History of the Salsa matinee with the "Bale de la Rosa"
OFFICIAL HISTORICAL DOSSIER
Cultural Heritage of Tropical Dance Eindhoven
Salsa Matinee with the Baile de la Rosa
Creator and Founder: Nicky X.A.P. Verbeek
First Edition & Opening: May 12, 1996 at Entertainment Center "De Ark" (Trudostraat 1c, Eindhoven-Strijp, near the Evoluon).
The festive opening matinee featured live music by the Caribbean trio Tommy Thomson and musical accompaniment by DJ Reagan, organized in close collaboration with Dance School Peter and Petra from Den Bosch. The Original Concept Formula & Promotional Text:
"The lady asks the gentleman to dance. After 1 or 2 dances, the gentleman may offer a rose to the lady. These fresh roses are ready weekly in large quantities (500 to 600 pieces). The roses that the ladies collect during the matinee may be taken home as a souvenir after the party."
Historical Timeline & Locations:
• 1996 – 1998: Weekly success under the banner of V&N Productions (Nicky Verbeek & Reagan Nahorst) at Zalencentrum De Ark. Open from 4:00 PM. Admission fl. 7.50 (regular) or fl. 12.50 (with live music/guest performances, such as the group Txoco on May 26, 1996).
• 1998 – 2000: Relocation due to great interest to Café Restaurant De Harmonie (Hoogstraat 310, Eindhoven). The matinees here ran from 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM for an entrance fee of fl. 10 (fl. 7.50 for members).
• 2000 – 2006: Nicky Verbeek continued the concept independently in his own Dance and Party Center Chicano's ("The Swing Planet") at Mauritsstraat 12 in Eindhoven. The matinee grew into a legendary institution here under the name: 'for over 6 years the most convivial salsa Sunday in the south with the Baile de la Rosa' (from 7:30 PM to midnight for Euro 5). The Baile de la Rosa formula was also used with great success during the holidays, such as Christmas Eve, Boxing Day (with a buffet), and New Year's Eve ("Salsa New Year's Swing").
• The Transfer (2003/2006): In 2003, the Chicano's company was transferred to Rosita Sola. The
concept remained inextricably linked to Mauritsstraat 12 until 2006, after which it definitively
spread throughout the broader Dutch salsa scene.
First "Baile de la rosa" 12 May 1996, de Ark - Eindhoven-The Netherlands
Left: Reagan Nahorst - Middle: Dj El Pregonero - Right: Nicky Verbeek