Salsa/Tropical pop: Eta Carina

Sunday evening dance at Bahia Caribbean (formerly Canasta Dominicana) restaurant, Central Avenue, Charlotte, 2008. Photo by Nancy Pierce, Principal Exhibit Photographer.

It's impossible to stop people from dancing. You can transport yourself from Central Avenue to Aruba, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic.

- Restaurant owner Jeisson Alba

Iliana Ramirez, a singer originally from Venezuela, leads this Charlotte-based band along with Carolina-born partner West Bolz. They draw on Cuban, South American and other influences to create a highly danceable pop sound.

Salsa dancing is based on traditional Cuban and Puerto Rican dances. But it came together in New York City, not in Latin America.

Today salsa dances in Charlotte draw people of many cultures. They love the joyous music and movement, and the opportunities to find new friends. "It's the most diverse scene in Charlotte!" says African American dancer Kali Ferguson.

There's a salsa dance nearly every night of the week somewhere around Charlotte.