When Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan presented in late November a new business plan for the financially troubled Artisphere that included closing the building on Mondays and Tuesdays, I wondered what would become of the arts center's "Salsa Tuesdays" events. While tonight’s Cuban salsa and timba event with DJ Reyna is being billed by dance instructor and promoter Eileen Torres in emails as “the final Salsa Tuesday at Artisphere,” Artisphere’s new director of programming, Rosanna Ruscetti, says that the Rosslyn complex will continue to feature salsa dances, but in a more “targeted” manner in order to attract larger crowds. The business plan calls for “reducing operating hours and frequency of programs to stimulate demand.” Ruscetti says that while she had no part in the decision to close Artisphere on certain nights, she says she recognizes the need for the venue to find new ways to establish an audience. She says she is “working with the [Artisphere’s] salsa and zydeco partners to strategize on building audiences.” Ruscetti notes that despite the general “no Monday and Tuesday” mandate planned for after tonight, on Tuesday, Jan. 10, Artisphere will host a dance with the highly touted local record spinner DJ Bruno “El Unico” called “Salsa, Have You Heard This?” 

Artisphere’s struggle to draw larger crowds isn't just the fault of too many weekly weekday programs. As previously reported on Arts Desk, the arts center is located in a drab business area, its restaurant area was vacant for many months (and is now vacant again), and its largest performance space only has 220 seats. Artisphere’s promotional efforts need to be addressed, as well. With lots of salsa dance nights around the Washington area, Artisphere will have to find new ways, within its red-inked budget, to market its targeted events if it wishes to establish a larger audience for couples dancing to the clave beat. It might be wise of Artisphere to look elsewhere in Arlington for ideas.

The Salsa Room (formerly Cecelia’s), on Columbia Pike in Arlington, has 5,000 plus Facebook friends compared to the 3,717 who like the Artisphere page. The separate Salsa at Artisphere Facebook group, which is maintained by Artisphere's salsa promoters, has only 103 members. While promoter and dance instructor Eileen Torres regularly publicizes the dances via her email list,  Artisphere’s “Salsa Tuesdays” haven't gotten much attention from local websites, radio stations, and newspapers.  While local editorial coverage of salsa music is limited, and advertising is pricey, there are ways to reach out. But tonight’s timba event, for example, is not mentioned in the monthly Kesta Happening Latin music newspaper/magazine, nor is it included in Kesta’s music event website calendar that allows free submissions by anyone.  The event isn't in the listings in last Friday’s Washington Post Weekend section, nor in this week’s Washington Hispanic or El Tiempo Latino newspapers.

The lack of attention is a shame. Artisphere’s well-programmed salsa nights deserve acclaim for including more than just helpful dance lessons and creative DJs.  They have featured bands such as Cuba’s Sierra Maestra and films chosen by promoter Eileen Torres. Interestingly, The Salsa Room, which also promotes via postcards and other methods aimed more directly at the region’s Hispanic population, just had a Cuban dance night this past Sunday, with DJ Reyna, local Cuban band Timba Street, and others.  It remains to be seen how tonight’s final “regular” Salsa Tuesday at Artisphere will do audience-wise two nights after a similar event, or if next year’s less frequent salsa events will draw more Latin-music hipshakers.

Tonight’s “Salsa Tuesday” features a dance class with Eileen Torres from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and DJ Reyna playing Cuban sounds from 8:30 to 11 p.m. at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd Arlington. $6.  (703) 875-1100

Are you curious about rock music’s influence in Asia? This weekend offers a couple of examples, plus a rare visit from a Cuban band, a return visit from a soul music veteran, and more.

Friday September 24

Los Angeles band Dengue Fever has a Cambodian lead singer, Chhom Nimol, and instrumentalists in love with 1960s Khmer rock and other international genres. The 2009 documentary Sleepwalking through the Mekong follows the band on its 2005 trip to Cambodia. Zac Holtzman and Senon Williams of Dengue Fever will attend tonight's screening along with director John Pirozzi. 7 p.m.  at the Sackler Gallery. Free.

The NEA National Heritage Fellowships Concert will honor a wide swath of musicians, including Yacub Addy, a Ghanaian drum master from Latham, N.Y. ; Jim "Texas Shorty" Chancellor, a fiddler from Rockwall, Texas; Del McCoury, bluegrass guitarist and singer from Nashville, Tenn.; Kamala Lakshmi Narayanan, Bharatanatyam Indian dancer from Mastic, N.Y.; Mike Rafferty, Irish flute player from Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.; and Ezequiel Torres, an Afro-Cuban drummer and drum builder from Miami. 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore. No advance free tickets are left, but a stand-by line begins at 7 p.m. for seats unclaimed by 7:45 p.m.

Saturday, September 25

Troker performs for free (and over webcast) from 6 to 7 p.m. at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. This Mexican band melds hip-hop break beats, funk, jazz, fusion, pop, and cumbia.

Trombone Shorty (from New Orlean) and M.I.A. (U.K. via Sri Lanka)  perform at the sold-out Virgin FreeFest at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Sunday, Sept. 26

The Bluebird Blues Festival includes Clarence Carter (the veteran  Southern soul artist known for “Patches” and “Strokin”), Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy (highly touted Houston group), Charles "Big Daddy" Stallings, M.S.G. – The Acoustic Band Trio, Barry Lee Pearson, Phil Wiggins & Rick Franklin, and Warner Williams and Jay Summerour. 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Prince Georges Community College. Free.

Locos por Juana performs for free (and via webcast) from 6 to 7 p.m. at Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. This Miami Latin alternative band plays a combination of cumbia, reggae, rock, and more.

Veteran Japanese pop-punk trio Shonen Knife performs at the Rock & Roll Hotel. 8 p.m.$15.

Orquesta Bamboleo, a large, funky Cuban timba band with plenty of horns and percussion, at performs the Star Lounge in Annandale.  $30-40.

Who knew that D.C. had its very own Cuban timba and salsa band?  Yep, Orquesta Ashe, led by Cuban Aramis Pazos Barrera will be at the Left Bank in Adams Morgan tonight.  Timba is a modern Cuban brand of salsa that adds funk beats and hornwork to the traditional clave rhythm.  Barrera was a dancer in Cuba's National Modern Dance Company and a guest artist with the Bolshoi Ballet in 1988.  In DC he has taught dancing at Danceplace and percussion in schools. His international band (3 singers, 3 percussionists, bass, piano, sax, flute, trombone, and trumpet) includes members from Senegal and Cape Verde as well as locals like noted percussionist Sam Turner (a New Yorker who played with Lionel Hampton and on boogaloo records but who’s been in DC for awhile).  I haven't seen them yet, but their background sounds promising.

Friday June 5  Orquesta Ashe at 11:30 p.m. (and dance lessons at 10:30) at Leftbank, 2424 18th St NW, DC. (202) 464-2100; $12, age 21 +