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Events

Berlin Salsa Congress 2016

Europe / Germany / Berlin
Berlin Salsa Congress 2016
Berlin Salsa Congress 2016

Our promise: to entertain you. We are aiming to make the difference – every time. With 15 years of experience in organizing Salsa events we want to set the standards for our industry.

Parties from 4PM until 9.30AM. We dare you to dance all night long to the music of some of the best DJs in our community on three different dancefloors. Plus the afternoon and the time after sunrise until breakfast. Expect to encounter the highest level of social dancing in Europe as we gather many of the best dancers from all over the world.

We present you the shows in a unique and entertaining way as you will not see it anywhere else in our community. We entertain you. You will see much more then only a number of high quality dance shows. We also bring you Stand Up Comedy. News shows and we bring you back into the history of our dance community.

Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 - Photo 1
Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 – Photo 1

Berlin Salsacongress 2016 also features a number of seminars and lectures, including the famous Olu Olu Coffee Lounge which had its offline premiere at Berlin Salsacongress, plus history lectures and seminars such as the “Gentleman’s secrets”. We believe that in the age of social media it is more important than ever to talk and discuss face to face.

Needless to say that Berlin Salsacongress 2016 also offers a large number of high quality workshops for all levels. For those who are too advanced for the regular workshops we offer three amazing choreography bootcamps with some of the best artists in our industry. Plus, the Master Pass gives you exclusive access to the Master Classes where you can learn in a small group on a real master level.

Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 - Djs Kizomba
Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 – Djs Kizomba
Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 - Djs Bachata
Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 – Djs Bachata

Berlin Salsacongress is featuring the Stargate shows since 2008. The Stargate shows offer upcoming talents the chance to make their way to the top and dance on our main stage at night if chosen by the audience in the afternoon shows.

Now we became also co- creator of the Stargate Champions League which offers the winners of the Stargate competitions an additional chance to become European Stargate Champion and win a 1500€ cash prize in the finals. Get Sensual!

Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 - Shows
Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 – Shows

At the Berlin Salsacongress we offer you beside one of the largest Salsa events in Europe also an amazing Sensual Festival with some of the best Kizomba and Bachata instructors in the world. It gives you the opportunity to enjoy a fully sensual event while being together with all your friends from Salsa from all over the world – all in one place! SENSUAL ARTISTS-KIZOMBA

We offer one floor exclusively every night only for Kizomba and another one for Bachata.

Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 - Flyer 1
Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 – Flyer 1

We invited some of the best sensual DJs to give you only the best music. With the combination of a Sensual Party Pass (or Party Pass) and an Upgrade KiZZ you can enjoy the whole sensual part with 12 Kizomba workshops, 10 Bachata workshops and parties Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 - Flyer 2
Berlin Salsa Congress 2016 – Flyer 2

For information and tickets:

https://www.berlinsalsacongress.co/tickets2016.html

 

Mexican Restaurant & Live Salsa Saloon Gonzalez y Gonzalez

North America / USA / New York
Mexican Restaurant & Live Salsa Saloon Gonzalez y Gonzalez
Mexican Restaurant & Live Salsa Saloon Gonzalez y Gonzalez
  • Telephone: 212 473-7878
  • Email: [email protected]

Located in New York (USA) Gonzalez y Gonzalez is an excellent option to escape of the routine of each day. With exquisite dishes and delicious drinks, this restaurant offers you the most health fun with Live Music every day.

Open:

  • Mondays: 16:00-01:00
  • Tuesday-Wednesday: 12:00-01:00
  • Thursday: 12:00-2:00
  • Friday-Saturday: 12:00-04:00
  • Sunday: 14:00-01:00
Mexican Restaurant & Live Salsa Saloon Gonzalez y Gonzalez - Photo
Mexican Restaurant & Live Salsa Saloon Gonzalez y Gonzalez – Photo

With a Variety of Mexican and Caribbean dishes in Gonzalez y Gonzalez you can delight with a Gonzalez Classic Nachos (add chicken, steak or shrimp) with Pinto beans, three-cheese blend, topped with fresh jalapeños, served with guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo; or a Full House Salad with Iceberg lettuce, Mescaline, Romaine Hearts, tomatoes, red onions, red bell peppers, radish, queso fresco, avocado slices, and sweet corn cut off the cob, tossed in a toasted cumin dressing; or Chicken, this dish is DELICIOUS, consisting of yellow squash, zucchini, white onions, mushrooms in AMAZING basil cream sauce over corn and rice; or a Mexican Seafood Paella with Jumbo shrimp, calamari, and scallops sautéed with bell peppers, onions, cooked with green rice, garnished with roasted red bell pepper, and Cotijoa cheese, sure you will enjoy that!

This Restaurant offers also exquisite and traditional Desserts. You can eat: Chocolate Cake, Flan, Churros and New York City Cheesecake.

The most varied and exotic drinks you must degust in this place!

Mexican Restaurant & Live Salsa Saloon Gonzalez y Gonzalez - saloon
Mexican Restaurant & Live Salsa Saloon Gonzalez y Gonzalez – saloon

For the Salsa lovers, Gonzalez y Gonzalez brings you Live Music each day with invited artist to you can dance with your couple or friends all night.

Address: 192 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012, USA

Website: www.gygnyc.com

 

Mexican Restaurant & Live Salsa Saloon Gonzalez y Gonzalez - message
Mexican Restaurant & Live Salsa Saloon Gonzalez y Gonzalez – message

 

 

The Senior Mulato Jerry Rivas and His Half-Century Legend with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

From the chords of the Puerto Rican cuatro to the eternal voice of “Los Mulatos del Sabor”

Few names resonate with as much power, respect, and relevance in the salsa firmament as that of Jerry Rivas.

Born in Tampa, Florida, but with his soul deeply rooted in the heart of Orocovis through his parents’ heritage, Jerry Louis Rivas Díaz has carved his name in letters of gold into the history of Caribbean music.

El Mulato Mayor Jerry Rivas y su Leyenda de Medio Siglo con El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
El Mulato Mayor Jerry Rivas y su Leyenda de Medio Siglo con El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

Nearing 50 years as the lead vocalist for El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Rivas is more than just a singer; he is a living institution of salsa, a definitive sonero of his era, and the guardian of a legacy that continues to keep the entire world dancing.

Roots, Strings, and the Making of a Self-Taught Musician

Jerry’s history with Puerto Rico formally began in 1960, when his family moved back to the “Isla del Encanto” to settle in Bayamón.

There, the young Jerry began to breathe in the folklore and rhythms that defined the Boricua identity. What many do not know is that long before commanding microphones and international stages, Jerry was deeply passionate about string instruments.

As a fundamentally self-taught musician and singer, his first great love was the guitar. Over time, his musical curiosity led him to master the Puerto Rican cuatro, the island’s national instrument par excellence.

De los acordes del cuatro puertorriqueño a la voz eterna de Los Mulatos del Sabor
De los acordes del cuatro puertorriqueño a la voz eterna de Los Mulatos del Sabor

Not content with just that, he decided to delve deeper into the roots of Afro-Caribbean music, learning the secrets of the Cuban tres under the tutelage of the renowned professor Carlos Seguí.

This solid foundation as an instrumentalist not only shaped his ear but also gave him an impeccable sense of rhythm and timing that would later define his unique style for soneo (improvisational singing).

The Path to the Top: From Local Bands to a Historic Recruitment

Before the spotlight of El Gran Combo fell upon him, Jerry Rivas honed his craft throughout the island’s musical circuit, leaving his mark on every project:

  • Grupo Complicación: His teenage musical battleground, where he served as a guitarist for three years.
  • Conjunto Cojoba: A group he joined in 1972, sharpening his stage presence.
  • Conjunto Chaney (1974): Jerry was part of the select group of founding musicians of this project, which years later would become a powerhouse of romantic salsa.
  • Latin Brass (1976): The definitive showcase where his voice truly began to shine on its own.

It was precisely in 1976 when destiny knocked on his door. Following the shocking departure of the iconic “Niño de Trastalleres,” Andy Montañez who left the orchestra after 14 golden years to join Venezuela’s Dimensión Latina El Gran Combo found itself facing one of the most difficult transitions in its history. Replacing a legend seemed like an impossible task.

However, the keen eye of Don Quique Lucca (founder of La Sonora Ponceña) did not fail. Don Quique recommended the young Jerry to Don Rafael Ithier. After hearing him perform, Ithier didn’t hesitate: in 1977, Jerry Rivas officially joined the “University of Salsa.”

Nacido en Tampa, Florida, pero con el alma arraigada en las entrañas de Orocovis por la herencia de sus padres, Jerry Louis Rivas Díaz
Nacido en Tampa, Florida, pero con el alma arraigada en las entrañas de Orocovis por la herencia de sus padres, Jerry Louis Rivas Díaz

Nearly 50 Years of History at “The University of Salsa”

Joining such a demanding institution in the midst of an era-defining shift was a monumental challenge. Audiences initially viewed the new member with skepticism, but Jerry, armed with unwavering humility and immense talent, never tried to imitate his predecessor; instead, he forged his own legend.

Across nearly five decades, his voice has immortalized anthems of the global salsa songbook. Essentials on any dance floor like “Azuquita pa’ el café,” “Ojos chinos,” “Y no hago más na’,” “El menú,” “Cupido,” and “La clave” carry his unmistakable stamp.

His elegant performance style, combined with his sharp wit and deep respect for the dancer, solidified the orchestra’s golden age and ensured the transition was a resounding success.

“Joining El Gran Combo was a tremendous school and responsibility. Replacing Andy was no easy feat, but Don Rafael Ithier gave me the confidence to just be myself on stage.” Jerry Rivas, looking back on his beginnings.

Pocos nombres resuenan con tanta fuerza, respeto y vigencia en el firmamento de la salsa como el de Jerry Rivas.
Pocos nombres resuenan con tanta fuerza, respeto y vigencia en el firmamento de la salsa como el de Jerry Rivas.

The Present and Vibrant Legacy of an Eternal Sonero

Now in 2026, the tropical music landscape has changed drastically, but El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico remains unshakeable at the top.

Jerry Rivas stays incredibly active, leading the vocal front of “Los Mulatos del Sabor” alongside the orchestra’s newer generations, Anthony García and Joselito Hernández. This blend of Jerry’s veteran wisdom and the energy of the new vocalists has injected a refreshing vitality into the group.

Jerry Rivas is not just a survivor of salsa’s golden age; he is the living bridge connecting the rich traditions of the 20th century with contemporary audiences.

From his days tuning strings in Bayamón to packed stadiums across Europe, Latin America, and the United States, his journey stands as a testament to discipline, passion, and love for his culture.

We wish lifelong health, inspiration, and continued success to this eternal maestro who, besides being one of salsa’s most beloved voices, has never ceased to be, in every sense of the word, a complete musician. Long live the music of Jerry Rivas, and let the drums keep rolling!

 

Jerry Rivas y Papo Rosario
Jerry Rivas y Papo Rosario

Also Read: The Gran Combo of Puerto Rico “Los Mulatos del Sabor”

Phil Robinson Blends Sensitivity and Tradition in His New Single “Allí Me Enamoré”

A Romantic Salsa Gem That Transforms the Bond of Friendship Into an Honest Declaration of Love

Romantic salsa adds a new gem to its repertoire with the release of “Allí Me Enamoré” (“There, I Fell in Love”), the latest single by Phil Robinson.

Phil Robinson une sensibilidad y tradición en su nuevo sencillo “Allí Me Enamoré”
Phil Robinson une sensibilidad y tradición en su nuevo sencillo “Allí Me Enamoré”

It is a track filled with sensitivity, nostalgia, and emotion that aims to reconnect the audience with the genre’s narrative essence.

Composed by Puerto Rican songwriter Andy Roldán renowned for his ability to translate intimate feelings into deeply human lyrics this song unfolds as a love story that blossoms from the complicity of a sincere friendship into an inevitable confession of the heart.

From its opening verses “Hola amiga, ahora que al fin puedo mirarte a los ojos…” (“Hello my friend, now that I can finally look into your eyes…”) the track draws us into an intimate, almost confessional conversation, where the protagonist opens the pages of his soul to reveal a long-held feeling.

The lyrics journey through memories, silences, glances, and restrained emotions, building a narrative that many listeners will easily identify with: that exact moment when friendship is no longer enough because love has already taken root.

Phil Robinson delivers a warm and honest performance, anchoring every phrase with an emotional weight that highlights the depth of the lyrics. His voice successfully balances tenderness and passion, turning the song into an intimate, almost cinematic experience where every word feels lived in real time.

One of the greatest achievements of “Allí Me Enamoré” is its capacity to bridge the present day without abandoning salsa traditions. The contemporary reference to the everyday act of “opening your profile where I can see you” embeds the song into the emotional language of the digital age, bringing modernity to a classic story of unrequited love.

The chorus “En las páginas de tu alma, amiga, allí me enamoré” (“In the pages of your soul, my friend, there I fell in love”) stands as the poetic centerpiece of the composition: a delicate metaphor that transforms the human soul into an open book, an intimate territory where true love is born. This imagery gives the track its own unique identity, making it a memorable piece within today’s romantic repertoire.

La salsa romántica suma una nueva joya a su repertorio con el lanzamiento de “Allí Me Enamoré”, el más reciente sencillo interpretado por Phil Robinson.
La salsa romántica suma una nueva joya a su repertorio con el lanzamiento de “Allí Me Enamoré”, el más reciente sencillo interpretado por Phil Robinson.

Musically, the single is built upon an elegant melodic foundation, remaining faithful to the core DNA of romantic salsa, with arrangements designed to embrace the lyrics without stealing the spotlight.

The instrumentation subtly accompanies the emotional development of the story, allowing both the vocals and the message to breathe naturally.

With this release, Phil Robinson reaffirms his commitment to a style of salsa that not only invites people to dance but also to feel, remember, and confess. “Allí Me Enamoré” is a song for those who have loved in silence, for those who discovered too late that a friendship concealed a deep love, and for those who still believe in the power of a great story sung with absolute truth.

THE MUSICAL CAREER OF PHIL ROBINSON

Phil Robinson is a sonero, songwriter, performer, and director of his own orchestra. His charisma and his entrepreneurial, creative, and positive attitude allow everyone who speaks with him to enter his world, captivated by his love for music and his passion for learning, evolving, and improving every day. Robinson has loved the arts from a very young age.

Orquesta Yaré was the dream of a young man who, like Phil, wanted to make it big in the world of Latin music. It was founded and directed by Leroy Gutiérrez (conguero, timbalero, and bongosero), featuring original tracks alongside his brothers Johnny (bongosero) and Loui (trumpeter).

At the time, Leroy was a percussionist, but he also taught himself to play the piano. Gutiérrez invited Phil to join the group to turn him into a star. Yaré was a 12-piece orchestra, and all of their music was entirely original.

Phil Robinson
Phil Robinson

During a performance at Landis Park in Vineland, New Jersey, Orquesta Yaré backed the legendary Néstor Sánchez and Larry Harlow, the “Judío Maravilloso” (The Marvelous Jew) of the Fania All-Stars, who attended as guest artists. For Phil, it was a dream come true to share the stage with icons he so deeply admired. Years after that historic performance, Robinson reunited with Larry Harlow in Los Angeles and was able to share a photograph of that very first experience together.

As his musical journey evolved, he became the lead vocalist for Henry Mora and the All Star Salsa Orchestra of Los Angeles, while also collaborating with various local bands.

From there, he went on to become the lead voice for Eric Matos and Orquesta La Caliente, as well as Papo Rodríguez y La Sorpresa.

With the latter group, he recorded two original songs composed by Puerto Rican pianist Nelson Montalvo: “Fantasía” and “Mi Regalo,” which were included in the 2005 album titled Oye Salsa Sabor y Clave.

During Phil’s tenure with Papo Rodríguez, the renowned Panamanian singer Camilo Azuquita arrived in the city, and the band transformed into Azuquita y su Melao.

Phil served as his lead vocalist and primary background singer for several years, performing at prestigious venues such as the Hollywood Palladium and sharing the stage with iconic industry figures. Thanks to these valuable collaborations, Robinson fully polished his signature style.

Phil Robinson es sonero, compositor, ejecutante y director de su propia orquesta
Phil Robinson es sonero, compositor, ejecutante y director de su propia orquesta

Throughout his career, Phil has shared the stage with legends of the stature of Adalberto Santiago, Tony Vega, Herman Olivera, Yolanda Rivera, Meñique, Luigi Texidor, Wichy Camacho, Cuban singer Franco, Willie Chirino, and Celia Cruz, among many others.

After seven years of dedicated work, Phil completed and released his latest musical project titled Entre Dos Mundos (Between Two Worlds), produced by Arturo Solar.

This production features classic compositions from renowned authors such as Armando Manzanero, Ted Koehler, Harold Arlen, Virgilio and Homero Expósito, Enrique Benítez, Vicente Garrido Calderón, and Jesús Alejandro, alongside original tracks penned by Phil himself.

Robinson notes that, starting in 2023, he became a TV spokesperson and the MC (master of ceremonies) for the San Juan Puerto Rican Festival.

KCAL Channel 9 LA KCAL Channel LA Promoviendo el Festival Boricua en KCAL 9 Los Angeles
KCAL Channel 9 LA KCAL Channel LA Promoviendo el Festival Boricua en KCAL 9 Los Angeles

Here at Malanga Radio, we celebrate this premiere as proof that romantic salsa remains alive, evolving with new voices, new pens, and new emotions.


Allí Me Enamoré” is now available on all digital platforms.

Chechy Rosado

Public Relations

+57 301 685 2655

Barranquilla – Colombia

Also Read: Phil Robinson Sonero, composer and performer bandleader

Rumbon de Caracas

Latin America / Venezuela / Caracas

“El Rumbon de Caracas” is a party that brings together a variety of genres to kick off the holiday season, starting November 12th at the Ciudad Tamanaco Shopping Center (CCCT) in Caracas, Venezuela. The lineup includes Salserin, Francisco Pacheco y su Pueblo, Jonathan Moly, Guaco, and special guest El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. The event begins at 4:00 pm (16:00). Tickets are available through TicketMundo, with prices ranging from 15,000.01 Bs to 45,000 Bs.

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico is a Puerto Rican salsa band that is as successful in its home country as it is one of the most well-known throughout Latin America. Unlike other salsa orchestras, particularly those that emerged in New York from the 1960s onward, this group, known as “Mulatos del Sabor,” has always protected its musical timbre from complex innovations and experiments, safeguarding the unique, simple, and rhythmic sound that has characterized it since its founding on May 26, 1962.

Rumbon de Caracas
Rumbon de Caracas

We also have “Guaco,” the Venezuelan orchestra born in the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela, which evolved to become recognized as a Super Band of Venezuela. Influenced by rhythms such as salsa, pop, funk, jazz, and gaita zuliana, its rhythm remains unique and constitutes a style in itself.

Similarly, we have “Salserin,” known as the children’s and youth salsa orchestra formed in Venezuela in 1993, where the musical genres are pop, ballad, Latin, and primarily salsa. This orchestra boasts over 7 million copies of its albums sold worldwide, as well as 11 productions, 6 novels, 1 feature film, 1 radio drama, and more than 50 gold and platinum records.

For more information about tickets, please contact:

  • http://venezuela.ticketmundo.com/Evento/Rumb%C3%B3n-de-Caracas/4574
  • http://clasesdesalsa.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/El-Gran-Combo.jpg

 

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication covering salsa activities around the world and has been publishing since 2007. It is a worldwide network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. Together, we work to strengthen salsa events around the world.