By Sofia Nguyen
On Friday, Apr. 17, the Fountain Valley High School Spanish Club hosted its annual Salsa Concert in the bowl. With salsa lessons, live performances from Los Naranjitos and a traditional dance by Los Chinelos, the event created a cultural and festive memorable experience with dancing and music.
In the beginning, salsa lessons were taught by the Spanish club president Michael Carreno Reyes. Students were able to participate in a competition afterward.
“I thought it’d be fun to participate in the cultural experience, and I found learning salsa very easy and intuitive because of Michael and his awesome teaching. Since it felt easy, it wasn’t very nerve-wracking-it was more something I could show off,” junior Matthew Lai said.
For Reyes, teaching the lesson was especially meaningful. “Salsa is something my mom taught me at a young age, so it feels very personal to share that with others,” he said. “It was a full-circle moment.” Balancing his role as both instructor and event organizer, he described the experience as “exciting, but also a challenge,” as he worked to ensure everything ran smoothly while engaging with participants.
Additionally available at the event included a photobooth stand and a food stand with tacos, horchata and nachos. Following, the live salsa, cumbia and merengue band, los Naranjitos, took the stage. With Reyes leading the audience, students filled the bowl with energy as they danced, led a conga line and even joined the stage.
A highlight of the event was a remarkable performance by Los Chinelos, traditional Mexican costume dancers, who built excitement with the audience by a captivating and engaging dance, additionally adding to the event’s cultural depth.
Finally, los Naranjitos reclaimed the stage with a closing performance, leaving everyone in the bowl energized and dancing until the very end.
For Reyes, the event was about more than just entertainment, but community and cultural pride. “At a school like Fountain Valley High School, where Latinos are a minority, I feel proud to help create a space where our culture can be seen, celebrated, and shared,” he said. Reflecting on the night, he added that he was most proud of “the impact the event had on everyone—seeing people smile, laugh, dance, and step out of their comfort zones.”
The Salsa Concert ultimately left students with lasting memories, highlighting the power of music and dance to bring people together while celebrating Hispanic culture.
