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God and Salsa: the rhythm with purpose
European Union

Dancing has a special characteristic; it makes the dancer have total concentration in the moment. No past, no future, no problems, just the joy of the present, music and movements. That’s one of the therapeutic reasons to join the salsa movement.
Dancing has changed the life of many people, with this begins the journey of “God and Salsa”, mixing two worlds that are usually separated: faith and dancing.
A project created with love in the core, Jess and Anayancy Thomas, writers and producers of God and Salsa, they want to spread a message of love, faith and awareness.
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Jess Thomas, writer, producer and director has enjoyed a career in both the technical side of Broadcast TV, which included Project Management and the production side of video and film as a Producer, Director and Final Cut Pro editor. He brings a high level of enthusiasm to any task at hand. Jess is an excellent communicator and tends to get along well with everyone. He understands the ground up nature of the work and has an uncanny knack for seeing the big picture. These traits have proven themselves essential when managing a project or Producing a low budget film.
Jess is excited at the prospect of taking on the nuts and bolts activities necessary to maintain a high level of excellence. He would be honored to be a part of an entertainment or broadcast companies staff and would take great pride in having the opportunity to be a part of a company that brings quality entertainment to millions of satisfied customers.
The project begins with the desire of talk about an important issue: How children are affected by divorces in families.
With her personal experience, Anayancy created the story of Raquel, a 40-year-old therapist and divorcee is trying to cope with the loss her daughter to suicide. Her trust in God has suffered because of it. Matt, 45 asks her to see his son Shane 17 who has attempted suicide due to depression brought on by the conflictive divorce of his parents. Shane’s mother, Monica 40, is self-absorbed and has turned Shane and her other children against Matt.
Raquel struggles to regain her faith, but in the meantime Salsa dancing is her only solace. Against Monica’s will, Raquel takes on the challenge of trying to help a belligerent yet severely depressed Shane and prevent him from successfully killing himself. What follows is an intense emotional struggle that Raquel is only able to overcome with the help of God & Salsa.

The goal for this film is to stop the terrible situation that many children go through their early years. There are different levels of damage: family dissolution, emotional damage, self-blame, depression, etc. The child always suffers the consequences of separations.
The Thomas knows that personal experiences are very powerful to pursue a goal and getting people’s empathy. The film goes with the character-story line, going through all the darkness, how Raquel takes the personal tragedy that she was going through with salsa dancing to redeem herself, with a very dark beginning she overcomes everything to change her life.

The film is the combination of different stories and experiences. The salsa is on the story thanks again to Anayancy’s personal experience. When she decided to explore other parts of her life and herself, salsa dance was the best option, because she could get away from all the troubles, getting the mind occupied with an incredible activity. “When I dance, I’m in a bubble” she say, a proof of how dancing gets you in the present.
With a special air of a fairytale story, Jess and Anayancy met at the Presbyterian Church in Bel-Air, here their journey begin. Jess told International Salsa Magazine why you should go and watch the film: because every family member can relate with an aspect of the story, parents, teenagers, seniors, etc. Faith, love, drama and a lot of salsa dancing make this film so amazing. This film will touch a special part of everyone’s heart. Don’t miss it!

Miami Bachata Festival 2017
North America / USA / Miami
The Miami Bachata Festival (MBF) 2017 will be held January 26-30 at the beautiful Deauville Beach Resort in Miami. MBF is a celebration of culture through live music and dance attended by a diverse international audience. For attendees looking to be adventurous or take their dancing skills to the next level we provide instructional dance classes from beginner to advance with a line-up of World class local and international dance artists www.miamibachatafestival.com
At night, MBF brings out the entertainment! Each evening begins with live dance showcases that are sure to wow any audience with a mix of acrobatic, sexy and high-energy performances. Then, move on to live music with internationally recognized artists and then end the evening with some of the best tropical music DJs in the world to ensure you dance the entire night away. MBF is an event that provides something for everyone and we hope you join for the fun.
Confirmed Artists
Music
- Grupo Extra
Dance
- Ataca & La Alemana
- Daniel & Desiree Ronald & Alba
- Sara Lopez
- Alex & Desiree
- El Tiguere & Julianna Pablo Vilches & Yaima Billy & Ahtoy
- Jose Ferrante & Elena Simone & Serena
- Alfredo & Andrea
- Frank Santos & Gatica Andrea & Silvia
- Gregory & Jessica
- Rodrigo & Wendy Paso Fino
- Zeke Ruvalcaba
- Roberto Lay
- Mike G y Pura Vida
DJs
- El Tiguere
- Soltrix
- Emerzive
- Khalid
Grupo Extra
The hardest thing for new projects in the music business is to find an identity, a new concept, a new sound, a different style, and new colors. All the above describes Grupo Extra. The key members of Grupo Extra are: El Nene Flow (Neftali Caba), El Turko (Yassir Neher), Tony Santana (Edward Anthony Regalado Santana), Manny Rod (Emmanuel Rodriguez) y Yewdry Alvarado.

Grupo Extra is already known as a group with a big stage presence, a lot of strength and energy, perfect choreographies and beautiful harmonies. In their relatively short career Grupo Extra has shared the stage with great figures of the International Latin Music scene like Daddy Yankee, Wyclef Jean, Jorge Celedon, Kasav, Los Van Van de Cuba, Guayacan of Colombia, Prince Royce, Hector Acosta and others.
Dance
Alex & Desiree
Alex Morel is known for his musical style and flavor on the dance floor. He has been teaching workshops and performing in countries such as Germany, Portugual, and Israel, to name a few. After moving to NYC, Desiree Godsell began choreographing and dancing for Atlantic recording artist Santigold, and touring all over the world. She was part of the opening act for artists such as Coldplay, Kanye West, Jay-Z, M.I.A., and Rihanna. Desiree began her Salsa career straight at the top, partnering with the Mambo King himself, Eddie Torres. She’s appeared on late night TV shows David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brian, and Jules Holland. She’s currently producing a dance concert series called the Pearl in BK.

Ataca & La Alemana
Tanja “La Alemana” Kensinger began teaching professionally in 2008 with Jorge “Ataca” Burgos. Initially, their primary dancing style was Salsa, but switched to a Bachata emphasis after a friend of Tanja’s recommended they do a routine together. Their dance organization, Island Touch Dance Academy, currently has over 100 teams in many countries across the globe.

Gregory & Jessica
Gregory and Jessica were the champions of the TV program Yo Bailo Bachata in Spain. They also won 2nd place at the World Championship in the Bachata Cabaret division in Miami, Florida. They are known for their fusion of Salsa, Bachata, and Hip Hop. They have choreographed numbers for television appearances for artists such as Luis Fonsi, Chino y Nacho, and RedOne.

Daniel & Desiree
Daniel and Desiree are one of the hottest Bachata couples in Europe, and now, in the world! In a short partnership of only 3 years, they have achieved multiple titles, including the 2012 World Bachata Masters. Together, Daniel and Desiree have more than 15 years of combined dancing experience. They are known for their Bachata, but they also teach all kinds of Latin dancing. Some of their titles include Campeones BachataStars España 2010, Subcampeones BachataStars Europe 2011, and Campeones World Bachata Masters 2012.

Jose & Elena
Jose and Elena Ferrante Avella started dancing together in September 2011, debuting with “Just Promise,” a mix of Acro Dance and Bachata that represents the fusion of love and passion. This choreography, created in no time, was their winning piece in two choreographic Bachata competitions in March 2012: Bachata Day in Italy and The King of Bachata in France. In 2013, they won the Bachata Open in Spain and qualified for the 2014 World Bachata Masters. To date, Jose y Elena continues studying in various disciplines such as ballet, pas de deux, acrobatics, Latin Hustle, Bachata, Salsa, and Kizomba.

Kizomba Chick
Maria Ivanova (AKA Kizomba Chick) is a Kizomba instructor, promoter, and performer who has been sharing her love and passion in the U.S. and overseas. Maria is the first official face of Kizomba in Florida, spreading her vision for this breathtaking sensual dance tempestuously. She learned Kizomba with some of the greatest masters, such as Kwenda Lima, Petchu, Ricardo Sousa and Paula Loureiro, Albir & Sarah, and Joao & Mafalda. She continues to travel abroad to satisfy the thirst of learning and dancing, bringing back to her students the latest techniques and newest patterns.

Paso Fino
Paso Fino Dance is a brand dedicated to teach you the joys of Latin Dancing. Their mission is to bring passion to the people, to bring out the dancer in everyone, and empower people along the journey. Their instructors guide students through a fun dance experience that is designed to benefit the mind, body, and soul. They describe the experience as tribal, primal, and fun.

Tiguere & Julianna
EI Tiguere’s father was a self-taught musician, and he imparted a feel and love for music that would permeate in all that El Tiguere does. Some of El Tiguere’s earliest memories are dancing the night away with his mother in New York. El Tiguere has been dancing formally (studio taught) for three years and gotten his name for his sexy, and sometimes unconventional, style of dancing with swag. A true believer in “dance what you feel,” El Tiguere loves and embraces all styles of dancing. However, his true loves are Bachata and Mambo. A passionate teacher, El Tiguere has been teaching students what he knows about dance since his third month dancing!

Ronald & Alba
Ronald (from Colombia) and Alba (from Spain) were the Champions of the 2012 BachataStars in Spain and 2- time BachataStars Champions in Europe in 2012 and 2014. They’re currently the Champions of the World Bachata Masters 2015. They both currently reside in Alicante, Spain.

Rodrigo & Wendy
Rodrigo and Wendy Jimenez are renowned instructors and performers who have graced numerous stages locally and abroad. With intensive training under World Master Instructors and ESPN World Salsa & Argentine Tango champions, they also have been featured in several public broadcast television shows as well as the International Latin Dance Film “La Epoca.” They have conducted workshops and performed “SalsaTango” and “Bachatango” fusions at numerous Salsa congresses, festivals, and galas in major national & international cities. They have performed with Salsa star Eddie Santiago, the Queen of Salsa “La India,” and Salsa bands Guayacan and DLG.

Porfi Jiménez The Master of Rhythm Who United Two Nations
The life, work, and legacy of tropical music’s most “Venezuelan” Dominican.
Porfirio Antonio Jiménez Núñez, known universally as Porfi Jiménez, was more than just a musician; he was a cultural bridge.
A Dominican virtuoso by birth and Venezuelan by choice, he became one of the most iconic figures of Caribbean dance music.
His legacy endures as an exceptional trumpeter, arranger, and bandleader who possessed a unique gift for reading the pulse of the streets and elevating it to the level of fine art.

The Prodigy of Hato Mayor: Academic Training
Born on February 16, 1928, in Hato Mayor del Rey, Dominican Republic, Porfi’s destiny was sealed by music from an early age. A recognized child prodigy, he began his formal studies at age seven.
Following the death of his father, his mother gifted him his first trumpet when he was eight a tool that would eventually become his eternal voice.
Unlike many bandleaders of his era, Porfi sought technical excellence at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. This education granted him a superior technical command of jazz orchestration and tropical rhythms, allowing him to inject a unique harmonic sophistication into popular music.

Putting Down Roots in Venezuela: A 50-Year “Layover”
On February 6, 1954, Porfi landed in Caracas at the invitation of his compatriot Rafael “Tata” Minaya for a brief Carnival tour.
What was planned as a temporary trip turned into a stay that lasted over half a century. Before founding his own sonic empire, he honed his craft within the country’s most elite musical institutions:
- The Pedro J. Belisario Orchestra.
- Billo’s Caracas Boys, under the baton of Maestro Billo Frómeta.
- Staff orchestras for Venevisión and RCTV, where he shone as the lead arranger during the golden age of Venezuelan television.
The Birth of a Signature Sound
On December 31, 1963, as the world celebrated New Year’s Eve, a legend was born: Porfi debuted his own orchestra at the Tamanaco Hotel’s Naiguatá Hall.

His style broke the mold by fusing Dominican merengue with salsa and jazz, achieving a modern, high-energy orchestration.
That same year, he released his first LP, A bailar con Porfi (Velvet Records). Featuring the vocals of Kiko Mendive and Chico Salas, the orchestra produced hits that are now staples of the Latin party songbook:
- “La Negra Celina”
- “La Resbalosa”
- “La Banda está Borracha”
The “King of Carnival” and the Golden Years
Throughout the 80s and 90s, his name was synonymous with sold-out venues. Dubbed the “King of Carnival,” no festival in Venezuela was complete without his music. His ability to create “people’s anthems” is undeniable, leaving behind timeless tracks such as:
| Iconic Songs | Cultural Impact |
| La hierba se movía | A massive sales and dance phenomenon across the region. |
| Culucucú | An undisputed hit during the December holiday season. |
| Se hunde el barco | A quintessential classic in the repertoire of great orchestras. |
| Dolores / Chivo Florete | A masterclass in high-energy, danceable merengue. |

An Immortal Legacy
Maestro Porfi Jiménez passed away in Caracas on June 8, 2010, at the age of 82.
Though Dominican by birth, he always declared himself “Venezuelan at heart,” leaving behind a devoted family and a generation of musicians trained under his disciplined leadership.
As we approach the centenary of his birth in 2028, his influence remains more vibrant than ever.
The tributes held between 2024 and 2026 in both the Dominican Republic and Venezuela only confirm that Porfi Jiménez was, is, and will always be the man who defined the rhythm of the Caribbean identity.
Also Read: Federico Betancourt “Pioneer of Salsa in Venezuela”
What Adalberto Santiago represents for Latin music
Our great friend Adalberto Santiago is one of the biggest references of Latin music despite his long career, so it is always appropriate to remember the greatest moments of his career. Today, he is experiencing some health difficulties, so we hope he enjoys this article and it makes him feel better.

Adalberto Santiago’s beginnings in music
Adalberto Santiago Berríos was always possessor of an extremely powerful and deep voice, making him a lyric tenor and one of the best performers of Afro-Cuban music in the United States. Some of his most important influences from an early young age were Miguelito Cuní and Benny Moré, who served as a source of inspiration for what was to come in his future career.
The artist began in music by lending his voice to trios and playing the guitar and bass, although he often accompanied these activities with some dance steps. In the eyes of many, this makes him one of the first singers to play, dance, and sing in the same concert. In addition, in this early stage of his career, he was nicknamed “The Latin Elvis Presley” due to his tall stature, thick hair, blue eyes, and elegant demeanor.
Turning point in his career
After having had the opportunity to play with great orchestras at the time, what really made his career take off was his joining Ray Barretto’s Orchestra, prompting him to go international with albums such as “Acid” and “Rican Struction.” These albums continue to be a reference for salsa and Latin music fans in general.

Some time later, Santiago and other members of the aforementioned orchestra created La Típica 73, but unfortunately time did not pass much when the artist and some of his colleagues split up again over religious differences with the rest of the members and founded Los Kimbos on their own. Along with this group, of which he was the lead singer, he recorded ”Los Kimbos” and ”This Big Kimbos With Adalberto Santiago” in 1977, the year in which he dared to release his first solo album called ”Adalberto”.
One interesting thing about that album is that it was produced by Ray Barretto, who contributed two of his compositions to his old pupil.
Solo career
From 1977 onwards, everything that came for Alberto was nothing more than success and recognition. One of those great successes was his famous participation in “Hommy, A Latin Opera,” a work produced and directed by Larry Harlow, which was an assured stamp of excellence. Soon after, he was asked to be one of the lead singers for “Louie Ramírez y sus Amigos.” He co-produced the song “Adalberto Featuring Popeye El Marino” with Ramírez and joined Barretto on “Rican/Struction.”
In the 1980s, Adalberto and Roberto Roena came together to release ”Super Apolo 47:50”, which included songs such as ”Yo Tenía Una Mujer” and ”Vigilándote”. Around the same time, he also co-produced the album ”Calidad” with Papo Lucca, who was also very involved in the musical direction.

Another international explosion of popularity
Another milestone in his career was his salsa version of the classic “Sex Symbol,” which has since become a cult album for fans from many countries, including Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. It turned out to be one of the most successful albums of his entire career and practically established a new style known as “salsa monga.”
The composer has also written songs for albums in which he himself has been involved as both a bandleader and singer, and his success has in no way prevented him from staying true to his Latin roots.
Adalberto Santiago’s current situation
We have learned that Adalberto Santiago was about to participate in a tour which aimed to pay tribute to him and other participants, but due to some complications with his health, this concert series will not be able to take place for the time being.
From International Salsa Magazine, we are very sorry for this situation, and the entire team hopes that this living legend of music will be able to get out of this situation and continue to give us joy with his talent.
Read also: Cache Live Music puts Miami to dance to traditional Latin music

















































































