A Film Screening of La Epoca - The Palladium Era - an internationally-attended docu-film on the Mambo, the roots behind the umbrella term "Salsa," and its affects on the generations of musicians and dancers that have followed since its conception - followed by a Master-class on Musicality-and-Dance where dancers learn to identify the Mambo rhythm and the Son-Montuno – distinguishing between the syncopated clave-pattern of each rhythm - are being showcased on Sunday, July 11, at Steven's Steak and Seafood House located at 5332 East Stevens Place in Commerce, CA (Los Angeles) with doors opening at 4pm. The film is being presented and the Master-class is being led by Director, Executive Producer and Master-Instructor Josué Joseph.

Dancers of Mambo, Salsa, and Cha-Cha-Cha are being sought for the filming of Part II La Epoca - The Lost Rhythms in Salsa, which producers will be filming during the social dancing throughout the event. Dancers are encouraged to attend the screening

Filming will be kept to intervals throughout the evening, and it will be selective of dancers who demonstrate the talent sought for the film. Filming will take place in a designated area. All levels of dancers will be considered.

It is suggested that females wear Ultra-Deep V-neck tops with above-the-knee dresses or skirts that flail with movements and turns - and that if their hair-styling permits - then to wear it down so that also their hair flails with movements and turns; males are encouraged to wear slacks.

Dancers are encouraged to feel welcome to be included in Part II's filming.. Producers WILL provide guidance as to what dancing is being sought - there will be direct input from producers regarding what looks best for film. Don't be shy! Dance to have fun!

It is suggested that dancers flaunt their styling and footwork - along with advanced turn-patterns. Producers are particularly interested in capturing dancers who demonstrate a connection with the music being played and dancers who are well-acquainted with improvisational leg-and-foot shines. All styles of Latin dancing are welcome.

A release form is required in order to properly identify each dancer. A release form will be provided for each dancer.

The producers of this film are siblings - their father is the renowned world-class bassist Mambo Legend "Alfonso El Panameno" from the Palladium-era orchestras including Arsenio Rodriguez, Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Machito, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri - and he was substitute bassist of Mambo Rhythm Pioneer Israel "Cachao" Lopez.  

The feature-length film goes into depth on the origins and comparisons between Mambo and Salsa rhythms and the controversy over dancing "on 1" versus dancing "on 2." The heavily-endorsed film by high-profile icons in Latin music and dance such as by Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Freddy Pagan of Buena Vista Social Club, and Mambo Pioneer "Cuban Pete" features interviews with mambo legends of the Palladium-era including musicians Agustin Caraballoso, Chiripa, “Alfonso El Panameno," Charlie Rodriguez, dancers the late "Cuban Pete," also Freddy Rios, and many other legends. La Epoca - The Palladium Era has been seen by audiences in cities world-wide including Istanbul, Barcelona, Budapest, Copenhagen, Cali, Mexico City, Quebec, City University of New York, Virginia Tech, Drexel University and in US cities including Washington DC, New York, Providence, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Richmond, Hartford, Philadelphia and many others.

The Master-class and Dance Workshop of "The Lost Rhythms in Salsa - Recognize the Rhythms" teaches dancers how to listen to, interpret and to dance to rhythms of the Palladium-era days, including the Musicality and Timing of the differences between Mambo, On2 and Salsa On1. Is On2 the same dance as Mambo - are they one-in-the-same dance or is what is known today as On2 a completely different format than the Mambo pioneered danced during the Palladium-era by dancers such as "Cuban Pete," Andy Jerrick and others? Find out at the master-class.

For more tickets and reservations, please navigate to www.Sakara.us or call (310) 686-9403. This event is sponsored in-part by Steven's Steak and Seafood House, www.Sakara.us, Meriseph Pictures New York Group and also by CEMA - a non-profit organization. 

Excerpts from journalists Angelina Puente, Victoria Tarova and Yolanda R Carranza Director, Executive Producer and Master-Instructor Josué Joseph, a son of Mambo Legend "Alfonso-el Panameño" Joseph, was raised in a musical atmosphere of other mambo legends such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Israel "Cachao" Lopez, Candido Camero and the likes because of his father's career as a bassist for the Palladium-era's top orchestras such as those mentioned above, including Machito, Rafael Cortijo with Ismael Rivera, Johnny Pacheco, and many others. Joseph, who speaks English and Spanish, and is studying Polish, Italian and Russian, is an improvisational classical-influenced pianist, but earns a living producing music and video for an international clientele. In addition, he is often hired as a master-instructor of Traditional Mambo and Cha-Cha-Cha dances with Musicality, and also often hired as a guest speaker for engagements that cater to historians, dancers, musicians and students. For his film, he pulled together some of old-school mambo's most distinguished musicians and dancers, such as the late Israel "Cachao" Lopez -  a pioneer of the mambo rhythm, and his father, "Alfonso-el Panameño." He also pulled together musicians from Johnny Pacheco's and Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez's orchestras such as Charlie Rodriguez, Chiripa, Santiago Ceron, and the late Leo Fleming; and dancers such as the late "Cuban Pete," who pioneered in the mambo, Freddy Rios and Mike Ramos from the Palladium Mambo Legends. All remained close friends of his father throughout the years since the 1950's and 60's.

Please email Project Manager Lynne Merrill at Lynne.Merrill@LaEpocaFilm.com for more information.

Click here to view segment trailers of the film.