Roberto Linares Brown's Salsa take on African rhythms took the Queens Park mainstage Saturday 1 August at the IRIE-Music Festival.
While CUPE's Local 416 June-July strike shut down the Nathan Phillip Square portion of IRIE festival's showcase, Roberto Linares Brown more than made up for it with a full set of original music - all from his debut CD, Que No Se Pierda La Escentcia.
People danced on the grass, people enjoyed the culinary delights and the crafts under the dappled sunlight through Queen Park's century old trees, something not possible on Nathan Phillips Square's harsh concrete.
Going full circle to Africa's origins and sharing the true spirit of the IRIE festival, Roberto invited Yeti y Lady Son, Arimende plus an African drummer on stage for the last song of his set.
It truly is a small world. As SalsaTO was taking in some Harbourfront Soca fun Monday afternoon, catching the very last notes of Caribana, a woman ran up and pressed a photograph into his hand, smiled and went on her way. Barely three words were said, her big smile saying it all.
Roberto Linares Brown was mainstage Saturday afternoon during his IRIE Festival set in Queens Park. SalsaTO and his partner were dancing in the foreground.
Video coming soon to YouTube.com/salsat0.