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Alfredo Villamizar Alfredo Villamizar one of the most spectacular and sensational Venezuelan percussionists

On this occasion it is appropriate to honor in our salsa column one of the most spectacular and sensational Venezuelan percussionists, Alfredo Villamizar, born in Caracas on August 2nd.

Welcome maestro Alfredo to “Salsa Escrita” and International Salsa Magazine, www.SalsaGoogle.com, it is a pleasure to have you as our special guest.

Thank you Professor Carlos, for inviting me to your renowned salsa tribune for all Venezuelans who are in my country and also for those of us who are currently abroad.

Well, let me tell you that for me it is already a commitment to support musicians who make Afro-Caribbean music and you in particular Alfredito, you could not miss this appointment with regular readers; now, tell us how did you get started in Latin music? I started with the orchestra “Renovación” of Nico Monterola, whom I consider my teacher, I continued acquiring knowledge in the timbal with Alfredo Padilla and I learned with Alfredo Franchesky (Cutuflá).

Alfredo Villamizar I started with Nico Monterola's orchestra "Renovación". — Alfredo Villamizar, born in Caracas on August 2

Alfredo, you are considered one of the timbaleros with a high level technique in the rhythmic execution of this instrument and you are catalogued as one of the best worldwide; let’s see, tell us with which orchestras have you participated? My friend Carlos, I can mention among many others the Oscar D’León Orchestra, Evio Dimarzo’s Adrenalina Caribe, Hildemaro’s Orchestra, Nico Monterola’s Renovación Orchestra, Andy Durán’s Orchestra, Erick Franchesky’s Orchestra and Urbanda de los Hidalgo, among others.

Excellent Alfredo, and at the international level, who have you accompanied? I have accompanied Celia Cruz in Spain, as well as Papo Rivera and Alex de Castro in Venezuela.

By the way, Alfredo, I understand that you have composed some songs. Indeed, my friend Colmenárez, the songs I have composed are: Malditos celos, El brujo Pincumpán, Canto a la vida, Luna llena; which are included in a production recorded in 2005 and also of my authorship stands out the theme “Allá va el lobo” of the collection “Venezuela Demo 2”, vocalizing Aníbal Vegas.

Let me tell you professor Carlos, that I have dictated workshops and clinics of timbal, in the 23 de Enero de Caracas and in the Mamera Keyboard Museum, next to the teachers Edgardo Morales and Alberto Borregales. Currently, since 2017, I am based in Chile, performing various activities and hoping very soon to return to Venezuela, God willing.

his compositions are: Malditos celos, El brujo Pincumpán, Canto a la vida, Luna llena, El brujo Pincumpán. — Alfredo is considered one of the timbaleros with a high level of technique.

Alfredo, for me it is a great satisfaction to have you in Salsa Escrita, because I have always followed your career and your way of playing the rhythm with the drumsticks in the pailas. Finally, we would like to give us your digital platforms and a farewell message.

Very well professor Carlos Colmenárez, thank you for your good concepts towards me, you can contact me by email: [email protected] and on Facebook: Alfredo Villamizar. Thank you very much professor for allowing me to interact through the Barquisimeto salsa column, as it is “Salsa Escrita”, which I think should be called with your permission “La Columna Salsera de Venezuela”, for the support you give us all the salseros of my beloved country. Blessings and keep it up, Professor Carlos.

By: Carlos Colmenárez Correspondent in Venezuela

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Europe – July 2021

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The Spaha Salsa Gallery and The Johnny Cruz Show to the order of salsa

Spaha Salsa Gallery

Latino culture has found a large number of icons and places that have shown how wonderful it is and how proud we must be of being born in this land full of colors and talent for export. One of those incredible places is the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery, which is a cultural institution in which the inhabitants of East Harlem, New York, have the opportunity to learn all about salsa and its unusual roots. To that end, visitors can enjoy a great deal of material, information, resources, and many learning initiatives that will blow everyone’s mind.

The purpose of this wonderful space is to gather as much knowledge as possible about salsa and all the artists who have been responsible for bringing this musical genre to every corner of the planet. That is why its owners have been in charge of offering the most inclusive and diverse gallery to prove everything Hispanic talent has to offer. The institution provides a wide range of possibilities for those who want to learn more about the most well-known Latin music genre in history, and art is the tool used for this purpose.

Jonny Cruz and instruments — Johnny Cruz with some donated instruments at the Spaha Salsa Gallery

What the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery is looking for

One of the major aims of the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery is awakening the interest of the inhabitants of Harlem and the surrounding neighborhoods towards the musical styles that have inspired the five continents to dance. This is how this space became a valuable resource for many other public and private institutions, which have used the museum to foster greater interest in their own activities. This is because many of the tourists visiting New York know that it was in that city in which the biggest salsa movement in history took place, so they are particularly interested in going to places where they can learn about how salsa came about and what its roots are. That is when institutions such as the Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery make an appearance and offer to answer any question on the matter.

Johnny Cruz next to Boris Calderón — Johnny Cruz Cruz next to musicologist and broadcaster Boris Calderón

Johnny Cruz, a noted musician and record producer, has made this place a true sanctuary for Latin music lovers and all that emerges from it. The museum, which was once a hardware store owned by his father, contains some of the most valuable objects in the history of salsa and that have a very special relationship with some of the greatest figures of the genre, such as Héctor Lavoe’s favorite guitar or José Mangual Jr’s bongos. This collection of objects has been made in order to preserve the legacy of the greatest exponents of the salsa genre in New York for people to remember who they were and what they contributed to Latino culture in spite of the years. Something very interesting to relate is that many of these instruments have been donated by artists, family members, or institutions that want the names of their owners to continue to sound as loud as possible.

Undoubtedly, Cruz and his greatest contributors in this noble work have ensured that locals and foreigners see the gallery as a space for recreation and learning in which they can learn about the origins of salsa and go back to the glory days with many of the greatest musicians in history.

The Johnny Cruz Show

In addition to the salsa museum, there is another space where Latin music artists will always feel at home. We are talking about the Johnny Cruz Show, which has a very interesting schedule and shows how wonderful our culture is.

The show is celebrating 25 years on the air and will be co-hosted by animator and show biz reporter Maribel Santos, who will definitely give a very special touch to this great celebration, which makes Johnny too happy. So many years on the air are the reward of the effort made to offer the best salsa content that the public deserves.

Johnny Cruz next to Maribel Santos — Poster announcing The Johnny Cruz Show with Maribel Santos

This show is one of the best options that salsa lovers have to know everything related to its best exponents and the latest news on these issues. The cool thing about this is there are many platforms through which those interested can enjoy the talent of Johnny Cruz as host and interviewer, so it will not be difficult to find each of the editions of this great program. In addition, all five counties in New York City can watch the show on cable television.

If case of not living in New York, you can tune into the show on its social media tools. For the time being, The Johnny Cruz Show is available on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. It can also be watched on Salsa Gallery Radio live at the Live 365 station and the possibility of putting it onto podcast platforms in the future is under evaluation.

A poster with Johnny Cruz and David Marin — A poster announcing The Johnny Cruz Show with David Marin El Chapin y Felix Villalobos *Music Man*

Link to the Spaha Salsa Gallery’s official website: spahasalsagallery.com

By: Johnny Cruz correspondent of International Salsa magazine in New York city, New York

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7 Signs That You Should Attend A Festival

Are You Overwhelmed By Monotony?

Do you need to get out of the routine but without spending a lot? Do you want to expand your circle of friends? Do you want to have a new love? If the answer to most of the questions has been “Yes”, you most likely have a high need for social life that you can get at a Festival.

Half-length couple dancing — Adaptability, sociability, happy thinking, and remembrance are some of the skills you get at a festival

In a festival, you elude reality for a long time, and you will perceive unequaled sensations. One of the highest Latino events held in Europe is the Tempo Latino Festival in France, which hosts 7 000 people a day for a weekend.

Now that you already know the number of people with whom you can interact at a festival, I present you the seven signs to be conscious of how to recognize if you should attend one:

You find it difficult to establish social relationships, or you don’t have time to share with your friends.
You need to save as much as you can. It is due to the uncertainty that prevails in these times of the fluctuating economy. (Some scientific studies certify that it is better to invest money in experiences than in material objects).
If your memories are about your family and student trips.
You want to have a different weekend outside the daily routine or new love.
You are interested in shows and attractions that make you live an experience to the fullest and have a feeling of exceptional freedom.
You long to meet people with the same musical style.
You want to show your best, most comfortable, or crazy outfits.

BRIEF HISTORY

The first festivals have provenance in Egypt (4500 B.C), followed by Greece and Rome. Subsequently, the first festival as we know them today took place in Dublin (Ireland) in 1897 after the middle ages. In the twentieth century began its greatest apogee with the most famous and long-lived events of this kind: Isle of Wight in England (1968), Woodstock in the United States (1969), and Viña del Mar in Chile since 1960.

Since then, the number of followers has increased in these festivities of several days that favor social life and that gives them skills such as adaptability, sociability, generous and joyful thinking, in addition to the remembrance that happens to occupy a fundamental place in this list.

If you are interested in experiencing this lifestyle and exercising a new way of empathizing with people with the same musical style and interests, here are two recommendations for upcoming Latin festivals to be held in Spain this fall 2021.

FESTIVALS IN SPAIN

Guaguancó Festival World-Madrid

Crowd of people with hands up — The festival will take place in the Sierra de Madrid, just 40 minutes from the city center

Ten years have marked the Guaguancó festival, which for the first time makes its stop in Madrid. This year it will have a lineup of high-level artists, workshops, events, Cuban music concerts, and activities.

The El Escorial resort campsite will be the place to celebrate this Afro-Caribbean weekend party.

El Escorial is a complex with large outdoor spaces for holding shows, concerts, and some workshops. Its covered spaces have more than 400 square meters, and all this under strict cleaning and disinfection protocols.

Date: Thursday, September 9^th – Sunday, September 12^th

Venue: Escorial Resort Natura. Carretera M-600, Km 3,5, 28280 El Escorial, Madrid, Spain

Barcelona Temptation Festival 2021

Woman dressed in red dancing with her partner — This festival has been successful with people from the USA, Canada, Russia, China, and Japan

This festival in the fourth edition will immerse you in the Latin rhythms of Bachata, Kizomba, and Urbankiz for a week. More than 11 artists on stage, workshops, social dances in the pool area and gardens with excellent DJs as well as grandiose masterclasses will be the programming of the Barcelona Temptation Festival 2021 from September 14^th to Monday 20^th at the Evenia Olympic Park hotel located in Gerona (Spain).

Venue: Evenia Olympic Park hotel. Building Park Carrer Sra. Del Rossell, S / N, 17310 Lloret de Mar, Gerona, Spain

SalsaGoogle.com is International Salsa Magazine

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Salsa, Salsa & More Salsa

Musical Events Come To Europe

Europe welcomes music events after a long hiatus from the pandemic. Nightclubs with a limited number of people as well as small outdoor Salsa festivals and congresses begin to reactivate their activities by receiving attendees with the presentation of a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 test.

Here is a list of Salsa events in Europe with tradition that gives you a tropical welcome and says goodbye to what happened in 2020.

MONACO SALSA CONGRESS

Adult couple dancing — 2020 passes are automatically valid for this new date

Since 2006 (first edition), the Monaco International Salsa Festival has been an unavoidable Salsa event for dance lovers.

This festival, a product of the passion of Hamidine Thiam and the experience of Gregory Salerno, has joined the best artists in the world on the same stage. Several of the festival’s shows have been broadcast on EuroSport for consecutive years, demonstrating the quality offered by this 15-year-old festival.

Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba for the following modalities: beginner, advanced, or just curious are presented in three rooms simultaneously. In addition, you can taste food in front of the stage only with VIP passes, quality shows, and DJ nights until almost dawn.

With optimism and eagerness, this edition of the Monaco Salsa Congress 2021 will take place from October 8^th to 10^th with the participation of Maykel Fonts, Tropical Gem Dance Company, Andrea & Silvi, SuperMario, 4DJs, and many more artists to share memorable moments with you.

Venue: Espace Léo Ferré. Les terrasses de Fontvieille, 25 avenue Albert II. 98000 Monaco

CROATIAN SUMMER SALSA FESTIVAL

Woman in leopard swimsuit and man in white shirt — Enjoy this unique experience in Croatia in late summer

You can already feel the energy of the festival that makes all the people of the western part of the city of Rovinj (Croatia) dance Salsa. Beaches, hotels with swimming pools at reasonably priced, streets, an old tobacco factory, squares, islands, the whole town is a dance floor for thousands of visitors from all over the world who live and breathe Salsa.

The Croatian Summer Salsa Festival aims to educate, inspire, communicate, and entertain fans of Salsa, dance, the sea, and the sun. The focus in this edition will be on three styles: Salsa, Salsa Cubana, and Mambo. There will be carefully designed professional workshops for all levels, high-level pre-festival workshops (Wednesdays and Thursdays), as well as intensive Bootcamps for advanced dancers.

Imagine and live the experience of being part of it!

Outdoor Social Dance: Party on the beach dancing to the most applauded Caribbean rhythm under the stars in one of the most beautiful cities on the Adriatic coast. Ah! And don’t forget that this event also offers a boat excursion.

Music & DJs: The perfect combination missed in 2020. Finally, it is time to connect with the sound of the Tumbadoras mixed with the ocean waves and the warm summer breeze.

Dance Instructors: They are present at this event to inspire you and raise your level from amateur to professional. With them, you can dance as a couple, watch their performances with incredible outfits, sing, and also they are host like real artists do.

Workshops & Bootcamps: For 15 years they have been dedicated to promoting the best possible social dance education with community artists to create a high-quality structured and progressive learning experience. To gain more skills in dancing Croatian Summer Salsa Festival brings you pre-festival classes, weekend workshops, and choreography bootcamps for those who want to push their limits.

From September 1^st to 5^th, the summer salsa festival in Croatia will be held in the landscape of the Seasunsalsa house in the city of Rovinj located on the Adriatic coast.

Official biosecurity measures will be respected.

BERLIN SALSA CONGRESS

Woman dressed in blue dress dancing with man in red jacket — Berlin Salsa Congress – Do you accept the challenge?

In Berlin, the people will dance Salsa again in a congress this 2021. This event will be held outdoors under the sun during the day and at night you will live your passion indoors with three dance floors.

In this edition of the Berlin Salsa Congress, the focus will be on high-level social dancing from noon to midnight. Also, you can improve your skills in a series of exclusive workshops taught by a lineup of instructors from the world community in Berlin.

This Salsa congress, the longest in Europe in continuous operation since 2001, is renewed and brings Choreography Bootcamps.

Bootcamp # 1 is about teamwork in the genres of Salsa and contemporary fusion.
Bootcamp # 2. This is an Afro-fusion of Mambo. Here you will develop skills in footwork. It is designed for dancers with an intermediate level.
Bootcamp # 3. It is based on footwork for ladies only. Rhythm: Salsa

A Choreography Bootcamp challenges you in many different ways. It’s not just about choreography or technique. It is much more. It is expanding your limits with friends with the same interest, achieving an incredible sensation of overcoming obstacles by performing in front of a large and enthusiastic audience.

Date: Thursday, August 26^th – Sunday, August 29^th

Venue: Tempodrom. Möckernstr. 10. 10963 Berlin, Germany

SalsaGoogle.com is International Salsa Magazine

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