I love the Spanish/Jewish Community! You can't beat it... it's the best of both worlds. And it's not just the food... of course, I'll get to the food portion later... we all know I love food! It's just the combo of the two cultures that really brings this community to a Torah Tango!
It's the MUSIC! If you are a fan of Salsa music or even not a fan you still want to start moving when you hear the beat! Same goes for Jewish music... it touches something in your soul. Back in the day there were Latino musicians who brought the Jewish and Spanish worlds together with their spin on Jewish classics. Charlie Palmieri and Ray Barretto did "Havah Nagilah" and "Bei Mir Bist Du Shein." It was just brought to my attention that there was an old band back in the day called Juan Calle and his "Latin Lantzmen". Who knew? I've gotta get out more often and have some rice and beans with brisket!
Whenever I'm at a Bar/Bat Mitzvahs I am thoroughly exhausted. For some reason, the music just keeps on going! You never see that many Jews together at a gym screaming and moving like that but the rhythm gets you and you bust your move on the dance floor... .over and over and over, again! Of course when everyone looks at the "healthy" mother that is getting raised and lowered in the chair, we all say a prayer... for the "lifters!" But when you got the music going , the adrenaline builds and so do the muscles! EVERYBODY gets out on the dance floor and twists their wigs!
Bring back the Yiddish and Latino music worlds that have somehow been forgotten! Let's bring everybody together and let the music play!
I'm just jaded by so much Rap music. Matisyahu does a fantastic job but you never really work up a "burn" dancing to rap. Even the first rap song "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang never really brought me to a boil. A lot of head "nodding" goes on as opposed to DANCING!! New Wave/Alternative genres can't compare to Latino/Jewish music. There is a new group of younger artists: Antibalas Horns is one of them Salsa sensation, Larry Harolow ("El Judeo Maravilliso") and 94 year old Irving Field are being featured at Lincoln Center this summer in Manhattan. I encourage everyone to put down the pita and proceed to RUMBA. Dance your tuchus off! Don't let this beautiful culture of music be forgotten! Jews come in all colors, sha pes, sizes and SPICES!
Cha Cha during the Hora and let's get the party started. When you plan your next affair and it's got Jewish songs in salsa tempos you will be remembered and I hope YOU remember that you read it here, first in VJ!! Where we tell you like it was and... .like it is! Stay tuned to 'Hoodzpah! Only a few more weeks left to the summer in the City and then back to LA... OY VEY!!
