A Bailar!: the journey of a Latin dance company

Duration: 37

Year Published: 1988

Creator: Cinema Guild

Format: 16mm

Color: Color

Sound: sound

Description: During New York's Palladium Era of the 1940s and 50s, the Latin orchestras of Tito Puente, Machito and Tito Rodriguez exploded on the night scene; the mambo and other Latin dances took the country by storm. For nearly a decade, dancer Eddie Torres has cherished a dream of establishing a Latin dance troupe and resurrecting the rhythms which enthralled post-war America. To that end, Torres recruited an enthusiastic, multi-ethnic group of salseros, Hispanic club and street dancers. In this documentary portrait, Eddie is seen molding the troupe and preparing them for an audition with renowned Latin musician Tito Puente. Initially skeptical, Puente is soon won over by the group's energized performance. Rehearsal and interview sequences reveal the hard work and commitment required for success. The film concludes with the triumphant debut of the Eddie Torres Latin Dance Company (accompanied by the Tito Puente Orchestra) before a sold-out audience at Harlem's Apollo Theater.