Ex-cop Howard Carney has been hooked for years. While working with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department, he was known to occasionally squeeze in a fix while on the job.
"In uniform, I used to sneak to the salsa club," Carney says. His face registers a guilty grin. "My partner would stand at the door with a flashlight, and I'd dance a few, and he'd flash the light at me if we got a call and had to go."
Back then, "the club" was usually Westport Beach Club, whose salsa night Carney helped launch. In later years, the Madrid Theatre, at 3810 Main, became the scene's unofficial headquarters for one Friday night a month. Salsa nights in that majestic space attracted non-dancers, too — people who went simply to observe all the beautiful bodies in motion.
One longtime dancer likens the Madrid to New York City's legendary Palladium; another equates it to Woodstock — both apt comparisons now that the Madrid's salsa nights are history, too.
The Madrid's management never had a liquor license, and its wary midtown neighbors, already fed up with the area's late-night traffic and noise, opposed the venue's attempts to get one. For years, the Madrid's organizers skated over city regulations by acquiring a temporary catering permit for each salsa event. But in January 2008, an amendment to the city's liquor code changed the requirements for obtaining catering permits, crippling the Madrid's ability to host anything but private parties such as weddings and corporate events.
Carney, 44, is one of the city's best-known salsa instructors and promoters. There are two others: Josh Hernandez and Victor Mabu. After the Madrid closed its doors to salsa, all three scrambled to fill the void. But rather than coordinating their efforts, they schedule events in bars and clubs on the same nights, competing for slices of a splintered crowd.
Carney, Hernandez and Mabu don't get along. Each claims to be salsa's most legitimate partisan. Hernandez says he welcomes the competition. Mabu says the drama among rivals poisons the scene. Carney wishes the other two would just go away.
But it's the dancers who are vanishing, thanks to the discord. One salsa veteran told The Pitch, "If the salsa scene should die, God forbid, it would be because of the promoters."
Carney stumbled into salsa. It was the late 1980s, he recalls, and he was at a Halloween party at a VFW hall in Lawrence. He heard exotic music coming up through the building's stairwell and followed the sound downstairs.
"I walked into this room, and there were all these people spinning and dancing together," Carney says. "I was amazed. I stood there for over an hour, just staring at them."
The experience turned Carney into a voracious collector of salsa recordings, but it would take another decade for him to take his first dance lesson. In 2000, Carney finally worked up the nerve to sign up for classes at Louis Bar's dance studio in Overland Park.
"He was a total beginner, yes; he never danced salsa before," Bar says of Carney. Bar was born in France, and he speaks English with a beguiling trill. "He took [lessons] with me, two or three months. He is, I can tell you this, the most genuine person for salsa."
Reconciling his two identities — part-time salsa dancer, full-time cop — wasn't as hard as it might sound. During the decade that Carney was with the KCPD — from 1991 to 2001 — he bought narcotics undercover, worked on the vice squad busting pimps and prostitutes, and investigated murders with the homicide unit. He found dancing therapeutic.
Showing 1-25 of 80
It's hard to trust anyone in the Kansas City scene! I wrote the first comment under KC Salsera and then someone else writes a comment using the exact same name! There is no end to the game playing.
It's hard to trust anyone in the Kansas City scene! I wrote the first comment under KC Salsera and then someone else writes a comment using the exact same name! There is no end to the game playing.
My mistake, I meant to say Alfredo for the "DJ's as promoters" instead of KCSalsera, but KC S makes some good points also.
I think it's the followers of the Salsa Promoters Fault. I mean, the backstabbing and gossip has to come from somewhere, right?
This goes out to Enough, the answer to your question is yes. Sometimes bad things have to come out in order for something good to happen. So now that this issue is out. Let it be up to them to find a rememdy for their situation.
To DJ: Quit crying about what happened to you. Plus, you're a bouncer not a DJ, but that's ok. I'm sure you'll get better. Keep working at it. You're a cool dude.
KCSalsera: I agree with you. The DJ's you mentioned I have known for a long time and are the unsung heros. They play music from the heart. If it wasn't for those DJ's the Latin scence would be a disaster. GO DJ!
My mistake, I meant to say Alfredo for the "DJ's as promoters" instead of KCSalsera, but KC S makes some good points also.
I think it's the followers of the Salsa Promoters Fault. I mean, the backstabbing and gossip has to come from somewhere, right? This goes out to Enough, the answer to your question is yes. Sometimes bad things have to come out in order for something good to happen. So now that this issue is out. Let it be up to them to find a rememdy for their situation. To DJ: Quit crying about what happened to you. Plus, you're a bouncer not a DJ, but that's ok. I'm sure you'll get better. Keep working at it. You're a cool dude. KCSalsera: I agree with you. The DJ's you mentioned I have known for a long time and are the unsung heros. They play music from the heart. If it wasn't for those DJ's the Latin scence would be a disaster. GO DJ!
I wish the Pitch people with shut the comment section down. Enough has been said. Everyone understands now. Is this how we encourage more people to get into salsa? I doubt it!
Teaching, Promoting and DJ-ing is now like a One-stop Model for a scene where there is no unity. How would you feel if your event was going to be promoted by your enemy or someone who is envious of you?
Do you think that person will promote it to everyone on his list, or even do it at all?. Practical xample: consider Howard was the promoter and had to promote an event by Victor or Josh, or any other rival.
A one-stop model is an individual's solution to lack of trust and division in a scene. Kudos to those who do all three or even two. I would do same if I were in their shoes. More so, things are hard and its economical for one to do that, especially if it is yielding fruit. WE WILL GO TO WHERE THE FUN AND DANCING IS
I wish the Pitch people with shut the comment section down. Enough has been said. Everyone understands now. Is this how we encourage more people to get into salsa? I doubt it!
Teaching, Promoting and DJ-ing is now like a One-stop Model for a scene where there is no unity. How would you feel if your event was going to be promoted by your enemy or someone who is envious of you? Do you think that person will promote it to everyone on his list, or even do it at all?. Practical xample: consider Howard was the promoter and had to promote an event by Victor or Josh, or any other rival. A one-stop model is an individual's solution to lack of trust and division in a scene. Kudos to those who do all three or even two. I would do same if I were in their shoes. More so, things are hard and its economical for one to do that, especially if it is yielding fruit. WE WILL GO TO WHERE THE FUN AND DANCING IS
There is noting wrong with el perreo. I dont do it cuz wherever i dance my mother or my dad can be there to see me. Most girls who do it wouldnot do it in front of their parents cuz they know it is shame-less.
We can have nites just for salsa if the hosts make it that way. They have to be dedicated to it & stick to it. When we find out that it is a salsa nite we will keep go. Me and my friends and salsa dancers like all the couple dances beganing with salsa then bachata, merengue and cha cha. That is it. Salsa dancers will go there. If you put in regetoon, hiphop, or house music a lot of salsa people woun't come back. The two crowds do not mix but hosts keep trying to force it.
This is why we should stick togeter & support all salsa places. The other places should stop call there nites salsa nite when they do have a lot of good salsa.
WOW, this is what I call cheap entertainment, I dont think any of you see what the real picture is here, its very easy to dog some one else and put out your point of view, but, why make comments and make assumtions based on your perception? only becuase this is your relaity??? wrong, honestly everyone has eskeletons on their closets and the reality of this is that everyone is out for them selves and that's it. I have been a witness of this saga for years back when Maniacs was the place on sundays, and then it died for a bit yes, and do you know why there is not a true Salsa club? not the promoters, not the DJ's.... club Owners! they have bills to pay and they want money, they dont want a true salsa sports that dont get drunk and spend money, why would they do that? so yes also salsa instructors contribuite to this by playing promoters and instructors and critics and backstabbing eachother. I know I seen it, all three of this salsa kings.
I like to comment on comment #22 about Dj's.
to some extent you are right on some Dj's we are all from different places some more diverse than other some better some oldschool. and believe me playing music is not difficult bringing the rythim is the key but who's fault is it that they have woman bending over like dogs? KC salsera maybe you want to do that and you cant but you cant or is a different generation or whaterver the case is. We DJ's play what brings the cheese to the club, club owners and promotrers are responsible for this. Dj's get paid a missery in this town. the best DJ's out there make a couple hundreed dollar a night. I tried to change this and what happen? a bunch of backstabers. this busssiness is sad and it makes me sick to my stomach.
I tried to make a difference and what happened?? the instructors became like Hienas trying to get me out. DJ's are in the same boat. no one shares music, no one helps the other one. some of them are cocky and think they are the best claming they hot New York Style, BUllSHIT! thsi DJ's will Giggle their club owners balls just to show some popularity, but the reality is just about the money. I am just so tired of this crap. I hope there will be a resolution to this. but it will never be until there is a club that is dedicated to the Salsa community.
so in the mean time you have casa grande and that place became so getto after djlos got back stabbed and forced to quit last year. so i wish you all good luck and I hope things will get better some day.
There is noting wrong with el perreo. I dont do it cuz wherever i dance my mother or my dad can be there to see me. Most girls who do it wouldnot do it in front of their parents cuz they know it is shame-less. We can have nites just for salsa if the hosts make it that way. They have to be dedicated to it & stick to it. When we find out that it is a salsa nite we will keep go. Me and my friends and salsa dancers like all the couple dances beganing with salsa then bachata, merengue and cha cha. That is it. Salsa dancers will go there. If you put in regetoon, hiphop, or house music a lot of salsa people woun't come back. The two crowds do not mix but hosts keep trying to force it. This is why we should stick togeter & support all salsa places. The other places should stop call there nites salsa nite when they do have a lot of good salsa.
WOW, this is what I call cheap entertainment, I dont think any of you see what the real picture is here, its very easy to dog some one else and put out your point of view, but, why make comments and make assumtions based on your perception? only becuase this is your relaity??? wrong, honestly everyone has eskeletons on their closets and the reality of this is that everyone is out for them selves and that's it. I have been a witness of this saga for years back when Maniacs was the place on sundays, and then it died for a bit yes, and do you know why there is not a true Salsa club? not the promoters, not the DJ's.... club Owners! they have bills to pay and they want money, they dont want a true salsa sports that dont get drunk and spend money, why would they do that? so yes also salsa instructors contribuite to this by playing promoters and instructors and critics and backstabbing eachother. I know I seen it, all three of this salsa kings. I like to comment on comment #22 about Dj's. to some extent you are right on some Dj's we are all from different places some more diverse than other some better some oldschool. and believe me playing music is not difficult bringing the rythim is the key but who's fault is it that they have woman bending over like dogs? KC salsera maybe you want to do that and you cant but you cant or is a different generation or whaterver the case is. We DJ's play what brings the cheese to the club, club owners and promotrers are responsible for this. Dj's get paid a missery in this town. the best DJ's out there make a couple hundreed dollar a night. I tried to change this and what happen? a bunch of backstabers. this busssiness is sad and it makes me sick to my stomach. I tried to make a difference and what happened?? the instructors became like Hienas trying to get me out. DJ's are in the same boat. no one shares music, no one helps the other one. some of them are cocky and think they are the best claming they hot New York Style, BUllSHIT! thsi DJ's will Giggle their club owners balls just to show some popularity, but the reality is just about the money. I am just so tired of this crap. I hope there will be a resolution to this. but it will never be until there is a club that is dedicated to the Salsa community. so in the mean time you have casa grande and that place became so getto after djlos got back stabbed and forced to quit last year. so i wish you all good luck and I hope things will get better some day.
Howard Carney is the main cause of problems in Kansas City!
Howard, Josh and Victor had some differences and now choose to not deal with each other. Okay, fine! That is between the three of them. I would like to have more than just one place to go dance in Kanas City. But of the three of these guy HOWARD is the only one who never missed an opportunity to tell me to NOT support the other two. Despite the differences the other two still tell people to patronize the other two's events. That is not division. What Howard does is division.
HOWARD also has a track record of banning people from his events. They are banned not because they are drunk and disorderly, disturbing the peace or any of those things, but because he didn't like that they are in the same business as he is. Someone here mentioned that he also banned his ex-girlfriend. What did she do I wonder? Look at another man?
Wake up people! Do not judge anyone based on what a third party has to say about them! Especially when the third party has a vested interest in downing them.
I have had more than enough of Howard Carney. I first listened to him and sympathized with him but now it is so clear to me that he is at the roots of all the divisions on the salsa scene.
Howard Carney is the main cause of problems in Kansas City! Howard, Josh and Victor had some differences and now choose to not deal with each other. Okay, fine! That is between the three of them. I would like to have more than just one place to go dance in Kanas City. But of the three of these guy HOWARD is the only one who never missed an opportunity to tell me to NOT support the other two. Despite the differences the other two still tell people to patronize the other two's events. That is not division. What Howard does is division. HOWARD also has a track record of banning people from his events. They are banned not because they are drunk and disorderly, disturbing the peace or any of those things, but because he didn't like that they are in the same business as he is. Someone here mentioned that he also banned his ex-girlfriend. What did she do I wonder? Look at another man? Wake up people! Do not judge anyone based on what a third party has to say about them! Especially when the third party has a vested interest in downing them. I have had more than enough of Howard Carney. I first listened to him and sympathized with him but now it is so clear to me that he is at the roots of all the divisions on the salsa scene.
Thank you KC Salsera for shutting "Alfredo Martinez" up, and for the fact that you too are smart to know who he is. I feel like mentionning his real name, to end this forum and let everyone know who is causing the problems in our scene. Readers, dont only read, but try to figure out who is writing what and you will know the truth. I have been watching and analyzing this scene for more than 5 years and will continue to support who is doing the right thing.
Thank you KC Salsera for shutting "Alfredo Martinez" up, and for the fact that you too are smart to know who he is. I feel like mentionning his real name, to end this forum and let everyone know who is causing the problems in our scene. Readers, dont only read, but try to figure out who is writing what and you will know the truth. I have been watching and analyzing this scene for more than 5 years and will continue to support who is doing the right thing.
Alfredo Martinez is an imposter, a bigot, an egotist, an egoist, and an imposter. Just a shady character. It is not difficult to figure out who he probably is, or who he wants us to think he is. Whowever he is, he is a LOSER!
Alfredo Martinez is an imposter, a bigot, an egotist, an egoist, and an imposter. Just a shady character. It is not difficult to figure out who he probably is, or who he wants us to think he is. Whowever he is, he is a LOSER!
Dear Readers, we now know the truth from the above comments, especially from the so called "Alfredo Martinez" impersonator.
The problems in our scene have resulted from bad mouthing, and claims of who is doing what correctly or who knows what best. Read all of "Alfredo Martinez's" comments (especially the last 2) and you will know where the comments are coming from, and who is causing the problems in the scene.
We were seeking for comments with solutions but we have still been sensing negativity. KANSAS CITY PEOPLE - OPEN YOUR EYES. Victor especially, we welcome you to our scene and keep doing what you do - We will support you.
Dear Readers, we now know the truth from the above comments, especially from the so called "Alfredo Martinez" impersonator. The problems in our scene have resulted from bad mouthing, and claims of who is doing what correctly or who knows what best. Read all of "Alfredo Martinez's" comments (especially the last 2) and you will know where the comments are coming from, and who is causing the problems in the scene. We were seeking for comments with solutions but we have still been sensing negativity. KANSAS CITY PEOPLE - OPEN YOUR EYES. Victor especially, we welcome you to our scene and keep doing what you do - We will support you.
I think Alfredo rented some DVD's from Netflix watched the Discovery and History Channel on Salsa history just to add this comment. I think his explanation is silly and unnecessary.
Just wanted to state my opinion! :)
like
dislike
