by Susannah Kloepfer

I love to dance and it is even better to dance, party and celebrate with such amazing people. Life just doesn't get better than this. I think we all danced our hearts out to benefit the poor! :)

If you would like to see a preview of the night and the fun we had check out our new youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/salsalegredotcom

Thank you everyone who made a donation: (bought a ticket, paid at the door, gave a little extra when you didn't have to) As usual: our event was a success and we raised money to sponsor children to go to school and to buy food to feed hungry families. YOUR dancing did this! That is something to feel proud of.

I would like to especially publicly thank the people who made this possible, without them there would not be an event.

Tod Griswald (owner of the Highlands Hollywood Nighclub), and the Highlands Nightclub Staff. The venue is beautiful and with this donated venue it makes a memorable night for all!

Those that donated funds to purchase flyers:
Janice Jason (check out her accessory website: http://www.incrediblyhandmade.com)
Alicia Hernandez
Earl Miller of the Granada

Angel Lebron y Su Sabor Latino for donating a night of pure street salsa (no rinky dink!) (this is his second year with us and he has also told me he really cares about children: he wants to continue the tradition and be apart of our event every year)

Freddie Munoz for singing beautiful Bachata Ballads and for donating half the sales of his CDs for the night to our benefit!

Our charismatic, world renown DJs (who give up gigs just to be a part of this event and donate to a bigger cause):
Super DJ Robby Rodriguez
DJ Frank (Mr. Swing) Martinez
DJ Kenny Miranda

The Rose of Salsa: Liz Lira for giving us a dance lesson/workshop and ending our showcase as a great finale with Cristian...

Our amazing dancers who gave us a beautiful performance out of the goodness of their hearts so that it would benefit our mission! Thank you for an unforgettable show!
Cristian Oviedo
Ruby Karen
Sakara Dance Company: Violeta & Lesley
David Nieto
Esteban Conde
Alejandro Rey and Paso De Oro
Julie Simon & Tropicaleiza

A special thank you to the videographers:
Rebecca Christain
Thomas Dillard (I love the youtube clip you put together, thank you so much!)

Our Photographers and Loving Salsa Paparazzi ;)
Harout Sujian
Raul Pavia
Gingi Kadvany
Ronald Naka

Thank you to Dena Burroughs for putting us on her website: http://www.vidasalsera.com and for writing an article about us: http://www.examiner.com/x-17101-LA-Latin-Events-Examiner~y2009m7d24-The-LA-Salsa-Community-will-dance-with-a-joyful-heart

Thank you to KPFK 90.7 FM and show Canto Tropical with all their staff for announcing and sharing our event on the radio.

Thank you to the promoters and nightclubs who generously let me promote!
Earl Miller (& Enio) and the Granada, Alhambra
Jim Filipan and Steven's Steakhouse
Debby Farley
Gingi Kadvany
Anthony Long at the Warehouse
Bebe Girl and the Minx
Coco Palm
Cristian Oviedo and Zanzibar
Astro and the Shore
German Acevedo and http://www.salserosweb.com
Borderline
Olivia's

Also, thank you to my invaluable volunteers!
Lila Grace
Paul Nurre
Janice Jason (and her entourage) :)
Alicia & Nela Hernandez
Danny Gmeiner
Manueln Barragan
Billy Kloepfer

Thank you to my mother who helps me through all this and keeps me sane:
Yolanda

and to the founder of the mission for doing all the good work that this event inspires:
Ana Gmeiner

Thank you everyone!!!!

If you came please add your name in the comments - let me thank you too! :)

* Originally written on November 13, 2008 by Susannah Kloepfer

The day after the event I just feel this sort of natural high thinking about all the beautiful people in the salsa world. I just can't get over how kind and generous some of you are. I feel very lucky and blest to be in the company of those I saw last night and I just have a lot of love right now for them.

I had SO MUCH FUN! It really does give me a happy heart to dance for a good cause.

Thank you to all of you who came and made a donation. Thank you to those who didn't come too but still sent good vibes and prayers over our way. They were felt (at least by me! :) )

Especially for the following people who graciously donated their talents and time:

Tod Griswald and the Highlands Nightclub Staff (I love the Highlands... Having a salsa night here is oh so very nice)
Johnny Polanco Y Su Cunjunto Amistad
Angel LebronY Su Sabor Latino
DJ Frank, “Mr. Swing”
Super DJ Robby
DJ Victor Rumbero
DJ Angel Rumbero
Edie The Salsa Freak
Joby Brava
Olivia Dasso & Boogie Box
Zulmara Torres & Paco Evangelista’s LA Fusion
Ritmo Y Sabor
Alejandro Rey & Alma Urcid, Bachata Champions of Paso De Oro
Liz Lira’s Salsero State University
Luis Aguilar
Tropical Rhythm
Mr. Rithymatic aka Javier Fernandez
Jon Scudder to did the videography
Harout Sujian who took pictures for me
All the people from Steven's Steak House
Alma Del Barrio
Canto Tropical
VidaSalsera.com
My T.V. Star Friend I knew before he got on T.V. - Michael Steger (used to be on kids shows like Hannah Montana and now is on the new 90210) He is such a handsome boy, I think he will be the next Brad Pitt one day.
All the Salsa Promoters and Clubs that let me promote the event: Steven's Steak House (Thank you JIM!) Sachi (thank you Astro), Zanzibar (thank you Cristian Oviedo), El Floirdita, The Salsa Box (thank you Lisa and Courtney aka SugarPush Rumbera), The Granada (thank you to Enio) - and all the other people who sent out e-mails, passed out flyers, sent text messages and spread the word.

And many personal friends from church and/or the salsa scene some of you wouldn't know by name but who I couldn't have done it without - they ran the door, ran the show so it would run smoothly, took care of the money, ran the raffles, and much more. They made it possible so I was allowed to dance and enjoy the event knowing everything was in trustworthy and capable hands.

And I saw many Facebookers, MySpacers and people from other on-line communities I belong to there last night too!!!

My heart is really swelled up right now. Thank you all.

The next mission trip is in December. If anyone would like to make a donation you still can any time of the year. If anyone would like to go on a Missionary Trip to see what we do first hand everyone/anyone is always welcome.

You can get more information on http://www.salsalegre.com

I'll be constantly updating this website with pictures from our salsa event and other events, clubs and such put on by the people who have helped Salsalegre as some point. Also I'll be putting up new pictures eventually of out trips so you can see where the donations are going if you can't go on a trip for yourself.

I think one or more of the salsa stars above might go on one of our weekend missionary trips...

I think next year's Salsalegre will only be better.