Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga at the Copacabana

Copacabana
560 West 34TH Street at 11th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 239-2672
www.copacabanany.com

Text by Robert Abrams
Photos by Lisa Allen and Robert Abrams
January 30, 2004

Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga are a band that knows how to pack energy into their sound. Mr. Stuart had a rapport with his audience. He expressed his rapport in his voice. His voice was mellifluous and rapid fire by turns. He also expressed his rapport by walking over to the dancers and dancing with them. Mr. Stuart was not the only musician who was in the moment. I am not sure who was having more fun, Mr. Stuart or the slide trombone player, to pick one example.

All of the performers were animated. The band had a lively sound and a classic style. The entire band was very there for the audience. They were feeling it; there was not a phony musician among them. The audience was clearly responding in kind, whether they were sitting at a table listening to the music or out on the dance floor moving with energy equal to the music.

Tonight confirmed what serious Salsa dancers already know: The Copacabana is a great place for dancing with great music.

Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Dancing to Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Dancing to Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Michael Stuart and Orlando Conga perform at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Lisa Allen

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Dancing at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Robert Abrams

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Dancing at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Robert Abrams

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Dancing at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Robert Abrams

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Dancing at the Copacabana
Photo courtesy of Robert Abrams

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