• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

International Salsa Magazine

  • HOME
  • Previous editions
    • 2026
      • ISM / March 2026
      • ISM / February 2026
      • ISM / January 2026
    • 2025
      • ISM / December 2025
      • ISM / November 2025
      • ISM / October 2025
      • ISM / September 2025
      • ISM / August 2025
      • ISM / July 2025
      • ISM / June 2025
      • ISM / May2025
      • ISM / April 2025
      • ISM / March 2025
      • ISM / February 2025
      • ISM / January 2025
    • 2024
      • ISM / December 2024
      • ISM / November 2024
      • ISM / October 2024
      • ISM / September 2024
      • ISM / August 2024
      • ISM / July 2024
      • ISM / June 2024
      • ISM / May 2024
      • ISM / April 2024
      • ISM / March 2024
      • ISM / February 2024
      • ISM / January 2024
    • 2023
      • ISM / December 2023
      • ISM / November 2023
      • ISM / October 2023
      • ISM – September 2023
      • ISM – August 2023
      • ISM July 2023
      • ISM Edition June 2023
      • ISM – May 2023
      • ISM April 2023
      • ISM March 2023
      • ISM February 2023
      • ISM January 2023
    • 2022
      • ISM December 2022
      • ISM November 2022
      • ISM October 2022
      • ISM September 2022
      • ISM August 2022
      • ISM July 2022
      • ISM June 2022
      • ISM May 2022
      • ISM February 2022
      • ISM January 2022
    • 2021
      • ISM December 2021
      • ISM November 2021
      • ISM October – 2021
      • ISM September 2021
      • ISM August 2021
      • ISM July 2021
      • ISM May 2021
      • ISM April 2021
      • ISM June 2021
      • ISM March 2021
      • ISM February 2021
      • ISM January 2021
    • 2020
      • ISM December 2020
      • ISM November 2020
      • ISM October 2020
      • ISM September 2020
      • ISM August 2020
      • ISM July 2020
      • ISM June 2020
      • ISM May 2020
      • ISM April 2020
      • ISM March 2020
      • ISM February 2020
      • ISM January 2020
    • 2019
      • ISM December 2019
      • ISM November 2019
      • ISM October 2019
      • ISM Septembre 2019
      • ISM August 2019
      • ISM July 2019
      • ISM June 2019
  • Download Salsa App
    • Android
    • Apple
  • Spanish

Search Results for: Dancing

The project “A Bailar Colombia” that moved the country.

The beginning of the project “A Bailar Colombia”:

South America maintains an important space for Salsa in many of its main capitals, it is easy to speak of Lima as a great salsa and timbera area like Venezuela, but beyond the contributions they make, it cannot be forgotten that if It is not the most important, it is one of the main ones, is Colombia.

Cuba and Puerto Rico do a great job for the dissemination of this beautiful genre to the world, however Colombia accompanies much of this work for the south of this continent. Many of us already know Cali as a salsa city of birth, along with it Cartagena, Barranquilla and Buenaventura combine a good salsa team, an element that at the moment weakens other areas of this beautiful country.

The #ABailarColombia project directed by the Son Rumbero schools in Bogotá and Bucaramanga, Emily’s dance and Baila Latino de Medellín, Timbea and Danz in Barranquilla, as well as 5 other academies that work towards the growth of the academic training of Salsa dance in various modalities, in addition to the main genres of Afro-Latin dance music.

The Son Rumbero dance school with 16 years of experience, opened its headquarters in the capital Bogotá in 2017 and in 2018 it will go to Bucaramanga, the main concept is not only to dance, but to do it academically, quickly and effectively. The object is to teach in ideal spaces, that is why its main headquarters is located at calle 19 # 4-20 in Bogotá, Son Salomé nightclub, where at the end of each class a practice space is released in an environment destined to dance and enjoyment. a real night dance room, in the same way they handle a very effective project in distance education, who would say that you can learn from the comfort of your home, organized at your entire disposal and with supervised classes with dance professionals by video live classes , an incredible way to learn, you can contact them at 3022582306 or social networks like @sonrumbero.

 

Dancing
People dancing Salsa

If you are in Medellín, the options vary, the Baila Latino school rules the rhythm in this city since 2011, dedicated to training in various branches of dance, from porro to kizomba, they are located at Calle 44 # 80 – 31, with group classes of excellent level, they serve audiences of all ages with certified professionals, they manage competition groups, formed under professional dance lines, in their closest projects is being part of large festivals such as the Casinea in Bogotá and the Venezuela is Latin, easy to contact by 3104749407 and its social networks @academiabailaltino.

In the same order Emily’s dance opens doors in 2018 in Medellin with a comprehensive training proposal, where we can see classes in various disciplines with personalized attention in the hands of its director Emily Sánchez, a professional in the world of dance with more than 25 years of experience. artistic career, managing to project his work in 3 of the world’s continents, in this great proposal he leans classes of a particular nature that seek a guaranteed learning in a short time, they can take classes by the numbers 3008510304.

Visiting the northern area of ​​Colombia on the coast we can dance to the rhythm of Danz in Barranquilla, a school with headquarters in Cr 46 82-71 vibra fitness studio and Cr 43 87-120 danceworkshop dedicates its program in the Cuban Casino, the bachata, the Feminine style in salsa and they even work on DanzKids, the latter a training profile for boys and girls, a fact that incorporates them into the world of dance from a very young age. With almost three years of foundation, they have managed to advance by having group classes at various levels and developing activities that allow recreation for the whole family, 3003827618 or Instagram @danzacademy.

Meringue Competition
Photo of dancers dancing Merengue

Similarly, Timbea in Barranquilla presented a very entertaining proposal to learn to dance, structured in 2018, this institution develops an important profile in Salsa, Merengue and Bachata, with dynamic classes under a very integrating criterion. Its founder and main instructor registers a trajectory of more than 7 years with awards and a good position in the world of salsa in Venezuela, being part of a prestigious school such as rhythm and essence in the state of Zulia, you can find them at 310 6326106 and on the networks by @ timbea2018.

Currently during the Covid-19 pandemic, many events, projects have been kept on hold until there is no danger of contagion, where many of the academies have chosen to give online classes and some competitions and / or congresses, remain fixed either online or in person, the latter depending on how the quarantine is at that time.

Home

 

 

Latin Parties Begin In Europe During July 2021

Hungary, Spain, and Croatia are the first three countries that welcome summer with Salsa Festivals and Congresses more than a year after the Corona

Couple Dancing
Hungary, Spain, and Croatia are the first three countries to resume Salsa Festivals and Congresses Salsa

In July, the summer begins in Europe and with it the imposing Latin Holidays. Hungary, Spain, and Croatia are the first three countries to resume Salsa Festivals and Congresses after 19 months of cessation of activities due to the Corona.

During these events, the protocols to guarantee the safety of the attendees will be carried out from the entrance with the performance of antigen tests, surveillance systems with thermal control, disinfection tunnels, and divisions within the facilities.

So, celebrate the Latin Parties in Europe at the beginning of July 2021 with Salsa Latina Istriana Festival in historical Croatia, Benidorm Salsa Congress in cultural Spain, and finally, you can also attend the Hungarian Summer Salsa in architectural Hungary.

SALSA LATINA ISTRIANA FESTIVAL – CROATIA

Latin Couple Dancing
Salsa Latina Istriana Festival 2021

Salsa Latina Istriana Festival started in 2004 as a free dance workshop with 100 dance lovers and enthusiasts to promote Salsa and other Caribbean dances.

This year comes to the seventeenth edition of this festival with tradition and community support with more than 15 European dancers, free Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Semba, and Urban Kiz workshops, international instructors, two boot camps, boat parties, 12 famous DJs, two free social dances on four floors, and much more.

Salsa Latina Istriana Festival 2021 will be held under the precautionary measures agreed upon for events and dance academies.

The workshops and the evening parties will take place over three days at Dom Hrvatskih Branitelja in the center of the coastal city of Pula.

Date: Friday, July 2 – Monday, July 5

Venue: Dom Hrvatskih Branitelja, Leharova 9, Pula, Croatia

Price in Gold Passes: 105€

BENIDORM SALSA CONGRESS – SPAIN

CANCELED (Reprogrammed for 2022)

Couple choreography with blue background
BENIDORM SALSA CONGRESS 2021

Benidorm Salsa Congress opens its doors from July 5 to 11 at the facilities of the Hotel Gran Bali with a selection of national and international artists, amazing shows accompanied by the rhythm par excellence, workshops, boot camps, 22 hours of Masterweeks, Pool Party, After-hours, several tracks for social dances with the Latin music of four DJs of the moment from midnight to five in the morning at the Crystal Palace, and contests up to 5,000 euros in prizes.Benidorm, a famous seaside resort on the Costa Blanca in the Valencia region and a popular Mediterranean tourist destination for its nightlife, once again becomes the Salsa capital of Europe for seven days with Benidorm Salsa Congress 2021, and you can book your tickets online starting this month on the Cucumpa platform.

Benidorm Salsa Congress calls you!

Address: Calle del Actor Luis Prendes, 4, 03502 Benidorm, Alicante, Spain

HUNGARIAN SUMMER SALSA – HUNGARY

five members of La Movida Cuba
La Movida Cuba’s members: Michel Carballo, Beny Perez, Ignacio Carballo, Yandro Reiniso, and Laura Pérez

Develop part of your summer in this Sensual Salsa Festival 2021 to be held from July 8 to 12 at the Balaton Conference and Leisure Center located in the western area of Hungary.

Hungarian Summer Salsa will feature a Bachata Championship, Rueda Competition, Cuban Salsa On1, and Kizomba, as well as Parties in the water park, and boat sailing at sunset. More than 40 dance teachers will present their shows and there will be international DJs. A live concert will delight attendees for 90 minutes with the La Movida Cuba orchestra, and additionally, they will enjoy a wine tour in an authentic Cuban atmosphere.

Concert Address: Balatonfüred Balaton Center, Horváth Mihály u.

Date: Saturday, July 10

Time: 11:00 PM

Maybe This Data Also Interests You

Hungarian lake landscape at sunset
HUNGARIAN SUMMER SALSA 2021

1 La Movida Cuba is a band from Budapest created in 2009 and made up of five talented Cubans, who developed a famed and danceable music project with interpretive artistic quality and flavor of the music of the Caribbean island.

Due to the versatility of their musicians, they implement daring choreographies where they interact with the public with new movements that today are known as La Movida in Budapest.

2 You will set sail to conquer the Hungarian Sea at sunset on the largest ship on Lake Balaton on the first day of the event. Remember to respect the dress code for this excursion, which this year will be blue and white.

3 On the last day of the festival, the Koczor winery will be visited for the wine tasting. The winery is located 3.5 km from the Balaton Conference Center. Attendees will go up and back together on a small train. This train will depart at six in the afternoon and will descend at ten at night in time for the closing party of the Hungarian Summer Salsa

Until then, stay safe, keep up the same excitement, keep dancing, and be conscious

SALSAGOOGLE.COM IS INTERNATIONAL SALSA MAGAZINE

 

Home

BACHATA COMPETITION IN A KAYAK?

The Festival Dance Club 2021 vol. 10 – Wedding Lux Edition with ten years of tradition in Poland returns to its roots with a dance competition inside a kayak the last weekend of August

Couple dancing in two kayaks
Bachata Kayak Competition on the Wierzyca River (Pomerania – Poland)

This distinctive modality together with the animation of dance with oars characterizes the Festival Dance Club 2021 vol. 10 – Wedding Lux Edition. This event with tradition will have two days of rafting along the picturesque Wierzyca River surrounded by beautiful nature, great nights with barbecue, 2 dance parties with the best Latin DJs, and hours of bachata workshops with the most trained dance instructors.

At this festival, you will combine nature with the hot atmosphere of Latin parties. You can dance by the fire, in the meadow, on the bridges, in the streets, and of course during the instruction of the Dominican rhythm of the moment, La Bachata, at the Dworek Tucholski resort.

Two of the instructors for this edition will be the couple made up of Maciek Duda and Adriana Drozdowicz. The first is a certified Dominican bachata dancer, musician, and instructor. He started and developed his skills in dance from a very young age in Spain. Maciek has created choreographies for the dance program “Taniec Życia” broadcast by TVN in 2018. He also has led classes at major festivals in Poland and abroad such as Bachata King Festival (Greece), Estonia Bachata Festival, Bachata Stars Festival Budapest, El Sol Warsaw Festival, and many others.

Likewise, Adriana Drozdowicz has developed a unique and unrepeatable style in Poland that is based on the plasticity and naturalness of movements. Adriana teaches women to express their femininity through dance and what she is most passionate about is improvisation. She has obtained first place and the audience award in the Bachata Social Competition in 2018, in addition to third place in BachataStars Poland (2018).

The reason for the Festival Dance Club 2021 vol. 10 this year will be “The Wedding” so the elegant outfits will be appropriate for the party on Saturday.

This event aimed mainly at the integration of dance lovers guarantees 100% biosafety measures, as well as if the festival cannot be carried out due to coronavirus restrictions, all funds will be returned.

Date: Friday, August 27 – Sunday, August 29

Address: Dworek Tucholski. ul. Leśna 6. 83-210 Zblewo province. Pomeranian. Poland

 

Maybe These Data Also Interests You

White couple dancing
At the festival, you can dance on bridges, in the streets, and by the fire.
  1. Currently doing kayak in a short distance is one of the most popular sports in Poland.
  2. By doing this competition on the Wierzyca river you will be surrounded by beautiful nature. You will breathe fresh air, have the opportunity to relax, and make new connections with friends with the same interests.
  3. These kayak or canoe tours are carried out in a controlled current flow, which is why it is for the whole family.
  4. The outfit should be comfortable and made of quick-drying fabric with rubber-soled shoes, a sweatshirt, and you can even wear a jacket.
  5. Do not forget to pack the sunglasses, sunscreen, and carry your documents with your phone in a waterproof case in the instance an accident occurs they are not damaged by water.

SalsaGoogle.com is International Salsa Magazine

Home

OMAR LEDEZMA JR.

From The Venezuelan Melody To The Caribbean Rhythm

Omar Ledezma Jr. with percussion plate
“I define myself as a Venezuelan.” Omar Ledezma Jr.

Portentous percussionist and surprising Venezuelan singer. Musician trained at the prestigious Berklee University in Boston (US). Winner of a Grammy Award. His lifestyle is characterized by national and international performances, collaborations, compositions, and tours. Familiar, fearless, personable, and cheerful. This is how Omar Ledezma Jr. presents us his life.

He was born in the mountainous valley of Caracas (Venezuela) west of the city in the La Candelaria parish in the summer of 1972 at the height of the Salsa. From seven years old he briefly began his musical studies on the Piano at the prominent Yamaha school.

At the age of thirteen, he returned to music again, but this time playing percussion instruments in a “war band” at Claret school, one of the most recognized educational institutions in the Venezuelan capital.

At 16 years old he already formed his first Merengue and Salsa group together with his first musical friends.

At this dizzying pace, Omar began to take an interest in the Gaitas (traditional holiday music from this Latin American country) and began his foray into this genre. In 1991 he obtained his first prize, third place in the Pupitres y Gaitas contest on behalf of the Claret school. “When I started to grow up I was interested in drums. I awoke an interest in the Gaitas festivals… In fact, the Venezuelan rhythm has marked my life as a musician”. Omar commented.

At the age of 17, this percussion player began his university studies in Law at the Faculty of Law of the Santa María University in the middle of a troubled city and in search of knowledge about how society worked. Omar Jr. adds: “Already in the first year of Law I knew that in Venezuela we had a great root in Roman Rights and modern laws, but those laws were not applied. And that worried me“.

At the same time, Omar continued his music studies but this time with his related instrument, the percussion. To achieve mastery, he obtained classes with the Venezuelan teachers Rubén García with whom he is currently collaborating on some projects in Uruguay. He also got instruction from the musical director from the popular area of ​​San Agustín in Sarria (Caracas), Jorge Orta “CroCro” who currently resides in the United States and the founder of the Orquesta CroCro y su Tumbaka.

Years later, and with experience acquired in presentations, and groups, Omar Jr. met his first mentor, Aquiles Baez, a famous Venezuelan artist, guitar virtuoso. Together with Aquiles, he made his first international tour of the United States. “With Aquiles, I had the pleasure of playing Venezuelan music. We play with many artists in the United States… Thanks to him I developed percussion (Non-autochthonous element) in Venezuelan music”. Ledezma Jr. commented.

In 1995 and with a law degree, he decided to dedicate himself to music professionally. He works hand in hand with consolidated national artists such as Daniel Somaroo, Carlos Puchi, Gerardo Rosales, just as his popularity begins and therefore his foray into studio album recordings.

Five years later, one of the most important phone calls arrived and the one that would turn his life upside down. Omar receives the call from Andy Vargas, the singer of the famous Mexican guitarist Carlos Santana. Vargas invited him to participate in his first residency at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas (Nevada), doing a show every half hour starting at six in the afternoon in the renowned bar of those facilities. This residency gave him many satisfactions and multiple experiences during his four years there.

Between these touches in Las Vegas, his second chance arises on the phone again, this time by the hand of the Venezuelan artist Jackeline Rago. Both worked for a season in a school program with the San Francisco Symphony.

All these experiences led him to be part of one of the most prominent local orchestras on the international rise of the San Francisco City (USA), the Pacific Mambo Orchestra for a decade.

In addition, Omar offers weekly personalized percussion training classes and works with various local organizations such as the San Francisco Ballet and the Community Music Center.

This cheerful and outstanding percussionist will soon surprise us with unpublished material in the dance genre. It will be two singles making his debut in the art world as a singer-songwriter, and you can enjoy it on his YouTube channel that he reactivated in December 2020.

OMAR LEDEZMA JR. & PACIFIC MAMBO ORCHESTRA

Omar Ledezma Jr. dancing with Sheila E.
Omar dancing with Sheila E. at the live concert at Stern Grove (San Francisco) in 2017

In 2011, the Grammy Award winner, Omar Ledezma Jr., is part of the most ambitious project of his life, the Pacific Mambo Orchestra (PMO), after moving to the fourth most populous city in the state of California (USA) and most receptive with Latino musicians, San Francisco.

It has been ten uninterrupted years in which Omar has gone from playing the conga to being the singer of the orchestra and is currently developing as the official timpanist of PMO, once that Karl Perazzo (Carlos Santana´s timpanist) left the big band. “Eventually he told me that is yours… I appreciate that opportunity because the Grammy has already come; many satisfactions and a lot of work have come as well”. Omar explained to us.

As time passed, they achieved a characteristic sound. And with it begin the recording of their self-titled album. Ledezma details us: “The band began to become popular on Monday nights, and we began to charge the entrance fee of 5, 10, 20, 30 dollars. Then we started on Saturdays with a lot of receptivity”.

In 2013 they won their first Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album and embarked on their first national tour for 30 days accompanying Latin artists Marlon Rosado and Tito Puente Jr. They toured the stages of Indiana, Arizona, and Oregon ending in California. The first international tour was held in Mexico and the second at the Montreux Festival in Switzerland.

After the Grammy and his tour, the second Pacific Mambo Orchestra album was on its way but this time recorded live at Stern Grove (San Francisco) in 2017. Here, Omar had outstanding participation with the queen of percussion, Sheila E. During the song Ran kan kan Omar Jr. & Sheila E.  made a kettledrum war. He adds: “It was nice playing with her, watching her perform, and playing her music”.

This international orchestra made up of 20 musicians began rehearsals for the rhythm section on May 1 after a year and a half of not seeing each other. Before the end of 2021, they will make streaming where they will play original music such as PMO Intro, Muévete con Prisa, and Mr. B’s Mambo, among many others.

THE MUSIC RUNS THROUGH YOUR VEINS

Omar Ledezma Jr. Sitting
Omar and Cro Cro worked together in the band of José Alberto “El Canario” in performances in the United States before the pandemic.

His lineage confirms his musical streak. The Big Bands were always his great curiosity, and Glenn Miller’s orchestra his greatest ambition.

His father and his grandfather are musicians. His grandfather Rafael Isidro Ledezma “El Negro” was a renowned Orchestra conductor of the El Tigre city in Venezuela.

As an only child, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather. He developed himself professionally in music.

In 1995 he belonged for a few months to the Venezuelan super band Guaco in the Salsa project directed by Gustavo Aguado at La Cantina located in Las Mercedes in the Venezuelan capital. “I learned as much as I learned at Berklee”. Omar commented.

Among so many things learned, the main and undoubtedly important were: being a music lover, having discipline, developing creativity, and cultivating friendship.

The last tour in Venezuela that Ledezma carried out with the Gonzalo Grau quintet (with whom he obtained his first Grammy nomination) was 20 years ago at the Teresa Carreño Theater as the opening act for Pablo Milanés.

 If I had children I would like them to follow their steps along with mine.” Omar Ledezma Jr.

YOUR WAY TO BERKLEE

 Omar Ledezma Jr. playing percussion
Omar first led a music trio and then established a Salsa band in a venue very close to the school.

During a trip to Boston, Ledezma visited Berklee University for the first time in the summer of 1998. Through brochures, he learned that he had the necessary conditions to apply for a scholarship at this important school, and immediately did so without distraction. “Many said you couldn’t and I’m the one who thinks you don’t lose anything by trying”. Omar said.

He got going and sent in a demo to schedule an audition. That presentation was a success and he was accepted right away as one of the graduates of this prestigious institution. It took him a year to move to Boston and began his studies in the fall of 1999. The first years were emotionally hard due to the death of his second mother.

But he knew how to recover and move on. He worked very hard for six years to finish paying for school in 2002.

He obtained a Diploma in Performance. During the five years of study, he learned the four harmonies, arrangements, and composition. Also, in percussion, he developed skills in drums, Latin percussion, and vibraphone.

I still feel like my career is just beginning.” Omar Ledezma Jr.

SalsaGoogle.com is International Salsa Magazine

Home

The place where salsa as we know it today was born

The role that the Cheetah Club played in the beginnings of salsa in New York

Young people's acceptance to salsa in New York
A group of young people dancing salsa in New York

As we all know, New York City has been instrumental in the birth of what is today known as salsa because this has been the place that has seen the birth and bloom of the greatest talents who have given life and added rhythm to this wonderful and fast-paced genre. That is why when we talk about the history of salsa, we cannot leave out the most populous metropolis in the United States. 

We all know how important the city that never sleeps is to the development of this musical genre, but where and how does this set of rhythms specifically born? Right, well this was a now-defunct nightclub called Cheetah, which met all the conditions for giving birth to salsa and making it a cultural phenomenon, which is now known worldwide. 

The establishment, located in an area full of theaters and nightclubs close to Times Square, witnessed a spectacular and historic evening in which, unexpectedly, brought together several of the biggest stars of Latin music, including Willie Colón, Ray Barreto, Bobby Valentín, among others. None of them could ever imagine that they would draw crowds eager to hear them. From that night on, the Latins finally had voices to make known to the rest of the planet their purest essence. 

As soon as the band started playing, those present started to dance no matter what. According to calculations by a pianist for Fania All Stars, they gathered as many as two thousand attendees who were lined up around the block to enjoy the talent of some of the considered greatest exponents of Latin music.  It should be noted that the artists from that night had never played together, but when they took the stage, everything went spontaneously and the audience fell madly in love with them. However, nothing was by chance. 

Poster in which you can see the logo of the Cheetah Club
A poster for the Cheetah Club at the time

How it all started 

After the Second World War, Latin music and dance began to be present in New York City during the 20th century. This was due to the arrival of Cubans, Puerto Ricans and other immigrants from the southern part of Latin America, who brought with them a number of rhythms that started playing in discos and nightclubs from various US cities. 

When these sounds arrived in the Big Apple, there was a very interesting mixture of these sounds with jazz and some instruments that were incorporated to have as a result what we know today as salsa. This is how some of the most popular genres began to be played and become famous in places near the Cheetah Club, so, as a logical consequence, the establishment would end up falling under the spell and rhythms of so cheerful melodies.

One of those places was the Palladium Ballroom, where artists such as Machito and Tito Puente performed. Of course, the public that gathered there was Latin in origin, but its privileged location in the heart of Manhattan made it very well known to the locals of any nationality. It got to the point where there were spectators from the five continents and of all religions, which was unthinkable with any other musical style. 

This is how the great concert at the Cheetah Club succeeded in bringing Latin music to places nobody thought it could reach and all thanks to American artists with a Latin background that was very awake in their being. 

Charlie and Eddi Palmieri at the Palladium Ballroom
Charlie and Eddi Palmieri performing at the Palladium Ballroom in 1964

How was the Cheetah club created and what became of its facilities? 

The Cheetah club was created by Olivier Coquelin and Border Stevenson in 1968 when it was formally opened to the public. From the beginning, it had two spaces specially designed for dancing: a dance floor of reduced size located on the top floor and a bigger one which could accommodate about two thousand people at the same time. Likewise, there was a stage on which no less than 20 musicians could perform in the same show. 

Although the club enjoyed a certain fame among the locals in the area, what really made it famous was the concert performed by the Fania All Stars on August 26, 1971. That was a day that will undoubtedly remain in many people’s mind forever, both attendees and musicians. This was the moment when the musical phenomenon initiated by Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci would reach well beyond what its creators have never dreamed of. 

The idea of performing the show was conceived by Ralph Mercado, who would comment to Masucci on this. Given that the Cheetah Club had a large space and enviable acoustics, it was the place they finally selected for the historic concert. 

Anyone seeing the place in which would be the colorful establishment would never imagine what happened there 50 years ago. At present, the formerly nightclub is a residential condominium of more than 20 floors housing large apartments with wide windows. 

Although there is nothing left of the place that witnessed one of the greatest musical events in Latin music history, the memory of that special night will remain in the minds of those who witnessed such a waste of talent on that now-defunct platform in the 1970s.   

Announcement of the concert performed by the Fania All Stars
A poster announcing the concert performed by the Fania All Stars

For more information, you can read Génesis of Salsa, its essence, characteristics, rhythm, history and expansión and Where the idea of the name of the Fania Record label came from

 

Home

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 55
  • Page 56
  • Page 57
  • Page 58
  • Page 59
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 65
  • Go to Next Page »

International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.