This rooftop salsa party in Brooklyn is celebrating its third anniversary

Time Out

15-05-2025

For over 15 years, Ray Martinez, known as DJ Ray Suave, has been spinning Caribbean, soca and Latin tunes on the nightlife circuit. Three years ago, he brought his talents to Time Out Market New York, and it's been a party ever since.
One of Brooklyn's best nights of the week is on a weekday thanks to Salsa Thursdays. Once just a night of music, the weekly party has evolved into a full-on salsa dance party. Alongside Martinez—award-winning salsa champion and professional dancer, who was a featured dancer in Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights 2021 film—Marlene Veras teaches free, 30-minute lessons to dancers of all abilities. With a career that includes performing at the Billboard Latin Music Awards as a teen, percussionist Jessica Rodriguez is also a fixture of the Thursday night party, playing everything from congas and bongos to maracas to keep the rhythm going.
This Thursday, May 15, Salsa Thursdays is celebrating its third anniversary of dancing, rhythm and fun. The anniversary party will include free dance lessons from Veras, a set from DJ Willie Sabrosura and more. We spoke to the band to hear how it all got started, their upcoming milestone and how they've kept the party going strong three years later.
Marlene Veras: I got involved in May 2022 when musician Ronnie Roc invited me to teach and join the Salsa Thursdays team.
How has the event evolved from the first party to now?
RM: Salsa Thursday, in the beginning, was just background salsa music. It has since evolved to a dance lesson, live percussion [and] myself as the DJ. Now it's more of a dance party.
Free dance lessons are now a staple of the party. What can dancers expect?
MV: Guests can expect an introduction to salsa dancing. No dance experience is required to join. We start the lesson with basic footwork (shines), and for the last few minutes, we dance basic steps with a partner. I alternate teaching between the Salsa styles: Salsa on 1 and Salsa on 2.
For someone who has yet to attend, what kind of party can they find?
RM: People will find great salsa music with the occasional bachata or merengue thrown in, as well as high-energy house music set to get everyone on their feet. People should also expect a super diverse crowd—full of beginner, intermediate, and expert dancers—partying the night away with awesome views of the city, specialty drinks, and a diverse food court accentuating the background.
RM: I still can't believe it's been three years already. I feel blessed to be a part of this event, I look forward to seeing the new faces every week.
What can people expect at the anniversary party?
MV: They can expect beautiful views of the NYC skyline and bridges, a free 30-minute salsa dance lesson, social dancing, live percussionists and DJs playing salsa and other music genres. It will be a party where New Yorkers and visiting tourists can gather to meet and dance!