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Visit Club Tropicana and have a great time!

What Club Tropicana offers

Before the lifting of many of the restrictions caused by COVID-19 in Texas, the progressive reopening of entertainment venues that were forced to close due to the pandemic has taken place. Of course, Club Tropicana could not stay out. 

Founded in the year 1999, Club Tropicana is still considered one of the favorite places for Texans to go dancing and spend a night of drinking in the city of Houston. Although the place has a wealth of attractions for people of all ages, what is most striking to the audience is the great music being played there. Predominant genres played are salsa, merengue and bachata. Of course, the vast majority of the invited artists are linked to these musical styles. 

Although the club itself provides the music heard and danced every night, it usually invites singers and groups that delight all present with their talent. Many performers have walked across this stage, but there are many others who will be more than glad to give the bar customers precious time. 

Bottles of alcohol and drinks
Alcohol bottles and drinks at Club Tropicana

Artists, drinks, and so on

Among the groups invited to perform in the future, we can mention Porfi Baloa y Sus Adolescentes, who will offer a great show to fans who want to listen to their early hits and their new works. The general admission has a cost of $50, the assigned seat has a cost of $60 and the VIP entrance has a cost of $90. For those who wish to purchase a VIP platinum ticket at $125 apiece, they will have to pay for a full table, which will have an extra cost. This concert is part of the orchestra’s tour around several cities in the United States and Houston could not miss was a must. 

As well as this Venezuelan group, there are other Latino talents who have not missed the opportunity to perform in the theme parties at Club Tropicana. Such is the case of DJ Noel Velasquez, who performed last Tuesday and showed a varied musical repertoire that includes salsa, cumbia, bachata and many other genres. In addition, the Salsa instructor Jorge Melo was there as a guest, who was teaching a sensational class as a complement to the great work of the already mentioned DJ. 

Purple stage at Club Tropicana
Image of the stage at Club Tropicana

All the advantages that we have already mentioned have resulted in a huge number of positive reviews in which frequent and occasional clients reveal the fun they have had here and what they have liked most about the club. Among the many things they mentioned, we can highlight the fabulous live band, the party atmosphere, the delicious cocktails, the imposing atmosphere and many more. These elements and a few more have made Club Tropicana a great option for all who want to spend an afternoon of drinking among friends and dancing. 

Another detail that charms many people is the invitation to great exponents of Latin music, who delight the present ones with their talent. In fact, these artists represent a big part of the appeal of the place, since they welcome both their regular customers and the fans of the singer of the time. 

Glass tables and chairs at Club Tropicana
Chairs and Tables at Club Tropicana

Link to its official Facebook page: Club Tropicana

Mike Arroyo the guitarist Using Jazz to praise God

Mike Arroyo 40/20 The Concert (The past July 19, 2021, San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Using Jazz to praise God, guitarist Mike Arroyo performed yesterday, Sunday, July 18, 2021 at the René Marqués Hall of the Centro de Bellas Artes in Santurce.  As Mike himself said in front of a packed hall, yesterday’s concert became a dream come true.

At 4:50 p.m. the first call was heard over the loudspeaker.  Seven minutes later, the second call was heard at full volume, which interrupted the public’s excitement as they began to settle into their seats.  Five minutes after the scheduled time, the third and last call was heard; which immediately gave way to the greeting of the moderator already on stage, but not before opening the show with the usual invocation.  It became clear that although the concert honored Mike Arroyo’s career, during that time the guitarist has dedicated himself body and soul to praise God.

The title 40/20 originates from the 40 years since Mike Arroyo acquired his first electric guitar, an Ovation Thunderhead® that had belonged to the tres player Nelson Gonzalez.

At 4:50 p.m. the first call was heard over the loudspeaker. Seven minutes later, the second call, which interrupted the public's excitement as they began to settle into their seats, was heard at full volume.

Mike Arroyo 40/20 The Concert

The acquisition of the guitar is still an enigma difficult to explain in earthly terms.  Thus life, this shocking story, which in 1981 transformed the lives of Mike Arroyo and Nelson Gonzalez paved a path that 20 years later would see Mike’s first Jazz album, Straigth To Heaven (2001) see the light of day.  It would be good to bring up the guitar transaction for discussion, but not before exposing the provenance of the guitar.

Shortly before the transaction described here, Nelson Gonzalez lost his house with all the belongings in it due to a fire.  To Nelson’s surprise, the guitar, which later passed into Mike’s hands, was not only the only item to survive the fire, but remained intact.  That fact alone is incredible, but in the face of a structure that was totally destroyed it looks even more dramatic.  Nelson took the surviving item – his guitar – into storage.  However, the custodian of the guitar decided to dispose of it as payment in exchange for a service.  That third person who received the guitar as payment for that service, must have understood that the guitar had not been acquired in a lawful manner, so he sold it for $140.00 to a young Mike; who had to commit himself to pay small amounts until the agreed amount was paid off.

Shortly thereafter, already in the process of normalizing his life after that same fire that had spared the guitar, Nelson returned to reclaim the guitar from whoever had deposited it.  Since the custodian of the guitar no longer had it with him, Nelson set about the task of locating it. Nelson received information about the whereabouts of the guitar itself, which at that moment became – unsuspectingly – the link between the two musicians.  Nelson went to Mike Arroyo’s home where he saw with his own eyes the effort the young man had made to get his hands on that guitar.

The respectable Arroyo family explained, the young musician pleaded and Nelson Gonzalez decided to part with the guitar, the only material object that had survived the destruction of the Gonzalez home, to give it to Mike.  At that moment, Nelson became Mike’s musical godfather and the guitar became the divine plan that made Mike a pioneer in Sacred Jazz, a Latin rhythm of light and spiritual tonalities.  The surprise of the night was the presentation of Nelson Gonzalez with Mike Arroyo, eternally united by the musical instrument that was also the instrument of that divine plan that remains intact.

At that time, Nelson became Mike's musical godfather and the guitar became the divine plan that made Mike a pioneer in Sacred Jazz.
Nelson González y Mike Arroyo

Mike is recognized in the music scene as a pioneer and precursor of “Christian Jazz” with 6 record productions and two video DVD productions. In 2017 he innovated the stages by performing a concert in the traditional format of “Jazz Organ Trio” being Brian Charette and Vince Ector the international guest musicians of that event that took place at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

Aware of the need to strengthen us as a people, through his “Jazz with a spiritual touch”; just as 40 years ago Nelson gave Mike that magical instrument, yesterday Mike gave the public a masterful concert, presented by BCC (Breñas Community Church).  It should be noted that BCC is the church where Mike has been pastor for 15 years.

The select group of accompanying musicians included the Puerto Rican piano: Luis Marín, Gabriel Rodríguez, Jimmy Rivera, Héctor Matos on drums, José Nelson Ramírez, Tommy Lee on tumbadoras and Giovanny Rodríguez.
Piano of Puerto Rico: Luis Marín, Gabriel Rodríguez, Jimmy Rivera, Héctor Matos on drums, José Nelson Ramírez, Tommy Lee on tumbadoras and Giovanny Rodríguez.

The select group of accompanying musicians included the piano of Puerto Rico: Luis Marín, Gabriel Rodríguez, Jimmy Rivera, Héctor Matos on drums, José Nelson Ramírez, Tommy Lee on tumbadoras and Giovanny Rodríguez in his first performance with his former teacher -Luis Marín-.   I imagine that no one will be surprised if it is stated that Luis Marín’s chords were gravitating towards salsa, while Tommy Lee prophesied in correspondence on the leather of the tumbadoras.  Also singing were: Yanira Torres, Gilda González, Janet Hernández, Alma Galarza and Vanessa Rosado.

Photos: Miguel Rojas Candelario ©.

During these 40 years Mike has stood out musically with Christian groups and singers such as Renovación Cristiana, Abba Padre, Manuel Román among others and several recordings. He has participated with the Symphony Orchestra of PR, a Symphony Orchestra in the Dominican Republic, The Quique Talavera Orchestra in the Chucho Avellanet Show accompanying other singers such as Ismael Miranda, Braulio, Tito Rojas among others, The Pijuán Orchestra, where besides the Sextet, he also accompanied Danny Rivera and Wilkins. Mike also had the joy of dedicating a piece with his guitar to his favorite artist Jose Feliciano when he came to celebrate his 50th artistic anniversary in Puerto Rico. With his guitar he has participated in International Jazz Concerts and Festivals (PR, NY, Chicago, Curacao, among others) and has also performed in Germany.

Mike is also a musician/pastor of the Breñas Community Church (BCC) IDDPM.I. in Vega Alta for 15 years and Chaplain of the Police of PR. He is also a Music Teacher in his academy “Mike Arroyo Music” in his hometown of Vega Baja and is a Biomedical Engineer in Clinical Laboratories and Hospitals.

“Mike Arroyo 40/20 El Concierto” was dedicated to his graduating class of Lino Padrón Rivera High School of Vega Baja 1983 and to his “Padrino Musical” Nelson González.

Article of Interest: Tito Rodríguez, Jr. “The Palladium legacy lives on”

By: Bella Martinez “La Escritora Irreverente de La Salsa”

Puerto Rico

Bella Martinez
Website: Bella Martinez Home

Lore Pereira is one of the young interpreters with the greatest International projection

Lorena Pereira Méndez

In this delivery, graces our salsa column, one of the young interpreters of greater international projection and who currently places very high the name of Venezuela on the world stages and record level, we refer to Edgliz Lorena Pereira Mendez, known in the artistic environment as “Lore Pereira”, born in Barquisimeto, Lara state in 1985, daughter of outstanding musicians in the national territory, as they are: Édgar Pereira and Virginia Méndez, former members of the Sonero Clásico del Caribe and other recognized orchestras.

Lore, since she was a child, showed her musical abilities and began her studies at the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory in 1998.

In this institution she was part of the Youth Choir of Children Singers of the Lara State Symphony Orchestra. In the following years he participated in several musical activities in the city, such as: Voz Javeriana (1999), Member of the Choir of the Universidad Centro Occidental Lisandro Alvarado where he served as head of contraltos string (2001).

In 2002 he was part of the Lara State Lyrical Singing Chair “Aquiles Machado” under the direction of the renowned singer Angelo D’addona, where he made great and significant presentations such as: cycles of Lyrical Galas with a repertoire of sacred music and great works of Latin American music for the prelude to the first season of opera in the San Miguel Chapel of the Museum of Barquisimeto, Magdalena Seijas Auditorium, Santa Rosa Chapel, Auditorium of the Italian-Venezuelan Club, among others.

Lorena Pereira Méndez In this issue, our salsa column is graced by one of the young performers with the greatest international projection.
Edgliz Lorena Pereira Méndez, conocida en el medio artístico como “Lore Pereira”

Subsequently, in 2003, she became part of the stable cast of the Compañía de Ópera de Occidente (Opera Company of the West), thanks to the chair of Lyric Singing and the Symphonic Choir of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Lara (Symphonic Orchestra of Lara).

This year, she is preparing for the staging of the trilogy “Love, Passion and Death” as part of the cast of singers for the acts of 3 plays “Rusticana, Madame Butterfly and La Boheme” and the play “Los Martirios de Colón” by Venezuelan composer Federico Ruiz, These works were presented in various stages of the city as the dance and ballet academy Taormina Guevara, Teatro Juares, Teatro Alirio Diaz de Carora, Auditorium of the Italo-Venezuelan Club and the Ateneo de Boconó.

At the end of this year, he lined up to pay homage to Maestro José Antonio Abreu in a concert with the Lara State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Tarsicio Barreto at the José Félix Ribas Hall of the Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex.

He participated in Santus Group concerts and in Boleros Nights and something else at the Sala Alternativa Juan Carmona of the newspaper El Impulso.

In this institution he was part of the Youth Choir of Children Singers of the Lara State Symphony Orchestra. In the following years he participated in several musical activities in the city, such as: Voz Javeriana (1999), Member of the Choir of the Universidad Centro Occidental Lisandro Alvarado where he served as head of contraltos string (2001).
Lore Pereira

In 2005 she worked hand in hand with music teacher Behomar Rojas, who played an important role in her training and incorporated her in various musical activities in her hometown and the Venezuelan national territory, such as festivals, concerts of sacred music and stylized Venezuelan music.

In the following years, he participates in record productions of Venezuelan folk and alternative music, as well as in regional and national festivals.

It is worth mentioning the most important one held in 2008, La Voz de Oro y de la Canción Inédita de Venezuela, where he had the opportunity to share workshops and rehearsals with great singers of the Venezuelan national territory.

In the same way, he is part of several popular Venezuelan groups as a vocalist and backing vocalist, as well as participating in productions with renowned artists at present.

In 2010 he joins his performance with Venezuelan singer-songwriter Ignacio Izcaray, making several recordings, live concerts in Venezuela, such as: May 2011 (Teatro Juares) Barquisimeto, Ateneo de Caracas and Sala Corpbanca), October 2011 (Ambrosio Oropeza auditorium of the Ucla), January 2013 (concert at the Country Club of Barquisimeto, Teatro Alirio Diaz de Carora), also participated in recordings of important recordings as vocal support of the singer-songwriter.

The recognition of her vocal and artistic talent has been overwhelming, both by her colleagues, spectators and institutions.

In 2015, Lore Pereira received the Mara de Oro de Venezuela award as “Best New Artist of the Year”.

She studied at the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory in 1998. In this institution he was part of the Youth Choir of Children Singers of the Lara State Symphony Orchestra.
“Lore Pereira”, born in Barquisimeto, Lara State in 1985.

Then in 2016 she received the award as “Best Tropical Artist of the Year”, recognizing her extraordinary talent and acceptance by the media.

Lore, for Salsa Escrita, the Salsera Column of Barquisimeto, International Salsa Magazine / www.SalsaGoogle.com we are proud to have you as a special guest and we would like you to tell us about your incursions into Latin music.

Well, Professor Carlos, I can tell you that I have lent my voice to important musical projects, being the only voice of the experimental group “Primigenio” and of several songs of “La Charangoza All Star”.

I am frequently called as a soloist of the Big Band “Raíces Orchestra”, led by the famous musician, saxophonist and arranger Pablo Gil.

And as for other musical genres, what can you tell us about them? As a vocalist, I have sung with important exponents of Venezuelan and Latin American music.

During these last years my voice has joined the show of great artists such as Marc Anthony, Natalia Jimenez, Marco Antonio Solis and Alejandro Fernandez on the stage of the Billboard Awards. Likewise, I repeated this experience in 2016 and 2017 with singers Luis Enrique, Farruco and Miguel Bosé, in Premios Tu Mundo.

As for recent productions, what do you have for us, Lore? I have been promoting my album “Inténtalo” where I share my talent alongside figures such as Luis Fernando Borjas, Irving Manuel, Marcial Istúriz, Chipi Chacón, Christian Delgado, Franco Lemus; all under the musical production of Jhosir Córdova.

Excellent Lore, recently the new version of the song “Callejón”, which was recorded some time ago by Arabella, was launched on the digital platforms, but we have been able to appreciate that your voice and that of Virginia Méndez, your mother, shows a lot of versatility with export quality.

Thank you Carlos for your appreciation, indeed this is a work that we are promoting, entitled “Callejón” with authorship of Catalino “Tite” Curet Alonso, arrangements by Jhosir Córdova, chorus by Andrés Brito, Gerardo “Pachanga” Araujo and my father, Édgar Pereira, on piano Johánn Morales, bass Daniel Barón, trumpets Luis “Papo” Márquez, trombones Jhosir Córdova, timbales Juan Pablo Romero, tumbadoras, bongo and bell Yomar “Caballo” Méndez, mix Daniel Barón, master Maikol Lugo, musical production and videography Jhosir Córdova and I hope everyone likes it, being able to appreciate it in my social networks or on youtube.

Lore, what are those digital platforms? My social networks are: fans page:Lore Pereira Facebook: Lorena Pereira Méndez  ,; Instagram: @loresinger.

From our salsa column, we wish you continued success and continue to exalt the Barquisimetano talent and of course Venezuelan, worldwide.

Thank you Professor Carlos Colmenárez, for the support given to me and all the artists of my country, keep it up. Blessings.

Year 2021

Good morning dear ones!

I share with you the link to the premiere of my song “VUELVES” scheduled for 1pm Miami-Venezuela time.

take the opportunity and subscribe so you get the notification and you can see the video that is made with love.

Thanks.

Website de Interes: Alfredo Villamizar Alfredo Villamizar one of the most spectacular and sensational Venezuelan percussionists

Remember not to leave your house…! See you next time and let’s keep saucing!
By: Carlos Colmenárez Venezuela Correspondent

 

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