The salsa and improvisational art of soneo will take over various venues in Puerto Rico starting this weekend with the launch of "El Duelo de La Sociedad" (The Society's Duel), a project featuring six singers competing in an improvisation competition accompanied by the live orchestra La Sociedad. The route begins on September 19 at El Vaso Rojo in Canóvanas and continues on September 20 at El Campo Es Leña in Adjuntas, with four of the six participating soneros performing.
The project, created by La Sociedad, aims to preserve and promote soneo, a characteristic expression of salsa and Afro-Caribbean music. The six participants are Willito Otero, Kayvan Vega, Alexánder López, Erick Robles, Julio López, and José Luis De Jesús, who will tour different venues on the island, testing their improvisational skills, creativity, and connection with the audience.
The competition will consist of six preliminary rounds before the Grand Final on October 18, 2026, at the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña in Old San Juan, where the six soneros will compete to be recognized as the "Sonero del Pueblo" (People's Sonero).