Pop up Museum
Welcome to the groundbreaking Latin Sol Festival Pop-Up Salsa Museum, a pioneering initiative that promises to redefine cultural exploration in Arizona! Inspired by the renowned International Salsa Museum in New York City, our museum stands as the first of its kind in the state. Including interviews with David Olarte, Samantha Stephens, and Frankie Martinez, our museum showcases a rich tapestry of stories, artifacts, and performances that celebrate the spirit of salsa. Join us as we embark on a dynamic exploration of rhythm, movement, and cultural exchange – only at the Latin Sol Festival Pop-Up Salsa Museum.
DavId Olarte
David Olarte is a Colombian-American clinical assistant professor at ASU geared towards guiding students in and out of the realm of dance. Dancing for more than 15 years, David founded STILO dance in 2007 and has gone on to make waves in the salsa world and was recently awarded the Arizona Latin Dance Achievement Award for his continuous effort to support and develop the Arizona Latin Dance Community. David has brought Afro-Latin dance to the forefront of dance education here in Arizona and continues to push students and communities around the world into a deep historical rooted passion.
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David is credited for bringing Salsa education to the forefront of ASU as well as giving Arizona an inclusive learning environment to celebrate art and culture. Graduating in 2016 with a masters of fine arts degree in Dance, Olarte has gone on to be a public dance workshop instructor and performer at national and international salsa congresses with the Season ‘Stylists’ Dance company and as director and founder of Stilo. One of STILOS most notable performances took place at Jacob's Pillows Inside Out festival in 2017, work that integrates a multidisciplinary approach towards social performances while bridging various communities.
Stilo Dance Co.
Founded 2007 by David Olarte, STILO has grown a prestige reputation in and out of Arizona. STILO represented the USA in the finals at the 2013 World Latin Dance Cup in Miami, FL., placing 3rd in the Salsa Team Division. Costumes play a crucial role in Latin dance, contributing not only to the aesthetic appeal of the performance but also carrying cultural and symbolic significance. Latin dance costumes often reflect the rich cultural heritage of the specific dance style or region as well as being used as a tool to portray feelings.
In this piece, David wanted the audience to feel as if they were dancing in the clouds or submerged in water. The costumes were designed with this in mind. The flow of the dresses paired with such a soothing silky white top.
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2011 2nd Annual World Latin Dance Cup placing 4th.
Salsa Instruments
Clave, Shakers, Congas, Cowbell- The lively and dynamic nature of instruments not only propels dancers but also connects them to the rich cultural traditions that form the foundation of Latin dance. Different types of drums have specific cultural and regional associations. For example, congas are often associated with Afro-Cuban and Caribbean music, while timbales are frequently used in salsa and Latin jazz. The use of drums reflects the rich cultural diversity of Latin America and its rhythmic traditions,
Claves were originally used in Afro-Cuban folk music and are among the instruments that maintain various fixed rhythmic patterns in Latin-American dance bands.
LAtin Night at the Duce
Sam Stevens graduated from ASU with her bachelors in Leadership and Enturpunerment in Art and Culture in 2017 and not long after her masters in 2018. Sam credits finding salsa on a whim but quickly was adorned in what she describes as a freeing feeling. Sam become the first student director for Latin Sol in 2017 and has gone on to create Latin Night at the Duce in Phinox Arizona. Her goal in Latin Nights is to host an inclusive, safe FUN learning environment to feel the freeing energy salsa brings to the community.
Frankie Martinez
Franki Martinez is an Afro Latin dancer focused on salsa and other latin connected dance forms. Franki’s style is a combination of community dance with solo expression. Frankie credits finding his individuality through classes with the infamous Eddie Torrez.
Scarlett Uribe
Scarlett Uribe is a Mexican American senior with the Barret Honor Society here at ASU studying environmental design with a certificate in marketing and sales as well as being apart of STILO Dance Company. Scarlett grew up in a house where music and her culture were equally celebrated. From the young age of 8 Scarlett's mother formed a ballet folkorico group who's growth and identity inspired her in her role as Latin Sol Director. Her pride in culture and giving back propelled her in dedicating all of her time in expanding and supporting the culture of salsa. Scarlett felt that salsa opened a door in making her not only feel more connected with her culture, but apart of her own community. She soon realized how much she loves salsa and notes that the inclusivity of the style matched her love for quality built communities. With her major, Scarlett saw the perfect opportunity to use her skills in a way that promoted and supports her community. She continues to be an advocate and active creator for initiatives such as ours.