Orchard Beach Salsa Sundays

A very casual outdoor event held in the summer in a huge cement dancing area next to the boardwalk and beach at Orchard Beach, Bronx. It has run for more than 50 years and attracts hundreds of salsa lovers dancers every Sunday. Concessions nearby with food, beverages and restrooms. Held in a huge open cement dancing area near the beach and trees (Sections 4 5, aka Area 4 5), this event has a very friendly, casual, laid back atmosphere, with everyone dancing in jeans, shorts bathing suits, in sneakers, sandals or barefoot. A few people dance On 2, while others dance On 1, side-to-side, ol Cuban style, and every other way salsa can be done. If you want to be assured of On 2 partners, you may wish to go with a partner or a group. The beach is nearby just on the other side of the Boardwalk, so you can alternate between beaching, swimming and dancing. There are also benches, tennis, handball basketball courts, rollerblading, restrooms nearby. Food beverages are also available nearby in Section 5, and there are grass and tree areas where people barbecue and hang out for the day. Consider bringing folding chairs, blanket, ice chest, radio, the works. Please note: This event is occasionally cancelled, such as for rain, so go there expecting whatever.. If it doesnt happen, theres always the beach, and City Island is right nearby with its seafood restaurants. But most of the time, it happens.and its happening. How to get there: By Car: Take Hutchinson River Parkway, Bruckner Expressway or Bronx Pelham Parkway. Get off at City Island Orchard Beach exits. Continue by following signs to Orchard Beach, generally staying left through any unmarked intersections, until you come to the huge main Orchard Beach parking lot on your right. From the parking lot, walk toward the water and the Boardwalk. At the Boardwalk, turn left and walk a few hundred feet to Section Area 4 5. On your left will be a large outdoor pavement dancing area, and youll hear the music. Or, if you can walk from the left corner of the parking lot closest to the beach (when facing in the direction of the beach), the gravel path will take you directly to the dancing as you near the beach. The dancing area is near the hockey / roller rink. Orchard Beach is part of Pelham Bay NYC Park . By Bus: Bx12, Bx29, Bx5, Bx52, and Westchester Line number 45 serve the park. Orchard Beach is served by the Bx5 and Bx12 buses during the summer only. During the winter, take the Bx29 to the City Island Circle and walk to the beach. From Manhattan, the Bx 12 Select Service bus goes from W. 207th St. Broadway all the way to Orchard Beach in the summers. The A and #1 trains stop at the 207th St. Station. By Subway: Take the 6 line to its last stop, Pelham Bay Park. Connect to bus. Parking: There is a huge parking lot which costs a few dollars. Well worth the convenience, plus you have no choice because theres no other areas allowed for parking. Please Note Disclaimer: New York City area summer outdoor salsa events in general are subject to program changes and occasional cancellations for various reasons (band, DJ, weather, administrative mix-ups, etc.), so dont be too surprised if this happens. And the music may not always be as pure salsa as we would like. Also, the dancing conditions may be less than ideal, for example concrete, grass, dirt, sand, etc., so bring footwear that prepares you for any surface. I will state the dancing surface if I know what it is. Information comes from the most reliable sources I can find. In most cases, the information turns out to be accurate, but occasionally it is not. Its the nature of the beast. More Info below.