Xtreme performes on US Delaware Campus

When the bachata duo Xtreme made their way to the stage on University of Delaware campus Tuesday and sang their popular hits, "Lloro Y Lloro" and "Shorty, Shorty," the group was more than 30 minutes behind schedule. But no one really seemed to mind. After all, that was in the past and the New York-based, Dominican duo was playfully interacting with a small crowd at the university's student center in Newark, Delaware., and singing bachata hits that have topped Latin music charts and made them famous.

Their band walked out on a raised platform first and started playing instrumentals, building anticipation for the two young stars. Then moments later, they made their entrance, slowly walking out, donning dark shades, braids, sweater jackets and jeans. They took turns talking and singing in Spanish as they made their way to center stage. It didn't take long for the young crowd, mostly college-age students, to succumb to the instrumentals and start dancing with a partner. Others stayed in place and swayed to the music.

Xtreme, whose real names are Steve Tejada and Danny Mejia, have found  success among Hispanic listeners in the United States since their founding in 2003. Several of their bachata songs, including "Shorty, Shorty," are classics in the local Philadelphia-South Jersey salsa scene.

Interest in bachata music and the dance is surging across the country and promoters are responding with Bachata Congresses and performing artists are scheduling more concerts. In recent months, Aventura, Antony Santos and Zacarias Ferreira have all performed at venues in Philadelphia, Atlantic City and even Madison Square Garden in New York City. The bachata trend is clearly here to stay!