Salsa Music Festival expands, makes the move to Maritime Park

Kalyn Wolfe
·3 min read

For more than a decade, the Northwest Florida Boricuas Ausentes held its annual Latin Salsa Music Festival at Fort Walton's Landing Park. But after a five year hiatus, NWF Boricuas Ausentes has rebranded, relaunched, and ready to take its fest to the west.

“We are super excited to be here in Pensacola,” NWF Boricuas Ausentes President Geraldyn Martinez said. “Over the years, people have asked us, ‘when will you be having (the Salsa Music Festival) in Pensacola?’ Well, I’m proud to say that that time has arrived.”

The Salsa Music Festival, now in its 11th year, will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 29 at Community Maritime Park in Downtown Pensacola.

“The park definitely provides a bigger space, but we are also so fortunate that Pensacola opened up and welcomed us with open arms,” Martinez said. “NWF Boricuas Ausentes is about celebrating Puerto Rican culture, but it’s really about bringing everyone together. That’s why it’s now called the Salsa Music Festival.”

Boricuas comes from Borinquen, the name given to the Island by indigenous Taínos who inhabited Puerto Rico before Spain’s arrival in 1493. Ausentes means absent but in the context of being absent in the diaspora or away from your country, but never separated from the feelings, heart and culture of it.

Angela Ballard and Steve Myers practice their moves during the weekly Latin Dance night at Seville Quarter in Pensacola on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Their moves will come in handy during the Salsa Music Festival July 29 at Community Maritime Park.
Angela Ballard and Steve Myers practice their moves during the weekly Latin Dance night at Seville Quarter in Pensacola on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Their moves will come in handy during the Salsa Music Festival July 29 at Community Maritime Park.

This year’s festival will still bring the heat that’s all too familiar from years’ past. Prepare for a day-long dance party, as there will be music from bands such as Orchestra Fuego, from Tampa.

“But no Salsa dancing is required,” Martinez said. “You won’t need to take any Salsa Dancing class to dance all day. No Spanish speaking is required. When we think of Salsa, we automatically think of the salsa we eat. It’s a great condiment on food, but there’s much more to it than that.”

Speaking of food, there will be no shortage of the amount of food trucks pulled up and ready to serve.

“We will have lots of international food and offerings as a way to support our local food trucks,” Martinez said. “We will have a truck serving Venezuelan cuisine, and another one serving Caribbean, so there will be plenty of choices available.”

But the theme, food and music won’t be the only thing that’s muy caliente.

“It’s going to be a sunny day, claiming it now,” Martinez said. “While we aren’t allowing any tents, you can still bring your umbrellas, lawn chairs and a small cooler as long as it’s under 14 inches. Also, wear sunblock, and stay hydrated. We will be selling water onsite.”

Early Bird tickets are now on sale for $15 through July 16. After the sale ends, tickets will be $20 through July 28. Tickets will be $25 at the door the day of the festival.

Proceeds from the festival benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/boricuasausentesnwf?mibextid=ZbWKwL

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Salsa Music Festival expands, moves to Maritime Park in Pensacola