SUMMER GUIDE 2005
Ask The Experts How to Cope

Pancho Chavez, bandleader

Pancho Chavez left Lima, Peru, to study business at the UW, but his business has become his salsa band, Cambalache, which means "to share," as in a good time, a party, or "some type of social disarray where the main goal is to have fun." TIM APPELO

SW: So is the drought making Seattle more like steamy Lima?

Chavez: I've been here nine years. Every summer is looking more and more like it—almost identical. Really hot.

When does the salsa season start?

May. Then it gets superhot. Folklife, Bite of Seattle, Taste of Tacoma, music in the parks. We play 12 times in May, 18 times in July.

Who's in your band?

Three Peruvians, one Mexican, one Filipino American, one Cuban who played with the Buena Vista Social Club, and the rest Seattle types.

How does the weather affect audiences?

People seem to be happier [in warm weather].

Do they dance more?

They do. You'd think they wouldn't, because it's hotter. And it gets more crowded, which makes it hotter, too. They don't seem to care.

What's the best music for the great Seattle heat wave?

A lotta tropical salsa. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra from New York. A local band, Yerbabuena. Gran Combo from Puerto Rico. I would recommend Caribbean music. Any sort of hot, y'know, really upbeat music. Even swing.

Swing?

Thirties swing, Benny Goodman. Greta Matassa—she's local—would be good. And Brazilian music, that's actually very happening right now. Ipanema restaurant has music on weekends—bossa nova, samba.

Seattleites aren't used to real summers. What are they supposed to do when instead of rain it's sweat that makes them wet?

They need to go out and shake their hips.

Info: www.cambalachesalsa.com.