30 August 2008

JBEIL: In the last few nights of the summer beach-party season, Lebanese partygoers are seizing the opportunity to dance till dawn. Legendary DJ Carlos Campos packed the Edde Sands Beach Bar in Jbeil on Thursday for a night of Latin music and dance. From Latin dance aficionados to American tourists, Campos charmed his audience out of their seats and onto the dance floor. Tickets sold quickly at $25 per person as attendees flocked to the Beach bar from 11 p.m to 4 a.m. 

As the first resident DJ of Paris night spot Barrio Latino, Campos gained international recognition through his African and Latin music compilation Tribal Works. Chilean born with Latin-American, Hispanic and French roots, Campos' ethnicity is as varied as the music he mixes. "I have no limits," says Campos of his musical inspirations that range from African to Spanish to Middle-Eastern. 

"A good DJ never does his program before," Campos said. As a producer, composer and DJ Campos approaches his work with a mix of seriousness and spontaneity. "When you mix it's like driving-very technical," he added. He expresses gratitude to DJ Ralph K, the producer of Lebanese fusion group REG.Project for inviting him to mix in Lebanon. Motioning to Ralph K, he says "If it weren't for this guy, I wouldn't be here."

"People here love to dance; this is a very good crowd as they appreciate several types of music," Campos added.

American tourists Jack and Maria Boulos sat at a small table close to the bar. They came to Lebanon for their summer vacation. As residents of California, they said that Latin music and dance is very popular back home. "I love Latin Music," Maria said. "We are hoping for good music, dancing, and to have fun," Jack added.

The highly energetic crowd sipped cocktails under palm trees and a sky lit by fireworks. Lebanon's Latin dance experts showed off their moves as Campos mixed above the bar.

Emile Zarif sat with friends close to the bar. Commenting on the high turnout, he said, "It's almost the end of summer and the Lebanese enjoy DJ events."

"The buzz is generating about Latin music [in Lebanon]"

he added.

Charlie Saade, a local Latin DJ and Salsa dance teacher, comes to Edde Sands every Wednesday night to dance Salsa. Reflecting on the popularity of Latin dance in Lebanon, Saade said: "The Lebanese like Salsa [dancing] because it is full of energy." He added that he came to hear Campos "to see if he has any new music."

Saade's friend, Ziad Kassis, is a local architect and self-described Latin dance promoter.  "I introduced Salsa to Lebanon," Kassis said. He maintains a Web site, www.salsa-lebanon.com, which provides information on dance lessons and upcoming Latin dance events.

"The mix of Oriental and Salsa music attracts everyone," he added.

Edde Sands Marketing Manager Sophie Edde expected a turnout of approximately 1,000 people."This is a DJ that can make people dance," Edde said. She added that the event was "not commercial but more specialized, targeting Latin dancers. People are here to discover something new." 

Edde added that she sees many commonalities between Arabic and Latin music. "Both Latin and Arabic music are full of life; through both types of music you can communicate and be expressive," she said.

Copyright The Daily Star 2008.