DATE: SUNDAY OCTOBER 28, 2001
TO; SALSA LOVERS
FROM: ALBERT TORRES
RE: OPEN LETTER ABOUT SPORTSMEN'S FUTURE
Albert Torres Productions, Inc, my company has been promoting Salsa in Los
Angeles for over 9 years. I am proud to see how the West Coast Salsa
scene and dancers are now recognized worldwide. This was not the case
even 5 years ago. We have continued to build the salsa scene as a
family supporting each other. One of the locations that have helped
all levels of Salsa lovers whether beginners or pros has been
Sportsmen's Lodge on Friday nights for over 5 years. It has served as
a great location for individuals as well as dance teams to show their
talent. We were one of the first on the West Coast to provide this for
the dancers in an enviorement that also allowed all ages to attend.
This is unheard of at any other club in Los Angeles. It has been a
forum for the LA Salsa Kids and the youth of Sensational of Let's
Dance Studio to attend and perform their routines.
We have also been able to provide the public with dance lessons and
some of the best local and international Salsa Bands. We are a firm
believer and supporter of Live Music.
Here are some of the bands that have performed in the last couple of
years at Sportsmen's. Most of these bands performing for the very
first time on the West Coast.
Los Van Van, Issac Delgado,Aragon, Charanga Habanera, Maraca, Anacaona,
Sierra Maestra, Machito Y Su Orchestra, Tito Nieves, Ray de la Paz,
Herman Olivera, Jimmy Bosch, Wayne Gorbea, Johnny Pacheco, Fruko Y Sus
Tesos,
Sonora Carruseles, SonSublime, Salsa Celtica, Munequitos de Matanzas,
Larry Harlow & The Latin Legends, Son Mayor, Johnny Polanco, Freddie
Crespo Y Su Mambo Revue, Latin Fusion, Costazul, Charanga Cubana, Yari
More, Octavio Figueroa Y La Combinacion, Zona Nueva and many more....
SO WHY THIS LETTER????
I have always been open to listening to the public, and have also been
open about my opinions in the Salsa scene. I am now presenting to you
our problem at Sportsmen's before we lose it. We have started to see
less clubs willing to support the Salseros due to reasons that have
been mentioned many times on the chat boards. I am trying to see how
we can save Sportsmen's before it falls like many before it.
HERE IS THE PROBLEM
Over the last year our rent at Sportsmen's was doubled and the bar
guarantee was raised due to their lack of profit the year before. I
chose not to increase the cover charge of $15 on a regular night to
the public. I also agreed to the new contract, even if it meant less
profit for my company. The purpose was to keep the Friday nights at
Sportsmen's alive. We were also promised by management that we would
have the room more consistently with the new payment arrangement. They
kept their agreement. We had Sportsmen's this year more than ever
before.
Over the last six months the numbers have gone down to the point where
we have been working hard to keep the doors open. Due to the lack of
support in attendance and the lack of consumption at the bar, I have
had to pay large amounts on a weekly basis to have our Friday nights
at Sportsmen's stay alive. I am not complaining. These things happen
in all business's. What I am doing is asking for suggestions on what
can be done to save this great venue.
I have read about the lights being too bright, so we have dimmed them
the most that the venue will allow us due to their insurance policy. I
have read other comments which I have tried to work on. Some complain
of the cover charge.
We have tried to attract new crowds by bringing the hottest salsa
bands in the world to a venue with 2 dance floors and seating for 700
people. Not many venues in LA can do that on a Friday night. Even
though we have had to pay premium prices for these bands, our cover
has always been $15 for local bands and $20-$25 for international
band. On some rare occasiones have we had to charge $30. Not bad for
the caliber of the bands mentioned before, with dancing space and
reserved tables at no additional cost.
AGAIN WE ASK WHY THE LACK OF SUPPORT???
We are asking for your support, so we can keep this venue alive and
have it available next year on Friday nights. We are very close to
losing it!!!
Sportsmen's will be closed to Salsa in December, but with your support
in November, we can possibly have it again in January.
This is our schedule for the month of November:
Nov 2 Johnny Polanco $15
Also performance by Johnny Vasquez and Ramon Morales
Nov 9 Direct From Cuba Orq Aragon $20/$25(CONFIRMED)
Nov 16 CD Release Party For Johnny Polanco $15
Nov 23 TWO BANDS FOR $15
Orq Son Mayor & Direct From Colombia, 1st Time In LA,
Carlos Guerrero Y Su Orquesta (Ex Singer of Grupo Niche)
Also Celebrate Birthdays For: Maya Torres, Laura Canellias, Enio
Cordova, Raul Gomez & Gilda Smith
We hope to see you during the month of November so we won't lose
Sportsmen's. If the support does not happen this month we will need to
change venues or lose our Friday Salsa Events. Again not only has this
been a great venue for bands and dance companies to get exposure, if
we lose Sportsmen's we will lose a venue where our youth can attend,
dance and be in a safe enviorement, instead of being on the streets
doing what most of the other youths are doing. We need your support
not only to save a prime spot for Salsa every Friday, but also to
support our youth. We hope to have your support with your presence
this month at Sportsmen's. Thank You for taking the time to read this.
To respond please
e mail me at albert@alberttorresevents.com
Thank You
Albert Torres
"Creating Unity Through Salsa"
Don't Forget future Special Events:
11/01 TITO ROJAS @ The Grand Ave Night Club $20/$30
12/31 New Year's Eve Salsa Celebration
Sponsored By Crown Royal & Morrowland Records
Johnny Polanco, Ray de la Paz, Herman Olivera & Freddie Crespo @
Hollywood Park Casino
For Info Call 310 450 8770 |
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