Tonight we have on we special dancing shoes because it's "Soca meets Salsa Pt. 1" at the Fox & Fiddle (Kennedy & Progress). We arrive on the scene about 12:45am, and the party was already in motion. "Whoa wooo ohhhh, whoooaaa, Boriqua (HA!) Morena (HA!) Dominicano (HA!) Columbiano (HA!)...Oye Mi Canto." For those of you that have never been to this venue, we'll try to describe it... it's a split level with the main dance floor on bottom and a huge bar (we love huge bars with lots of bartenders) on the top level. Now, the top level also has a dance area overlooking the bottom dance floor and ample seating for those that just want to kick back and drink or get cozy in some booth. We definitely like this venue. Yes, we heard some drama about racism and this venue - but the two times we have been, we saw no proof in the pudding to speak of.

Now it was free Empanadas and Doubles before 11:30pm, and guess what, Rico being the gracious host that he is (and knowing TJJ's reputation for being fashionably late.. hehe), was able to save some doubles for we!! So you know de party start off on de right foot for us! So, wap wap, throw down some Doubles then it was time to vibez de party. It was clearly a blend of a Soca and Salsa crowd, with the ¡Que Rico! Girls in effect! What's a ¡Que Rico! event without the ¡Que Rico! girls??!! Not only a nice touch, but they just add a vibrant and sexy vibe to the party!! Shout outs to all he ¡Que Rico! Girls!! On the DJ set was Canada's Soca Navigators, D'Enforcas, holding things down for the night. We have to give props to DJ Marly Marl who was just playing the right tunes at the right time all night long. Sweet soca, wicked dancehall and of course, some hot reggaeton - all of which the partygoers were loving!

About 1:45am, the featured live Latin band "Articulo Veinte" was back on the main stage for the 2nd time (our 1st). Yes, we said main stage! The Fox & Fiddle now has a decent size stage on the main dance floor (thanks to the host once again) so folks can see and enjoy any featured acts. Articulo Veinte was actually pretty good, but there were clearly more women than men on the dance floor ready to salsa. Usually, having more women than men is a good thing, but not when it comes to salsa!! So, you even had cases where smallies where dancing with one another. This killed the vibes for some folks who either decided to call it a night or just decided to kick back and look on. Some girls even mentioned to us, that having some ¡Que Rico! Salseros in the party would have been a good idea. This way, both seasoned and amateur salsa dancers could have all been in the mix. Something to think about for Soca meets Salsa Pt. 2!

After Articulo Veinte wrapped up, we were thinking it's about that time for movements to the next venue. Then braps.... who tell D'Enforcas to start playing some 'Rum Soca'??!!! "Bang bang dang... da da dang... dang da dang... tonight de black man feeling to party!!!" Well yes, literally every man jack that was in the dance was on their feet shaking something. We had to put down the camera for this session!! Folks were having a ball... trust us, it's a pity that everyone didn't stick around to share in this bliss! And when you thinking, 'Rum Soca' done play, well boy... it's back in times disco in yuh backside. "I wonder if I take you home... Would you still be on love baby... Because I need you tonight...Ho-home!" We say is C.I.DEE Sound on the 1s and 2 yes!

All in all, it was a nice crowd and vibe. The only thing we could have asked for was a better mesh of the Latin-Caribbean fusion, as we saw a frequent turnover of folks throughout the night. One would have expected that partygoers would have equally enjoyed both sides of the entertainment advertised (Soca and Salsa) throughout the entire night. But this was not the case. As simple as the concept to fuse a Soca with a Salsa crowd may seem, it's really not that cut and dry - but still a fantastic idea as we all share that love for the pulsating beats of the Caribbean. We are definitely looking forward to Soca meets Salsa Pt. 2 and other innovative offerings by ¡Que Rico! Entertainment.