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San Francisco as the capital of Latin music for three days

What the San Francisco SBK Congress is about

San Francisco SBK Congress Logotype
San Francisco SBK Congress Logotype in 2021

Throughout the United States, there is a number of Latin music events have been taking place and their main purpose is to inspire artists and dancers from all over the world to visit those cities and show everyone present how talented they are. Burlingame Village, California has certainly not been left out. 

For the third consecutive year, the organizers of the San Francisco Salsa Bachata and Kizomba Congress have invested all their energy in providing one of the greatest Latin festivals that attendees have ever seen. Having had two extremely successful and widely attended previous editions, Those responsible for organizing the congress come back with a lot of very talented guests who are more than eager to share their dancing skills with those who wish to learn. 

We are talking about a large group of instructors from several countries who are ready to give spectacular workshops and shows on the most popular Latin genres of the moment such as salsa, bachata, and kizomba. All this is accompanied by great parties and social gatherings where students will be able to put into practice what they learn during the three days of this great experience. 

These workshops will be accompanied by fabulous shows where some of the best DJs will liven up the atmosphere, making use of a repertoire as diverse as it is lively. Of course, all the music used will be entirely based on the genres that will be taught during the dance classes. 

Some women dancing at the San Francisco SBK Congress
A group of women dancing at the San Francisco SBK Congress

What about the pandemic and costs

Although the previous editions were a resounding success and the organizers do what they can to make attendees wonder, it is also true that they are facing the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused all of us to rethink our lives and projects rill things get better. As a result, the congress team has had to make a large package of changes in order to ensure that everyone who wants to attend the event feels safe and secure at all times. After ensuring that everything will be under control during the three days of the festival, they started the sale of tickets and reservations for rooms at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. 

According to the websites that offer information on the San Francisco SBK Congress, the cost of tickets may vary from $30 to $210 depending on what each pass includes. It was also reported that there will not be any refund, so ticket sale is final. It is expected that the sale is carried out throughout the month until Friday, October 31, when purchases will no longer be accepted. 

The dates scheduled for the congress will be 19, 20 and 21 November of the current year and the lucky ones to attend will have the opportunity to live with people from many other parts of the world, which makes this event a unique and unrepeatable experience. 

People dancing at the San Francisco SBK Congress
People doing warm-up before dancing at the San Francisco SBK Congress

For more information about the festival, please visit the official website www.sfsbkcongress.com. Here you will find all kinds of important information about tickets, costs, genres, instructors, guest DJs, location, and much more. 

Salsoteca Lavoe returns with events and fun 2021

One of our contacts mentions that on April 14 a fashion arrived in Quito. We will talk about a space that came to fill the great void in the salsa dancers of this beautiful capital, an alternative that became fashion, a fashion that became custom and custom has become culture, not to mention Lavoe the site of Salsa meeting in Ecuador. This great Salsoteca has the perfect atmosphere for lovers of good salsa and bachata, a context armed with paintings of the most important Latin Caribbean music in the world, many of them autographed during their visit to this dance palace. Well-toned colors for incredible freshness, first-class attention that makes you the main artist of the night, we are talking about a 100% safe environment full of friendly people ready to give you a fascinating moment.

The Lavoe Salsoteca is located at Iñaquito and United Nations 170517 Quito, Ecuador.

Photo of the Salsoteca Lavoe
Photo of the stage of the Salsoteca Lavoe

It is known and visited for being one of the most visited tropical discos and nightclubs in the whole country, there you can count on special events during the year, concerts, talks, great festivals of orchestras and dance schools during 3 months of the year, closing with the great anniversary party where we can enjoy the best rumba of the year, but with the Covid-19 pandemic they had to close their doors for the safety of all, however there were online activities with the participation of DJs, soloists and musical groups, there were even live in the parking lot of Lavoe but each one inside their own cars.

After being inactive in the premises for a year (2020) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lavoe Salsoteca opens its doors again on September 9 (2021) with new regulations to comply with in order to protect ourselves and in turn enjoy a pleasant social moment where everyone can listen to live music, dance and taste food and liquors; So if you plan to go to the Salsoteca, you have to take into account the following rules without mentioning the biosecurity rules:

  1. Identity Card
  2. Vaccination card (full dose)
  3. Use of KN95 or surgical mask
  4. Fill out the health form upon admission

With its new Lavoe motto “La Magia Regreso” opening on Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Cover has a cost of $ 10 that includes a drink ( They recommend booking to ensure your space).

Collash of dancers at the Salsoteca Lavoe
Dancers at the Salsoteca Lavoe

And on Tuesdays there will be Salsa and Bachata workshops, all you have to do to integrate is to comply with the regulations, reserve your place through their website , if you like and pay the cover On that day, which has a cost of $ 6, the workshop is free, not to mention that the consumption of beer has a 2×3 promotion until 9 at night.

If you want to know more (its events, classes or renting the premises) you can obtain more information through:

The Fusion International Dance Competition is back in 2021

There are three (3) months until 2022 begins but we do not want to wait like many of our followers to see when the pending events will take place and in turn the opening of clubs, academies or places where we can hear music and dance; With the month of October already in full quarantine due to Covid-19, many people, including ourselves, adapt to the situation by complying with security measures and placing the vaccine to protect ourselves even more and with this it has been possible that many countries open their doors to carry out different social activities and in Mexico the Fusion Salsafest will be held live, not online as other events have been held due to the Covid-19 situation.

Fusión Salsafest started its first Salsa Bachata & Kizomba Congress on October 21, 2011 thanks to the effort led by Manolo Redondo together with his team and Fusión Dance Company, which is one of the most important companies in Mexico led by Tania Ortiz, to carry out one one of the most important salsa shows in the country showing the entire public the talent of each dancer in this fantastic competition and not only that, they also spread their teachings in the shows and workshops that they present to us every year.

After being inactive for a year (2020) to protect both they and their public from Covid-19, finally the organizers of the Fusion SalsaFest gave us the great news that after being locked up, without movement and without dancing, they end the wait by returning to us this October from 14 to 17, the festival taking place at the Courtyard by Marriott Ciudad de México Revolución, located at Av. Revolución 333, Tacubaya, Miguel Hidalgo, 11870 Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico.

Flyer de Fusion Internacional Dance Competition 2021
Fusion International Dance Competition – Seminar

How tasty it must be to return to fun and perform the different shows, socials, workshops, among other activities that tropical musical events give and in this International Fusion Dance Competition Shows, Workshops will be held:

Salsa Bachata
·         Rodrigo y Asya

·         Karel Flores

·         Lorenita Andrade

·         Billy Fajardo

·         Katie Marlow

·         Ernesto y Maritza

·         Selene Tovar

·         Mauricio y Deny

·         Yasbek Cervantes

·         Dioney

·         Ivan Valdespino

·         Diego y Gaby

·         Milena y Oscar

·         Adrian Arellano

·         Uriel Piedra

·         Jorge Martinez

·         Leo y Mimi

·         Ray Gomez y Lu

 ·         Fausto y Roxy

·         Danny Salsita y la Fábrica

·         Esteban y María

·         Gerardo y Madian

·         Karyna y Freddy

·         Odeth y Mike

·         Ivette Bogarin

·         Yarely Rosales

·         Karyna y Freddy

·         Luis Mujica

·         Tere y Diego
D J ‘S
·         Muñeco Caliente

·         Mr. Swing

·         Oficial Salsero

·         Khriz

·         DJ Bot
Seminario MC
·         Seminario de Mambo Fusión

·         Rodrigo y Asya

 ·         Armando Cervantes

(No olvides su Mambito’s Salsa Social)

The cost of the tickets and to acquire it you can do it through the following link:

  • Night Pass: $ 1,099
  • Full Pass: $ 1,999
  • 1 Seminar + Fullpass (Mambo Fusion): $ 2,499
  • Dancerpass: $ 1,899
  • Couples competition registration (Price per couple): $ 800
  • Group competition registration (Price per group member): $ 350
  • Soloist or Heats (Social Dance) competition registration (Price per couple or soloist): $ 500
  • Third party competition registration (Price per third): $ 1,050

You can stay at the Courtyard Marriot in the rooms for the 4 nights – (October 14 to 17)

  • Single or Double (Maximum 2 people): $ 1,750
  • Triple or Quadruple (Maximum 4 people): $ 1,900

If you want to have more information or want to see how the previous events were and want to know what they will promote this year 2021, click on the following media and social networks:

  • WebSite: fusionsalsafest
  • Facebook e Instagram: @ fusionsalsafest
  • Teléfono: +52 55 4522 4548
  • Correo: [email protected]

Hector Maisonave Manager of the Greatest Salseros in New York.

60 years in the business in the “Salsa” music industry, Héctor Maisonave says: “I have not seen anyone who surpasses the talent of Héctor Lavoe”.

You have managed the careers of so many salsa luminaries, how do you consider Héctor Lavoe’s talent?

I saw in Hector a supreme talent, to this day I have not seen anyone who can surpass him.

Not only as an artist selling tickets, selling records, but also as a human being.

There is no comparison of any kind, no matter who the artists are that are current today, to this day there has been no one that can replace Hector Lavoe.

He continues to this day as the most successful artist in all aspects.

He has managed and catapulted the careers of stars such as Héctor Lavoe, La Lupe, La India, Ismael Rivera, Tito Rodríguez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, among others.

Héctor Maisonave says: "I have not seen anyone who surpasses the talent of Héctor Lavoe".I saw in Hector a supreme talent, to this day I have not seen anyone who can surpass him. Not only as an artist selling tickets, selling records, but also as a human being.
Hector Maisonave Manager of the Greatest Salseros in New York.

“I continue to derive satisfaction from my work, my main addiction,” said the Puerto Rican producer.

With almost 60 years in the difficult and no less unpredictable music industry, today, on his 81st birthday, the artistic promoter Héctor Maisonave looks back to see that nothing remains the same in the business, but even so, his “musician soul” does not allow him to give up.

He has been a faithful witness and an important part of Latin American musical history, as a tireless promoter of the salsa rhythm in every corner of the planet.

His resume is impressive; he has produced more than 6,000 events; he has managed and catapulted the careers of some 80 artists, including stars such as his namesake Héctor Lavoe, Tito Rodríguez, La Lupe, India, Ismael Rivera, Raphy Leavitt, Gilberto Santa Rosa and La Sonora Ponceña.

And his experience has been recognized on more than one occasion by the artistic world.

He has been a faithful witness and an important part of Latin American musical history, as a tireless promoter of the salsa rhythm in every corner of the planet.
Héctor Maisonave 60 years in business in the “Salsa” music industry.

In 2010, this veteran businessman received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Lincoln Center of New York, a distinction for his years in music production and management.

On that occasion, Diana Cortot, executive director of International Concert, the non-profit institution that presented Maisonave with the award, said that he was chosen because of the great help he has given to so many artists and his efforts to create a market for Latin music in the United States. “The Latin music industry, and salsa in particular, owes him a lot,” she said.

To this, the award-winning businessman, with the humility that has characterized him in each of his acts, simply said: “I don’t feel special, but privileged and honored”.

Born in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Maisonave was part of a great migratory stampede of Puerto Ricans who traveled to New York in the 1940s to escape poverty.

“It was here, in this city, where I took my first steps as a producer in the summer of 1950.”

Even at this age, memory remains one of his best attributes.

“I began to organize concerts in open spaces that attracted hundreds of people, who arrived in some buses that we arranged for the public, and they were like a kind of patron saint festivities in which transportation, food, dessert and dancing were offered… That was the beginning of everything,” he recalls while, suddenly, a special gleam begins to appear in his eyes.

That was the time when she discovered what her vocation was. But he also had to raise his voice, fight hard for his goals and defend his roots. He was even one of those who protested on New York’s iconic Fifth Avenue so that the New York City government would grant him permission to hold a Puerto Rican parade.

Born in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Maisonave was part of a large migratory stampede of Puerto Ricans who traveled to New York in the 1940s to escape poverty.
Rafael Ithier “Director del Gran Combo” y
Héctor Maisonave

“There were many inconveniences that got in the way, but there are more beautiful memories that light up my mind when I think of the dreams achieved,” confesses the man who had the idea of organizing Latino shows aboard boats that crossed the Hudson River to Bear Mountain.

And aware that, as he says, “turning 81 is not an everyday thing,” he says he is very happy to continue fighting the battle. “I continue to get enormous satisfaction from my work, my main addiction,” said this industrious Puerto Rican with his usual good humor.

Lately, his schedule has been as active as ever. From April to date, he has organized concerts for Grupo Mania and Tito Rojas (both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania); José Alberto, “El Canario”, and Andy Andy at Six Flags New England, Springfield, Massachusetts, and next month he will be in charge of the presentation in Panama that salsa singer India has scheduled.

Source: Frank Manuel Orellana Rosas

Article of Interest: Richie Bonilla Management is a Latin Music booking and Managing Agency