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Casa de la Música, Playa / Miramar in Havana Cuba

The month of January 2022 in this prestigious and exclusive place in Havana the best talents, orchestras, singers of the island are being presented, every weekend a different artist with the musical quality that characterizes the Cubans.

Aila Mompie, Asi Son, Tanin Pantoja, Quinteto Maden, Lazarito Valdez y Bamboleo, Papucho y Manana Club, El Hijo de Teresa y la Llegada, Leonel Limonta y Azúcar Negra, Yvan y la Leyenda, La Octava Nota, Zule Guerra, Maykel Hores y RB Salsa, Charanga Latina, Waldo Mendoza, Yordano y el Hermano, Giraldo Piloto y Klimax, Vania, Ronny, Casabe, Max Max, Pascualito Cabrejas y Tumbao, among others.

Since it opened in the mid-nineties, this concert hall has consolidated its position as the temple of salsa and Cuban son in the capital.
a de la Música, Playa / Miramar in Havana Cuba

Since it opened in the mid-nineties, this concert hall has consolidated itself as the temple of salsa and Cuban son in the capital. The best bands have played on its stage and the programming continues to be irreproachable.

It is a beautiful place in Havana, where orchestras from different artistic catalogs of the country perform, a spectacular place to enjoy good popular dance music in its halls.

The house was built in the 40’s in one of the most aristocratic neighborhoods of the capital and was the headquarters of a lodge of the Masonic Foundation. It had two floors of masonry and tiles and included in its ample distribution a party room, stage, and auditorium, a premonition of what it would be half a century later. The Irrumpe Theater Group and the Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales (Cuban Fund of Cultural Goods) also passed through it, then sadness came over every corner of the House until EGREM knocked on its doors to break the silence and turn it into the House of Musicians and Cuban Music.

It began with the EGREM Award Gala in April 1995 and in October of the same year, with the concert of the great Cuban musician Chucho Valdés and the group Irakere, it passed the test of fire because this concert was recorded live in the memory of the House thanks to the latest technology equipment it has.

The House was created to exhibit and commercialize the Cuban discography in different media and to promote the recognition of the work of our artistic talents through live presentations, and as a complement to this, the gastronomic offer, always preserving the most genuine values of the national culture.

“International Salsa Magazine is SalsaGoogle.com“.

We are an organization that from the hand of its Founder, Director, and Editor Eduardo Guillarte, in force since 2007 has been working nonprofit helping to promote:

Orchestras, Singers, DJs, Clubs, Plastic Artists in North America, Europe, and Latin America and Asia and with the contribution of volunteers in various parts of the world, which at the same time invite and recommend all lovers, dancers of our Latin music to visit the Casa de la Musica, Playa / Miramar in Havana Cuba.

How to get there: Dale Click Aqui

Calle 20# 3308 cya Havana, Cuba 10400orner of 35 Miramar Pla

+53 7 2026147

Facebook: Casa de la Música de Miramar Playa

Fuente: www.ecured.cu

Aila Mompie, Asi Son, Tanin Pantoja, Quinteto Maden, Lazarito Valdez y Bamboleo, Papucho y Manana Club, El Hijo de Teresa y la Llegada, Leonel Limonta yAzúcar Negra, Yvan y la Leyenda, La Octava Nota, Zule Guerra, Maykel Hores y RB Salsa, Charanga Latina, Waldo Mendoza, Yordano y el Hermano, Giraldo Piloto y Klimax, Vania, Ronny, Casabe, Max Max, Pascualito Cabrejas y Tumbao, entre otros.
Casa de la Música, Playa / Miramar Beautiful place in Havana

Long live music and its unique and great protagonist, La Salsa y  el Son Monte Adentro.

Article Interest: Quinteto D’Amore of Havana – Cuba

All the best from Stockholm to the world with Fredrik Kinbom and Valter Percussion

Innovative Percussion Instruments designed in Sweden

Timba Valteriana is the salsa project of Swedish percussionist Valter Kinbom.

Renowned Swedish percussionist Valter Kinbom released this January 14, 2022 the first single from his salsa project Timba Valteriana, “Mil Colores”.

Valter founded Timba Valteriana in 2006, when he started composing salsa songs in collaboration with Cuban musicians Lesmer Solenzar and Pepe Espinosa.

These early songs were never officially released, but received attention in the Peruvian timba scene. Now – after 15 years of silence – it’s time for Timba Valterana’s first official single! The new track “Mil Colores” is a love song that addresses the human inability to see all the nuances and the whole spectrum in the other, and the ease with which we slip into a black and white point of view. A theme that seems more relevant than ever in this day and age.

Timba Valteriana plays Cuban timba (salsa) with influences from many other directions.

Innovative Percussion Instruments designed in Sweden Timba Valteriana is the salsa project of Swedish percussionist Valter Kinbom.
All the best from Stockholm to the world Fredrik Kinbom and Valter Percussion

The vision is to be innovative by introducing new elements into the music while at the same time there are strong roots in the Cuban soil, also giving space for new means of expression to flourish.

In “Mil Colores” this can be heard through the use of the tres (Cuban three-string, six-string guitar) instead of the piano, and in that Valter here plays four congas for a richer and more melodic “tumbao”.

“Mil Colores” has been written, arranged and recorded by Valter Kinbom in his Stockholm studio, mixed by Monsito Music, Stockholm, and mastered by Fredrik Kinbom at Madame Vega’s Boudoir, Berlin.

Musicians:

Valter Kinbom – lead vocals and backing vocals, congas, timbales, bongo, guiro, bell, tres, synth bass.

Karin Hammar – trombones

Nils Janson – trumpets

Julian Montilla – baby bass

Caroline Schröder – backing vocals

Rapson Espinosa Torres – backing vocals

About Valter Kinbom:

Valter Kinbom, born in Stockholm, is a musician (mainly percussionist) and instrument builder. He studied music mainly in Cuba (Censea, Havanna) and at the Royal College of Music (Kungliga Musikhögskolan) in Stockholm, and over the years has played with many different artists in the Swedish world music scene (Simone Moreno, Hedningarna, Ale Möller, Massivet, Tarabband, Erik Steen, to name a few).

Valter has extensive knowledge of Cuban, Brazilian, Arabic and Western music, as well as other styles such as Flamenco. He loves the complex intricacies of polyrhythmic African music, but also the clean simplicity of Western folk music. His fascination with rhythms and instruments from all parts of the world has led him to a deep understanding of how they interconnect and relate to each other. This, along with his passion to innovate and improve, led him to found his company Valter Percussion in 1997.

Since then, Valter has designed and produced several new percussion instruments that have been recognized by percussion masters around the world, such as Jamey Haddad (Paul Simon), Trilok Gurtu, Marilyn Mazur and many, many more.

Fredrik Kinbom y Valter Percussion
Fredrik Kinbom y Valter Percussion

After many years in his workshop and playing behind other artists, the time has finally come for Valter to release his own music. “Mil Colores” is just the beginning – there is much more to come.

Private link to listen to “Mil Colores” on SoundCloud:

Private link to “Mil Colores” electronic press kit (WAV and MP3 files, cover art, photos, etc.):

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q4jbkx3r6pb6md7/AADdwU4zGRsj-JlELNppOZNsa?dl=0

Valter Percussion’s Instagram: 

Valter Percussion Facebook:

Valter Percussion website: 

Release Date was this January 14, 2022 (digital).

ISRC: USCGH2204179

Article of Interest: Gerardo Rosales meets Orlando Poleo, who invites him to study Afro-Caribbean percussion in Caracas

News “En Clave”

The Most Recent News of the Salsero Movement in Spain

Group of people dancing in Salason in Spain
Salason continues offering Salsa and Bachata lessons from 3rd –24th February

We opened this section to the northwest of the country at Calle Lirio, 30 Cangas Do Morrazo, 36940 in Galicia with Latin Dance classes in Salason. This culture platform is designed for the reception of musical performances with exceptional acoustics and cutting-edge technology. Salason is a building structured in three independent but complementary environments at the same time. Salsa and Bachata classes begin this second month of the year from Thursday, February 3rd.

The Objectives of these Cuban-style Salsa and Rueda Casino classes, as well as the traditional Bachata lessons, are fun and disconnect from the routine with the rhythm of Latin music. Also, it improves coordination and body expression coupled with the new relationships that are established between people with similar pleasures.

On Tuesdays, there are two groups for intermediate students: The Salsa class starts at 8 PM while the Bachata group starts at 8:30 PM.

Thursdays are classes for beginners and have two times of choice: 8 PM and 9:30 PM. For more information, venture to visit its official website.

We continue in the north of Spain with Cuba’s house in Barcelona, ​​El Sabor Cubano BCN. This Nightclub offers live music, Cuban Salsa, International Salsa, Bachata, and urban rhythms with DJs. It also has Salsa and Bachata instructors who give free lessons for beginners at 9:30 PM every Thursday and Sunday. The virtuous pianist Luis Alberto Díaz “El Negri” together with singer “Changui” will be playing the best songs of traditional Cuban music (for two and a half hours) this February 3rd to Sunday, February 27th. El Sabor Cubano BCN opens its doors from 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM at Francisco Giner 32 Street, 08012, Barcelona. Have a memorable moment in this nightclub with a good atmosphere, friendly and impeccable service, and an authentic Cuban mojito. You find more details on their social media.

Joel Santos flyer to perform at Baby'Oh Sala & Baile in Spain
10 936 people have registered a visit in Baby’Oh Sala & Baile according to data provided by their Facebook page

Now, we jump to the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula with the Bachata concert of one of the Dominican Republic’s favorite singers, Joel Santos. The creator of hits such as Si Esta Casa Hablara, Al Diablo, Me Enamoré De ti, and many more will perform this Friday, February 11th at the Baby’Oh Elche dance hall located at Sabadell Street, 16, 03203 Elx, Alicante. General tickets are € 15 while VIP tickets range from € 20 – € 35, but if you prefer to buy the ticket at the door, it will cost € 25 per person.

Baby’Oh Sala & Baile is a meeting point to enjoy Salsa, Bachata, and the Kizomba genre. This space with a large room for dancing has a terrace for smokers, VIP and Reserved area, Table Service; they also offer events and live performances with famous and emerging artists of the popular Latin rhythms.

Additionally, Salsa and Bachata workshops are held on Saturdays, while on Sundays, they add kizomba lessons in this place. Communicate with them through their Facebook page.

The last event that we bring this month is the Souldance Salsa & Bachata Festival from Friday 4th to Sunday, February 6th at the Guitart Central Park Aqua Resort hotel located at Constantí Ribalaigua Street, 7, 17310 Lloret de Mar, Girona.

This second edition of the festival, created for Salsa and Bachata lovers, comes loaded with great workshops with high-level professional dancers that will make you learn and enjoy Salsa and Bachata. They will also have shows, social dancing and lots of fun during the first weekend of this month at the price of € 85 for the Full Pass. To purchase the ticket and find out the schedule for Souldance Salsa & Bachata Festival visit the BSK Dancer online store (promoter of events related to Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba in Spain).

What’s Happening in London?

Five Salsa & Latin Jazz Events To Be Held In The UK Capital That You Can’t-Miss

The United Kingdom has removed essential restrictions against Covid-19 and its Omicron variant after battling weeks with the new wave of infections in the country since the end of last year.

The British executive has provided the relaxation of the restrictive measures due to the low numbers of infected people and deaths. This relaxation seeks to initiate the return to complete normality.

The new measures that are no longer mandatory are the use of masks (it will be at personal discretion, however, they must wear them if the site is crowded with unknown people or it is a closed space), and Covid passports are no longer a legal requirement to enter to the establishment.

For these reasons, we bring you a range of options in the Salsa & Latin Jazz genres in the country this month that you will be excited to see, and that you will not want to miss any detail. Here, we go…

latin woman with orange dress dancing in gabeto restaurant / bar
Gabeto offers Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican Salsa style, classes

We open this poster of options with the Gabeto Camden Restaurant/Bar. This Cuban gem north of the city has two floors, a Latin atmosphere, and an outdoor terrace. They serve genuine Latin dishes, modern British drinks with Afro-Caribbean twists, and have a wide variety of nightly events throughout the week.

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays you will live the Salsa experience with the instructor Ramiro Zapata (from Bolivia) with more than 20 years of experience in Salsa. Ramiro teaches his Cross Body style with a mix of Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican Salsa, as well as a strong focus on Cali (Colombia) style footwork, male body movement, and female style. The cost of the lessons varies depending on the length of instruction; one hour is £10 while two hours cost £12. Lessons start at 7:30 PM and end at 9:30 PM except on Sundays with Rumba Pa’ Ti classes which are from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The Cuban spirit is found in Gabeto, located at Camden Market, The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, a few minutes from Camden Town and Chalk Farm stations. Only people over 18 can attend and for more details, visit their website.

pink flyer with the event of San valentine in Salsa Temple Bar
Sundays at the Salsa Temple Bar are 9 continuous hours of Salsa

We continue with the Salsa Temple Bar. Every Sunday they are explosively Salseros. DJs Jorge Andre & DJ Jlatino mix the most recognized songs of yesterday and today from Timba, Salsa, Cubaton, and Bachata. Beginner Salsa Classes start at 6 PM, Bachata lessons at 7 PM, and Cuban Salsa instruction is at 8 PM. The cost for admission is £5 and on February 14th, they will offer the Valentine’s Night Fuego event.

Starting this month Salsa Temple Bar with Rhythm & Vibes Dance Co and The Latin Collective will make Monday nights the biggest Afro-Latin party in the country appearing in the Latin Room (Second Room) Salsa, Bachata, and Reggaeton. In addition to this, there will be Salsa and Bachata classes for one session (1 hour) for £7 and two sessions (2 hours) for £10.

Bar Salsa Temple is located at Temple Station WC2R 2PH. Join and experience the Sabor in detail on its official website.

Roberto Plas playing the Timbal
Roberto Pla is the Colombian percussionist known as the “Father of Latin Music” in the UK

As a third option, we bring you the concert of Roberto Pla’s Latino ensemble on Friday, February 4th at Pizza Express – Holborn. This Latin Jazz concert led by Colombian percussionist Roberto Pla is made up of a 12-piece band of saxophones, trumpets, trombones plus a powerful layered percussion section with Roberto on timbales and the powerful voice of Graciela Rodríguez.

The most recent presentations of the Latin Ensemble orchestra have been the Brecon Jazz Festival, Expo Festival Lisbon, Canada Square Festival, Under the Stars Festival, among many others.

Admission to enjoy this live performance is £25 and starts at 8:00 PM. The venue is Pizza Express Jazz Club located at 99 High Holborn since 2017. This Jazz Club is considered one of the best clubs of its kind in Britain with an international reputation. Performances by Grammy winners such as Gregory Porter and Amy Winehouse have been seen here.

Trumpeter with beige suit on Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club presents every Friday of the month “Viva Cuba Live”

We continue with the most important and historic jazz club in the world founded in 1959, Ronnie Scott’s. In addition to the main club, there is the bar known as Upstairs @ Ronnie’s, it is highly regarded as an elegant and luxurious venue recreating the atmosphere of the ’50s, ideal for spending the night in style.

As part of the new Jazz club policy, they are expanding their program of Latin events at Upstairs @ Ronnie’s. Below I detail the events that will be held on Fridays from 6 PM during this month.

Jesús Cutiño Band + DJ Gavin (February 4th). Jesús Cutiño is a Cuban singer-songwriter recognized as one of the best Tres players in Europe (the Tres is the Cuban guitar that forms one of the pillars of the Cuban Son sound).

Sarabanda + DJ Rico (February 11th). With this band, you will listen to arrangements of classic and contemporary Cuban songs.

Son Yambu + DJ Jim (February 18th). This group plays the authentic Cuban Son that originated in the streets of eastern Cuba at the beginning of the last century and later gave rise to modern Salsa. Most of the members come from Cuba and have the experience of a lifetime playing the genre, as well as being passionate about maintaining the traditions of Cuban Son.

Havana Latin Fun + DJ Alex (February 25th). This five-piece band led by piano/vocals René Álvarez presents Cuban melodies with amazing rhythms.

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is located at 47 Frith St, London W1D 4HT, and you can find out more by clicking here.

Bishopsgate institute with green flag
The Latin and Ballroom Dance course for beginners will be held in person

We close this list of Latin events in London with the Latin and ballroom dance lessons for beginners next Saturday, February 12th. With this one-day course, you will learn how to perform the basic steps, footwork and move around the floor with the correct dance line. The hours will be between 11 AM and 4 PM, and the price is £25. The maximum limit is 30 students. The venue is the Bishopsgate Institute located at 230 Bishopsgate EC2M 4QH. An institution was erected for the benefit of the public in 1894 with the motto “I never stop learning”.

Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery and its role towards salsa

Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery and Latin music

The Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery is one of those places where every salsa lover in New York should visit since there is plenty to see here. This museum has all kinds of items donated by many renowned artists or relatives of some who had passed away. This collection of valuable possessions has resulted in a set of priceless objects that will bow anyone visiting the facilities of such a special institution out of water. 

The Spanish Harlem Salsa Gallery, also known as Spaha Salsa Gallery, can be defined as an institution of a cultural nature whose main purpose is to serve as a reminder of how great our culture is, especially our music. Both residents and visitors of East Harlem, New York, can learn about the salsa genre and its roots as long as they desire. All thanks to a lot of tools, information and many initiatives with which those interested will know all kinds of interesting facts about salsa first hand. 

Another of the great objectives pursued by this place is the quest for knowledge about Latin music and the artists involved to offer it to anyone who decides to visit its facilities. That is why both its president Johnny Cruz and the team that helps him have been responsible for creating an inclusive and diverse gallery in which you can appreciate how far Hispanic talent has come by the hand of its top stars. 

Johnny and Boris
Johnny Cruz and Rubio Boris presenting their show

Role of the Spaha Salsa Gallery in the dissemination of Latin culture 

The role played by the Spaha Salsa Gallery in the dissemination of Latin culture is very important, since these institutions are the ones that manage to arouse the interest of the inhabitants of Harlem and other nearby sectors towards one of the most representative musical genres of Latinity. This has made many other cultural institutions to use this gallery in order to awaken a higher interest in its own activities, which shows extensive cooperation between those who seek to promote anything Latin-related at all costs. 

Fortunately, our work is not that complicated to carry out because too many tourists visit New York every day and many of them know that this city was the birthplace of the biggest salsa movement in history, so they are always looking for cultural sports in which you can find information about this set of rhythms and how it emerges in the public arena.   

Instruments donated by La Sonora Ponceña
Some instruments donated by La Sonora Ponceña

Who Johnny Cruz is 

Johnny Cruz is the founder of the Spaha Salsa Gallery, but there are many other facets by which this talented Puerto Rican is known in the entertainment industry. Cruz is a famous musician and record producer who has worked and make friends with a wide number of artists from all genres, by providing him with the platform to create a true sanctuary for Latin music lovers. 

One interesting fact about the museum is that it is located on the plot where a hardware business owned by Johnny’s father used to function, which was made into something completely different thanks to the genius of his son long after. Today, that place contains several of the most invaluable objects in the history of salsa and whose relationship with some of the greatest figures of the genre is legendary.   

Link to the official website of the Spaha Salsa gallery: spahasalsagallery.com

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