Hot Latin Nights Returns To Helena On Saturday
Author: Amber Johnson, Last Dance Gulch
Hot Latin Nights Returns to Helena on Saturday
Amber Johnson
Last Dance Gulch
Hot Latin Nights is returning to Helena every third Saturday of the month at Miller's Crossing, located at 52 S Park Ave. It is set to return at 8 PM on Saturday, September 21.
A popular celebration of Latin music and dance, Hot Latin Nights was canceled in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
"Miller's is excited to welcome Hot Latin Nights back to our dance floor," says Bruce McCullough, owner and manager at Miller's Crossing.
"The people loved it, and continue to ask for its return, so that's what we're doing. We're going to bring it back bigger and better than before," McCullough states.
Latin DJ Cesar Urquilla will be spinning tunes at the monthly event.
"You're going to hear some good Merengue, Cumbia, Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton, Latin House and Pop, and some Chacha," says Urquilla. "You cannot not dance to this music!"
Hot Latin Nights originally kicked off in February 2018, the creation of Latin DJ Johnny Pagan and Last Dance Gulch owner and dance instructor, Amber Johnson. Johnson is a long-time Latin dancer, having trained in and danced multiple styles of Latin dance around the country and world for twenty-three years.
"Latin rhythms and dance are incredible gifts that the Afro-Caribbean diaspora have shared with the rest of the world," Johnson declares.
"I have Latin danced on the beaches of Nicaragua, the streets of Guatemala, the jungles of Indonesia, the rooftops of Cuba, the quays of the River Spree in Berlin, and in Latin Clubs across the United States and around the world. So, I thought, why not Helena? This place could use a little spice," says Johnson with a laugh.
Each monthly event at Miller's Crossing will start with an hour-long dance lesson at 8 PM, followed by three hours of music and dance until midnight. Drop-in dance lessons will cost $12/person. While there will be no door cover, there is a suggested donation of $10-$20 to help organizers cover the cost of promotion and staffing. Donations will be accepted with both cash and Venmo payments.
"Give what you can and when you can," says Carlos Joaquin, one of Hot Latin Nights promoters and organizers.
"$10 is less than two cups of coffee. But if you can give $5, give $5. If you can give $20 to support culture and art and adult recreation in Helena, give $20. But more than anything, we just want to see people moving and laughing together. We don't want a lack of funds to chase anyone away from the dance floor," Joaquin says.
"Yes, we want to see a lot of booties shaking it together on the dance floor," says Johnson. "The world is in love with Latin music and dance, and for good reason. It is so much fun! So, we hope you will come out and dance with us."
For more information about Hot Latin Nights Helena, please visit their Facebook and Instagram pages or email Johnson at lastdancegulch@gmail.com.
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PhotoCredit: Amber Johnson, Last Dance Gulch
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