Club Ice gets muy caliente

By Mollie Wells

Wander into the back room of Club Ice on any given Thursday – past the parking lot, under the blue awning – and you’ll be privy to one of downtown’s most fiery hidden gems. In fact, you’ll probably hear the echoes of it from several paces away, the pounding rhythms of salsa, merengue and borchata wafting over the patchwork alleys like heat sent to dull a bitter frost. Welcome to Columbus’ premier Latin dance party. Welcome to Babalú.

Dancers salsa the night away at Club Ice. Photo by jeff mills/UW

”The Spanish community is growing and growing and growing,” said event coordinator Juan Carlos Polanco. “We’ve been trying to bring [this] to Ohio for the past two years, just a nice club where people are dressing really nice, people who really enjoy live music.”

Organized by Polanco and his partner Shezronne Zaccardi, Babalú officially started its weekly run at Club Ice in late September. Get there early (about 10 p.m., early by Columbus standards), and you’ll get a chance to practice your dance moves with instructors there to show you the sometimes complicated ropes of cha-cha, salsa and merengue. But once the clock rolls around to 10:30 and the lights go dim, you’re on your own; the disco ball starts spinning, local band Yumbambé takes the stage and hardly a single body is found off the dance floor. The moves are just too irresistible.

“Salsa is a really, really classic dance,” Polanco explained. “It’s sexy, it’s nice. And this is a really nice club, you’re never gonna have anybody really drunk and trying to start a fight.”

Zaccardi agrees that Babalú, for all its typical dance-club atmosphere, brings a certain non-threatening element to Columbus nightlife. “It’s like a big Cheers,” she said. “Everybody gets to know everyone. [It’s a way to] go out with the girls, go out with the guys and not be harassed, not be groped on.”

While Babalú certainly isn’t Columbus’ first or only Latin night, it’s definitely the most honest. There’s no sense of kitsch or novelty, absolutely no notion of cultural exploitation. Babalú isn’t merely a pet project for white people who find culture to be cute; it is explicitly in place to serve the wildly growing Latin community. And it’s starting to get huge.

“Building up takes time, just to get the word and the buzz going,” Zaccardi said. “But if we get enough community support, it can potentially be something great.”

Check out Babalú at Club Ice every Thursday at 10 p.m.

Originally Published: Issue 475 - October 25, 2006

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Comments

I’ve been to most of the big salsa spots in Columbus, and Babalu is definately my new favorite. It really does feel kind of lke Cheers. The people are wonderful, the music is great, and there’s always room on the dance floor. Be careful though...it’s addictive!

Natalie | 2006-10-25 - 01:42:32 PM (CDT)
This is the best place in Columbus. I like the crew, they are so nice, and respectful. It is always full of OSU students willing to dance, have fun and a great time...

Michael | 2006-10-25 - 03:00:56 PM (CDT)
Excellent place to go and have fun. Guys are nice and they know how to move their b..... Girls we should not miss this.....

Vicky | 2006-10-25 - 03:02:34 PM (CDT)
Place is full of artificial GQ looking folks trying to be all suave, and trying way too hard to hit on girls. In addition, the dancing involves a lot of latinos tying to feel you up, not very classy.

Stacy | 2006-10-25 - 06:07:14 PM (CDT)
Been to a few salsa type clubs in LA and NY, but this place seems to isolate people that can’t do all the moves. Seems like a platform for Latino dancers to show off their well rehearsed moves. So if you CANT dance, don’t bother going here, you’ll feel like an absolute fool. However, they do make the effort to teach you for five minutes.

Pinar | 2006-10-25 - 06:20:18 PM (CDT)
Music not too bad, but dancing is intimidating. I would say 6 out of 10.

Liu | 2006-10-25 - 06:33:04 PM (CDT)
Place has sexy girls!!! Great place to pick up a little piece, but watch out for the " me too sophisticated for you types :) !!

joey | 2006-10-25 - 06:35:29 PM (CDT)
SALSA is DEAD in Columbus. This ain’t Latin America, LEts move on Columbus. Go bucks!

Sammy | 2006-10-25 - 06:38:01 PM (CDT)
this is what we need in cbus! something different! GO JC!!!

tyrell | 2006-10-25 - 06:51:25 PM (CDT)
Stacy sounds like a "hater" to me! Never heard a female or male complain about "GQ" looking guys. Maybe the AARP types are more your speed. Babalu is the best party in town. NICE JOB JC and Shez!!!!

Jorge | 2006-10-25 - 07:18:57 PM (CDT)
Electric!!!!...that’s the only way that I can describe salsa night at Ice! I had a great time...I will definitely be there this weekend!!!

Brandon | 2006-10-25 - 07:20:08 PM (CDT)
Great place and great people. lots of fun. go jc its ur birthday. its ur birthday.

rad master c | 2006-10-25 - 07:44:51 PM (CDT)
What an awesome place! Everyone should make it a regular stop on Thursdays!
The dance is beautiful. Intimidating if you are out to impress someone. DANCE FOR THE SAKE OF THE DANCE!!!! If you don’t know how to dance, just ask someone to show you how! It is not easy, but is so rewarding. Way to go J.C. & Shez
You are to be commended for the work you have done!
Love you & all you do!

Susan | 2006-10-25 - 09:44:42 PM (CDT)
One of the classiest parties in town! Elegant crowd, terrific atmosphere and simply an amazing experience! Latin entertainment has just reached a new level... and it’s HIGH

Sophia | 2006-10-25 - 11:08:19 PM (CDT)
Look club ICE is a great place to hang out at. people go there to enjoy the music and atmosphere.You can go w/ or w/out your date and still be respected. No worries of being harassed or anything negative. If u complain then it’s ur fault for not opening up to the different people and music ur use too. It’s a place where all cultures blend in and have a great time. ALL BECUASE OF THE ONE PERSON WHO KNOWS HOW TO SET THE MOOD AND THAT IS THE DJ!!!! DJALEKZ UR THE BEST MAN!!!!!! I ALWAYS FOLLOW U EVERYWHERE. BESIDESALL THE HOT GIRLS FOLLOW U SO OF COURSE I WILL ALSO.HAHAHA!!!!!U DA MAN BRO!!!!!!!!

SCOTT W.SMITH | 2006-10-26 - 04:08:09 PM (CDT)
ALEKZ,HEY YOUR THE BEST DJ AND I’M GLAD THEY FINALLY CHOSE A GOOD ONE & PUT YOU IN AS SOON AS THEY DID MAN. THEY WERE ABOUT TO LOOSE SOME PEOPLE BUT THE MUSIC IS SO MUCH BETTER NOW.JC AND SHEZ THANKS FOR BRINGING HIM TO US. NOW HOPEFULLY HE WILL STAY WITH US!!! CLUB ICE KEEP IT UP!!!! I WILL BE THERE TONIGHT SO HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

JAMES | 2006-10-26 - 04:18:48 PM (CDT)
La verdad there is no place or party "BABALU" is the best in town. there is 3 hombres ther that keep the party going all nite; The promoter (JC) he is increible...lots of energy. Then you have Atifa; this guy is so hanson he will dance and teach a todos. then lastly but not last the "Felix" guy he’ll dance allnite long, this guy is unique he never stop. I give this party and this 3 guys a super 10 out of 10. keep it up JC & Shez.

Salsa King | 2006-10-26 - 08:04:17 PM (CDT)
The last five comments are obviously friends of people who organized the event. BABALU is OVER-RATED. Please Salsa fans. Get a LIFE!! The event was ok. Some people are making sound like you’ll get an orgasm at this place. Please.....!!!

Guervo | 2006-10-26 - 10:06:26 PM (CDT)
WE LOVE THE PLACE THE PEOPLE,MUSIC.. THIS IS A CLUB FOR ALL WHO WANT’S TO HAVE A GREAT TIME..

DAVID | 2006-10-26 - 10:10:52 PM (CDT)
Guervo, relax man. The place was ok. Not the best like everyone makes it out to be. But alright. I must agree though, some of the comments sound a bit pretentious, as if its a promotional and marketing scheme, haha, good eye.

Jason | 2006-10-26 - 10:12:04 PM (CDT)
love the music!! I’m learning to dance salsa,merengue!! my boyfriend is Dominican i met him there..

xian boucan | 2006-10-26 - 10:18:22 PM (CDT)
This sounds 100% latino/mexican and a taquila/corona hang out place. Me no speaking spanish. Watch out for illegal immigrants. No Greencard no ENTER.

Liu | 2006-10-26 - 12:01:01 AM (CDT)
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.................
Why don’t you just go and see it for yourselves?

Helena | 2006-10-26 - 12:18:55 AM (CDT)
If you really want classy, diverse music and people, and hot chicks, Just go to SPICE BAR or SUGAR BAR. You’ll get the best of all worlds without feeling insecure about your merengue or salsa abilities.

Roberto | 2006-10-27 - 01:35:09 PM (CDT)
Roberto, that’s why people go to Salsa nights: to improve their merengue and/or salsa abilities as well as enjoy diversity, the music and the people. For those who feel "insecure" about their abilities and are unwilling to work on them there are definitely other places for them to go. Spice, Sugar, nice... yet slightly different in scope..

maura | 2006-10-27 - 03:00:29 PM (CDT)
Why argue about this place. if you think this is not the place to have a great night in Columbus without thinking that your car is going to be vandalized or that your are going to find drunk person to bother you. Think only once not twice. This is the best latino get down party in town especiamente on Thursday. On Friday No place else COZEE NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

D one n only home B | 2006-10-27 - 09:53:41 PM (CDT)
Cozzy is the BOMB! NO doubt about it!Friday nights rock there!
Check it out, you won’t regret it! Mario we miss you but it is still a hoppin place to go!

Helena | 2006-10-29 - 10:47:17 PM (CDT)
It’s disappointing all the negative comments. No one has to like the event, but to hate on it? I am trying to understand the logic. Unlike LA, there isn’t much diverse activity in Columbus. So you don’t like the event don’t go, but at least give credit to the people who are trying. And if more people choose to open their perspective and support it could become better. It will never be an LA or NY hotspot. Come on people we’re in Columbus OH.

a salsero in any city | 2006-11-09 - 09:48:44 AM (CDT)

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