Alex Washburn

"Today was fine, quiet. I work from 8 to 5, then I get washed, put on my suit and come to Salón Los Angeles. I use a different voice when I’m on the mic to when I’m working in my shop. You have to charm people. During the songs I relax and think of what to say. You can’t smoke in here, but I hide the cigarette across the palm of my hand. It makes my voice sound gravelly. Salón Los Angeles has been open for 78 years. I’ve been the emcee here for half of them..."  (read more)


These images were shot at the Salon Los Angeles in Mexico City. Carlos Avila has been the emcee at Mexico City's oldest salsa club for approximately 40 years.


This is his world. 

Carlos Avila speaks to the crowd on a Sunday night at Salón Los Angeles in Mexico City.

Carlos Avila speaks to the crowd on a Sunday night.

Carlos Avila poses for a portrait onstage.
Carlos Avila poses for a portrait onstage.
Couples have livened up the dance floor at Salón Los Angeles for nearly 80 years.
Couples have livened up the dance floor at Salón Los Angeles for nearly 80 years.
With so many moving bodies and hot lights packed inside the old building, fans are a must for the ladies of Salón Los Angeles.
With so many moving bodies and hot lights packed inside the old building, fans are a must for the ladies of Salón Los Angeles.
Couples have livened up the dance floor at Salón Los Angeles in Mexico City for nearly 80 years.

"The crowds on a Tuesday and Sunday have all known one another for years. A lot of the married couples who still come here met here. " -Carlos Avila

Carlos Avila in silhouette against the Salón Los Angeles interior sign.

 Avila in silhouette against the Salón Los Angeles interior sign.

Couples have livened up the dance floor at Salón Los Angeles in Mexico City for nearly 80 years.

The large dance hall still offers dancers top music talent, snacks and a community found nowhere else. 

With so many moving bodies and hot lights packed inside the old building, fans are a must for the ladies of Salón Los Angeles.

Avila waits to take to the stage. 

Avila dances and laughs with a patron in between stage appearances.

"Miguelito" has worked coat check at Salón Los Angeles for about 20 years.
"Miguelito" has worked coat check at Salón Los Angeles for about 20 years.

"Today was fine, quiet. I work from 8 to 5, then I get washed, put on my suit and come to Salón Los Angeles. I use a different voice when I’m on the mic to when I’m working in my shop. You have to charm people. During the songs I relax and think of what to say. You can’t smoke in here, but I hide the cigarette across the palm of my hand. It makes my voice sound gravelly. Salón Los Angeles has been open for 78 years. I’ve been the emcee here for half of them..."  (read more)


These images were shot at the Salon Los Angeles in Mexico City. Carlos Avila has been the emcee at Mexico City's oldest salsa club for approximately 40 years.


This is his world. 

Carlos Avila speaks to the crowd on a Sunday night at Salón Los Angeles in Mexico City.

Carlos Avila speaks to the crowd on a Sunday night.

Carlos Avila poses for a portrait onstage.
Carlos Avila poses for a portrait onstage.
Couples have livened up the dance floor at Salón Los Angeles for nearly 80 years.
Couples have livened up the dance floor at Salón Los Angeles for nearly 80 years.
With so many moving bodies and hot lights packed inside the old building, fans are a must for the ladies of Salón Los Angeles.
With so many moving bodies and hot lights packed inside the old building, fans are a must for the ladies of Salón Los Angeles.
Couples have livened up the dance floor at Salón Los Angeles in Mexico City for nearly 80 years.

"The crowds on a Tuesday and Sunday have all known one another for years. A lot of the married couples who still come here met here. " -Carlos Avila

Carlos Avila in silhouette against the Salón Los Angeles interior sign.

 Avila in silhouette against the Salón Los Angeles interior sign.

Couples have livened up the dance floor at Salón Los Angeles in Mexico City for nearly 80 years.

The large dance hall still offers dancers top music talent, snacks and a community found nowhere else. 

With so many moving bodies and hot lights packed inside the old building, fans are a must for the ladies of Salón Los Angeles.

Avila waits to take to the stage. 

Avila dances and laughs with a patron in between stage appearances.

"Miguelito" has worked coat check at Salón Los Angeles for about 20 years.
"Miguelito" has worked coat check at Salón Los Angeles for about 20 years.
Using Format