The Alternate Party - IntoSalsa Goes Underground for the Night
by Gary Walter
posted August 30, 2005

Never let it be said that IntoSalsa is impacted by the politics of club ownership. Saturday night at the Blue Cactus changed its "feel" by way of dispencing with the sounds of Dj TaZ and the IntoSalsa organization. It decided that its own form of entertainment would cater for the Indianapolis Salsa scene!

With relatively no notice the newcomer salseros and salseras found themselves with no introductory lesson and left the remaining Indy dancers to support a somewhat changed tempo as the dance floor lacked the selected sounds of a vibrant Salsa mix.

As expected IntoSalsa reacted to the disappointment and coordinated an impromptu party back at the studio. Those of us who heard the word were all given an exceptional night of Latin experience and Salsa freedom, including the newcomers who gave mention to "Is this the experience of Salsa going underground?". Well not exactly, but it was a great night of dancing. Some excellent displays of Salsa at its best. Just to mention a few: Shayne is always a treat to watch, and Andrea and Ryan are such a connected dance partnership. However the combination of Cynthia and Yang on one particular dance left the party gasping in applause (What did the Blue Cactus miss!!!!).

So what happens on Saturday nights? Watch this space. IntoSalsa will keep you posted. Yang and Erin will continue to promote the Indy Latin Dance experience and Dj TaZ will continue to be heard.

Thank you for a great night.

Reader's comments

I have to say that I'm very sad for what happened last Saturday. But one thing made me realized the impact that we have had on people was the reactions and comments that I heard that night. Many people came to me and told me that the atmosphere felt very different at the Blue Cactus and that they will follow us wherever we go. But no matter what we will stay strong. We will be back and as anybody would know I will stay on Yang and Erin's side. They gave me the chance to interact in the salsa scene and I will always be grateful to them for that. Thank you everybody for your support and please stay in touch with us because we are coming back bigger, better and BADDER!!!
- Cynthia

Yang, Erin, Taz, and fellow salseros and salseras, remember one thing: they think they know how to do it but they don't. I know IntoSalsa will be back salseramente.
- Alex Alex

And I bet those people will try to continue salsa night right? If so I won't go!
- Cubana

We are so bummed about the Blue Cactus cancellation. We will be waiting eagerly for another Saturday night spot to salsa.
- Annie

Jesus people get over it. No one said you were not successful. They just wanted to change, if you're going to be upset talk to the owners. Yang and Erin sure were dancing away, so I guess they liked the music. You guys need to move on. And Alex Alex you are only allowed to make a comment until you prove you can throw a successful event. Until then zipp it you dont know anything. Trust me. We all know and have laughed together. The Blue Cactus is not gonna miss anything other than having student dancers there who think they run things.
- jessica2028@lycos.com

Hey my dearest Amigos, I was saddened to hear about the cheap, sick way in which they virtually back stabbed you. But I think that you folks have it in you to go about organizing it at your own studio. Well most serious Salsa dancers are more into drinking water than Alcohol, and then I was told that there is a BAR right by your studio, so people who want to guzzle can go in for a quick swing at the jug and be back to sintillating salsa. So I hope you take it as a sign and start organizing it at your own studio. And will be able to provide cheaper door fee (as you would not have to split with the Blue Cactus now), that I am sure would be a crowd pleaser and puller. You guys bring in something that no one else can..... So I hope you that you succeed in what ever it is that you plan on doing.
- Vino

We should just build our own spot for Salsa and call it Salsa Underground. Well ok maybe we could get a different name but you get the idea. Saturday was weak at best. The last second party was in the top 5 ever on Saturdays in my opinion. I will always support Salsa wherever it is.
- El Morenito

That night at the Blue Cactus was a surprise for many people. It felt strange the moment you walked through the door and Yang was not there with his warm welcome. A strip of paper was your change for the $10 cover charge. Taz was MIA. Cynthia wasn’t there getting the night started with her enthusiastic lesson. I saw many salseros & salseras huddling together trying to make sense of everything. I ended up leaving early. My only regret was I missed the rendezvous at the studio later that night. But on the bright side, this might be a jumpstart for something “bigger, better, and BADDER” from IntoSalsa. I’ll be look forward to it.
- BL

I don't know when I suspected that there was a Barnett connection to Blue Cactus. It doesn't matter. I only remember that I cringed. Recently, I happened to tune in to 107.1, something I rarely do, and I heard what to me sounded like a new mantra: "Radio Latina - Tan Latina Como Tu." I cringed again. Barnett's reputation for unfair competition is well-known in this town. I'm sorry that it had to touch people like Yang and Erin who, at least in my opinion, really cared about the Latin community and, specifically, about the salsa-loving Latin community. You don't have to be Latin to care about the Latin community, but when your sole driving force is greed, then you don't deserve to hide under labels that will help you feed that greed. It saddens me that our own community members condone this kind of unacceptable behavior. I know people need their jobs, but I don't believe you should ever compromise your moral convictions or ethics. I trust that the paying public will show their disgust by not supporting Saturday nights at Blue Cactus, whatever they may be. I only wish that IntoSalsa finds a new venue in short order and that we can all continue to enjoy salsa a la TaZ, with the beating of drums by Gerardo and the fancy moves of our hosts. God Bless!
- Margie Esteban-Gonzalez

I'd been MIA for a while and I walked in to the surprise of Saturday. No Taz, No Yang...and none of the familiar faces. The party sucked. I was out of it in 15 mins. Salsa at BC will die in couple of weeks w/o IntoSalsa. No worries Yang, you know how to get in the crowd and rock the joint. Many clubs would more than welcome to hold your parties out there. Cheers for a better venue and bigger parties!!
- Rahul

Funny how things happen sometimes. IntoSalsa has made "salsa" a house hold name for themselves here in Indy and you guys make it look easy. I've seen you grow to become very sucessful.... now lets see if "they" can compete with such sucess. It takes hard work which we all know you have done...they need to do the work too, not ride on your coat tails. IntoSalsa is a class act in my book.
- Suzi

Wow, Jessica2028!!! Harsh girlfriend! So harsh! Ouch!!! Yeah, we can relate to your point. It's true folks. Nothing is forever, and business is business, no matter how crude or blunt the results. We just can't cry over spilled milk. But we are disappointed as expected. Yang and Taz have pulled off what no other club opposition has been able to do since the Jazz Kitchen's inception of "Latin Thursdays": Yang and Taz took salsa to the next level. What "is" the next level exactly? It's better than a dark smokey club filled with guys seeking girls and vice versa. It was beyond the need to get your drunk on before you got your groove on. It was a new twist in upfront training, a different spin on party theme, a charity here and there, and show treats just because they love to wow the crowd. No other club venue in town has taken such painstaking efforts to give fresh, new reasons and flavor to their latin nights. Few other managers even intermingle with their populace effectively. And even fewer would promote competiting salsa venues for the sake of offereing variety to salsa lovers. Even when one tired of the same dance scene, these geniuses came up with new and raw reasons to come out and show support. Salsa was not about getting a DJ to play what is popular, nor grumbling bartenders who felt latinos "don't drink enough". Yang and Taz saw a vision that encompassed community and it was felt long after the bar closed down. Under their guidance, salsa was a mere instrument for pulling together the community. They did just that...and wonderfully. So, yeah, you can imagine the disappoint of the change. I will no longer patronize the Blue Cactus. Not out of spite. No. But because now it's just a club, like the others. And there won't be much more to look forward to than the same old faces, the same atmosphere and with the same unoriginal reasons for showing up.
- the MoJo

This is all BS you guys are pathetic, Yang and whoever know nothing about music and further more about getting anything rocking. If all you guys ever wanted was to go and "salsa" dance and be nice to one another then hey go to the M. Walker you guys can all mingle be merry and feel safe and take your kids at that to. I think its shitty how now you are all talking trash about the blue cactus. I thought you all were decent people? Nice people aren't mean after they get asked to leave.
- Laura

Jessica you totally miss understood my email. Itotally support intosalsa a 100%. Please read the email again.
- Alex Alex

P.S. You all forget so easliy. When I worked at Dick Clarks, Red Brick Dance Studio was "the thing", most of you dont even remember paying $5.00 cover on Wednesday nights.... Thats right, I said a $5.00 Cover Charge on Wednesday Night the worse night of the week, to get into Dick Clarks to dance. T broke the Salsa scene in Indy, T made the push with Cuba Chacon DJ from Radio Latina. It wasnt Alex, not Marco, not Yang, T made the first real big push in this city. T would of understood, I bet Yang and Erin understand the economics of it all. Show a little class, have some gratitude. It could be better than ever, but nooooo, you would all rather faint hurt, whine and pretend that you would never go back.
- Angela

It is amazing to me how much credit people is putting on Taz and Yang. I worked at the Blue Cactus I have went back to school and none of you know how much of a net loss that night has always been. Most of you dont buy a thing. A club has to make money or it does not survive and for a year Mr. Barnette paid for those losses, not Yang, not Taz, and certainly not Margie. Second, hardly anyone who bought anything tipped, except for a few people who actually have class. Most of you show up, pay the cover, bring your own water or ask for tap water then when the club makes a hard decision you all stick your nose in the air and cast despersions. Third, Taz never played any new music, always the same , over and over and over. There has been complaints at Indy Salsa about that and from some of you that are complianing now. Taz is a great guy, yet, never got on the mic to help the club or bartenders. Fourth, there has NEVER been a club in town even willing to give up a Saturday night to Salsa, ask yourself why. Cant come up with an answer, how much over the cover have you ever spent? LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I hear they are going to continue doing Salsa and have even offered a list for Yang to bring each week for studnts to get in free. The Blue Cactus hasnt cancelled anything but the net losses. I think that your true colors of greed and lack of class has finally showed up. Go, go some where else and continue to show your lack of gratitude to the FIRST CLUB IN INDY TO EVER give up the most profitable night in the club industry. Good Luck Blue Cactus! Love Angela.
- Angela

I have read all your comments about not being at the Blue Cactus any more and I see that we're all sadden. In my opinion, unless you can express yourselves in a polite manner you shouldn't comment at all and I feel persons directly bashing someone shows their ingnorance. As for "Ms Jessica" who directed AlexAlex for his comment shows just that, ignorance....How is she to say who is allowed to make any comments? Sounds more like she need to keep her mouth zipped. Unless she has attempted, has done, or can do what intosalsa does, she shouldn't be allowed to make any comments! She with in herself is irrelevant. Ridiculous. I'm sure there are more compassionate people in the group who would agree we're all here to have a good time and make friends and enjoy what we all have in common-salsa dancing. I have no doubt that this will not all end here!! So I'm waiting for a new venue soon. Thank you Yang, Taz, and Erin for the best times in Indy!
- Amanda

I'm very sorry to hear about the recent changes concerning BC. As the latest victim of meany club owners, I regret to admit I know how frustrating such a situation can be. I hope you guys can hurry up and put together something just as successful so that we can continue enjoying the benefits! Good luck, best wishes.
- Rebecca

Ladies, Gentleman, please come down. Life goes on with or without salsa. There are a lot more things happening around us, please. Let's focus on our health, happiness and everything we have that people in South don't have. Breaks my heart to see those people helpless in TV. I would like to clear a few things though, last Saturday night I was in BC with Yang and Erin, they never said anything negative or hurtfull about Blue Cactus. They actually were trying so hard to keep intosalsa students calm. Jessica, my dear, Erin and Yang are salsa instructors and dancers, of course they will dance when they hear the music. They never said music was bad. Angela, what makes us upset was not what BC did, but how they did! They can have little more loyalty and give more notice before taking over the evening. Nice of them to have a student list though. Also, past is over my dear, T, Red Brick Studio, Dick Clarks. It is INTOSALSA era in Indy now and some Indy Salsa too, perhaps. I am pretty sure Taz would play different tunes if he would ask to, he is such a nice, caring guy. Laura, I wish they would have more regular events in MW. But, as we know only once in a month. Hey I would like to have somewhere to take my kids dancing too. Although I have never seen any in there. One last thing, intosalsa is full of nice people, we all are very disappointed with this, that is all.
- BK

Not sure why club visitors should be made to feel obligated to buy drinks if they don't want to drink. And I'm not sure why we should be "grateful" to owners for having salsa. After all, major cities around the world from Berlin to Tokyo, Buenos Aires to Toronto, have salsa on Saturday. It's the wave of the future. If the BC doesn't want to be part of the surge, that's their problem. And if they try and drown those who do, well, that's their problem, too. VIVA INTOSALSA!
- Salsa Mami

Ever since meeting Yang and Erin at a salsa party, intosalsa has been a wonderful gateway into the salsa community. The venue doesn't really matter, it's the intosalsa crowd that makes it enjoyable. I would love to see more salsa nights at the studio. Who cares if we lost a venue with sticky dance floors and poor bar service? I'll go where intosalsa goes.
- Ben

I've read just about all the messages that people have left and i think some things are misunderstood. First of all business is business. You have to make money first and that is how it is. If the blue cactus wasn't making enough money off of us salsa loving people then management reserved the right change things. Doing it one hour before the party wasn't very tasteful though. I don't harbor any bad feelings toward B.C. I've had some of the best dances and nights ever there. I think all of us at intosalsa feel the same. I understand what happened but i am not happy with the results. That is mainly what i think most of us serious dancers are expressing. Now about us salseros not drinking, tipping, and buying things stated by angela. We are dancers. Drinking inhibits our ability to dance. Sure the bartenders want us to get all tanked up and happy, but salsa is not that kind of scene. As the number of skilled salsa dancers grows that will become more apparent. As far as a number of us not going to B.C. You can't blame us. Our love of salsa is why a few of us danced a little bit on saturday. At the same time we are a community and the dj should tailor to our needs as well as everyone else's. Playing the whole salsa song is one thing that must be done. I'm not going into all the other things a good dj must do but the music played on saturday is not going to work for me or many others. If that was changed then i would probably go back. No hard feelings B.C..... you were good to us while it lasted. Now its time to move on.
- RyanC

It is very upsetting how BC ended Intosalsa nights. As some salsero said, I believe they should've given a notice before taking over. I guess BC owners want to target a different crowd so they can make more $$$$$!! Anyways, I think saturday nights at the BC will start decaying slowly... and it will never be the same. I hope Intosalsa finds a new place for their salsa night. True salsa lovers need it! ... and I support Intosalsa 100%. Good luck guys!
- Julio

I am sure there will be an additional venue soon for Salsa dancers. From what I hear from seasoned dancers, there has always been an outlet for those who love to dance. ANGELA- the reason the BC does not sell many drinks is because the bartenders SUCK! I have never gone to the bar and waited any less than 15 minutes for a drink. Despite the poor service I have always received from the bartenders, I tipped well. Regarding those who do not tip well, maybe they do not feel a tip is warranted when it takes 15-25 minutes to receive a drink. I have never been to a club in Indy or any other city where three bartenders could not accommodate (in a timely manner) four times the volume of patrons.
- Cindy

I am sorry to hear about the recent events, and amazed at some of the comments that I have read. The intosalsa community is made up of some of the most interesting, energetic, diverse, and kind hearted people that I have met. I know that you will find a new venue and that Salsa Dancing in Indy will continue to grow, change, and evolve.
- MissTasha

I have read most of the comments on this page and they are extremely interesting. I personnally think it is rude to cancel an event 3 hours before it happens, nevertheless The Blue Cactus belongs to his owner, and he can do whatever he wants and run his place the way he wants, with the music he wants, the crowd he wants. What happened last Saturday happened to a lot of places, there is no more salsa at Bourbon Street Distillery, Mavris, Club Kameleon, Bleeker Street, Club Avalon, Club Savvoy, All Stars sports bar, Club Mecca... All those places tried hard in the last 2 years and they stopped, I did not hear people crying about it. I personnally went to all those places as much as I could and I had great time in all of them. Parties and places come and go. It is a huge loss for the salsa community but that's life. All those places were not making enough money to pay their bills. We all go to work to pay our bills, those guys do the same.
- Sylvain

Last Saturday night was my first night visiting Blue Cactus and the IntoSalsa party. I realize that I missed some great times over the past year, and am sorry that the weekly dance party was not profitable enough for BC to keep it going. I am sure that it was a difficult decision by BC. But hey, I got to meet many cool Salsa loving people that night, and wish to thank my new IntoSalsa friends for inviting me back to the studio for a great time later that night. I hope to see you all again very soon! I get a smile on my face when I think of the people I met and the fun I had Saturday night. Thanks to everyone!
- Mike D

Well then why is the blue cactus continuing salsa night with another dj? I think it's all a bunch crap everyone wants to cash out on a night of salsa or the latin community. When the club owners see the amount of people show up they think it's a gold mine. Why does the blue cactus cry they're not making money, but they want to continue the salsa night ? Something ain't right about it all. There's more than meets the eye here and I'm sure no one is telling that part!
- Justine

Hey, I just wanted to say that the Saturday salseros have not lost their passion. If one went to Blue Cactus on Saturday, Sept. 3rd, they noticed the difference (which I did not like). This makes me sad because there're many people in Indianapolis who love salsa like myself. And Saturdays are better that any other nights because it's the only night I can go out. I hope you guys will soon have a new place. Abrasos a todos...

hey, quiero enterarme y saber q los sabados salseros no se an terminado con su agrupasion, x q la verdad este pasado sabado 3 d septiembre al BLUE CACTUS y la verdad nada q ver, en pocas palabras se noto la diferencia (no me gusto ) y esto es triste para mi x q es una motivasion muy grande saber q en indianapolis hay gente q como a mi le encanta la salsa. y bueno sobre todo los sabados q para mi es el unico dia q puedo salir d noche, espero pronto saber d ustedes en un lugar definido, abrasos a todos...
- Elvis

I am sorry to hear that Satuarday Night salsa will no longer be at the Blue Cactus. I had some plans for dancing and learning some new moves now that I have had my baby, but it seems like my plans went down the drain. I do know with time Yang and Erin will find another " Hot Spot" for salsa and I can not wait. Keep your head up salseros and salseras.
- CJ

I must say, reading all of the comments below was interesting to say the least! It is true, as some of you have pointed out it; business is business. In all business transactions there should be one rule of thumb: Professional courtesy! Just as any employer would like professional courtesy given when an employee sees fit to move on to better opportunities and asks for a two week notice, so should businesses express the reciprocity of such courtesy. I'm not saying the Blue Cactus should have given a two week notice (for those of you who are ready to jump to conclusions), but more than an hour's notice would have been appreciated. After all, how you conduct business with customers, vendors and potential partners/business associates will be the overall contributing factor in your business success. In other words, professional courtesy goes a long way! As far as a everything else goes, I have a few points to make myself. I used to be a cocktail server myself for many years and I can honestly say, the service at the bar as well as the tables was lacking in so many areas. Poor service never warrants tipping! Yet because I know how it feels to do the job, I still tipped. Those of you who know me well also know I spend money at the bar and far more in excess of the cover charge! As far as the music is concerned, whether the music was new or old shouldn't matter. What should be important is whether the music was good enough to dance to with feeling. Judging by the crowds at the Blue Cactus, I would have to say actions speak louder than words. After a certain hour, there was hardly any dance floor to dance upon. Could that possibly explain the need for the additional dance floor the owner installed? Anyone who knows Taz should know if you had requested a certain song, he would do his best to play it. Question is, did you bother to ask him? What Taz brings to any venue is his energy which can't be replaced by any Top 40 song! Mix in the addition of Gerardo and Roberto playing percussion, and you get live entertainment without the added cost. A cost that Gerardo and Roberto could have easily passed onto the owner. Remember, business is business. As far as IntoSalsa goes, their success will follow them wherever they may go. They have supporters just as they have supported others. I personally have met so many wonderful people through the salsa scene and especially through Erin and Yang. That goes beyond a club or bar tab for me. As long as IntoSalsa continues to conduct business with the integrity and professionalism it has always exhibited, they will continue to succeed. IntoSalsa will always have my support.
- Patricia

hey margie....how successul businesses have you ran....lets see there was the insurance company...ooops out of buiness. then there was that time you had a program on the radio....ooops big write off for the staion....got to pay those bills girl...much like why is it when a non hispanic generates an idea it is always about the white man profits....ask st. judes childrens hospital who was the major push behind their 57,000 radiothon to everyone else its a business......if you own your own business you know what i mean....the 6000 electric bills the 10,000 per month rent...the cost of employess and let us not forget the state and federal goverment parts...so it is very easy to sit back and bitch....that seems to be the way of some in the community......why dont you get off your ass and make a difference......it is really not all that hard......
- Dwight Barnette

That night at the cactus was probably the most exhilerating night in a long time....the music was fresh and new (and it not skip). Sometimes its not the two or three people that make the party like in real estate its location location location.
- Cactus customer

Dear Patricia: First off: It is important that a Dj play new music hint that is why they are called Dj's. They get all the new music and play it for all of us so its ridiculous for u to say its not important if Taz played new or old. What planet are you on and have you ever been to a club in another city that played old music? Also never in my many visits to any other hot latin clubs in chicago did i ever see anyone give the Dj a cd to play that does not happen. The Dj should have all the new music and the hottest hits. Yes Taz has lots of evergy i agree and also that he is a nice guy i agree too. Everyone hung out there due to the fact that well its the only club and the floor was packed due to everyone dancing its not like everyone was going to stand around. New music is important I dont want to dance to music that is old and music that i have never heard of. The added entertainment well what can i say I think you know how i feel about those two........please get it together.
- Jessica

Hey I went to the Blue Cactus last Saturday and i enjoyed the music and saw many new faces. Its still a fun place and I think its stupid that eveyone is acting so childlike. Everyone needs to grow-up. Also Erin and Yang need to tell their students that all this trash talking still does represent them and the dance studio so they should be careful.
- Nancy

Despite what you think of the ownership of the blue cactus....sucessful business people have a way finding their strongest and weakest points...i have been to the cactus the last two weeks and yes the service really sucked......but did you know that the ownership....you know the one who is only out to "rape" the salsa community....terminated all of the lame....sloppy....unkept employees only to replace them with a whole new crew of very well experienced bar folks. from around town....i know for a fact that these folks are making more money....because the ownership recongized not only was the quality of the music going down....but the quality of service reallly really was deplorable......if i were you i would go back and check it out......you might find yourself surprised......i know i will be ther and looking forward to getting a drink in a reasonably short period time and more importantly getting a thank you and a smile.
- Salsa citizens

Dwight: what is this about margie's insurance company closing? i was just there. u should do your research before attacking people.
- a concerned customer