Salsa night shines with sunset glow

The penultimate salsa dance evening of the Dancing Under the Stars season brought a large, enthusiastic crowd to Cottonwood Square on Friday, Aug. 30. With perfect weather and a gorgeous sunset as the backdrop, the night was a memorable one for the dancers.

Marcela Lay, the evening's instructor, introduced new moves that challenged and delighted participants, adding to their growing repertoire of salsa steps. Her teaching style was both engaging and accessible, ensuring that newcomers and veterans alike could enjoy the evening and enhance their skills. As the music pulsed through the square, couples twirled and embraced the rhythm of the night.

Joseph Snowhawk, who provided music as the DJ for the evening, set the perfect mood with his selection of salsa tracks. The music was further enhanced by "Ryan" a live drummer, whose beats perfectly complemented the salsa rhythms. His drumming infused the evening with an extra layer of excitement, creating a dynamic experience that had everyone on their feet.

The evening was a visual feast, with the sunset casting a warm, golden light over the dancers. As the night went on, the crowd continued to grow, with more and more people joining the fun, most drawn in by the music and laughter of the dance floor after dining at Raza Fresa or the Niwot Tavern.

On Friday, Sept. 6, Dancing Under the Stars will feature something new to the event - the country two-step. This addition promises to bring a fresh twist to the dance series, with Mamie Kakes serving as the instructor and Farrell Woods taking on the role of DJ from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Following that, the final salsa dance evening will be on Sept. 13 and the season finale will be a swing dance evening on Sept. 20.

The event is funded by the Niwot LID, and sponsored by the Niwot Business Association, and Cottonwood Square, as well as local business sponsors Porchfront Homes, DRF Real Estate, Big Orange Square, Raza Fresa, Una Vida, and the Niwot Tavern.