Austinist reader Rachel Lavin writes in:

The salsa world in Austin is divided into two factions: those who blissfully follow around the Brew -- a Latin-jazz band with rock and flamenco influences -- and dance to their tunes, and those who arrange their dancing schedules based on when and where the Brew is *not* playing. Austin's options as far as live salsa music aren't expansive, so the Brew-avoiders among us are often limited getting our groove on with the help of Austin's salsa DJs (some dance addicts have even been known to go out on nights the Brew plays and *only* dance while recorded music is played while the Brew rests between sets.)

Now, Bailengua is providing a welcome alternative for those of us who like live music but can't get down with the Brew. Bailengua (a play on 'bilingual,' we think, which incorporates the Spanish words for 'dance' and 'tongue') is an 'orquesta' comprised of UT grad students in music from the U.S., Puerto Rico, Ecuador, and Colombia -- an eleven-piece salsa band that plays originals and covers drawn from the dancer-oriented 'salsa dura' (hard salsa.) Those of us who fall into the, um, 'not a Brew fan' faction can't wait for tonight at Speakeasy, when Bailengua plays the Brew's usual gig, which the Brew isn't going to be playing due to previous commitments.

Here's hoping Austin's salsa lovers break into violent attacks upon one another on the dance floor!

This Wednesday
9:30PM - 1:30 AM
BAILENGUA orquesta de salsa (Austin, TX)
$4 at the door
Speakeasy - 412D Congress Ave.

Salsa dance class between sets w/ Tony

Looking ahead, the band will also be playing Fri, July 1 at Waterloo
Ice House south (6th and Lamar)from 10PM - 1AM.