International Salsa Magazine

Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

In Venezuela, Caracas, the neighborhood is a way of life with its own identity. The neighborhoods of the entire National Territory, its inhabitants, become outstanding characters. Such is the case of Betty Zapata who was born in the emblematic La Pastora Parish located in the Capital (Caracas). There he spends his childhood in a neighborhood of colonial and historical houses of Venezuela.

Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨
Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

There are many memories of that legendary Zone, they are inevitably built by those associated with survival, preparation, development, work, love, struggle and family formation, its magic and what marked it for life… . “Music”.

My connection with music is due in part to the fact that I live in a popular area where the music that was heard was Afro-Caribbean (mostly Salsa), the parties or meetings in my house and the neighborhood were always enlivened by that type of music, the most rooted and sticky collectively, originating the most varied dancers.

In the Carnestolendas festivities, improvised platforms (Templetes) were installed to stage the most varied costume and dance contests. Leaving my childhood and beginning my adolescent stage, I participated in dance competitions, obtaining recognition and prizes that were awarded to the young people of my generation.

I attended festive celebrations (dance meetings) with my older sisters at the age of 12, not because I was a dancer, but to not leave me alone, since I was the youngest of 3 sisters, this allowed me to share with people older than me and which I was learning the different dance styles “remembering with great affection the Cayender family, made up of excellent dancers” they are part of my school and love for dance. My cadence, flavor and body movement also allowed me to learn until I had my own dance style.

The music of the moment was the Danzones, Billo’s, Melodicos and in my house my sisters listened in the 70’s to Joe Cuba, Ricardo Rey and Bobby Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, the Latin Dimension prevails, Grupo Mango, Salsa Mayor, La Banda and his Young Sauce. That stuck with me forever and I felt drawn to Salsa.

That gave me the basis to fully incorporate myself into the exciting world of music. In the Barrio salsa is something essential, if you don’t dance it, enjoy it, feel it, you’re nothing.

Attending a meeting, an event, a concert, a presentation, a party or a meeting and there is no salsa, you feel an emptiness since with it we enjoy, we share, we dance and it definitely puts us to enjoy.

Photo - Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨
Photo – Betty Zapata ¨The Lady of Salsa¨

In the course of my 6 decades of existence, I have not ceased to be linked to it in different facets: as an audience, spectator, guest, contestant, jury, organizer, producer and director of events.

Each of these participations has allowed me to stand out, stand out and be a well-known, popular and loved person, a reference in the organization of a good party, night events, presentations of representative groups of the world of Salsa such as:

Ray de La Paz, Herman Olivera, Frankie Vásquez, Bobbie Valentin, Willie Rosario, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Sonora Ponceña, La Selecta, Mulenze, Carlos Cano Estremera, Julio López, Yolandita Rivera, Mambo Legends among others, and for those from the Patio: Bailatino, Rumberos del Callejón , Ensamble La Calle, Albondiga y su Pandilla, Repicao, Tributo, On Fire, La áquina de la Salsa, La Negramenta, Gerardo Rosales, Javier Plaza’s Son Risa Orchestra among others.

This has allowed me to be an obligatory reference when it comes to producing and making an event of great importance and musical quality where the Dancing Public is respected and appreciated, providing them with the comforts to enjoy an excellent show and Latin music is seen as an element of identity that belongs to all of us to live it and feel it.

I am (Betty Zapata) currently planning and developing projects in the short, medium and long term and to give you a heads-up I am giving you the scoop: I am here with my radio program to promote, support, disseminate and promote our exciting and magical world of Caribbean music.

Karina Bernales
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