This July, we celebrate Jesse Bermudez on his city-wide holiday, Jesse Bermudez Day,which honors his hard work and dedication to Philadelphia’s Latin music scene over the past 40 years.

On July 8th, the Bride’s theater will once again transform into a sultry cabaret-style dancehall and candlelit getaway. The evening begins with a group salsa lesson from Maestro Flaco of Flaco’s Dance Factory, and then, once acquainted with the groove, all dancers are welcome to get down to the sounds of a live Latin big band, Pablo Batista & the Mambo Syndicate.

Pablo Batista and The Mambo Syndicate perform a range of Latin rhythms and styles reminiscent of the Sunday dance concerts at New York’s legendary Palladium during the Golden Age of Latin Music. Songs by Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Hector Lavoe, and Ray Barretto are featured in band’s repertoire. In addition to Batista’s dazzling conga skills, the band consists of an extraordinarily talented, dynamic, and well-schooled line-up of supporting players on piano, bass, horns, percussion, and vocals. Pablo Batista and The Mambo Syndicate distinguishes itself with its deep knowledge and integration of age-old Afro-Carribbean folkloric rhythms which are still rarely seen outside of the Carribean, New York, and some parts of Africa.

This event is presented by Siempre Salsa Philly, an initiative undertaken by Rob Bernberg (Latin Beat Magazine), Carlos Sanchez (Orquesta del Barrio), and Jesse Bermudez to grow the audience for authentic salsa music in the City of Philadelphia through a series of educational and entertainment events scheduled to take place the week of July 5th to the 10th. To learn more about Siempre Salsa Philly visit www.facebook.com/siempresalsaphilly