Europe

News “En Clave”

The Latest News From The Salsero Movement In Germany

We begin the section News “En Clave” that will be dedicated in this edition to Germany. Here, you will see the latest in the Salsa movement in this Western European country during March 2022. Are you ready? Let us begin…

a couple of dancers at Havanna Club in Berlin — Havanna is your Latin getaway in Berlin

We open with the Havanna club located at Hauptstr.30 10827 Berlin. Here you can enjoy Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and other rhythms on four dance floors with resident DJs. You can also try the mojitos in one of its seven bars and before opening the venue you can participate in Salsa lessons with qualified instructors to advanced and amateur levels.

This club that opened its doors in 1997 and since then has been dedicated to Latin night entertainment in the German capital offers Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata classes (No registration or dance partners required) every Wednesday (7 PM – 8 PM ), Friday (Salsa / Merengue from 9 PM to 10 PM), and Saturday (9 PM to 10 PM) with a cost of € 6 that includes admission and the after-party.

At Havanna, you will find nice people and a great atmosphere on every dance floor. On the first floor (Lower Floor) you will have the purest Salsa every Saturday until dawn, while on the second floor (Upper Floor) on Saturdays there will be a mix between Bachata and urban rhythms. The third dance floor (Basement) is dedicated to the fusion of Anglo-Saxon rhythms, and the fourth dance floor (Big Room) will be available on Wednesday and Friday nights for those who love Salsa, Merengue, and Bachata. And as additional information, I recommend you arrive at 10 PM because at that time and until 11 PM the ladies have free admission.

conexion band dressed in black — Mayelis Guyat (Lead Vocals), Jörg Bücheler (Trombone), Daniel Stawinski (Piano), Sergio Gómez (Bass), Robby Geerken (Congas), and Hardi Barnewold (Timbales, Conductor)

We continue with the second recommendation that I bring you to enjoy Salsa orchestras live in Germany and this time I am talking about La Fiesta de la Salsa with the band Conexión feat. Mayelis, this Saturday, March 12th at 9 PM. This legendary band of six musicians from Cuba, Colombia, and Germany returns to Berlin nights playing live the hottest Salsa, Son Cubano, Cha cha chá, and the most popular singles such as “A Dios Le Pido” included in their most recent record production Felicidad released on February 25th on all digital platforms.

Likewise, La Fiesta de la Salsa will also feature Salsa and Timba sets along with dance classes starting at 8 PM with DJ FISMO brought directly from Cuba.

The event will take place at Casa Pfefferberg 13 at Calle Schoenhauser 176 and the cost of admission ranges from €14 – €18. The permanence in the place will remain under the 2G regulations, that is, you can dance without a mask and without keeping a distance, and consequently you can only attend if you are fully vaccinated or verifiably recovered.

a couple of instructors dancing at euro-dance festival — The Euro Dance Festival will have more than 50 individual workshops and seminars daily

And finally, I recommend the largest festival in Europe, Euro Dance Festival to be held from Tuesday, March 1st to Sunday, March 6th at the Europa-Park facilities located at Straße 2 77977 Rust. During these six days, they will give more than 370 workshops in a wide variety of dance styles, from standard to Salsa, Argentine Tango, and many more. The program of the Euro Dance Festival culminates with four unforgettable evenings of world-class shows.

The ticket cost at the box office is worth €620 and anyone who has not reserved a seat at the table will be assigned a fixed seat (theater seat) on-site (no surcharge). During the show (approx. 60 minutes) an FFP2 mask must be worn in the seat, and no drinks or food can be brought. Masks are mandatory (FFP-2, no cloth or surgical masks) in all areas and at all times. The only exception will be during workshops and when practicing at night, only while actively dancing.

33 actors on stage in the Cuban musical Havana Nights — Cuba’s hit musical, Havana Nights, has been touring in Europe since March 2018

I end this edition by bringing you this Cuban Salsa bonus. The musical Havana Nights will be presented on Sunday, March 20th at 7:30 PM at Europaplatz 12, 26123 Oldenburg, and the cost of admission in category 1 is €72.49.

In this musical, you will listen to live Caribbean rhythms performed by a band of 9 girls accompanied by the Havana Nights Dance Company, with its impressive performance in which Salsa & Merengue, as well as urban dance and hip-hop, merge harmoniously in a fiery choreography.

At their side will also be the technical precision of the artists of the National Circus of Cuba, winner of multiple awards at circus festivals around the world, including Monte Carlo, China, Italy, Spain, and France.

The stage is made with authentic decoration of Cuba and lights with 3D projection. The 33 artists on stage will impress you with their great production and warm Caribbean sounds that will transport you directly to the heart of Cuba.

You Can Continue Reading News “En Clave” of previous editions.

God & Salsa

An Independent Film With Great Contribution To Society

Javier Luna with a blue sweater in God and Salsa — The God & Salsa Script was ready after six years after conceiving the idea

If we name you a series of words consisting of Family, Divorce, Suicide, and God, would you associate them? Los Angeles-based filmmakers Jess and Anayancy Thomas did. They devised, produced, and directed the film God & Salsa, a feature film that addresses the Mental Health of a teenager after the divorce of his parents and increases the Faith of a Christian woman.

“We are independent filmmakers based here in Los Angeles who met 9 years ago at church. Our film project is a story that is very close to our hearts as it mainly deals with the devastating effects of broken families, which can lead to depression and sometimes even suicide.” Jess commented on a digital medium.

He further added that “working on the story and the script was cathartic for both of us. We had friends who experienced the loss of their son to suicide at that time.

Currently, the WHO (World Health Organization) revealed that more than 280 million people suffer from depression in the world, a common mental condition and one of the main causes of disability.

Image of the award for Best Narrative Feature Film for God and Salsa at the LAFA Awards — God & Salsa have garnered awards to date at LAFA and NYFA for Best Feature Film, Best Inspirational Feature Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Narrative Feature Film, and Best Original Story.

God & Salsa present a positive solution to this disease. This drama feature film with heartbreaking characters fulfills the promise of Ecclesiastes 3:4 and was made on a really low budget so some of the crew members had to play multiple roles. “…Pre-production was crucial. Many details had to be ironed out long before production began, which was a challenge as we both have full-time jobs. It was nothing short of a miracle…” Anayancy Thomas said for this international medium.

But, what is the plot of the story?

God & Salsa unfold in a wonderful emotional meeting between two people with generation gaps. On one side is Raquel, a divorced single mother (40 years old) and grieving therapist who partially loses faith over the loss of her daughter to suicide, while Shane (16 years old) is an unhappy teenager whose parents are in the midst of a battle of divorce. Both characters are looking for answers, both are angry and hurt.

Raquel and Shane are in different phases of their lives; however, their lives intersect creating a beautiful collision where each one makes a valuable contribution to the other’s life with the interventions of a pastor who will not give up, an instructor of wise but extravagant dance, a wise old nun, and a sermon.

According to Jess and Anayancy Thomas, God & Salsa is the embodiment of Ecclesiastes 3:4, “There is… a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

How did the story come about?

The story is based on statements by Jess Thomas to a local digital media outlet.

Rebeca and Shane together in an outdoor scene from God and Salsa — In the summer of 2018, they recorded a “Proof of Concept” and ran a crowdfunding campaign in the spring of 2019 reaching 90% of their goal.

“Anayancy and I met at an Entertainment Business Ministry event that our church at the time, Bel Air Presbyterian, was hosting. She expressed to me that from her personal experience, she had it in her heart for quite some time to write a book or make a documentary about the long-term negative impact that contentious divorce can have on both children and parents.

It immediately intrigued me because when I was a kid, my parents went through a horrible divorce and I was able to relate to it from a kid’s point of view. I remember as a preteen and teen I was really confused, depressed, and lost. I acted in many ways, anger, lethargy, drugs, and alcohol, and over the years I contemplated suicide on more than one occasion.

We met several times to follow up on the idea and both decided that a narrative feature film showing characters going through this would be a much more effective and impactful way to make the point.

We got to work on the plot and although the film is not autobiographical, numerous are things that both Anayancy and I experience: the sense of loss, depression, hopelessness, not to mention faith, and Salsa dancing.

But over time, something beautiful happened; we fell in love and got married. Now, nine years later, with the help of many talented people and organizations like Film Independent, we have a complete movie.”

Knowing A Little About The Cast

Javier Luna

Shane is played by Javier Luna. He is a young model, actor, and singer from Madrid known for his role as Felipe Díaz in Disney’s “Violetta”.

“I play a 16-year-old boy who is struggling a lot since his parents are divorced. He has a lot of pressure and starts to take drugs. It is a story about overcoming these struggles,” Luna told a European digital media outlet.

For this leading character, the Spanish actor pointed out that he lost weight and was intensely involved. “It was a bit difficult to have that mindset at first, but I hope this movie can help a lot of people. As an actor, I tried to make it as authentic as possible… I’m excited about this movie. I gave it my all,” he added.

Jovanna Vidal

Raquel is the character played by Jovanna Vidal, an American film and television actress, presenter, producer, broadcaster, and businesswoman. She has ventured into shows like Disney Vacations and Girls Night Out, as well as representing Dr. Sánchez in TLC’s Evil Things and participates in the YouTube series Dahr Mann.

Enio Cordoba & Terryl Jones casual dress — Enio Cordoba & Terryl Jones

Enio Córdoba & Terryl Jones

Enio and Terryl are married and they are also partners on the dance floor. Both are professional dancers, have participated in numerous championships, and took part in Dance With Me (1998). Since then, Enio and Terryl have performed in more than 26 countries teaching Salsa around the world.

“My deepest congratulations to Jess and Anayancy for risking so much while trusting that this would be a hit. In the dance scenes, we had to show beginners learning. I told some of my old students to dance like they used to before taking lessons. Several scenes later they get to dance normally. OMG, they made me look like the world’s greatest dancer teacher”. Enio Córdoba expressed in his Facebook account for the award obtained for God & Salsa as the best narrative feature film at the Los Angeles Film Awards.

Carlos Navarro

Navarro performed and composed two of the original songs for God & Salsa. Carlos Navarro is the founder/singer/percussionist/producer of La Orquesta “Son y Clave”, which has been a part of the Salsa-Latin-Mambo dance genre in the United States for many years. This band is well known for being dancer-friendly from beginners to professionals with their tight, contagious rhythm and impeccable elegant presence. One of Hollywood’s best, this band has participated in many media events including, dance competitions, festivals, concerts, etc. They also featured in the film Almost A Woman which won two Imagen awards and one Peabody award. The Fragment was taken from the official website of Film Independent.

Jess Thomas

Jess is the Writer, Director, and Producer of God & Salsa. Jess Thomas studied Drama/film at San Francisco State University. In 2000, he wrote, directed, and edited a B-Action-Movie titled Checking the Gate, which was picked up for distribution by Echelon Entertainment. Since then, Jess decided to focus on more uplifting and inspirational films such as The Seeker (2004), a human interest story, which was his first documentary feature film. It won the award for Best American Documentary at the Rome International Film Festival. In 2007 he co-wrote, directed, and edited the short film Forever, which premiered at the Dances With Films Film Festival. That same year, the second documentary feature Beijing Girl: Made In China was an Official Selection at the Santa Fe Film Festival. Jed (2010) is his third documentary on opera singer Jess Thomas senior. In 2017, his short Love Always was nominated for five awards at the 168 Film Festival. The fragment was taken from the official God & Salsa website.

Anayancy Thomas

Anayancy was born in San Salvador (El Salvador) and is the writer/producer of God & Salsa. Anayancy went to Watterson College, a vocational school in Pasadena, California. She has worked in the healthcare field since 2001 at various organizations based in Los Angeles and currently works as a contract administrator. In 2007 she was certified as a domestic violence support group facilitator working with battered women. In 2011, Anayancy joined a mission trip to Mexico with the Bel Air Presbyterian Church, where she helped build a home for a family in need and served as a translator. Under the instruction of Enio Cordova and Terryl Jones, she participated in dance exhibitions and joined a salsa dance team trained by Enio and Terryl, the team won first place at the Aloha Ball in Kona, Hawaii. Anayancy Thomas produced Love Always in 2017. Part of the fragment was extracted from the official page of God & Salsa.

You Can Also Read: Sidney Poitier

All the best from Stockholm to the world with Fredrik Kinbom and Valter Percussion

Innovative Percussion Instruments designed in Sweden

Timba Valteriana is the salsa project of Swedish percussionist Valter Kinbom.

Renowned Swedish percussionist Valter Kinbom released this January 14, 2022 the first single from his salsa project Timba Valteriana, “Mil Colores”.

Valter founded Timba Valteriana in 2006, when he started composing salsa songs in collaboration with Cuban musicians Lesmer Solenzar and Pepe Espinosa.

These early songs were never officially released, but received attention in the Peruvian timba scene. Now – after 15 years of silence – it’s time for Timba Valterana’s first official single! The new track “Mil Colores” is a love song that addresses the human inability to see all the nuances and the whole spectrum in the other, and the ease with which we slip into a black and white point of view. A theme that seems more relevant than ever in this day and age.

Timba Valteriana plays Cuban timba (salsa) with influences from many other directions.

Innovative Percussion Instruments designed in Sweden Timba Valteriana is the salsa project of Swedish percussionist Valter Kinbom. — All the best from Stockholm to the world Fredrik Kinbom and Valter Percussion

The vision is to be innovative by introducing new elements into the music while at the same time there are strong roots in the Cuban soil, also giving space for new means of expression to flourish.

In “Mil Colores” this can be heard through the use of the tres (Cuban three-string, six-string guitar) instead of the piano, and in that Valter here plays four congas for a richer and more melodic “tumbao”.

“Mil Colores” has been written, arranged and recorded by Valter Kinbom in his Stockholm studio, mixed by Monsito Music, Stockholm, and mastered by Fredrik Kinbom at Madame Vega’s Boudoir, Berlin.

Musicians:

Valter Kinbom – lead vocals and backing vocals, congas, timbales, bongo, guiro, bell, tres, synth bass.

Karin Hammar – trombones

Nils Janson – trumpets

Julian Montilla – baby bass

Caroline Schröder – backing vocals

Rapson Espinosa Torres – backing vocals

About Valter Kinbom:

Valter Kinbom, born in Stockholm, is a musician (mainly percussionist) and instrument builder. He studied music mainly in Cuba (Censea, Havanna) and at the Royal College of Music (Kungliga Musikhögskolan) in Stockholm, and over the years has played with many different artists in the Swedish world music scene (Simone Moreno, Hedningarna, Ale Möller, Massivet, Tarabband, Erik Steen, to name a few).

Valter has extensive knowledge of Cuban, Brazilian, Arabic and Western music, as well as other styles such as Flamenco. He loves the complex intricacies of polyrhythmic African music, but also the clean simplicity of Western folk music. His fascination with rhythms and instruments from all parts of the world has led him to a deep understanding of how they interconnect and relate to each other. This, along with his passion to innovate and improve, led him to found his company Valter Percussion in 1997.

Since then, Valter has designed and produced several new percussion instruments that have been recognized by percussion masters around the world, such as Jamey Haddad (Paul Simon), Trilok Gurtu, Marilyn Mazur and many, many more.

After many years in his workshop and playing behind other artists, the time has finally come for Valter to release his own music. “Mil Colores” is just the beginning – there is much more to come.

Private link to listen to “Mil Colores” on SoundCloud:

Private link to “Mil Colores” electronic press kit (WAV and MP3 files, cover art, photos, etc.):

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q4jbkx3r6pb6md7/AADdwU4zGRsj-JlELNppOZNsa?dl=0

Valter Percussion’s Instagram:

Valter Percussion Facebook:

Valter Percussion website:

Release Date was this January 14, 2022 (digital).

ISRC: USCGH2204179

Article of Interest: Gerardo Rosales meets Orlando Poleo, who invites him to study Afro-Caribbean percussion in Caracas

From Zurich-Switzerland MERCADONEGRO Orchestra presents its latest song titled “Que Ironia”

Since Friday, January 21, 2022, is available on Youtube the new video clip from the Mercadonegro.

Mercadonegro was Created at the end of 2000 with influences from Salsa Dura thanks to their experiences working with artists such as Celia Cruz, Alfredo de la Fe, Cheo Feliciano, Tito Nieves, and many more.

Orquesta Mercadonegro titled “Que Ironia” song that is part of the production SOMOS DEL BARRIO, returning to the radio waves and digital platforms, a song that had been on hold, but now takes off from this group of Latinos based in Europe.

Mercadonegro Created at the end of 2000 with influences from Salsa Dura thanks to their experiences working with artists such as Celia Cruz, Alfredo de la Fe, Cheo Feliciano, Tito Nieves, and many more — Orquesta Mercadonegro de Suiza

SOMOS DEL BARRIO is the 4th production, of which stand out songs like: Triste y Solo, Quien a Hierro Mata, Rumba Negrito and also this current song “Que Ironía”, as always the boys of Mercadonegro highlight their work by the mixture of different cultures and Latin roots that enrich their musical style.

“Que Ironía” was born from the inspiration and ideas of Rodrigo Rodriguez Puerta & Eddie Villanueva Chininin, which relates the daily experiences of human beings, in their day to day nonconformity, and as the same lyrics say

“Nobody knows what he has until he loses it”.

This time it is Oscar “Chucky” Cordero who is in charge of the musical arrangements and even participates in the trumpet solo.

Mercadonegro, based in Switzerland, was founded on November 15, 2002, since then they have participated in the biggest Latin/Salsa and Jazz Festivals in Europe, and they have toured China (Asia), Colombia and Mexico (Latin America).

Its Directors : Armando Miranda ” El Moro ” was born in Havana – Cuba, with studies in the conservatory and participation with different Cuban artists. He is the lead singer of the orchestra and composer of some songs.

Rodrigo Rodriguez Puerta, born in Cartagena, Colombia, since he was a child he awakened his interest in music, percussionist, chorister, singer, composer and music producer.

In this most recent title “Que Ironía” participate the following musicians: Authors: Rodrigo Rodriguez Puerta / Eddie Villanueva Chininin

Arranger: Oscar ” Chucky ” Cordero

Piano: Oscar Ivan Lozano ((Oilo)) Bass: Dimitris Christopoulos

Full Percussion: Rodrigo Rodriguez Trombones: Johan Escalante Trumpets: Oscar ” Chucky ” Cordero Baritone Sax : Gills Grivola

Backing Vocals : Roberto Marcano ” El Chamo ” & Rodrigo Rodríguez Vocals : Rodrigo Rodríguez Puerta

Sound and Mix Engineer : Jose Mendoza

Pasterization : Fernando Álvarez at 440 Mastering, Madrid-Spain Recorded at GO STUDIO Zurich-Switzerland.

Site: Mercadonegro

Article of Interest: Mercadonegro Orchestra of Switzerland

“International Salsa Magazine is SalsaGoogle.com“.

We are an organization that from the hand of its Founder, Director and Editor Eduardo Guillarte, in force since 2007 that has been working non-profit helping to promote: Orchestras, Singers, DJs, Clubs, Plastic Artists in North America, Europe and Latin America and Asia and with the contribution of volunteers in various parts of the world, which at the same time invite and recommend all lovers, dancers of our Latin music to follow La Orquesta MercadoNegro from Zurich-Switzerland.

Long live music and its only and great protagonist, La Salsa.

Enjoy 4 Latin Events In Prague

The capital of the Czech Republic becomes the most Salsera in Europe during the month of love and friendship

Every month Prague becomes the center of the Salsero movement in the country. Latin music clubs are currently open, a traditional festival is scheduled to take place at the end of February, and a piano concert with a Venezuelan artist will take place on Monday 21^st. So, continue reading this article created especially for you and find out about the details of each event related to Latin music.

La Bodeguita Del Medio

The most emblematic Restaurant / Bar in Havana (Cuba) located in “The City of One Hundred Towers” for two decades keeps its doors open and its hours this month.

La Bodeguita del Medio is designed in the colonial style of 20th century Havana and at the bar, in addition to the mojitos, you can also try more than 150 types of short and long drinks. Regarding the menu (in Spanish) you will find the typical Havana specialties, as well as seafood, fish, vegetables, and a variety of meat. Also, you can attend every day at noon and enjoy the European international menu.

This Restaurant/Bar features a live Cuban band (usually trios) and performances by Latin dancers every night. La Bodeguita del Medio is located at Kaprova 19, 1 10 00 in the Old Town, Prague.

La Macumba

Every day (except Sundays) is a day of continuous festivities lasting eleven hours, and the cost of entry is around five euros.

Saturday nights are more crowded, so it is recommended to go before 11:00 PM to dance on the dance floor with a large space. Also, to order your favorite cocktail you don’t need to know the national language because the waiters are Cuban and speak Spanish.

To attend La Macumba it is recommended to dress casually and not to carry excess belongings. The recommended minimum limit to have fun inside the bar is two hours due to a large number of activities, the best DJs in Prague mixing the greatest hits of Latin music (DJ Alejandro, DJ Chocolino, DJ Lázaro, DJ Mário, and others), Theme parties with programs and demonstrations several times a week, and various instructors who teach fans and enthusiasts to move to the rhythm of Salsa. This bar is located at Štefánikova 230/7 150 00 Prague 5-Anděl, Czech Republic. So, enjoy La Macumba in the month of love and friendship.

Prague Bachata Festival 2022

Couple dancing at Praga Bachata Festival — Prague Bachata Festival has not been held since 2019

Prague Bachata Festival was created together with Bachata Souls (Pavel & Eli), two professional dancers who stand out in this Dominican rhythm. This Latin festival will take place from Friday, February 25^th to Sunday, February 27^th after a two-year break due to the pandemic. Here you will have the opportunity to enter the international dance scene in the Czech Republic, as well as meet new friends and gain progress in the current level of dance.

Prague Bachata Festival 2022 will take place at the Olympik Hotel, and the Full Pass is around 142 euros. There will be five international couples that will show their execution and perfect mastery of dance in shows and workshops with the combination of DJ Alejandro (Spain), DJ Husky (Israel), and DJ Dim5nsions (United Kingdom) doing their best mixes. Prague Bachata Festival 2022 is preparing this event for you.

Gabriela Montero In Concert

Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero is one of the most virtuous Latin women of classical piano. This exceptional artist has great improvisational skills and has performed with the world’s leading orchestras including New York, Los Angeles, Royal Liverpool, Rotterdam, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestras, the Canadian National Center for the Arts Orchestra, and many more.

This famous pianist released her most recent album “Latino” in the fall of 2019, and also she got the Latin Grammy for Best Classical Music Album for her first orchestral composition “Ex Patria”.

Gabriela Montero will offer a classical piano concert this Monday, February 21^st at 7:30 PM, and you have the opportunity to enjoy it at the Rudolfinum located in Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov. This cultural center dates back to the 19th century and has concert halls, an art gallery, and exhibition spaces.

You Can Also Read: Why Does Everyone Know La Bodeguita Del Medio In Prague?