Search Results for: Bachata

Berlin Salsa Congress Celebrates With The Salsera Family

Summer of Love’22 will be the main theme of the event that will paralyze the popular German capital

Berlin Salsa Congress invites you to celebrate the passion for Salsa during the summer.

Berlin Salsa Congress is back! Germany’s longest-running high-level social dance-focused event celebrates two decades with the Salsera family from Thursday, August 25th to Sunday, August 28th, and ticket prices range from €94.35 to €229. 65.

Berlin Salsa Congress in continuous operation since 2001 continues to unite dance lovers worldwide, and although in this edition they will not offer parties on the beach, sea, or pool, attendees will be able to enjoy amazing choreography Bootcamps for the Super Advanced level. To these pieces of training were added a series of workshops (during the day and outdoors) for those who want to improve their skills.

Likewise, they will also present the best Stargate shows at night-inside on three dance floors. The high-level social dance will take place from noon to midnight (and Saturday will be intensive), while on Sunday, they will present the results of the bootcamps and the winner of the Stargate Shows.

Also, during the weekend of this Salsero Congress, you will meet an incredible lineup of DJs from the world community in Berlin, who will rock the dance floor and keep you dancing until dawn.

And as usual, there will be Heroes of the Dance Floor. A group of the best social dancers gathered to make you learn some of the best dances of the moment.

The atmosphere will be incredible and just memorable!

Stargate Shows

Stargate shows offer the opportunity for student teams and any artist to showcase their talents to an international audience. The winners are chosen by the public and will be a winner every day. The winners of each day will be presented at the only showcase on Sunday at 9 PM.

Like last year, the Stargate Shows will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet. In 2021, they had about 1,200 daily viewers, and this year they will upload all Stargate shows to their official YouTube channel. Through this platform, an online survey will be conducted where they will select an additional Online Stargate Winner who will grant an extra chance to win. The winners of this online poll will get free access to the 2023 event.

Are you looking for your ultimate challenge?

On Sunday night will be a mixed final choreography of Salsa and Bachata

In Berlin Salsa Congress https://berlinsalsacongress.co/ will be single choreography training with Brenda Liew (Singapore) dedicated to Bachata for Ladies. This Bootcamp will give you energy, style, technique, and passion for eight intensive hours. The required level is Advanced.

The Price of this Bootcamp is €129, and it will take place from Friday, August 26th to Sunday, August 28th. The final rehearsal is on Sunday, August 28th from 7 PM to 8 PM, and the presentation will be at 9 PM.

Berlin Salsa Congress will take place in the Tempodrom (main venue) located in the heart of the city with a total of approximately 1,800 m2 of the dance floor and almost 3,000 seats for shows. Registration, social events from Friday to Sunday afternoon, some workshops, seminars, and discussion panels will take place here. Its address is Möckernstrasse 10, 10963 Berlin.

And the second venue will be Mövenpick. The rest of the workshops will be held in this hotel. Mövenpick – Siemenssaal (a 3-minute walk from Tempodrom) is located on the second floor and has a wooden floor and natural light perfect for the needs required. Its Address is Schöneberger Strasse 3, 10963 Berlin.

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Where To Go Dancing Salsa In Paris?

We bring you the 5 best Salsa clubs and events so you don’t miss any opportunity to continue dancing in the city of lights

Every year is a unique opportunity to make Salsa resound throughout the city of freedom and lights. Here, several prestigious places monthly immerse attendees in a Latin atmosphere. It is why in this August edition, we will take you on a journey into Latin American culture with a dream destination of Salsera fun in Paris.

La Pachanga

La Pachanga derives its name from the Cuban rhythm of the 60s

The Bar/Restaurant/Club La Pachanga https://www.lapachanga.fr/ is a place of reference for Salsa lovers, and is located near the Eiffel Tower at 8, rue Vandamme 75014. This club is designed in a cozy and Caribbean style. At the bar, you can enjoy various types of cocktails, Mojitos, Caipirinha, or Cuba Libre as well as a Latin American menu at the restaurant.

At the Pachanga, you can attend classes for beginner and intermediate levels with different instructors who will make you live two hours of Salsa Cubana and Salsa Puertorriqueña dance from Tuesday to Thursday from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM continuing with social dancing and DJ set until 2 AM. On Saturdays, there are also two-hour Salsa lessons at the same time, and La Pachanga closes its doors on this day at 5 AM. The cost of entry is 12 euros.

Le Balajo

You must present a Vaccination Certificate and an identity document to access the club.

Le Balajo nightclub https://www.balajo.fr/ open since 1936 brings Salsa and Bachata classes every Tuesday from 7:30 PM to 2 AM for beginners and intermediate-level dancers. Amateur Salsa lessons start at 7:30 PM, while Intermediate Salsa lessons begin at 8:30 PM, followed by a Latin party hosted by DJ Karim until 2 AM.

The fees to attend this weekly event of joy and good humor are €8 and include non-alcoholic drinks and €12 if the beverage is alcoholic, but if you want to enjoy the bar and its atmosphere, the entrance fee is €5. The address is 9 Rue de Lappe, 75011 Paris, France.

Cubana Café

It is a restaurant, bar, and smokehouse for cigar enthusiasts with a quiet atmosphere in the evening.

The Cubana Café Bar/Restaurant https://www.cubanacafe.com/ is a cozy, exotic place with a 100% Cuban atmosphere. Every weekend they organize Latin Nights until dawn. Starting on Fridays and Saturdays with a DJ set from 9 PM to 5 AM and ending on Sundays from 12:30 PM to 3 AM, if you consume one of the three traditional Cuban dishes with a cocktail with or without alcohol, you will only pay €17.90. Cubana Café opened its doors 22 years ago and is located at 47 Rue vavin in the 6th district. Decoration made in Cuba, warm colors, Salsa, and a dynamic atmosphere at night await you at Cubana Café.

Pachamama

The decoration is influenced by the regions of South America with glamorous and bohemian touches that converge.

Pachamama Parisian Restaurant/ Bar/ Nightclub https://www.pachamama-paris.com/index.php/en/home-alt-2/ is located at 46-48 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, 75012, Paris, in a historic building from the 19th century designed by Gustave Eiffel in the neo-vintage colonial style. It has three levels inspired by the myths and sacred symbols of the pre-Columbian peoples influenced by the Latin traditions of the New World. It is open from Thursday to Saturday from 8 PM to 5 AM, with resident DJs on stage lighting up the dance floor (Lower Floor) with harmonious mixes between Latin Music, Soul, Pop, and Deep House.

La Terrasse Latino

Around 1,000 lovers from the Latin American continent enjoy gathering at the Terrasse every Friday in the summer.

The largest open-air Latino gathering in Paris continues on the terrace of Cabaret Sauvage this summer in August. La Terrasse Latino https://www.cabaretsauvage.com/work/la-terrasse-latino-du-cabaret-sauvage-3 located at Parc de la Villette 59 Boulevard Macdonald, 75019 will offer Salsa Caleña lessons every Friday with instructor Francy Barahona de Calisabor (8:45 PM – 9:30 PM). It will also have Latin American cuisine, and DJ El Dany, DJ Nybra, DJ Barbas and DJ Capitán Cumbia will be present until 5 AM. Admission is free from 8 PM to 10 PM and after that it will cost €15 per box office.

Paris Salsa Weekend

Paris Salsa Weekend is organized by passionate DJs and followed by a large Salsera community.

The capital of France is a dream destination for Salsa dancers. Here, magic happens, that’s why in this edition, we bring you three regular Salsa parties in a row that will take place during Paris Salsa Weekend 2022, https://www.lesalsaclub.com/psw from September 9th to September 11th. So, don’t miss the opportunity to attend because they are rarely held.

Sal’Sounds 70’S Party in Paris. You will hear Salsa only on Vinyl by DJ Mulato on Friday, September 9th from 9 PM to 2 AM. The address is Salle Colonne, 94 Bd Auguste Blanqui, 75013, Paris, and admission is €13. Party strictly on vinyl is the sound that dictates the law!

LeSalsa’Club Party. You will dance at the biggest monthly Salsa social party on September 10th from 3 PM to 8 PM. You can meet national and international instructors specializing in On1 and On2 styles here. LeSalsa’Club will take place in the 13th arrondissement, at the Maison des Associations de Solidarité (MAS), 10-18 rue des Terres-au-Cure, 75013 Paris. The cost of admission is €13.

Sunday Night – O’Sulli Sauce. The Paris Salsa Weekend culminates with the party on the night of Sunday, September 12th at O’Sullivans By The Mill located at 92 Bd de Clichy from 9 PM to 2 AM, and the ticket will have the same value as the previous ones.

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Businessman, producer and broadcaster Jimmy Castro promotes his Ritmo Caribe Promotions Radio

Jimmy Castro and his radio station Ritmo Caribe Promotions Radio

We had the pleasure of interviewing businessman, producer and broadcaster Jimmy Castro, who started his radio show “El Toque Latino” on radio station WTCY 1400 AM from 1998 to 2002 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He then worked as a producer on “The Latin Jazz & Salsa Show” in Richmond, Virginia on station WCLM 1340 AM between the years 2008-2014. He eventually launched his own online Radio station Ritmo Caribe Promotions Radio in 2018 through the link www.ritmocaribepromotionsradio.com. Here, listeners can find salsa, Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban music.

Producer, promoter, and broadcaster Jimmy Castro

Here is our conversation:

You founded Ritmo Caribe Promotions in 1998. What made you found this company and why focus on setting up festivals and concerts?

I started the company as a DJ Record Pool called Caribbean Rhythms Record Pool in 1996 in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. I began meeting many of the artists that I was receiving music from, who began asking me if I would bring them to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to perform. That’s when I changed the company name to Ritmo Caribe Promotions, and produced many concerts and festivals there featuring artists to include Larry Harlow, Tito Puente, Cano Estremera, Hector Tricoche, Van Lester, Miosotis, Edgar Joel, Yomo Toro, Eddie Palmieri, and more.

Why focus specifically on salsa, Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban music?

I used to promote more genres when I began such as Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton, and Mexican but as the years went on it began getting more difficult because I was receiving so much music but I had a limited staff to and wouldn’t be able to focus on so many artists. I decided to limit it to the genres I had the most experience in.

Jimmy Castro while leading his old show “El Toque Latino”

I knew that Ritmo Caribe Promotions has co-produced songs by several well-known artists. Let’s talk a bit about your role as producer and record label.

Throughout the years, I have always dreamed of producing a Salsa song with my company. In 2020, I had the opportunity to co-produce my first Salsa song with JA Creations entitled “Mariana” by Colombian Salsa vocalist Jaime Andres featuring Frankie Vazquez “El Sonero del Barrio!” Since then I have co-produced 3 more Salsa tunes, “Nuestro Camino” by Leonardo Garcia featuring country vocalist Cat Beach, Max Rosado, and special guest Nestor Torres, “Mi Motivo” by Leonardo Garcia featuring Grammy nominated Miss YaYa, and “Lo Afortunado Que Soy” by William Mendoza’s Latin Heartbeat Orchestra featuring Cuban vocalist Amauri Menocal. Finally, on August 15, 2022 I will be releasing my first Salsa tune as Executive Producer entitled “Historia de Un Amor” featuring a vocalist from The Netherlands, Julie Huard.

What leads you to launch your own online radio station in 2018?

I started in radio broadcasting in 1997 with my own radio show called “El Toque Latino” on a commercial radio station, WTCY 1400 AM in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I was on the air for 5 years. I then moved to Richmond, Virginia where I worked as a producer on The Latin Jazz & Salsa Show on WCLM 1450 AM / WHAP 1340 AM for 8 years. I was also the entertainment producer for 10 years for the annual Latin Jazz & Salsa Festival, with The 15th Annual Latin Jazz & Salsa Festival scheduled this year on August 27th, in which I will be bringing headline artist Herman Olivera.

Finally, in 2018, I no longer was interested in working on everybody else’s radio station, and decided to launch my own 24/7 internet radio station, Ritmo Caribe Promotions Radio, where I am able to program exactly the way I want to. www.ritmocaribepromotionsradio.com.

Jimmy Castro with the “King of Timbales” Tito Puente

You have also produced theatrical plays and film productions. Give us more details about that.

The play I am most proud of was produced by my company Ritmo Caribe Promotions and Yamile Music (Los Angeles) entitled “Melena: A Cultural & Musical Journey into my Afro-Cuban Roots” which was the true story of Afro-Cuban latina percussionist Melena, and her journey from Cuba and becoming one of the best female percussionist in the world. You could check out the play in 3 parts on YouTube by searching for “Melena: A Cultural & Musical Journey into my Afro-Cuban Roots (Part 1, 2, and 3).”

You also receive music in mp3 format from the audience to place on the station. What basis do you have for choosing between the tracks you receive?

I accept music from artists from around the world, again Salsa, Latin Jazz, and Afro-Cuban music, and I listen to all the music I receive and focus on the quality of the production, ensuring I receive mp3/wave along with the album cover image, and last but not least the music has to be GOOD! I also send it to many Salsa dancers who I am connected with to get their opinion on the tune.

What you can say about your show “El Toque Latino”? How has this show changed with the passage of time?

I mentioned “El Toque Latino” in a question above, however, this show is no longer on the air. Now, it is only “Ritmo Caribe Promotions Radio” 24/7 at www.ritmocaribepromotionsradio.com.

Jimmy Castro with Puerto Rican salsa singer Cano Estremera

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Where To Go Dancing Salsa In Madrid?

We will tell you about five Salsa clubs to enjoy this summer in the Spanish capital

Discover the essence of nightlife in Madrid city with five incredible clubs to dance Salsa until dawn. We suggest that you plan your next dance date so that you can practice your Salsa skills and enjoy this social trend that is invading this summer.

Azúcar Salsa Disco

Azúcar is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of holidays from 11 PM to 6 AM

This Salsa and Bachata room is one of the most recognized and popular in Madrid. This place offers from Thursday to Saturday the most current Salsa hard on the American continent. Its doors open from 11 PM and in the first hour, the entrance for the ladies is free. Ticket prices range from €12 to €16, and parking is free for the first two hours. Classes run over these three days from 10 PM to 11 PM cost €9 and include a drink and entry to the social session. On Fridays and Saturdays, they close at 6 AM, while on Thursdays they close at 5:30 AM. Azúcar Salsa Disco https://azucarsalsadisco.com/ is located at Calle Atocha 107, 28012, Madrid, Spain.

The Host Club

The Host Club has an excellent lights set

It is one of the leading clubs on the Latin scene in the city of Madrid. It has excellent light and sound equipment, and has a capacity for 550 people. During the week they bring varied proposals with attractive sessions in the various Latin musical styles of the moment: Salsa, Bachata, Salsa Hip-Hop, Merengue, Kizomba, Afro-rumba, Tango, or Street Dance. So, get ready to dance with a wide Afro-Caribbean musical repertoire at The Host Club http://www.thehostclub.es/ .They are open from Tuesday to Saturday, and you can find it at Calle Ferraz nº 38, 28008, Madrid, Spain.

Sala Templo

Sala Templo has close and familiar attention

It is a space that offers joy, culture, and close attention. In each dance sesión, they have teachers and dancers who liven up the room and also help new clients to enter the world of Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, and Kizomba. Its Bailamos training program for students and teachers is directed by Fredy Bedoya and has dance professionals in constant updating, mirrors, and teaching material. Salsa (9 PM) and Bachata (8 PM) classes are one hour long, and the established days are Monday and Tuesday. Salsa Templo https://www.salatemplo.com/ is located at Bravo Murillo 52, 28003, Madrid, Spain.

Pincel

In Pincel you can also learn Ballroom Dance

It’s a club to dance Salsa and Bachata on Fridays and Saturdays. On Fridays, it is Bachata Night with an irresistible workshop with Ruth and Pablo (Dancers) at 11 PM and is followed by the social Bachata with Dj Chino in the booth. On Saturdays, it gets involved in a Salsa atmosphere from 11 PM with the Salsa class taught by Ivan and Sheila, then the social with DJ Pituelve in the booth. Pincel http://www.discotecapincel.es/ is located at Calle Doctor Raso, nº 1 (Húmera), 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain.

Zeus

Zeus holds contests and travel raffles for the best salseros of the season

It is one of the most recommended rooms in the south of Madrid to go out and dance Cuban Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba. Here, you can find authentic professional dancers of these Caribbean rhythms on 200 meters of the dance floor. Zeus has its dance school, and together with the MDD academy, they teach Salsa and Bachata classes from Monday to Thursday for all levels, and you can try the first class for free. The Zeus room https://www.facebook.com/zeusmostoles is located at Calle Bécquer, nº3, Móstoles, 28932.

Chantel Collado: a Canadian star of Latin descent

La Princesa de La Bachata

I am talking today with La Princesa de La Bachata Chantel Collado (https://www.facebook.com/chantelcolladoficial), who is an immensely talented artist. I understand she is a resident of Canada and is of Dominican descent. Thank you so much for accepting our invitation, Chantel. We learned that you are in Italy at the moment, what are you doing there?

First of all, thank you for the invitation. The pleasure is mine. Certainly, I grew up in Canada, but I’m on tour around Italy and pleased to bring my music to this beautiful country.

Chantel Collado was born in Canada, but her parents are Latino

Wonderful! How has reception towards your music in Italy?

It was amazing! Actually,I’m proud to see how both Italians and foreigners dance to bachata and enjoy it. Bringing this music to a country like Italy makes me very proud. It is a blessing to be able to travel, come, sing my lyrics and see how the audience loves them.

The nickname people you are given caught my attention. Where does La Princesa de La Bachata come from?

People give me that name when I went to London to give a concert. In view of the lack of women in the genre, I think it was easy for the public to call me that. For me, it’s a great honour for me to represent the genre, being a woman and a Dominican, since there aren’t many women who sing bachata.

Precisely because there weren’t a lot of women in the genre, did you feel a strong competition? Did you feel like you weren’t taken seriously?

Being a woman can complicate a few things. Thank goddness, men in the genre have also given me the opportunity and supported me, such as my musical godfather Frank Reyes, who is someone I admire. He is a bachata icon in the Dominican Republic and an example of a man who has supported me in my career. I had the opportunity to record a song and a music video with him.

I have received a lot of support from my colleagues and I am very happy to receive that support.

Who have been your musical references in and out of bachata?

I really like Romeo Santo, The King of Bachata. I grew up listening to exponents of Dominican bachata like Frank Reyes, Luis Vargas, Hector Acosta and Juan Luis Guerra. Outside of bachata, I have always liked Beyonce because of her stage presence. Regarding artists in this generation, I also really like Karol G.

Chantel Collado on stage

Have you experimented with urban or more modern rhythms?

Of course! I love to experiment and change from time to time. From a very early age, when I started singing in a competition in Los Angeles, I sang a cumbia by Selena titled Como La Flor. I have an urban song called Así. I’ve also sung salsa and I have merengues. What I like most is bachata, but for my generation, I listen to much urban music.

According to your biography, you decided to pursue a career in music after a talk you with your father, who also supported you very much in this regard. Can you describe that moment?

I grew up watching my father on stage as a director, musician and singer. From a very early age, I went on stage and sang with him. My brother is also a musician, so I think it just was natural for me. I didn’t know it’d like it or take it seriously as a career, but it was when I turned 15 that we decided to focus on music.

I was also performing and participating in musical theater, so I was singing, performing and dancing at the same time. When I turned 15, we decided as a family to focus on only one thing, which would be music. That’s how I started writing songs with my brother and we’ve been going at it for the last 14 years.

Latin descent

Your father is Dominican and your mother is Uruguayan. Do you think that coming from a Latin family has pigeonholed you or on the contrary?

Quite the opposite! It expanded my horizons. I grew up in Canada, speak English and, try to incorporate this language into my music. I’m of Uruguayan stock and even if people don’t listen to bachata in that country, I chose that genre because I listened to it all the time and I love it. I think that all this mix of countries expanded my horizons and I don’t feel that singing bachata is an obligation for me because I love doing it.

Her father and brother supported her a lot during her career

What did you do during the pandemic?

The pandemic was very difficult for me and all the artists in general, but I tried to focus on writing new music. I don’t know where I got the inspiration, but I recorded a music video with my mobile, which was made for my song Contigo o sin ti that you can find on YouTube. I did my own makeup and my own hairstyle for that day, put my IPhone on a tripod and got it all. I had to find thae encouragement to move regardless the situation.

Fortunately, I returned to the stage to sing for the public after two years.

In which countries are you touring now?

I am touring only in Italy. We’ve already been to two cities and we have two more to go to complete the tour. Then I will return to Canada, rest for a week and travel to the United States to continue touring.

Do you plan to tour Latin America?

I’ll be happy to do so. In fact, we already have some tentative dates in countries such as Colombia and Mexico. Let’s just hope that everything will happen because it would be the first time I brought my music to those corners.

How is urban bachata different from traditional bachata?

I think urban bachata is a movement that is starting to develop. My generation listens to a lot of urban music and an example of this is Bad Bunny, who is killin’ it right now. If we want bachata to evolve a little bit, we have to add a little urban touch and that’s what we’re doing. I think traditional music will never die because it is our main genre in the Dominican Republic, but it can also be made enjoyable for present generations, adding a little urban touch.

Speaking of urban artists, who do you want to collaborate with someday?

At the moment, I would love to collaborate with Bad Bunny. I love Bad Bunny and his new album. I had the great honor of opening for him in Toronto, Montreal, a few years ago. I also had the honor of meeting him, but I haven’t had the chance to collaborate with him yet, though I would love to.

As for traditional genres, I would like to collaborate with Anthony Santos on a more traditional song in my genre, bachata.

A message for young girls who want to dedicate themselves to the same as you.

I’d advise them to follow their dreams. I started in the music industry at a very young age I have achieved many things in the last 10 years. As a woman, I’d tell them to keep going because we are living in a time when women have more attention than ever before. We’re strong, independent and we can do anything we want.

Chantel at a photo shoot