More News

Strap on those dancing shoes, feel the rhythm and get ready to salsa.

Publick Playhouse is hosting its second annual ShoeBert Alley dancing event that benefits area children from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Playhouse in Cheverly.

The event begins with an hour-long salsa lesson, followed by two hours of open floor salsa dancing to music from Bio Ritmo, a Richmond-based Latin band.

Barbara Bernstein, the owner of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan-based Dance In Time Productions, will teach the salsa lesson and perform a salsa dance demonstration with partner Cedric Teamer.

"The nature of the music is so lively and just so rhythmic. I certainly think it's good, clean fun," Bernstein said.

Bio Ritmo plans to perform two, one-hour sets of music after the lesson.

Marlysse Simmons, the pianist for Bio Ritmo and a songwriter, said the Latin music will only incite salsa dancing.

"It will be something for them to party to, get up and dance to," said Simmons, 35, of Richmond. "We are an alternative salsa band because we definitely mix it up. It's fun music because we can interact with the audience."

The band, which has been based in Richmond for 20 years, is comprised of three singers, and musicians who play the saxophone, trumpet, trombone, a synthesizer, electric bass guitar, congas and bongos.

The vendor, El Taco Azteca, will serve chicken, beef and pork tamales and tacos, said Sonya Kitchens, the assistant director of the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly. More than 100 people are expected to attend.

"I think it'll be a good way of bringing cultures together," Kitchens said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

Last year, the Playhouse held a blues band event.

The event, which costs $15 or a new pair of shoes and socks for a preschool or elementary age child, will be given to the Prince George's County Department of Social Services to benefit children in the county.

Bernstein, who has been dancing salsa for eight years, and Teamer will teach event participants the basics of salsa dancing, and then perform a salsa demonstration.

The hour-long lesson, geared for beginners, will start with Bernstein teaching the footwork to salsa dancing, which includes picking up their feet, learning to shift their weight with every step and taking small steps with each beat.

Participants will then partner up and learn basic movements, including underarm turns. Bernstein will explain the how dancers learn to lead — typically done by men — and to follow, typically the woman's role.

"There's a lot to absorb. When someone masters this they're well on their way to dancing salsa," Bernstein said. "What makes it fun is the music — that's hard for that not to be great fun."

Salsa has seemingly become one of the most popular types of dance, Bernstein said.

After the dance lesson, Bio Ritmo takes the stage.

"It's great if people can take a dance class, but the reality is we want people to dance however they feel like it," Simmons said. "With salsa music people tend to get very scared when they see other people doing it. It's more important that people have fun and get into it."

Bernstein said she believes that dance opens up "a world of joy."

"It's really almost impossible to be sad while you're dancing — it's a biological imperative," she said. "Dance is an expression of joy. I can really open up a new world and one where you forget your cares and one where you thoroughly enjoy yourself."

If you go

What: ShoeBert Alley Goes Salsa

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Publick Playhouse at 5445 Landover Road in Cheverly

Price: $15 or bring a pair of new shoes and socks for a preschool or elementary-age child

For information: Call the box office at 301-277-1710. For information about Dance In Time Productions, visit www.danceintime.com or for information about Bio Ritmo, visit www.bioritmo.com.

The event is held outdoors. Participants should bring a folding chair.

E-mail Liz Skalski at eskalski@gazette.net.