Latin flair lights up Kauai

LIHUE — As a member of the seven-piece Latin band Rumba de Fuego, Steve Dubey can’t wait to rock the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel Friday with a concert featuring renowned musician and Grammy Award winner, Howard Levy.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” the trumpet player said. “No.1, it’s fun. No. 2, it’s an opportunity to hear a really fantastic, Grammy Award-winning musician play with the band.”

The concert is at the hotel’s Kuhio Lounge from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. As a composer, pianist, band leader and producer, Levy’s talents have earned him a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition. He plays classical, rock and folk. Levy will also perform solo, playing the piano and the harmonica at the same time.

“Unless you see him, it’s a little hard to believe,” Dubey said. “We want the community to come out and it’s really a unique opportunity to be exposed to a musician of his caliber.”

The event is for people 21 and older. Music includes merengue, salsa, samba, mambo, cha cha and Latin rock.

“It is very hard not to dance when you hear it,” Dubey said. “The beat is very infectious, it’s positive, it makes you feel good.”

Kauai’s dance instructor Julia Owens will teach energetic, salsa dance steps to guests.

“If they’ve never danced salsa before and they don’t want to take a lesson, they don’t have to,” Dubey said. “You can still really have a really great time just coming out and dancing to the music whatever way you feel is your expression.”

Admission is $20 at the door.