Strolling around downtown SLC on a lovely Saturday night, I eyed this Latin music club, tucked away…read moreon West Broadway. It was located in the former event venue, 50 West Club.
Now, I know I'm an old gringo, who has no business going to a Salsa/Merengue club in any downtown, in any city, in any continent. However, I have displayed my dancing skills in Milwaukee, Cincinnati, San Jose, Costa Rica, Panama City, Panama, Managua, Nicaragua, Medellin, Colombia, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Madrid; I wasn't going to let Salt Lake City stop me.
The bouncers looked up at me with skepticism all over their face. One of bouncers, built like an offensive lineman, said, "There are occasional fights here. You sure you want to go in?"
"Hey, I from NYC, I've seen everything."
My wife had that look of utter frustration wives get when their husbands revert back to their adolescence. It's atavistic in all males. Yet, Marquee Saturday/Noche Latina was a fine event, and all I felt was welcome, with a bit of bemusement. Yeah, I'm old, white and odd, but I love Latin music, alma, and passion. That attitude, and my venerable age, were respected more at Marquee Saturday than almost any bar or music club in Salt Lake City. It is part of the Latino world, respect and deference to their elders (no pun intended) We didn't stay long, one drink/one dance, but I felt more comfortable at Marquee Saturday than 99% of all the venues in Utah. Gracias!