| May 2026 – Festivals | ||
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BIG Salsa FestivalMay 21 / 25, 2026 New York Hilton Midtown $ 275 |
Directory of North American nightclubs |
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NEW JERSEY |
NEW YORK |
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Search Results for: Festival
Europe / May 2026
| Karina Bernales present | May 2026 | FESTIVALS |
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ALBANIA AFROLATINMay 6 / 12, 2026 Grand Blue Fafa Resort & Spa € 135 |
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13th Paradise Salsa HolidayMay 29 / 31, 2026 Hotel Kotva Sunny Beach € 190 |
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Fiume Fusion FestivalMay 16 / 18, 2026 Uljarska 1 € 100 |
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Bachata Magic Festival PragueMay 01 / 04, 2026 PernerKarlín € 100 |
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Prague Salsa MarathonMay 7 / 11, 2026 Romantic Grotta € 238 |
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Copenhagen Salsa FestivalMay 8 / 10, 2026 Kedelhallen DKK 1,500 |
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Spring Break LatinoMay 13 / 17, 2026 Camping Arinella Bianca € 225,64 |
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15th FESTIVAL AUGSBURGMay 1 / 3, 2026 Parktheater im Kurhaus Göggingen € 180 |
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Cologne Salsa CongressMay 22 / 24, 2026 MamboTwins Salsa Events Gbr € 150 |
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15th Salsa Spring FestivalMay 21 / 24, 2026 Wyndham Loutraki Poseidon € 130 |
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Campeonato para BailadoresMay 8 / 10, 2026 Piazzale Torino 16 € 90 |
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SALSA ON TOURMay 7 / 10, 2026 Garden Toscana Resort € 325 |
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Salsa on the BeachMay 8 / 10, 2026 Hotel Bibione Palace |
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Vilnius Salsa FestivalMay 14 / 18, 2026 House of Polish Culture € 160 |
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City Social ExperienceMay 29 / 31, 2026 SoSalsa PLN 580 |
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Bachatea Portugal World CongressMay 14 / 17, 2026 Golden Tulip Porto Gaia Hotel € 100 |
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CubaneroMay 7 / 10, 2026 SPENS € 134 |
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Caribbean Dance FestivalMay 8 / 10, 2026 Hotel Don Ángel € 109 |
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Tenerife Dance FestivalMay 13 / 17, 2026 Hotel Puerto Palace € 125 |
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Guaguancó FestivalMay 14 / 18, 2026 Hotel Evenia Olympic Park € 100 |
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eSencia Dance FestivalMay 15 / 17, 2026 URH Palacio de Oriol € 109 |
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Valencia Baila Peñíscola EditionMay 21 / 24, 2026 Hotel Spa Peñíscola Plaza Suites € 64 |
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JORNADA
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Istanbul Dance FestivalMay 14 / 15, 2026 Ora Arena € 140 |
Directory of European nightclubs |
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 Adenauerallee 3 20097 Hamburg, Germany |
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 Av. del Vallès, 117 08223 Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain |
 C/ Olvido 15 28026 Madrid, Spain |
 Carrer del Perill 10 08012 Barcelona, Spain |
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San Clemente 3rd Salsa Congress
Latin America / Argentina / Buenos Aires
San Clemente 3rd Salsa Congress
December 9, 10, and 11, 2016 – San Clemente del Tuyú, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Kicking off this December, we present the 3rd International Congress of Salsa, Bachata, and Caribbean Rhythms. Widely recognized as the most important congress on Argentina’s Atlantic Coast, the event will take place on December 9th, 10th, and 11th in the town of San Clemente del Tuyú, located 185 miles (300 km) from the capital, Buenos Aires. The official sponsor is Center Pizza, with additional support from Tandori Indumentaria SYS.
This international congress will bring together dancers, instructors, and aficionados from across Argentina and South America. The event features world-class workshops (professional training) and countless showcases by headlining artists and dance companies from Argentina and neighboring countries. Attendees can also look forward to sets by top-tier DJs and plenty of social dancing.
“The following main artists will be performing:”
Stephanie Lucero: Hailing from Buenos Aires, Stephanie is making her first-ever appearance at this Congress. She is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious instructors in the scene, standing out for her ability to dance both lead and follow roles with expertise. Stephanie has refined her skills under world-renowned masters such as Gaston Vidarte, Troy & Jorget, Korke & Judith, Daniel & Desiree, and Ataca & La Alemana. She has also shared the stage with international artists like Daniel Santacruz and Domenic Marte.
Currently, she leads her own all-female choreography group, “Luceros de Fuego.” For this major event, she will be leading two world-class workshops: Partner Bachata and Bachata Ladies’ Styling.
La Compañía Calambre: Also making their debut at the congress and in the city, Calambre is Argentina’s premier dance company. Widely recognized as 2013 World Champions, they will be hosting three world-class workshops for this massive event. In addition to their incredible showcase, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy their performances, dance with them, and interact with the team throughout all three days of the congress.
Leandro Erni & Mariela Rondon: Traveling from the city of Mar del Plata, this duo is the reigning Bachata Championship winners. They serve as directors of the Conjunto Clave Academy and are widely recognized as a world-class couple with an extensive international career. Notably, they secured 5th place at the 2015 World Latin Dance Cup in Miami. During the event, they will be hosting two workshops and performing two showcases. You’ll also have the chance to meet them and share the dance floor with them throughout all three days of the congress.
Gustavo Pinat: Originally from Rosario, in the Santa Fe Province, Gustavo has over 19 years of experience in the salsa world. He has trained extensively across Europe and the Americas, including Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Greece, the U.S., Cuba, and Venezuela. A seasoned professional, he has taught workshops at numerous national and international congresses.
Gustavo is also the organizer of the VIVE CUBA Afro-Caribbean Rhythm Festival held in Rosario. Currently, he serves as the Director of the Bamboleo Salsa Studio in Rosario and leads “RAÍCES,” Argentina’s premier comprehensive training program for Afro-Cuban dance.
Leonel Silva: Hailing from Montevideo, Uruguay, Leonel is ranked among the top seven salsa soloists in the world and is a celebrated figure in his home country. Following his incredible performance at the last event, he returns to the 3rd San Clemente Salsa Congress.
Carlos Aragon del Carpio: One of South America’s leading figures in the scene, Carlos is a regular at the region’s most prestigious congresses. He is the director of the first South American Mambo “On 2” school in Argentina and has refined his expertise through extensive training in Cuba and the United States.
Our event host will be Silvio González, the director of the Argentina and Puerto Rico Salsa Open. A teacher and dancer with an extensive professional career, he is one of the most prominent figures in our country’s dance scene.
We are also proud to feature our Official DJ: GASTON “TIBURON” TABORDA, a nationally and internationally renowned DJ who headlines the most important congresses and competitions throughout Argentina and South America.
You can visit our official website and follow us on social media:
www.sanclementesalsacongress.com
- Facebook: San Clemente Salsa Congress
- Twitter: @scsalsacongress
- Instagram: San Clemente Salsa Congress
- YouTube Channel: San Clemente Salsa Congress
Puerto Rican bandleader and musician Diana Sosa talks about her many projects in Nashville, Tennessee
We had a wonderful and very nice conversation with Puerto Rican percussionist, timbalera, conga player, and cuatro player Diana Sosa, who kindly told us about all the projects she has in the pipeline. Her husband and bandmate, guitarist and vocalist Chuck Nelson, put us in touch with her so we could learn more about both the project they share and the one she has undertaken on her own.
Then these are the things the talented Puerto Rican shared with us on this warm Sunday before Easter.
How Diana got into the world of music
Diana was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she began to love music and play, but not professionally yet. She was just experimenting with some traditional instruments of her homeland, such as the Puerto Rican cuatro, which she even studied with a private teacher.
At the age of 39, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she finally got her first big opportunities in music, and the background she brought for years helped her a lot. It all started with a short rehearsal she was invited to, and from there, she has done nothing but prove what she is really made of.
Of course, she keeps studying and preparing to improve every day. When she is not learning to play with fellow musicians like John Santos, she is taking online courses to solve any doubts she may have.
Diana’s first opportunity with The Bicho Brothers
The first serious group that gave Diana the opportunity to develop professionally—and with which she keeps to playing to this day is The Bicho Brothers, a classic rock band whose members really appreciated the contribution provided by Diana. For this reason, it is she who brings that Latin flavor, the product of her heritage and years of training in these genres.
Something that really attracted the audience was that she was the only woman in the group and, incidentally, she played the timbales, which was uncommon back then. In addition, she added atypical sounds to certain well-known songs, which was also remarkable.
Another important personality who encouraged her to follow this route was the great producer Bill Cuomo, who told her she was very good at playing but needed to improve her technique. Twenty years later, it can be said that she took him at his Word seeing all she has achieved since then. From that point on, there have been many other projects and opportunities that make her very happy and keep her fulfilled.
Soul Sacrifice
Soul Sacrifice is a Santana tribute band founded in 1969 that has won a high reputation in Nashville by becoming one of the best tributes to Santana to date. The mix of familiar melodies and infectious rhythms they play at every show transports audiences to the biggest classics of the legendary Latin rock group created by Carlos Santana.
The band also includes some of the same members of The Bicho Brothers, such as the cases of Diana and Chuck due to all the years they have spent playing together, but including Cuban musician John Santos. He plays a fundamental role in making people feel they are listening to the original Santana rather than an imitation, which is why both he and Diana are key to the band’s performance.
Diana’s Mambo Maniacs
Diana also has her own project, which she decided to call Diana’s Mambo Manics. This Latin music group was founded in the early summer of 2025 as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. In that time of year, there are always many festivals dedicated to Hispanic and Latin music in the United States and around the world, so Diana and a group of musicians she had been in contact with for some time took the opportunity to play wherever they were able to make themselves known.
Among some of the musicians in the band we can mention John Santos as singer and timbalero, whose presence is essential at every show. The group also includes conga player Josvany Cordero, bassist Isoel Villareal, pianist Kenny Zarider, trumpeter Joe Mercado, and trombonist Huge Lindsay.
The main difference between this band, The Bicho Brothers and Soul Sacrifice is that it plays exclusively Latin music, but of the great artists in the 1950s and 1960s who performed at the Palladium Ballroom, the Copacabana, El Corso, Chez José & 3 and 1, among many others. Diana feels that, to a certain extent, she pays tribute to her parents, who used to go dancing and enjoying these rhythms to some of these places in their youth.
However, not all are covers. She is about to release an original song featuring Puerto Rican cuatro player Prodigio Claudio, but she did not have the details to share with us yet.
Read also: Bandleader and bongosero Ray Degaldo is here to talk about his life and career
Paoli Mejías A Talent Forged in the Streets and Discipline with a New Sound in Latin Jazz
From legendary sideman to the leader of a limitless musical vanguard.
Paoli Mejías is a pivotal figure in the evolution of contemporary percussion, renowned for his seamless fusion of Latin jazz with masterful conga technique.
Paoli Mejias: From accompanying legends to leading a musical vanguard without borders
While he is an exceptional multi-percussionist, his command of the congas has established him as one of the most in-demand soloists in the world.
He is distinguished by a melodic style; he doesn’t just keep time he makes the drums “sing,” utilizing precise tuning and astonishing speed.
After touring the globe alongside icons such as Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Seis del Solar, Chick Corea, and Marc Anthony, Mejías has solidified his status as an international benchmark. His vast musical, folkloric, and cultural knowledge positions him today not only as a percussion virtuoso but as a visionary leading his own quintet.
With a career marked by success, Mejías has produced three high-caliber independent albums: Mi Tambor (2004), which received a Latin Grammy nomination, Transcend (2006), and Jazzambia (2008).
Paoli Mejías, a talent forged in the streets and through discipline
These works have placed the Puerto Rican percussionist at the forefront of the genre, earning glowing reviews in the world’s most influential publications, including JazzTimes, DownBeat, Jazziz, and Modern Drummer.
A Talent Forged in the Streets and Discipline
Born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, on March 7, 1970, Paoli discovered his calling at the age of twelve. Inspired by the records of Carlos “Patato” Valdés and Ray Barretto, and the innovation of groups like Batacumbele and Irakere, he bought his first conga and began a self-taught journey.
Without formal teachers, he learned the language of percussion by mimicking the sounds emanating from his favorite vinyl records.
Paoli Mejía with Nuevo Sonido en el Jazz Latino
His true training took place in the effervescent musical atmosphere of San Juan, absorbing the styles of his mentors in street rumbas.
His professional debut came via Rafú Wagner (former vocalist for Bobby Valentín), and while still a teenager, he was already collaborating with renowned local artists such as José Nogueras, Glenn Monroig, and Charlie Sepúlveda.
The Leap to the Global Stage
His impeccable technique and melodic sensitivity quickly made him the preferred sideman for the greats. For over eight years, he was a key member of maestro Eddie Palmieri’s orchestra, recording on historic projects like Masterpiece/Obra Maestra (with Tito Puente), which won a Grammy Award.
His discography now exceeds 20 commercial productions, including the nominated Acuarela de Tambores.
This exposure to world music enriched his creative fire. As Elmer González noted in Latin Beat: “Through Mi Tambor, Paoli achieves a watercolor of rhythms and textures that make this album one of the best Afro-Latin jazz productions released as a leader, and he aspires to continue a career forged on the stages of the world’s most important festivals.”
Beyond the Traditional Genre
Today, Paoli Mejías’ group offers a style that transcends labels. His proposal fuses the “Salsa Gorda” of the big orchestras with Puerto Rican bomba and plena, incorporating nuances of Greek, Flamenco, Indian, and African music. The result is a vibrant experience where the audience ceases to be spectators and becomes participants.
His versatility was cemented at the Heineken Jazz Festival, where critics highlighted his absolute mastery of minor percussion, timbales, bongos, and ethnic instruments like the Nigerian Udu, hailing him as one of the most complete percussionists of our time.
Paoli was there: Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Seis del Solar, Chick Corea and Marc Anthony
Beyond his role as a performer, the “Maestro” shares his knowledge by conducting clinics at prestigious institutions such as the University of Washington, the University of New Mexico, and the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.
Sponsored by leading brands like Latin Percussion and Sabian, Paoli Mejías continues to elevate the legacy of Latin jazz into exciting new dimensions.
Member of Santana
Paoli Mejías is a world-renowned percussionist who was a member of the band Santana, led by Carlos Santana.
Joining Santana: Paoli joined the group in 2013, taking over the conga chair. His arrival brought an impressive technical energy and rhythmic depth, establishing him as a fundamental piece of the band’s world tours for several years.
Source: Paoli Mejías
Photos: Paoli Mejías Archives / © Martin Cohen
Also Read: Carlos “Patato” Valdés: One of the Greatest Percussionists in Latin Jazz History