A little over 24 years ago, I retired from Sprint Yellow Pages and went on a new venture, LaRaza Paginas Amarillas ( yellow pages in Spanish). I was brought in as a consultant to their new sales department. Many of those reps were used to selling newspaper ads in LaRaza, the oldest weekly Spanish paper in Chicago ( may have been the first). As I became integrated in the company, the editor asked if I would like to also cover theater for the paper. I jumped at the opportunity to go to openings and review the plays. The experience was one that I had dreamed of for years.
I started doing a play each week for the publication in the ARTS section of the paper, but the theater world was much larger than one play a week, and so I was invited to many more. How could I possibly write my reviews and help the theater community? One of the LaRaza reps, Miguel Mendez had his own website, www.salsachicago.com where he covered dining and dance. He said that this content would be an asset to him and would help the theaters, so we did it! I was able to attend more plays, write more reviews and grow my following. On his site, I did English only.
Welcome to the new SalsaChicago.com where you will find the latest information on Chicago’s HOT LATIN DANCE SCENE INCLUDING:
- Upcoming Events
- Latin Night Clubs
- Latin Restaurants
- Latin Bands
- Dance Studios
- Dance Competitions, and more
Feel free to e-mail Lsalsero@aol.com with your restaurant, night club, upcoming event information, dance studio, social or whatever is Latin dance related.
Contact SalsaChicago.com @ 773-895-8184.
As the years went on, I drifted away from LaRaza and no longer had my reviews in their paper Miguel still had them on his site, but I was getting calls from others that knew I was at every opening. In 2000 , as part of the Millenium, I saw the handwriting on the wall. Why not have my own website. Jane came up with the name, Aroundthetownchicago.com and with the assistance of Peter Oyloe ( a solid actor/musician with a great knowledge of computers), my website was born.
During these 20 plus years I have been to thousands of plays and restaurants and have enjoyed myself. I do not see this as work, but as a labor of love. Now, with the added radio show on Sundays on WCPT820 am, the circle is even 
stronger. My reviews also are featured in other publications in Russian, Spanish and once in awhile, even Polish.
In many ways my growth over the years is due to Miguel offering me my first look at the internet. Thank you mi amigo, or should that be gracias!
Miguel and his son also have a school where everyone can learn to dance. The Dance Academy of Salsa has recently moved from Division Street to Western Avenue ( 2246 North Western). Call 773-895-8185 to learn more or enroll. Visit https://www.danceacademyofsalsa.com.
Try their special drop-in special- 6 dance lesson punch card ( never expires) for only $100
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