Dane Dances begins its ninth season
The Caribbean essence
The Caribbean essence
| Roberto Rengel ( top left) and Sandra Faitel (top right) help make Grupo Candela sizzle. Angela Arrington (below) has been a Dane Dances volunteer for four years. |
is striking up their unique salsa and meringue beat to open the ninth season of Dane Dances.
Angela Arrington, a Dane Dances volunteer and board member, is pretty excited about the upcoming season. The
volunteer group has been planning the season for the past year and feels that they have a terrific line-up that will
leave the crowds wanting more. “We do set out to have diverse music throughout the dances because we are catering
to a diverse crowd,” Arrington said. “We’re going to have everything from salsa to R&B to a little bit of folk to pop. We
like to cater to as many genres of music as we can that people are interested in. We also have hip-hop. It’s all about
having positive fun, family oriented music that people can enjoy and feel comfortable bringing their children to. It’s
truly a family-oriented event. So whatever music we have, the end goal is for it to be positive.”
And Grupo Candela is positively a hot group that promises to fill the Monona Terrace air with some positive vibes
as they hit the stage at 6 p.m. on August 1. Roberto Rengel, who formed Grupo with two other friends, had the idea of
creating a small salsa band that would comfortably fit into most of Madison’s smaller music venues. But after their first
gig at Jolly Bobn’s on Williamson Street, in order to stay true to the music he wanted to play: salsa, meringue and
bachata, Grupo quickly evolved into something else.
“Salsa bands, by their nature, are large,” Rengel said as we dat at the Union Terrace. “But it’s funny how we
evolved from the idea of being a group of 5-6 to having more and more members. ‘Well if we are going to do this right,
then we’re going to need more than one horn. If we are going to play this kind of music, then we are going to need a
saxophone.’ So before we knew it, we were up to three horns. Originally there were eight of us: a singer, two
percussionists, a pianist, a bassist, a trombonist, saxophonist and trumpet player. Our first gig went fine. Before not to
long, we determined we needed some help with the singing. We wanted to reinforce the singing and it’s a lot of call
and response. So we started looking around and we asked Mario Mendoza from MadiSalsa who is a friend of ours and
who had been to some of our shows to join us. And he said yes. So he became one of us. So then we had two singers,
Angela Arrington, a Dane Dances volunteer and board member, is pretty excited about the upcoming season. The
volunteer group has been planning the season for the past year and feels that they have a terrific line-up that will
leave the crowds wanting more. “We do set out to have diverse music throughout the dances because we are catering
to a diverse crowd,” Arrington said. “We’re going to have everything from salsa to R&B to a little bit of folk to pop. We
like to cater to as many genres of music as we can that people are interested in. We also have hip-hop. It’s all about
having positive fun, family oriented music that people can enjoy and feel comfortable bringing their children to. It’s
truly a family-oriented event. So whatever music we have, the end goal is for it to be positive.”
And Grupo Candela is positively a hot group that promises to fill the Monona Terrace air with some positive vibes
as they hit the stage at 6 p.m. on August 1. Roberto Rengel, who formed Grupo with two other friends, had the idea of
creating a small salsa band that would comfortably fit into most of Madison’s smaller music venues. But after their first
gig at Jolly Bobn’s on Williamson Street, in order to stay true to the music he wanted to play: salsa, meringue and
bachata, Grupo quickly evolved into something else.
“Salsa bands, by their nature, are large,” Rengel said as we dat at the Union Terrace. “But it’s funny how we
evolved from the idea of being a group of 5-6 to having more and more members. ‘Well if we are going to do this right,
then we’re going to need more than one horn. If we are going to play this kind of music, then we are going to need a
saxophone.’ So before we knew it, we were up to three horns. Originally there were eight of us: a singer, two
percussionists, a pianist, a bassist, a trombonist, saxophonist and trumpet player. Our first gig went fine. Before not to
long, we determined we needed some help with the singing. We wanted to reinforce the singing and it’s a lot of call
and response. So we started looking around and we asked Mario Mendoza from MadiSalsa who is a friend of ours and
who had been to some of our shows to join us. And he said yes. So he became one of us. So then we had two singers,
By Jonathan Gramling
There’s a touch of salsa in the air as the humid days of July give way to the
hot days of August, the month you can most likely close your eyes and feel
what it is like to be on a steamy Caribbean island. Yes, there is a touch of
salsa in the air.
And you can let your imagination run wild dreaming of sitting in a plaza in
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico as the fountains spray a fine mist in the air and a
cool breeze comes in off the water. And there are grand, old buildings lit up
against the night sky as the sound of laughter and that salsa beat comes
drifting through the air. You can just imagine.
And then you open your eyes and realize it wasn’t a dream at all as you
find yourself on the Monona Terrace Rooftop on August 1 and Grupo Candela
There’s a touch of salsa in the air as the humid days of July give way to the
hot days of August, the month you can most likely close your eyes and feel
what it is like to be on a steamy Caribbean island. Yes, there is a touch of
salsa in the air.
And you can let your imagination run wild dreaming of sitting in a plaza in
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico as the fountains spray a fine mist in the air and a
cool breeze comes in off the water. And there are grand, old buildings lit up
against the night sky as the sound of laughter and that salsa beat comes
drifting through the air. You can just imagine.
And then you open your eyes and realize it wasn’t a dream at all as you
find yourself on the Monona Terrace Rooftop on August 1 and Grupo Candela
Sandra Feitel and Mario. It actually turned out really well. Not only were we able to reinforce our vocals, but we had two singers who could go back and forth
as well as do things together. So we have some songs where they are featured on the same song. But also we noticed the energy started to take place up front
with the two of them and how they fed each other. It was positive and contagious.”
Grupo has played at a lot of venues in the Madison area including Fiesta Hispana. The Latin Palace Club was one of their favorite venues before it burned
down. They also played at Summerfest in 2006.
While Madison has a relatively small pool of talented musicians who can play salsa, meringue and bachata like they are supposed to be played, each of the
groups that play the Madison market have their own distinct sound even though they may share some of the same band members. “Our concept was pretty
straightforward, mostly salsa,” Rengel said. “We’re trying to do traditional, old school salsa — New York style for the 1970s. We’re also trying to do more
contemporary salsa for the young generation. So there are variations with the same genre. We are doing some meringue, which people love to dance to. We are
also doing some bachata. No one else in town is doing it. It is something that the Dominicans started doing. It has become really, really popular. People love to
dance to it. Many people who aren’t into dancing salsa will jump and start dancing when we start playing meringues and bachatas.”
The distinct sounds come from the performers who are invited to join the bands and by the members who set the pace. “When we started up, we wanted to
have our own distinct sound,” Rengel said. “We also wanted to be respectful of other sounds that already existed. And salsa music has many different norms so
you can play it different ways. For instance, Fuego Latino had several of the musicians who were Columbian. So they were playing more of the Columbia brand
of salsa. They didn’t play it exclusively. They were also playing the traditional style and Puerto Rican style. But they had that aspect to them that made them a
little unique. One of our original members is from the Dominican Republic, so we have that infusion of playing meringues the right way you are supposed to do
them. We spent countless hours making sure because there is a way of playing all of these types of music that someone who grew up with it and was immersed in
it knows when it is being played correctly and enough. So essentially, we were doing our fair share of meringues and also started doing bachata, which is a
slower cha cha style of playing that no one else was doing here. And then because we had a female singer with the songs that we selected for her, that gave us
a distinct sound with her voice and her way of singing.”
When Grupo Candela hits the stage, don’t expect everyone to remain seated. Their Caribbean beats lift people onto their feet for what seems like an endless
night of dance. “What is also interesting to watch is how salsa dancing has become such a huge phenomenon, not only among Latinos, but also globally with
Anglos and people from all over the place,” Rengel said. “People learn how to do it well and enjoy it. That’s what makes this fun for us, the fact that it is really a
give and take between the public and the dancers and us. It starts with the energy when Sandra and Mario are singing together up front, they will feed off each
other’s energy. It’s really a call and response that has become a common thread in our conversation that is not only with the public, but also on stage between
Mario and Sandra. When the horns are really blowing and they are having a good time, it makes you want to play longer and harder. That’s a real magic
moment when that happens. The energy goes back and forth. At any time, we are feeding off of each other. It is a natural thrill when the other side is really
having a good time and then you step it up and they step it up and we just keep it going. Some gigs have more of that than others. That’s one of the great things
about Dane Dances. It is that kind of gig where the community is there. There are good crowds who get into it. It’s one of the funnest gigs here in town to play at
because of the kind of energy there is on the Monona Terrace. We love it.”
It’s that kind of synergy off the energy that keeps Arrington coming back year after year to volunteer. “What I like about Dane Dances is that it is extremely
different than anything that is happening in Dane County,” Arrington said. “It’s actually something that is quite different than anything that is happening on a
national level where you have people who come together for the purpose of community. I am really big on community-oriented events. It’s nice to go to an
event where you have the community coming out and just enjoying themselves. You don’t see as many neighborhood block parties. You don’t see that many
neighborhood specific events that happen. So Dane Dances is an opportunity for people to come out and connect with each other in ways that they probably
never would have. And it is great when you mix people, really great music and fun together. That’s what causes me to give my time. It’s a really nice event for
the community to come out for. It’s something I enjoy donating my time to.”
Arrington loves the atmosphere of Dane Dances and enjoys helping member of the community enjoy themselves on Friday nights in August. “The best
feeling is when people come up on the rooftop of Monona Terrace, just seeing their faces when they come for the first time and are surprised at how much fun is
actually happening up there and the fact it is a positive atmosphere,” Arrington said. “It’s fun. The music is great. The food is very good. And it’s just awesome to
see people enjoy themselves and be able to connect with each other and do something they might not have thought of doing, which is come out for a
community event on a Friday night. And people keep coming back, which is what we want. We want them to continue on forever if we can.”
The Dane Dances volunteers will keep it going forever or as long as the money holds out. The dances are free to allow all segments of the Dane County
community to come out and enjoy the good vibes. And so the group needs the financial support of those who can help. “We rely solely upon donations, whether
it is coming from sponsors or individuals who want to donate,” Arrington said. “This whole process is done solely through donations. We are a volunteer-based
organization. We are still looking for sponsors this summer. On the day of the event, people will also have the chance to contribute. In order for the dances to be
effective, we encourage the donations. Your donations make the dances even better. Your donations keep the dances free and keep that sense of community
going.”
Dane Dances begins every Friday night during August at 5:30 p.m. with DJ Laurie. The three food vendors who will be offering dinner are Mango Man, Papa
Bear's B-B-Q and Bab's French Quarter Kitchen. Liquid refreshments are also available to be purchased on the Rooftop. In case of rain, Dane Dances has
reserved alternative venues for the performances to be held. So rain or shine, Dane Dances will happen for five Friday nights in August. See you there!And visit
www.danedances.org to see how you can get involved.
as well as do things together. So we have some songs where they are featured on the same song. But also we noticed the energy started to take place up front
with the two of them and how they fed each other. It was positive and contagious.”
Grupo has played at a lot of venues in the Madison area including Fiesta Hispana. The Latin Palace Club was one of their favorite venues before it burned
down. They also played at Summerfest in 2006.
While Madison has a relatively small pool of talented musicians who can play salsa, meringue and bachata like they are supposed to be played, each of the
groups that play the Madison market have their own distinct sound even though they may share some of the same band members. “Our concept was pretty
straightforward, mostly salsa,” Rengel said. “We’re trying to do traditional, old school salsa — New York style for the 1970s. We’re also trying to do more
contemporary salsa for the young generation. So there are variations with the same genre. We are doing some meringue, which people love to dance to. We are
also doing some bachata. No one else in town is doing it. It is something that the Dominicans started doing. It has become really, really popular. People love to
dance to it. Many people who aren’t into dancing salsa will jump and start dancing when we start playing meringues and bachatas.”
The distinct sounds come from the performers who are invited to join the bands and by the members who set the pace. “When we started up, we wanted to
have our own distinct sound,” Rengel said. “We also wanted to be respectful of other sounds that already existed. And salsa music has many different norms so
you can play it different ways. For instance, Fuego Latino had several of the musicians who were Columbian. So they were playing more of the Columbia brand
of salsa. They didn’t play it exclusively. They were also playing the traditional style and Puerto Rican style. But they had that aspect to them that made them a
little unique. One of our original members is from the Dominican Republic, so we have that infusion of playing meringues the right way you are supposed to do
them. We spent countless hours making sure because there is a way of playing all of these types of music that someone who grew up with it and was immersed in
it knows when it is being played correctly and enough. So essentially, we were doing our fair share of meringues and also started doing bachata, which is a
slower cha cha style of playing that no one else was doing here. And then because we had a female singer with the songs that we selected for her, that gave us
a distinct sound with her voice and her way of singing.”
When Grupo Candela hits the stage, don’t expect everyone to remain seated. Their Caribbean beats lift people onto their feet for what seems like an endless
night of dance. “What is also interesting to watch is how salsa dancing has become such a huge phenomenon, not only among Latinos, but also globally with
Anglos and people from all over the place,” Rengel said. “People learn how to do it well and enjoy it. That’s what makes this fun for us, the fact that it is really a
give and take between the public and the dancers and us. It starts with the energy when Sandra and Mario are singing together up front, they will feed off each
other’s energy. It’s really a call and response that has become a common thread in our conversation that is not only with the public, but also on stage between
Mario and Sandra. When the horns are really blowing and they are having a good time, it makes you want to play longer and harder. That’s a real magic
moment when that happens. The energy goes back and forth. At any time, we are feeding off of each other. It is a natural thrill when the other side is really
having a good time and then you step it up and they step it up and we just keep it going. Some gigs have more of that than others. That’s one of the great things
about Dane Dances. It is that kind of gig where the community is there. There are good crowds who get into it. It’s one of the funnest gigs here in town to play at
because of the kind of energy there is on the Monona Terrace. We love it.”
It’s that kind of synergy off the energy that keeps Arrington coming back year after year to volunteer. “What I like about Dane Dances is that it is extremely
different than anything that is happening in Dane County,” Arrington said. “It’s actually something that is quite different than anything that is happening on a
national level where you have people who come together for the purpose of community. I am really big on community-oriented events. It’s nice to go to an
event where you have the community coming out and just enjoying themselves. You don’t see as many neighborhood block parties. You don’t see that many
neighborhood specific events that happen. So Dane Dances is an opportunity for people to come out and connect with each other in ways that they probably
never would have. And it is great when you mix people, really great music and fun together. That’s what causes me to give my time. It’s a really nice event for
the community to come out for. It’s something I enjoy donating my time to.”
Arrington loves the atmosphere of Dane Dances and enjoys helping member of the community enjoy themselves on Friday nights in August. “The best
feeling is when people come up on the rooftop of Monona Terrace, just seeing their faces when they come for the first time and are surprised at how much fun is
actually happening up there and the fact it is a positive atmosphere,” Arrington said. “It’s fun. The music is great. The food is very good. And it’s just awesome to
see people enjoy themselves and be able to connect with each other and do something they might not have thought of doing, which is come out for a
community event on a Friday night. And people keep coming back, which is what we want. We want them to continue on forever if we can.”
The Dane Dances volunteers will keep it going forever or as long as the money holds out. The dances are free to allow all segments of the Dane County
community to come out and enjoy the good vibes. And so the group needs the financial support of those who can help. “We rely solely upon donations, whether
it is coming from sponsors or individuals who want to donate,” Arrington said. “This whole process is done solely through donations. We are a volunteer-based
organization. We are still looking for sponsors this summer. On the day of the event, people will also have the chance to contribute. In order for the dances to be
effective, we encourage the donations. Your donations make the dances even better. Your donations keep the dances free and keep that sense of community
going.”
Dane Dances begins every Friday night during August at 5:30 p.m. with DJ Laurie. The three food vendors who will be offering dinner are Mango Man, Papa
Bear's B-B-Q and Bab's French Quarter Kitchen. Liquid refreshments are also available to be purchased on the Rooftop. In case of rain, Dane Dances has
reserved alternative venues for the performances to be held. So rain or shine, Dane Dances will happen for five Friday nights in August. See you there!And visit
www.danedances.org to see how you can get involved.