A New Song and Dance

Since forming in 2002, Eta Carina has played more than 200 shows. Bolz, a Charlotte native, plays guitar and Ramirez is the lead singer. (Chris Edwards)

He's American and she's Venezuelan. Together, Karl "West" Bolz and Iliana Ramirez are Charlotte's own Latin music machine, Eta Carina. Backed by the newly formed Orquesta Carolina, which features more than twelve musicians including three percussionists and a four-piece horn section, Eta Carina offers a more contemporary approach to traditional Latin sounds.

 

"About half our songs are in English, although we use the traditional Latin rhythms," Bolz says. "We have a modern twist, and they're sung in English so the American audience can understand."

The duo is hosting a concert series throughout the month, where in addition to live music dance lessons (salsa, cha cha) are available prior to each show. But nondancers need not stay away. "They can come to dance, to watch, or to hear," Ramirez says. "We have a lot of dancing and we have good musicians playing incredible music."