through art events and activities in the Fontana Community. For more information about this event and other Fontana Arts events in the City, please call (909) 349-6900 or visit www.fontanarecreation.org.
