Boletos Musica Conciertos Tickets

The atmosphere before the event was one of great anticipation. Naval personnel, here for the annual Fleet Week, took turns break dancing early on and providing a vibrant opening to the festivities.

Press from several publications from New York to Pennsylvania and even Puerto Rico were present to record the proceedings. Also present was the familiar face and camera of “Handle” Gomez Abdel-Rahim of Born Crazy Productions, who has been working on a Freestyle documentary that will appear early next year. Filming at locals like the Mohegan Sun to Madison Square Garden to the Copa, Mr. Gomez has a “Handle” on things, as the Freestyle genre should be well immortalized on screen.

The event Hosts were the infamous twosome from KTU Jewelz Lopez and Speedy. They continue to add validity to freestyle as representatives of KTU, who have supported the genre in good times and bad. Jewelz and Speedy kept things moving and backstage were very accessible. They continue to impress as true people persons as they added class to the event.

Moving on we got to see spots by DJ Tony Touch who kept the party going with a well- received presence by the crowd and artists alike. Also present behind the scenes was Noel, who with a new music project coming up was doing some promoting. Latin Rascal was also on hand in the back hanging out and mingling.

Starting the action was Manny, whose background dancers break danced and moved with electric vitality to fully support Manny, who got things started right. Soave followed in an elegant suit to croon the ladies, mission accomplished.

Fascination along with her dancers was a whirlwind of activity as she ran through a series of complicated dance sequences. Her voice was booming with enthusiasm as she goaded the crowd into raising its level before she would begin. She set the tone for the balance of the evening.

Nayobe was impeccably dressed in a Black pinstripe suit and skirt with Top hat. Her showmanship and voice revived memories of a fourteen-year-old singing “Please Don’t Go” that helped launch an era. One of the telling moments of the evening had to be when India herself mentioned how much of an impact Nayobe had on her and proceeded to serenade her in song.

Nyasia, born Blanca Batista, who recently had a baby returned to the city as well as some old haunts as she came out looking good in white and belting out her hits “whose got your love” and “Now and Forever”. Once stating that among her influences were Safire and Judy Torres, it was only befitting that she joined them on this card. Initially looking a bit nervous pre-show, Nyasia was in form as soon as she hit the stage.

Sa-Fire who has been in retirement except when Sal brings her back was a welcome addition. Dressed in Black with a short white haircut, the deep penetrating eyes and trademark intensity moved the masses. Just before finishing her performance, she called out Corina and dueted with her. They embraced at the close to the screams of many. Corina, whose trademark hit, Temptation, made it a part of our lives again as she game out decked in black with background dancers lashing the stage with whips as she belted out hit after hit.

Stirring near stage left was Judy Torres who was restless to follow some powerful acts. Also a member of KTU, she opened with the single from her new album, “Faithfully” in addition to her other favorites. Only Nayobe and La India can match Judy’s voice on stage.

Then there were three, TKA, led by K-7, showed why they are the only group freestyle remembers. There dance numbers are a lost art and their plethora of hits was Louder than Love. As a tribute K-7 is a humble man who believes and never forgets his past. He is philosophic and the thinking man of freestyle.

The crowd was now properly warmed up for the Legend, La India, who has forged a great career in Salsa and was proclaimed by the great Celia Cruz herself as the “Princess of Salsa” showed that she could touch earth and bring it in English via Freestyle. Her ability to improvise songs and turn them into classics on stage is a testament to talent and a flair for creating something different in her performances.

She showed off this evening her sister and her mother, who testified where India’s talent genes emerge from with a solo spot. Their reconciliation took place last year and has completed India. She is more assured and more confident than ever. She takes her crown seriously as attested to her verbal dress down of Brenda K. Starr on radio recently. She even mentioned where she would be buried and which street would bear her name. She mentioned her Christian Baptism by Celia, spiritually and ultimately professionally. To witness La India perform with such force that she sweats profusely with tightly closed eyes has become the image of her greatness which links her to the greats before her as she carries the show since the death of Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. So those who appreciate events like this will remember forever this night. The night that freestyle not only went back into time but saw superstars return to reconfirm their past in the present.