August Bands

All events are hosted by Lilli Ann Carey of Dance for Joy! unless otherwise noted. Lilli Ann is also the organizer of Dancing til Dusk. danceforjoy.biz

Tuesday August 5

Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano | Salsa

Lake City Mini Park, 6–9pm

Hosted by Sean Donovan of GatorBoy Productions

Son cubano is one of the most popular musical styles in Cuba and Kiki Valera is one of its foremost exponents. Over the last century, this style of traditional Cuban music has contributed to many other genres of music including jazz, cha cha cha, mambo, salsa, songo and timba. Cuban son is the music that made the Buena Vista Social Club worldwide stars in the late 1990s but Kiki Valera comes from a family of musicians whose involvement with Cuban son pre-dates the BVSC by decades.

Kiki Valera is the oldest son of the famous La Familia Valera Miranda septet, a multi-generational traditional music group from Santiago de Cuba. Since the 19th century, La Familia Valera Miranda has played a significant role in Cuban culture by collecting and preserving the deep-rooted traditions of the legendary Sierra Maestra mountain region. Their debut album, ANTOLOGÍA INTEGRAL DEL SON, released in 1982, helped initiate the explosion of interest in traditional Cuban music. kikivalera.com

Kiki, like most of his family, is a virtuoso. A multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, sound engineer and producer, he’s best known as one of the world’s greatest players of the Cuban cuatro, a mid-size guitar with 8 strings grouped in sets of 2.

Kiki picked up the Cuban tres under the guidance of his father Felix when he was a child. He later attended one of the most prestigious music schools in Cuba, the Conservatorio Esteban Salas, in Santiago de Cuba and by age 15 was touring internationally.

Kiki continues to direct, compose, arrange and perform internationally. He also performs and teaches in Seattle where he contributes to the vibrant music scene of the Pacific Northwest. His current project features several other internationally acclaimed recording artists including Coco Freeman (former lead singer of Adalberto Alvarez y su Son and NG La Banda), vocalist Carlos Cascante (3x Grammy Award winning vocalist of Spanish Harlem Orchestra), trompetista Alexis Baró (Cubanismo and Omara Portuondo) and bongocero Pedro Vargas (Barbarito Torres band).

Beginning Salsa instruction by TBD

Thursday, Aug 7

Buena Vibra. Photo © William Muñez

Buena Vibra | Salsa

Cal Anderson Park, 6–9:30pm

Buena Vibra's mission is to recapture the glory days of the classic era of Salsa, Joe Cuba and Cheo Feliciano, Jimmy Sabater and the more modern sounds of Ruben Blades and Seis del Solar. The sextet is comprised of Fred Hoadley, piano and back up vocals; Jeff Norwood, Bass; Scott Ketron, Vibes and back up vocals; Sammy Alamillo, Timbales; Steve Guasch, Bongo and back up vocals; and Joe de Jesus on Conga and lead vocals. BuenaVibra is the newest addition to the Seattle salsa scene and promises to keep you dancing the night away. Buena Vibra Sextet on Facebook

Beginning Salsa instruction by TBD

Tuesday, Aug 12

Golden Earrings Jazz Band | Vintage Jazz/Swing

Ballard Commons, 6–9pm

The Golden Earrings Jazz Band brings vintage jazz to life playing 1920s and 1930s favorites by the likes of Josephine Baker, Mamie Smith, Connie Boswell, Fats Waller, Sophie Tucker, Edith Piaf, and Sidney Bechet. From New Orleans standards to French chanson, we've got what you need to feel like you're living in another time — and we love to throw in a few country and Latin favorites as well. goldenearringsjazz.com

Beginning Swing instruction by TBD

Thursday, Aug 14

The Weather Birds | Swing

Cal Anderson Park, 6–9:30pm

The Weather Birds are a Swing group excited to make their mark on the music scene. Featuring clarinetist Jesse Colford and guitarist Preston Murphy, the group delivers fresh arrangements of classic songs while introducing you to lesser known gems and original compositions. The group aims to deliver quality music along with a fun, engaging experience. From Lilli Ann — These musicians really deliver a great evening of Swing music and their singer is sublime!

Beginning Swing lesson with instructors TBD |

Tuesday August 19

The Elnah Jordan Experience | Blues/American Songbook

Westlake Park, 6–9:30pm

Elnah Jordan's passion for singing was discovered when she was a child in the church choir. Originally from Ohio, Elnah was influenced and encouraged by her mother who is an accomplished pianist. She developed her natural and raw talent on a path that winded through the choir stands of her gospel roots to the streets of San Francisco and its clubs and eventually with much persistence, to the theater. She was awarded a nomination in 1986 in that city for Jazz Vocalist of the Year.

Elnah performed in several other theatrical productions including a two and half year stint in “The Evolution of the Blues” produced by Jon Hendricks in which she portrayed the legendary Bessie Smith. Her performance in the off Broadway musical drama, "Street Dreams” landed her the prestigious Cabaret Gold Award. She has also given opening performances for artists such as Gil Scott-Heron and Bobby Blue Bland.

Having moved to Seattle, Elnah has been embraced by the community of gifted performers and artists here. She continues to grow in her appreciation of the music and for the blessing of being able to do what she loves dearly. She has graced stages through-out the Pacific Northwest: She been a featured performer at Egan’s Ballard Jam House, The Sorrento Hotel, Tula's Jazz Lounge, The Royal Room , Grazies and the New Orleans. She even found her way into the Seattle theater scene performing in the last season of Black Nativity.

Beginning Blues lesson TBD

Thursday, Aug 21

Joel Astley and Friends | Blues

Lake City Min Park, 6–9pm

Since forming his first band in 2014, Joel Astley has performed all around the Pacific Northwest. and has been recognized by the Washington Blues Society with honors including Best Blues Harmonica (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021), Best Male Vocalist (2019, 2021) and Best Songwriter (2020, 2021). He earned his reputation as a frontman and bandleader while performing with Northwest bands including Tacoma-based T-town Aces and Seattle-based High Note Group. joelastley.com

Beginning Blues instructors TBD

FUNDRAISER: Sunday, Aug 24

DJ Battle, Lilli Ann Carey & Friends | Variety Music Night (This is a Ball Blanc; wear white!)

Golden Gardens Bathhouse, 6–9pm

$25/per person (or more at dancer's option) at the door cash or check only or go here to arcseattle.org/Dancing-Til-Dusk-Donations

Tuesday, Aug 26

DJs Alex Hanning and Whitney Leisenring | Classic Blues

Ballard, 6–9pm

Our two DJs for the night are known and loved in the Blues Community. Come on out and groove to their fabulous tunes.

Beginning Blues lesson with Robin Chow facebook.com/robin.chow

Thursday, Aug 28

Birch Pereira and Casey McGill | Swing

(South) Lake Union Park, 6–9:30pm

Borne of a profound love for the early years of Swing, Americana, and Rock ’n’ Roll, Birch Pereira & the Gin Joints transport you to the rollicking good times of speakeasies, honky-tonks, and roadhouses. The band, with upright bassist and exceptional vocalist Birch Pereira at its center, features skilled and versatile musicians who share the love of — and put a super fresh and highly danceable spin on — the American song traditions. theginjointsband.com

Casey McGill is a seasoned performer with credits including opening the Broadway musical "Swing," which included four of his original tunes, appearing in the movie "Francis" starring Jessica Lange, the Tonight Show (Johnny Carson), and the Gong Show! He charmed Hollywood with his trio "Mood Indigo," entertaining Hollywood royalty at private parties and exclusive watering holes. After years of entertaining audiences all over the world with his captivating rhythms and vocal harmonies, Casey is set to release two volumes of his original music titled "Love Letter." caseymacgill.com

Beginning Swing instructors — Sean Donovan and Lilli Ann Carey gatorboyproductions.com / danceforjoy.biz