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Good music and fine dining at Café Salsera

Feel at home at Café Salsera

North America is packed full of places where Latinos can feel at home and native people can learn more about a culture that is apparently distinct from theirs. One of these places is the wonderful Café Salsera, which has much to offer every one of its visitors.

We are talking about a spectacular place that has a very peculiar characteristic. It turns out that, at any time of the day, it serves as a restaurant and café, while at night it becomes a fabulous nightclub where you can enjoy the best hits of today. The menu is entirely based on Mexican food and the main objective of this place is to offer the best Latin flavor to all those who want to taste it.

While it is true that the menu is based on Mexican dishes, the ambiance of the restaurant has a Spanish colonial style which contrasts starkly with what is offered to diners. Among the main dishes to be served at Café Salsera, we can mention tacos, nachos, empanadas, pasties, chicharrones, street-style elotes, among many others. On top of this, there are also incredible cocktails, including the mangonadas, caipirinhas, margaritas, mojitos, and much more.

Recipes made by the kitchen staff are always varied and very original. The menu always surprises regular visitors no matter the amount of times they have attended the place.

Image of the facade of Café Salsera — Facade of Café Salsera

Fine dining and good music

When the night comes, you can enjoy an alfresco dining with live music, but this does not have to end this way. On Fridays, the place has the powerful presence of DJ Turo, who is in charge of livening up the atmosphere with the latest salsa, bachata, merengue and other rhythms. On Saturdays, attendees will be lucky enough to dance to the rhythm of Erick Jaimez, who will play the latest music and some not-so-recent hits for the nostalgic. On Tuesdays, salsa lessons are planned to be given by a group of instructors who are highly trained to reach this genre.

According to the opinions issued through social media, those who have had the opportunity to go to Café Salsera assure that it is a fantastic place to visit at all times, since it has the particularity of being a restaurant, cafe and nightclub on the same day. They also assure that the treatment by the staff is the best and warmest to make customers feel at home.

Considering open hours, on Mondays, they are open from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, it is open from 5 pm to 2 a.m. Attendees can go for dinner, dancing or both without any problems.

Here you can see some tables at Café Salsera — Some tables at Café Salsera

There is also the possibility of renting one or more VIP rooms in which an approximate of 10 people can spend a good time in glad company and the best Latin music in the background. Of course, the cost will depend on whether visitors wish to dine or simply have a nice time between drinks.

If attendees want a table for only 4 or 5 people, they can book a VIP table, which will include a bottle for all members of the group. On Saturdays, the cost of booking a table will be $155. In case you want to book a VIP section for 10 people, you must cancel an amount of $ 285.

Without a doubt, a fabulous place to eat, drink, dance, and listen to good music after all these months of confinement due to the pandemic.

Ourdor tables at Café Salsera — Outdoor seating at Safé Salsera

Link to its official website: https://www.cafesalsera.com/

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Latin America – July 2021

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Roniel Alfonso Mella Music Producer, Orchestrator, Composer and Instrumentalist

Roniel Alfonso y Son del XXI Orchestra

Born on December 8, 1974 in the city of Matanzas-Cuba.

He enters in 1996 in the National School of Art (Ena) in, where he graduated in 2000 in the specialty of Guitar, Tres, and Ensemble Direction, in his student stage he was part of groups like Septeto Cohiba, Cuba Nueva, Conjunto Chapotin y sus Estrellas, Clave Cubana, Charanga Latina, etc.

In 2000 he was the founder of the Gardi Orchestra, of which he was its musical director, making several tours abroad with this orchestra and taking care of the musical direction of his first album ”Gardi” and the authorship of most of his songs.

In 2005 he participated in the prestigious contest of the Cuban TV Adolfo Guzman where he was 2nd prize in the category of dance music with a song that he orchestrated and produced, being interpreted by Joaquin More.

Roniel Alfonso Mella, Omara Portuondo y Aymee Nuviola

Later he joined the ranks of Haila María Mompie, being in charge of the musical direction of the band.

In 2006 he joined the Cuarteto Fusión with which he toured abroad for a long period of 4 years in countries such as Oman, Egypt, and Jordan.

In 2010 he returned to Cuba and made the musical production entitled Mala, Haila’s 5th album, which was awarded the Cuba Disco Award 2012, in the category of Latin music. At the same time, he returns to the orchestra and is once again in charge of the musical direction.

In 2011 he was in charge of the musical production of several artists, such as the Cuban singer Leoni Torres, 3rd album production of this, entitled “salseando” which was nominated for the Cuba Disco 2013 in the category of popular dance music and nominated for the Latin Grammy 2013 in tropical music, another production was the American percussionist Luis Carreras, entitled Luis Carreras and The Cuban Stars Project album that orchestrated and composed all his songs.

Roniel Alfonso and Son del XXI Orchestra Born on December 8, 1974 in the city of Matanzas-Cuba. — Roniel Alfonso Mella
Music Producer, Orchestrator, Composer and Instrumentalist

In 2012 he was part of the work team of composer and producer Descemer Bueno in his album “Bueno” which was awarded the “Cuba Disco Award 2013”, working frequently with him in numerous productions.

As a composer he has written songs for prestigious performers of our country such as Issac Delgado, Haila, Omara Portuondo, Leoni Torres, Aymee Nuviola, Yumuri, Alexander Abreu, Coco Freeman, Mario Rivera, Gardi, Calunga, Ricardo Amaray, Sixto Llorente, “El Indio”, Maykel Ante, Pedro Lugo “El Nene”, Wil Campa, Tania Pantoja, El Noro, Luna Manzanares, Hector Daniel, Alain Daniel, Rosaliz, Ruben y Gabi, Yai Valcarcel, Indira Hernández.

Internationals such as Jose Alberto “El Canario” (Dominican Republic), Dlg (USA), Ng2 (Puerto Rico), Willy Garcia (Colombia), Josimar (Peru), Septeto Acarey (Peru), Kewenaonda, David Kada (Dominican Republic), Nikki Alva (USA), Miguel Angel Caballero (Chile), Agustin Aspa (Spain), Orlando Max (Angola).

As a producer, he has collaborated with national and international artists.

Enrique Iglesias (Spain), Gilberto Santa Rosa (Puerto Rico), Jose Alberto ”El Canario” (Dominican Republic), Luis Enrique (Nicaragua), Olga Tañon (Puerto Rico), Dlg (USA), Ng2 (Puerto Rico), Willy Garcia (Colombia), Bebe (Spain), Nikki Alva (USA), Miguel Angel Caballero (Chile), Kewenaonda (Dominican Republic), Arturo Ortiz, Calle 7 (Puerto Rico), Septeto Acarey (Peru), David Kada (Dominican Republic), Luis Carreras (USA), Agustin Aspa (Spain), Orlando Max (Angola), Lalo Santos (Mexico) and Orly Solomon (Israel).

Roniel Alfonso Mella con Gilberto Santa Rosa

Nationals Omara Portuondo, Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Aymee Nuviola, Grupo-Orichas, Leoni Torres, Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona, Issac Delgado, Haila, Charanga Habanera, Alexander Abreu, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Mayito Rivera, Sixto Llorente, Yumuri, El Noro, Emilio Frías, Paulo Fg, El Nene, Septeto Santiaguero, Tania Pantoja, Coco Freeman, Alain Daniel, Wil Campa, Gardi, Ricardo Amaray, Calunga, Mandy Cantero, Roberton (Van Van), Maykel Ante, Luna Manzanares, Arlenys Rodríguez, Yenisel Valdés, Omi, Nelson Valdés, Yoyo Ibarra, Mayco de Alma, Héctor Daniel, Dayani Gutiérrez, Laritza Bacallao, Juan Guillermo, Rubén and Gabi, Alexis Zamora, Alain Pérez, Rosaliz, Eylen Remón, Yai Valcarcel, Beby Verdecia, Zunilda, Leo Garrido, Heydi Chapman, Trio d’ Ley, Mulatason, Insurrecto, Joaquín More, Karamba, Alisbet Reyes, Compañia de Danza “Rakatan Azúcar Negra, Patricio Amaro, Aíran Muñoz, Yani, Ángel Yos, Jose Luis Cortes, Osain del Monte, Son del Guaso, Orquesta Failde, Conga “Los Hoyos”, Lenny de la Rosa, Indira Hernandez, Liz Castillo, etc….

Achieving Hits such as “Idilio”, “Vivir Sin Ti”, Soledad (Leoni Torres)” Mala”, “Baila”, (Haila), “Si no Fuera por Ti”, Gardi, Lloro por ti, La Vida es Buena, Súbeme la Radio, Nos fuimos lejos, (Descemer Bueno).

In 2013 he started his own record production, entitled -Roniel Alfonso presents “Son del XXI”, this CD comes out under the label Egrem in 2016, nominated for the Cuba Disco 2017 in this is responsible for the musical production, orchestrations, and composition of each of the themes, the album that shows his vision of what would be the son of this XXI century, our purest and most traditional son, mixed with the new influences of this era. The album features performers such as Issac Delgado, Yumuri, Haila, Calunga, Mario Rivera, El Indio, El Nene, Wil Campa, El Noro, Alexander Abreu and Orlando Max (Angola) going deeper into his work as an orchestrator, using different orchestral formats, such as the Típica Orquesta Salsera, Jazz-Band, Grupo de Rumba and Septeto Tradicional.

In August 2014 he has invited Lucas to the gala offered in tribute to Formell to be in charge of the musical production of several themes of this great Cuban musician, with performers such as Laritza Bacallao, el Indio, el Noro, Dayani Gutiérrez, and el Niño.

In 2016 he collaborated in the 2nd edition of the television program sonando en Cuba where 3 songs of his authorship and 5 songs produced by him previously for other singers were interpreted, being interpreted this time by the contestants of this event.

In 2017 his song “Baila” sung this time by Haila and Alain Perez was the theme of the television program “Bailando en Cuba”.

In June 2017 he obtains the silver trophy (2nd place) at the International Music Festival “Viva la Música”‘ in the category original song, with his song “Que Locura” sung by Roberto Pulido, a Cuban singer based in Switzerland.

In 2018 under the record label Top Stopmusic is in charge of the musical production and all orchestrations of the CD AJourney Through Cuban Music of the great Cuban singer Aymee Nuviola, Grammy Awards Winner 2020 and nominated for the Grammy 2019 in the category of Best Traditional Tropical Album in which music stars such as Chucho Valdez were present, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Omara Portuondo, Muñequitos de Matanzas, Septeto Santiaguero, Pancho Amat, Coto, Samuel Formell, Mario Rivera and his first single “Donde estabas anoche” was positioned at number 6 on the Billboard chart.

In March 2019 he has the honor of being accepted as a voting member of the Latin Academy of Laras Recordings (Grammy).

On June 14, 2019, he founds his Orchestra “Son del XXI”, an orchestra that will have two objectives, to function by itself with its repertoire and its singers and also to continue accompanying the record productions to the many performers who request my work.

He is currently putting the final touches on his new production Roniel Alfonso y Son del XXI Orquesta, which will have national and international guests such as Jose Alberto “El Canario”, DLG, Septeto Acarey, Willy Garcia, Ng2, Nikki Alva, Aymee Nuviola, Leoni Torres, Issac Delgado, Haila, and will be released under the record label Puntilla Music based in Miami.

Alain Pérez invitado al Cd. Pa mi tres — Alain Pérez y Roniel Alfonso

He has worked in productions such as:

Sun and Soul (Canada)-2000

Carmen Flores (Babalu)

Latin Man Bobamba (Japan) 2000 Oasis Records

Helito George (Italy) (Simply My Way) 2002 Musical Production

Gardi “Gardi” 2003(Bis/Music) Musical Direction

Beby Verdecia “Montaña Mia” 2005 Colibrí

Issac Delgado “Prohibido” 2005 Luz Africa

Gardi “Lo que tu Querias” 2008 Egrem

Leo “Rodo de mi” 2009 / Egrem (Nominated Cuba Disco 2013)

Havana Heavy Hitters “Vestido de blanco” 2010

Haila 2011 “Mala” Bis Music (Cuba Disco Award 2012) music production

Luis Carreras (USA) 2012 8 y 5 Studios Music Production

Leoni Torres 2012 “Salseando” Egrem (Nominated Cuba Disco 2013) music production

Descemer Bueno “Bueno” Bis Music Emi 2012 (Cuba Disco Award 2013)

Zunilda “A mi tierra” 2012 Colibrí (Nominated Cuba Disco 2014)

Agustín Aspa (Spain) 2013 “De la Habana a Barcelona” Cuba Music Musical Production

Willie de Cuba” Prohibido” Italy) 2013

Luna Manzanares Egrem 2013

Eilen “Aquí estoy” 2014 Cuba Music

Gala Lucas “Tribute to Formell” 2014

Héctor Daniel “Alegría pa’ mi gente Cuba Music 2016-Music Production

Nelson Valdés and Leoni Torres “Tribute to Omara Portuondo” 2014 Bis Music

Omi (USA) 2014

Juan Guillermo Egrem 2015

Rosaliz “Dame Salsa” Egrem 2017 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2018) Musical Production

Mulata Son “Mujer y Artista” Cuba Music 2017-Music Production

Issac Delgado” Made in Habana” Egrem 2016 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2017)

Yoyo Ibarra “Tropical” Egrem 2017 Musical Production

Yai Valcarcel “Mi Esperanza” Yagruma S.A 2015

Miguel Herrera “Hoy quiero Fiesta (Sweden) 2017 Cuba Music and Egrem 2019 Music Production

Yenisel Seva “Romántica” (2016) Cuba Music Musical Production

Dance Company “Rakatan” 2016

Roberto Pulido “Mi locura” (Switzerland) 2016-2018 Music Production

Charles Manuel (Spain) 2017 Musical Production

Roniel Alfonso Presents “Son del XXI” Egrem 2017 (Nominated Cuba Disco 2017) Music Production

Gala “55 Aniversario del Icrt” 2017.

Miguel Ángel Caballero “Vista Fija” Blam Producciones 2017 Music Production

Kewenaonda “Arriésgate” (Dominican Republic) 2017-2020 Music Production

Enrique Iglesias Feat Gilberto Santa Rosa” Súbeme la radio” (Salsa) 2017 Music Production

Lalo Santos “Caribe 2018” (Mexico) (Mexico)

Azúcar Negra Egrem 2019

Patricio Amaro 2017 Musical Production

Haila” Canta a Armando Manzanero” Egrem 2018 (Cuba Disco Award of Honor 2019)

Grupo Orichas Feat. Luis Enrique” Sastre de tu Amor” (Salsa) 2018

Miguel Herrera (Sweden) 2018 Egrem Produccion Musical

Issac Delgado 2018

Descemer, Enrique Iglesias y Charanga Habanera “Nos fuimos lejos” (Salsa) 2018 Musical Production

Descemer, Enrique Iglesias y bebe-”nos fuimos lejos”(Acoustic) 2018 Musical Production

Leoni Torres “Amor bonito” Egrem 2019

Orquesta Failde y Omara “Homenaje a Benny” Egrem 2019 (Cuba Disco Award 2019)

Aymee Nuviola” Journey Through Cuban Music” Topstop Music 2019 Production Musical (Grammy Awards Winner 2020), (Latin Grammy Nominee 2019)

Nelson Valdés “Cubriendo Ausencias” Bis Music 2019 (Nominated-Cuba Disco 2019)

Leoni y Gente de Zona “Mejor sin ti” (Salsa) 2019 Music Production

Indira Hernández 2020 Music Production

Lenny de la Rosa 2020 Music Production

Yarima y Sabor Latino “Pa mi Tres” Egrem-Soundwear 2020 Musical Production

Leoni Torres “Deja la Tristeza” 2020 Music Production

Septeto Acarey ‘”Vamos a Pasarla Bien” 2021 Musical Production

Wil Campa “Zapato Nuevo” Egrem 2020 Music Production

Angel Yos Egrem 2020

Liz Castillo 2021 Bis Music Music Production

Gabriela 2021 (Denmark-Cuba) Music Production

Nesty-2021 (USA) Music Production

Kel-2021 Music Production

Cd Herederos (Tribute to Irakere) Egrem 2021

Roniel Alfonso and Son del XXI Orchestra 2021-Puntilla Music.

Orlando Valle, verdadero nombre del instrumentista "Maraca" — Orlando “Maraca” Valle y Roniel Alfonso

Facebook: Roniel Alfonso Mella

By: Diana Marie International Salsa Magazine Miami Correspondent

Salsa Superior Award
Diana Marie
Lady of Salsa 2021

International Salsa Magazine

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Bobby Cruz’s musical career and future projects

Life and biography

Bobby Cruz is one of those names that definitely does not require much introduction. This tremendous songwriter and Christian pastor has made a dream career in which he has earned all sorts of awards and recognition that demonstrate his value as an artist, including gold records, Grammys, platinum records, among other world-class awards.

Roberto Cruz Ramos was born on 26 February 26 1937 in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico. He grew up in a very humble family that was dedicated to farm activities for a living. His father was one of those many workers in the town who gathered sugar cane from the fields intended for growing that product and became a labour leader who was highly respected by his co-workers and locals. When the family moved to New York City, USA, he entered school, discovered his passion for music and began to be heavily influenced by performers and groups such as the Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, which he considered a source of inspiration.

In 1963, he met the man who would become his great musical running mate and with whom he would get many of the most important hits of his career. This was Ricardo Maldonado Morales, artistically known as Richie Ray, who was his neighbor and with whom he gave life to the orquesta de Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz. Even today, this is still considered to be one of the most important groups in the history of salsa, so no one can talk about this genre without mentioning both stars as compulsory references for anyone who wishes to study salsa in depth.

Bobby Cruz next to Richie Ray — Bobby Cruz and Richie Ray in their best days

Together with Ray, he reaped unimagined success and won many awards, one of the most important being first place in the Orchestras Festival thanks to the song La Zafra, which conquered the public and the jury by its heartfelt lyrics which referred to the daily struggle of the workers in the sugar cane fields and their experiences. If we take into account the fact that the father of Bobby was a sugarcane worker and someone respected in his trade, this song acquires a far stronger meaning for anyone who has had the fortune of hearing it.

Within the year, more specifically in 1974, Bobby became an evangelical pastor after Ray invited him to attend the same evangelical church of which he formed part. He did not much like the idea at first, but then changed his mind and became a faithful servant of Jesus, as he defines himself.

That was how he started a very interesting facet in both his life and his artistic career. In a way, Cruz succeeded in mixing his passion for music with his new religious beliefs. This is how Bobby and Ray began to use a religious approach to their musical works, a decision that unfortunately led to the loss of a large number of their followers. However, that did not stop them and they went on to regain the confidence of their fans and members of their church, who were not very happy with the idea at first.

Bobby Cruz in his Church — Bobby Cruz during his duties as an evangelical pastor

Current projects

Currently, Bobby Cruz is involved in a host of projects that takes up a lot of his time. One of them is the launch of his new book entitled Hubo Una vez un niño, the pages of which tell the story of a group of young inmates and their experiences in prison. The artist used stories he heard during his visits to prisons in Puerto Rico and other countries as part of his work as an evangelical pastor. In those prisons, he discovered stories about boys born into good families and healthy homes, but that did not stop them from ending up in prison for many reasons.

The fact that many of these boys were sons of pastors really touched him and made him wonder what had led these boys to commit acts so reprehensible having grown up in Christian homes. Moreover, there were many criminals who wanted to join the church and redeem themselves after having broken the law at that time. All of these things inspired Bobby in such a way that he wanted to create a story where he could reflect all of these elements that bothered him. It is now available on Amazon and many other platforms through which those interested can purchase it.

As additional data, the Puerto Rican let it be known that he is already working on the television version of the book, which will consist of 10 or 12 chapters in total.

Cover of Hubo una vez un nio — Cover of the book Hubo una vez un niño

One of the projects that Cruz has in mind is the launch of a film based on the trajectory of the singer with his orchestra fellow Richie Ray. It will be titled Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz, los reyes de la salsa and is expected to be the closest thing to the reality lived by the duo in years of greatest splendor. Although people of any age can enjoy it, it is known that it will be focused on the public that enjoyed their talent in the 70s and the actors are immensely similar to the performers in the time.

Among other details, it has been revealed that the film is already made and is in the process of being edited for release this year. It is just not clear the name of the platform that will be used to broadcast it, since the artists are waiting for the most attractive proposal possible. It was rumored that there were talks with Netflix to be the streaming service charged with broadcasting the film, but nothing has been confirmed officially.

Official Facebook page: Bobby Cruz

By: Johnny Cruz correspondent of International Salsa Magazine in New York City, New York

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The role of boogaloo in the Latin essence

How boogaloo was born

Throughout history, music has undergone a series of transformations that have led it to become what we know today, which means that this set of artistic expressions is the product of an ongoing process that does not stop and will never stop. These changes are deeply and closely linked to the rhythms originating from a certain place and their mix with those of other latitudes. In the specific case of Latin music, this process was accelerated with the arrival of a large number of immigrants to the United States of America. That is how so-called boogaloo was born.

Boogaloo is a powerful combination of son montuno with American rock and soul, although there are many who claim that mambo played a much greater role than son. Its origins are not entirely clear, but one of the most talked versions asserts that the emergence of a generation of musicians who had no academic training or experience in the industry were the ones who started this impetuous and scandalous trend that had no reverse.

Likewise, it is believed that everything starts in New York with a then small group of artists who were inspired by the rock style of the time, but the one who really popularized Boogaloo around the world was singer Pete Rodriguez. Of course, We cannot fail to mention the important role played by pianist Richie Ray and La Lupe, also known as the queen of Latin soul.

La Lupe and Tito Puente posing for a picture — La Lupe next to Tito Puente

How boogaloo revolutionized music at that time

Just as boogaloo came to revolutionize the sounds, it also did it with the topics addressed in most of the music of the time.

Generations raised in the United States that did not feel identified with the Beatles or the Rolling Stones found in this set of rhythms an identity to cling onto in order to combat the hottest at the moment. This rising genre began to address issues related to the social and economic situation of the most disadvantaged sectors. In any part of the world these songs were heard, local people knew what was going on, or at least from the perspective of the artists who lent their voices to give life to these new creations.

A very appealing characteristic of boogaloo songs is that they could be performed in both English and Spanish, so in a way, it gave the genre an essence merged with Latin and Anglo-Saxon elements that was fairly new at that time.

Pete Rodríguez and one of his records — The cover of one of Pete Rodríguez’s records

It went on to become some kind of social movement that intended to fill a gap that could not be filled by mistakenly called gringo music. Many of its defenders thought it was destined for greatness and durability, but unfortunately, it did not happen. In fact, the peak years of the rhythm went from 1965 to 1969, to show that it did not go beyond being a passing fad after an enthusiastic start.

It was quickly replaced by other catchier genres and dances that quickly sank in the taste of young and old alike, leaving behind what could have been the greatest musical legacy that Latinos have contributed to the outside world. Other sounds arrived, crept over the music scene slowly but surely, and left out boogaloo.

However, we must clarify that while this genre was no longer relevant as at the beginning, there is no getting around the fact that it was this movement that gave rise to a lot of legendary songs that today are still analyzed and commented on by those who danced and sang them at the time. Not to mention that this and several other rhythms that followed were the transition that salsa needed to explode as did at the peak of its popularity.

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