Salsa Show Will Be Worth Dip Into Funds

Good salsa apparently doesn’t come cheap.

On Saturday at the Anaheim Convention Center, acclaimed bands Groupo Niche and Orquesta Guayacan of Colombia, Sonora Santanera from Mexico and Sonora Matancera of Cuba will set the mood, delivering the romantic, tropical sounds of salsa throughout the evening.

But you can’t get in the mood without some serious money, because admission to the event, organized by JMC Productions of Los Angeles, is $31 to $40 per person. Drinks and food cost extra.

Still, thousands of salsa devotees are expected to attend the party, according to JMC president Juan Cortes. And what they’ll be paying for is top-notch entertainment.

“Queen of Salsa” Celia Cruz made her 1950 debut with Matancera, celebrating its 72nd anniversary this year, said Cortes. Two of the 10-member group’s musicians, guitarist Rogelio Martinez and bassist Leicea Calixto, both in their 90s, are active charter members.

Matancera and the 40-year-old Santanera ensemble are likely to draw an older crowd. But Groupo Niche, 15 years old, and Orquesta Guayacan, only 10, may balance things out. “We’ve combined the best of the past and the best of the present,” Cortes said.

The best of dance floors can’t be counted on, however. Expect concrete, not wood. But there should be plenty of room. The Convention Center’s Hall B boasts 100,000 square feet and 10,000 of that--more than twice the size of Orange County’s larger dance floors--will be cleared for cutting it up.

Cortes predicts that no more than 5,000 salsa fans will show up. The hall accommodates 7,000.

Between sets, deejay Pachangero of L.A. will spin discs suitable for merengue and cumbia, as well as salsa. Eats include tacos ($1.50), nachos ($4.50) and hot dogs ($2.30). Wash them down with domestic beers ($3.50), margaritas and other mixed drinks ($4.25).

* SALSA DANCE

* Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim.

* (213) 626-2291.

* Saturday, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.

* $40 at the door; $31 in advance at Ritmo Latino music store, 320 E. 4th St., Santa Ana, (714) 542-1052.