This message was sent out by Henry Knowles, internationally renowned Salsa DJ.

Ending the Year with Mucha Salsa!!!

This has been a pretty amazing year full of mucha Salsa!! I have had the opportunity to share my music with hundreds of thousands Salsa lovers from all parts of the world in 2005. Dancing brings great joy to many and I always take great pride in what I do best.

It makes me extremely happy to see so many people learning how to dance the music which I was born to.

The Salsa events around the world have played a major role by offering dance workshops by top instructors. I hope that 2006 can bring more awareness to the music.

For many years there have been musicians, promoters, club owners, dancers, DJ's, etc., ... who do this primarily for the love of the music.

Now is the time to begin to pay more attention to the music and learn about the artists who are recording & performing the music which you are dancing.

In order to keep Salsa alive, it will require an effort from everyone.

1- Try to purchase at least one CD a month (not a bootleg) to support the musicians who put their blood, sweat & tears into these recordings.

2- When you are dancing to live music, at some point stop for a few minutes and look at the band and find out who is on stage.

This will give you more awareness and help educate you more to the music. Aside from that, it shows a bit of appreciation to the musicians.

3- When you go to a salsa club, try to buy at least (1 or 2) bottles of water if you don't drink alcohol. This will help in maintaining the salsa nights open.

Many clubs have discontinued their salsa nights, because they cannot cover the overhead (expenses) with the money generated at the bar or door.

Remember that the money generated at the bar/door is what covers the expenses (rent, insurance, security, promotion, electric bill, etc...) I know a bottle of water may seem expensive at a nightclub, but you have to look at it as a drink...not a bottle of water.

4- Dance Instructors... Please mention at some point in your classes/workshop these points. Ask your students to try and purchase at least (1) CD a month. You can compile a list of the proper music to recommend to them, because most people do not know what to buy.

Stress the importance of supporting the clubs by buying at least (1 or 2) bottles of water, to maintain the night open.

If we all come together to make everyone aware of these points, it will help keep Salsa alive and strong!

And remember it is all about the music... Dancing is an expression of the music.

May you have a Healthy & Happy New Year!

The above message was sent out by Henry Knowles, internationally renowned Salsa DJ.