“Salsa by the Bay” is a new summer music and dance series that will be offered in Bayview Park on the Perth Amboy Waterfront on 3 dates, Friday June 28, Friday July 26 and Friday Aug 23 from 5:30-8:30pm presented by Perth Amboy Artworks. The free event starts with a one-hour group Salsa dance lesson from 5:30-6:30pm lead by a premiere Latin dance instructor, followed by 2 hours of open dancing to a live Salsa band. The series is the vision and work of Perth Amboy resident Rosemary Nivar who is an avid Salsa dancer and board member of Perth Amboy Artworks.

As a board member of the local arts nonprofit Perth Amboy Artworks, Rosemary created the new triple date dance and music series centered on Salsa music. She pitched the idea at a board meeting, speaking up about the lack of a Salsa dance scene in our area. Rosemary explained how she constantly had to drive up to North Jersey for dancing and how she would love to have it here in Perth Amboy – a city with a major Latino population. Rosemary gained the unanimous support of the Perth Amboy Artworks board, and went on to pitch the idea of Salsa by the Bay in a grant proposal that was funded by the Middlesex County Arts Institute. 

She reached out to top Latin dance schools and instructors who will teach the group Salsa dance classes including, South Street Salsa instructor Kevin Toft on June 28, Scarlet Mambo instructor UBie Alvarado on July 26 and Salsa instructor Nancy Ynchaustegui on August 23.

Rosemary reached out to top Salsa bands to perform at Salsa by the Bay in Bayview Park including Orquesta Son Sabroso on June 28,  Eric Cabanilla y Su Grupo K’ndela on July 26 and Swing Combo on August 23. Enjoy open dancing on those dates from 6:30-8:30pm.

“This event truly embodies a lot of who I am – a lifelong proud Perth Amboy resident, a lover of Salsa dance (I’ve taken hundreds of classes on and off for 3 years now), and a lover of supporting local art and businesses as we sourced local dance schools to teach at our event and local NJ based bands and a gourmet Latin fusion food truck from here in Perth Amboy. My dreams are coming true” said Rosemary.

“I ask that you please come out to one of these dates to learn how to dance Salsa with an introductory group lesson, followed by staying for 2 sets of wonderful live salsa music” said Rosemary. You can register for the event on Eventbrite, RSVP on the FACEBOOK event or just show up! Read more at PerthAmboyArtworks.org.

“We are also excited to announce Chef Deluxe Me Food Truck (a famous food truck that has garnered national attention as they have served even celebrities) will be selling their famous delicious food at all 3 dates.

Please note the dancing surface will be concrete so be prepared and that there is plenty of grassy hill to set up chairs or blankets to watch the bands play as well! There is ample free parking in this area as well as public restrooms. 

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural Arts Trust Fund. Perth Amboy Artworks also is grateful for the support of the Salsa by the Bay Founding Sponsor, SJP Properties.

The event is being held in Bayview Park, a beautiful waterfront park overlooking the Perth Amboy Marina on Raritan Bay. Walk around the marina on Front Street and you will find Bayside Creamery Ice Cream Parlor, the Barge Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge and the Armory Restaurant and Tiki Bar. Bayview Park has benches and picnic tables at the base of the park. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Free parking is available at the Perth Amboy Marina on Front St. Bathrooms are located at the Perth Amboy Marina. Rain location for the June 28 Salsa by the Bay is 289 High St Perth Amboy.