I have a deep desire to unite people. I believe that one of my purposes in life is to bring people together in a way that transcends status, class, and profession, creating a space where people feel truly united and understood. That is why in 2022, I decided to host my first El Teteo party in Los Angeles, motivated by a desire for something reminiscent of my hometown in NYC.
I was homesick and needed to feel connected to my roots and community. El Teteo served as an extension of what I had been taught: to find moments of joy amidst pain, trouble, and hard work. For me, community is about gathering with people you love and care about, no matter where you are—whether it’s gathering in beach chairs in front of a building or plastic park chairs under a bridge. Teteo, a Dominican slang word that means to party and hang out anywhere, suggests that when it comes to community, all you need is good music, good company, and some beer—and in some cases, food. It’s all about sharing moments when tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and that’s something that’s very much part of Latino culture.
As a New Yorker, I find myself missing my city and its vibrant clubs and dance parties. At almost every party and club I’ve been to in Los Angeles, people stand around with a drink in their hand instead of hitting the dance floor. Through El Teteo, I want to bring the East Coast vibe to the West Coast, raise awareness of Latino Caribbean culture, and foster community. As New Yorkers, we experience so many different cultures like a melting pot. Not only do I get to share in other people’s cultures, but I also get to introduce my own to others.
As an unapologetic, proud Dominican American, I wanted our presence to be felt here in Los Angeles, where I felt like there weren’t many of us. Moving to LA made me acutely aware of the underrepresentation of Dominicans and Caribbean Latinos. It was a culture shock. People were often shocked when I spoke Spanish. Not many people in Los Angeles were familiar with the Dominican community or Dominican culture in general.
So I launched my first El Teteo party on February 26, 2022, to celebrate Dominican Republic Independence Day in Los Angeles. I partnered with Angela Carrasco, a Dominican-American real estate broker in Los Angeles, and Dominican-American actress and host Katherine Castro, both of whom have ties to the venue. Our event reached new heights of success with 600 people gathering to attend. People even traveled from New York to be a part of this unforgettable experience.
These parties are more than just big fun events; they have become a place for Latino creatives, especially those in the media and entertainment industries, to mingle and build community. The success of the parties is measured by the fun and connection they bring. This is a space where Latindad looks different than what the West Coast has ever seen.
As a Dominican American, I have faced challenges in auditions because Hollywood often expects Latinas to be light-skinned, straight-haired mixed-race people, ignoring the diversity of our community. Afro-Caribbean Latinas are still considered “different” or “not Latina enough” in Hollywood. But these events, featuring Dominican music, artists, and cultural elements like hookah, create a cultural hub in LA that showcases our rich heritage and promotes representation in a city that often overlooks us.
At the first Teteo, we had Latinos in the entertainment industry from shows like “Insecure,” “On My Block,” “Gentefied,” “Station 19,” and “How I Met Your Father.” It was a dream come true because people who look like us don’t often move to Hollywood, and for Latinos, being involved in our community plays a huge role when it comes to our mental health. I often hear stories of Caribbean actors, directors, producers, and writers leaving Los Angeles because they couldn’t find community. I wanted to bridge that gap in the Latino diaspora, from Mexicans to Dominicans. My goal is to push for underrepresentation in Hollywood, to make our voices heard in the real city of Hollywood.
The pain of Hollywood constantly trying to fit a mold that asks you to erase a part of yourself, only to be rejected. Despite this pain and uncertainty, the one thing they can’t take away from me is joy. That’s why Teteo was born, out of a desire to challenge the narrative that we don’t exist and celebrate all aspects of who we are, including our humanity and the gift of life. Dominican culture is often celebrated without due recognition, from viral dembow songs to James Bond inspired by Porfirio Rubirosa, to bachata sung in many different languages across the globe. Yet despite these cultural contributions, we are often overlooked in the larger Latino conversation. Executives often don’t invest in us because they don’t believe we exist. However, seeing the diverse crowds at Juan Luis Guerra and Romeo Santos concerts made me wonder why we weren’t part of the larger conversation.
I see El Teteo as a moment and a movement that inspired a new Caribbean ecosystem in LA. It puts Caribbean and Afro-Latino culture at the forefront without relying on CEOs and investors who don’t care about us. I wanted to create a space where our presence and culture were recognized and celebrated. El Teteo has made its way by spreading joy and awareness of our vibrant culture, created by us for all to enjoy.
This summer, I was inspired to bring El Teteo to NYC and make it a global event in an effort to elevate Latin culture and put Dominicans on the world map. I also wanted to use El Teteo as an opportunity to give back to the Dominican community. We are partnering with the Dream Project to support educational opportunities for Dominican youth. It was important to us to create something that not only brings joy but also gives back to those in need.
The Dominican spirit is more than just NYC and my island. It’s a way of life and a subculture that many people celebrate. It’s about taking the positive parts of my culture and sharing them with the world. As my dad said, you never know when God will call you, so enjoy the life you have today. My hope is to bring this joy to the world through my culture, to uplift and celebrate the community, and to create representation that we haven’t seen yet—all through community gatherings.
Sasha Merci is a first-generation Dominican-American actress, comedian, and digital creator. She brings over a decade of diverse experience in entertainment with roles in films like “Righteous Thieves” and “De Lo Mio,” along with collaborations with popular brands like Target and Bumble. She shares her Bronx roots and passion for Latin culture by speaking out about mental health and navigating comedy.
