MIDEAST SALSA
A World Music Fusion Dance Band performing
Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Cumbia.
Directed by Hanna Bettner
We are a band that provides Fun, Entertainment, Dancing and Great Music!
What We Do
Mideast Salsa is a Latin Dance Band. We play our own arrangements of Mediterranean, North and South American Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia and Merengue, Our Set List flows from Spanish to French and Hebrew, Arabic and English. Our beautiful dancers demonstrate and teach each and every various dance style.
Where We've Been
Mideast Salsa has performed at Africa Fest, Monroe Street Festival, Sequoia Library, Art Fair on the Square, Sun Prairie Multicultural Festival and many clubs and private parties.
2024 Shows
Pinney Library, 516 Cottage Grove Road, 11am-12pm
Africa Fest, Saturday, August 17, TBA
46th Annual Monroe Street Festival, Sept 21, TBA
Madison Night Market on State Street
Thursday, May 9, 2024 6-730pm
Lag B'Omer-Beth Israel Center
Sunday, May 26, 2024 6-8pm
Make Music Madison
Andre's Art Studio Friday, June 21, 2024 2-330pm
Working Draft Beer Company-Friday, June 21, 2024 7-9pm
Sequoia Library Saturday, January 20, 2024 2-4pm
2023 Shows
Madison Gallery Night Performance November 3, 2023 5-9pm
Buck and Honey's, Sun Prairie Friday, May 5, 6 pm
The Red Rooster Wednesday, May 31, 7pm, $8 cover
Make Music Madison Fox 47 Stage State St. June 21, 2023, 5pm - 6pm
Art Fair On the Square - Top of State Street July 8, 2023, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Library Mall August 10, 2023, 6:00 pm -7:30 pm
Africa Fest (TBA) Saturday, August 19, 2023
Sun Prairie Multicultural Fair (TBA) Sep 16, 2023
Monroe Street Festival September 9, 2023
"A Musical & Educational Journey
Around the Mediterranean"
Sequoya Library Madison - January 2024
AFRICA FEST 2023
"Mot de Toi"
AFRICA FEST 2023
"Baruch ha Ba L'Balagan"
AFRICA FEST 2023
"THE SHAWM"
AFRICA FEST 2022
"CARAVAN"
AFRICA FEST 2022
"YA HABIBI YALLA"
SUN PRAIRIE MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL 2022
LIBRARY MALL UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
AFRICA FEST 2022
Cafe Coda
Photography/Videography by Jeff Alexander, Andre Ferrella, Dan DiCerbo
HANNA BETTNER
Leader of Mideast Salsa
Keyborads, Vocals
Hanna Bettner is a classically trained musician. She lived abroad for nine years and learned the languages and musical styles that she incorporates into Mideast Salsa. She has studied Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Cumbia singing in Spanish, English, Hebrew, French and Arabic.
CARLOS ORTOLAZA
Bass Guitar, Vocals
Carlos grew up in Puerto Rico listening to Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia and many other genres. He is a classically trained musician with a Degree in Classical Guitar and Opera from Puerto Rico. He performs religious music and also performs extensively in the Madison area.
JOSHUA VELASQUEZ
Lead Guitar
Joshua grew up in Puerto Rico listening to and playing Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Nova Trova, Bomba, Plena, Reggae, Rock, Pop, Blues, Jazz! His first contact with a musical instrument was in church. He started by playing bongos, claves and campana. Formally studied guitar at the University of Puerto Rico. He plays professionally and is also a private music instructor and producer! Music is an essential part of his life!
LAUREN CAHILLANE
Brass & Winds, Vocals, Percussion
Lauren started learning Latin rhythms as a youth, playing brass and reeds in the school band. She studied the French horn with Nona Gainsforth, and played in the Wellesley-Brandeis Wind Ensemble. Lauren loves dancing Salsa, Bachata and Tango.
ANDRE FERRELLA
Vocals, Percussion, Whistler
Andre studied and performed music abroad and in the United States for many years incorporating sound and art in nouveau art venues. He is a professional artist and was a professor of photography. He incorporates sound art with visual art in multimedia productions.
BAND BIOGRAPHY
HICHAM
LACHGAR
Doumbek, Percussion
Hicham is originally from Morocco and has played Doumbek and other percussive North African instruments for his entire career as a musician. Here in Madison he has been a asset to the music community sharing the unique rhythms of his origin in bands playing Latin music and also Reggae and Samba.
JEFF
ALEXANDER
Lead Guitar
Jeff grew up in Madison playing with many bands in his long professional career. He has mastered Latin and Brazilian music as well as Rock and Roll.
MIKE
NORONA
Clave, Percussion
Mike spent a major portion of his youth in Argentina listening to and learning Latin percussion. He has extensive experience performing with a multitude of percussive sounds and instruments.
DAN
DiCERBO
Rhythm Guitar
Dan is from the Boston area and has been playing the guitar for many years. He is a seasoned performer of various Americana Roots and Blues music bands.
