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Live The Salsero Rhythm In Asia

Thailand and Hong Kong are the two countries on the Asian continent that begin January with the sound of Salsa

couple dancing to Ritmo Salsero in Asia in Samui
Thailand and Hong Kong are the first two countries to start January to the Salsa rhythm

2022 starts in Asia to the Salsero rhythm with Dance Classes and a Festival. Thailand (located in Southeast Asia) is the first country to hold a Latin music festival after two years of cessation of social events due to the pandemic. Also, Hong Kong does its part, announcing the new season of Salsa Classes from the first week of this month. So don’t wait any longer and keep reading to find out the details of each event related to Latin music.

Koh Samui Latin Festival (4th Sensual Edition)

Couple dressed in colorful clothing dancing at Koh Samui Latin Festival
Koh Samui Latin Festival starts on January 13th from 9 AM

Koh Samui is the third largest island in Thailand. It has beautiful beaches and is located on the southern coast of the country. In this main island destination, the Koh Samui Latin Festival will take place in its fourth sensual edition at the Resort & Hotel Fair House Beach.

This one-of-a-kind festival with Latin morning beach parties (Four days), nightly training camps, workshops (from 10 AM to 5 PM), social dances, and themed shows (starting at 11 PM) with professional DJs will begin on Thursday, January 13th from 9 AM and will end on Sunday, January 16th at 4 PM.

The dance floor for the entire festival is 2,700 square feet. The large living room is equipped with air conditioning, a light system, and a quality sound system.

The beach parties at sunset will also take place at the Fair House Beach Resort & Hotel between 5 PM and 8 PM specifically at the “Sea Paint Beach Bar” near the beach with DJs playing the international hits of Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba hits in the chill-out style.

The price for the four days of the festival is $ 75 (Full Pass) and includes an official festival t-shirt, access to all workshops (excluding training camps), entry to the three theme and beach parties, the Jack & Jill, and the shows.

The event venue, Fair House Beach Resort & Hotel is located on a hillside right next to Koh Samui’s Chaweng Noi Beach. Within the vicinity of the hotel, you will find a wide range of shops, numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, and other entertainment places.

Venue: Fair House Beach Resort & Hotel. Koh samui 124-124 / 1-2 Moo 3 Tambon Bophut, Amphur Koh Samui Suratthani 84320, Thailand

Salsa After Work

Couple dancing salsa with masks
End your workday dancing Salsa in the company of Dance With Style on Mondays and Wednesdays at Rula Live and Fire ‘N’

For eight years (2014) the Rula Live bar has delivered its premises to Salsa every Monday from 8 PM with free Salsa classes at all levels with Dance With Style. This Monday, January 3rd at 8:30 PM is the start of Afro-Caribbean dance lessons from beginners to advanced dancers. Then, the dance floor is open between 9 PM and 1:30 AM. Rula Live is at 58-62 D’aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong on the ground floor.

You can access this Latin event wearing masks throughout the party and hand sanitizers are available in different areas of the establishment. The dress code is elegant, so T-shirts, shorts, sportswear, and flip-flops are prohibited. Admission is also free but you must consume at least two drinks to enjoy the free Salsa classes.

Dance With Style is a Hong Kong dance, events, and entertainment company that stands out from its competitors by offering high-quality Salsa, Bachata, and Salsa Cubana instruction for all ages.

This company also brings Latin Vibes Salsa / Bachata Party every Wednesday at Bar / Restaurant Fire ‘N’ located at Shop #2, ground floor, cosmos building, 8 – 11, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong.

Admission is free and you have the right to a Bachata class at no cost. DJ Javed will mainly play Salsa Romántica with a mix of Bachata, Merengue, and other Latin rhythms from 8:30 PM to 1:30 AM.

Every Wednesday night after work you will enjoy a lot of Latin music in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and if you are hungry you can enjoy its Thai menu. You must wear a mask at all times (except when eating / drinking) and sanitize your hands regularly. The dress code is elegant and lessons start on January 5th.

6 Clubs To Dance Salsa In London

The Salsero Movement Begins In The Capital Of The United Kingdom In January 2022

Group of people learning to dance at the Soho Salsa Bar, Restaurant and Nightclub
Salsa Soho kicks off the New Year with Salsa classes on January 6th

The salsa parties don’t stop in London that is why here we make a list of the best places to dance Salsa during this first month of the year.

We started with the Bar/ Restaurant/ Nightclub Salsa Soho, listed by many as one of the most authentic Latin music venues in the UK. Here, you can enjoy Salsa classes from 7 PM to 9 PM (every Thursday), excellent dishes of South American origin, and 50 types of cocktails. This seven-day-a-week bar has been located at 96 Charing Cross Rd since 1997.

On Thursday, January 6th, the Cross Body Salsa lessons begin with two groups at the beginner and intermediate levels (7:30 PM & 8:30 PM), added to the Cuban Salsa and Rueda Casino classes at the same two times and levels with ten teachers in constant rotation. The cost of the class varies according to the amount chosen, for example, one class has a cost of £ 10 while two classes add up to a value of £ 15. The Salsa Soho Nightclub/ Restaurant has high-definition screens, an outdoor area, an area for smokers, and a great dance floor with Latin parties until 2 AM. The mix of Latin sounds goes by DJ Dani K, DJ Massimo, DJ Tuli, DJ Erick, DJ Dennis Dale, and more DJs in rotation. Admission is £ 5 after 9 PM, and you can get more information by visiting its website.

We traveled south specifically we landed at Hideaway, a club with an elegant and relaxed atmosphere, designed to appreciate the best of live music with a drink in hand due to its bar, and tasting the best international food prepared by the restaurant’s chef. In Hideway every Thursday night is the Cuban Hideway with Salsa Casino lessons to develop the skills of Cuban Salsa dance with qualified teachers. Beginning class is from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and lessons for intermediate students continue from 8:40 PM to 9:40 PM, culminating until dawn on the dance floor with DJ Rich, one of the specialist DJs in Cuban music from London. The entrance fee plus a class is £ 6 (£ 8 for live Cuban band nights – first Thursday of each month), and the price of both classes together with the entrance is £ 10 (£ 12 for Cuban band nights live – first Thursday of every month), and club entry alone is £ 5 (£ 7 on live Cuban band nights – first Thursday of every month). Hideaway is at 2 Empire Mews, Stanthorpe Road SW16 2BF.

Women dressed in black dancing at the Kona Kai bar in London
Kona Kai Brings 45-Minute Salsa and Bachata Lessons starting January 2nd

We continue with the tropical cocktail bar, Kona Kai. This Polynesian-inspired bar transports you to the southern shores and offers the Fulham Salsa & Bachata Club every first Sunday of the month with the Incognito Bachata Salsa team. The instructions of the Dominican rhythm are the first and begin at 7:30 PM followed by Salsa classes at 8:30 PM, ending with the social dance starting at 9:15 PM with the most recent hits of Salsa, Bachata, Cha-Cha, and other Latin rhythms.

Lessons last 45 minutes and begin on January 2nd. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, light clothing so you can dance the night comfortably, and $ 5 to pay for admission. At Kona Kai parking is at no cost on the surrounding streets and can be found at 515 Fulham Road SW6 1HD one minute and a half (walking) from Fulham Broadway Station.

We now walk through Hammersmith, Chiswick, and Barnes with the Azucar Club where they offer Salsa instructions for couples and singles taught for ten years by the Colombian teacher Ginu Nuñez every Monday at 8 PM. The first class is £ 10 and the subsequent ones are around £ 12. The benefits obtained in these classes are low impact dynamic exercise, coordination of body movements, concentration, easy learning environment, weight loss, positive self-image with a sculpted body, stress relief, and social interaction. Azucar Club is located on King Street, Hammersmith W6 9JT.

Couples dancing at Restaurant / Bar Gabeto in London
Gabeto offers Salsa classes in the Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican style

Another Latin scene in London is the Gabeto Camden Restaurant/ Bar. This Cuban gem to the north of the city has two floors and an outdoor terrace; they serve genuine Latin dishes, modern British drinks with Afro-Caribbean touches, and have a wide variety of vibrant nightly events during the week.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday live the Salsa experience from January 4th with instructor Ramiro Zapata (from Bolivia) with more than 20 years of experience in Salsa. Ramiro teaches his Cross Body style with a mixture of Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican Salsa. He also generates great focus on Cali (Colombia) style footwork, male body movement, and female style. The cost of the lessons varies according to the instructional time; one hour equals £ 10 while two hours cost £ 12. Lessons begin at 7:30 PM and end at 9:30 PM except on Sundays with Rumba Pa ’Ti classes that 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, just minutes from Camden Town and Chalk Farm stations. Only people over 18 can attend and for more details visit their website.

Smartly Dressed Senior Couple Dancing Salsa at Bar Salsa Temple in Londonn
Sundays at Bar Salsa Temple are 9 continuous hours of Salsa

We finished this tour of the 6 Clubs To Dance Salsa In London at Bar Salsa Temple. Every Sunday, they are explosively Salseros. DJs Jorge Andre & DJ Jlatino mix the most recognized themes of yesterday and today from Timba, Salsa, Cubaton, and Bachata. Salsa classes for beginners start at 6 PM, Bachata lessons at 7 PM, and Cuban Salsa instruction is at 8 PM. The cost for admission is £ 5 and the first Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 is the Salsero start at the Bar. Bar Salsa Temple is one of the most popular Latin clubs largest in the country and is located in Embankment, London. Join and experience the Sabor in detail on its official website.

News “En Clave”

Latest News of the Salsa Movement in Spain

artist dressed in light blue suit and white hat playing the trumpet
News “En Clave”! The most recent ISM section in 2022

This 2022 we come with more strength, new ideas, and recharged. In this first edition, we released a new section titled News “En Clave”. A space dedicated to the collection and promotion of the best shows, concerts, books, and the latest news from the Salsero environment & Latin rhythms in Europe and Asia.

Spain is one of the old-world countries that begin January 2022 with the best Salseros and Bachateros events. Here we will tell you each one En Clave so that you don’t miss out on going to one.

News “En Clave” In Spain

Luis Alberto Díaz "El Negri" playing the piano in the sound rehearsal
Cuban Pianist – Luis Alberto Díaz “El Negri”

We open the section to the northeast of Spain with La casa de Cuba 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 this Thursday, January 6th, and Sunday, January 9th, for two and a half hours. This will be one of the first live Salsa evenings that you can enjoy starting the New Year. 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 official social network.

We are still in Barcelona, and this time we walk through the Diobar Restaurant / Nightclub. This Greek restaurant has enabled a musical space every Thursday for Salsa and Rueda Casino classes. The duration of Salsa Thursdays is almost five continuous hours organized as follows: one hour of Cuban Salsa class and the next one in Rueda Casino, followed by the AfroCuban Jam Sessions live (open to all musicians). Starting at 9:15 PM there is a class for dancers of Intermediate / Advanced level with which they will acquire new skills for mastering individual steps, the couple turns, and Rueda figures. The cost does not exceed € 5, and the closest date is Thursday, January 6, 2022. A novel proposal to enjoy Salsa in the musical space of the Dionisos Born restaurant located at Marqués de la Argentera, 27 (ground floor) 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

colorful Cuban Party art at Matisse Club
Cuban Party begins January 12th at Matisse Club

We now jump to the east coast towards Valencia, and we run into the Matisse Club. We tell you that in this place of exhibition of events and culture they offer every Sunday the Cuban Party event, live Cuban music with AR-Latin (directly from the Caribbean island) playing Salsa, Latin Jazz, Son, and Bachata. This one-hour live show begins at 8:30 PM. Then you will enjoy six hours of Latin Quarter Session with DJ Sergio Falomir. Admission is € 10 and begins on Sunday, January 12th at the Sala Matisse. Enjoy a Latin music atmosphere with the Cuban Party event every Sunday of the month at Matisse Club located at Campoamor Street, 60, 46022, Valencia.

And the last News “En Clave” that I bring you is the Latin Dance classes in Salason in the northwest of the country at Lirio Street, 30 Cangas Do Morrazo, 36940, Galicia. 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 will begin on Tuesday, January 25th, from 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM.

The Objectives of these Cuban-style Salsa and Rueda Casino classes, as well as the traditional Bachata lessons, are fun and disconnection to 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 with Bachata…

group of people dancing at the Bachata Sensual World Congress
Bachata Sensual World Congress 2022 will be held in Girona

We start with one of the main congresses to be held the second weekend of this month (Friday 7th – Monday 10th) in Girona, a city located in the region of Catalonia, mainly known for its exuberant architecture of medieval origin and the historic Barri Vell neighborhood.

The Bachata Sensual World Congress (BSWC) brings great quality Bachata Sensual workshops with more than 16 qualified instructors of this Dominican rhythm and leading Salsa professionals worldwide. There will be live shows with more than 16 couples on stage and famous night parties during the three days of the event.

Girona becomes the international city of the Dominican melody with Bachata Sensual World Congress 2022

BSWC will take place at the Evenia Olympic Palace Hotel, Avinguda Del Rieral, 55 17310 Lloret De Mar, Girona. Tickets (Full Pass) range from € 140 and the event begins the first day at two in the afternoon ending on Monday, January 10th at five in the morning.

We continue, and it is the turn of the Winter Bachata Festival 2022. The particularity of this festival is that it will have night workshops with social dances, the instructors are mostly local, more than one continuous hour of shows, and a closing party. The musicalization throughout the weekend will be in charge of DJ Miguelón, DJ Salva, and DJ Yago in a shared room with the rhythms of Bachata and Salsa. Obtaining Full Pass tickets (€ 40) can be obtained through teachers or promoters and different payment methods by clicking here.  Remember that Winter Bachata Festival begins on Friday, January 21st, and ends on Sunday, 23rd, also returns for the fifth time to the Spanish municipality of Cullera at the Hotel Cullera Holiday, at Av. el Racó, 27 Cullera, Valencia.

Now we finish our trip in the center of the country, specifically in Madrid. During the first weekend of the month, the Magic Bachata Weekend event will take place with all the established biosafety measures: temperature measurement, Hydro-alcoholic Gel, and Mask (during the three days). Magic Bachata Weekend will begin on Friday, January 7th, and will end on Sunday, 9th. This weekend full of Bachata will feature 18 pairs of instructors of the genre conducting workshops, shows, and late-night Latin parties. You can get tickets online at La Salsa del Baile and the price at the door ranges from € 60. The venue will be the Hotel Eurostars Madrid Foro, Ronda de Europa, 1, 28760 Tres Cantos.

Salsa Escrita, the Salsa Column of Barquisimeto presents Cheo Valenzuela

Cheo Valenzuela, “El Sonero de la Dulzura”

We are pleased to have as a special guest in our salsa column, one of the vocalists possessing a unique, admirable, and respected quality of interpretation, which has stood out in our country and abroad, bringing his flavor and swing with great professionalism and hierarchy. We are talking about Cheo Valenzuela, “El Sonero de la Dulzura”, born in Cantaura, Anzoátegui state, on January 24th.

At the age of 7, he moved with his family to the city of Caracas, settling in one of the most popular parishes: La Pastora. Welcome Cheo to Salsa Escrita, “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto” and International Salsa Magazine, www.SalsaGoogle.com.

Thank you, friend and professor, Carlos Colmenárez, for giving me the opportunity to be present in this tribune of our Afro-Caribbean music, which serves us to make known our talents and musical projects and thus be able to interact with its assiduous readers in Venezuela and around the world.

Salsa Escrita, la Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto presenta a Cheo Valenzuela
Cheo Valenzuela, “El Sonero de la Dulzura”

Cheo, to begin with, we would like you to tell us how were your beginnings in music? Carlos, at the age of 14 I began my career as a salsa performer and with time I was called to join quite renowned orchestras.

Such as Cheo? I belonged to the Latin Dimension, then Oscar D’León called me and I was at his side with his orchestra; later I joined “Nuestra Orquesta la Salsa Mayor”; later I was called by “La Sonora Antillana”; then I joined the groups: Rumbero Menor, Venezuelan Master Orchestra, Orquesta Los Latinos, among others. Nowadays I have my own salsa orchestra “Cheo Valenzuela y su Orquesta” and also my own bolero group, called “Cheo Valenzuela y su Ensamble”.

Excellent Cheo, we really admire your work, which has been persevering and over the years, continues to rise steadily, with national and international projection. Yes, Carlos, let me tell you, apart from thank you for inviting me to your salsa column, that I launched myself into the market as a soloist some time ago and I currently have two musical productions, the first one entitled “Cheo Valenzuela and his Orchestra is you”.

Cheo Valenzuela
At the age of 7, he moved with his family to the city of Caracas.

This CD is made up of traditional salsa, romantic salsa, bolero, son, and ballads. Dear salsa lovers and consistent readers, let me tell you that Cheo, every time he gets on stage, shows off all his musical talent with total stage control, since he is a sonero, backed by multiple experiences acquired in his presentations, both in Venezuela and in the different countries he has visited.

Cheo, what can you tell us about your current musical situation? Professor Carlos, at present I am presenting for the consideration of all music lovers the new promotional theme that is part of my second musical production, which is called “Salsa Buena”, a theme of my authorship, with musical arrangements by the Venezuelan pianist, trombonist and singer Mauricio Silva, which we hope will be to the complete satisfaction of all of you. Of course, it will be a success, my friend Cheo, because your productions always carry an indisputable quality seal. By the way, what are your digital platforms and contacts? You can get me as Cheo Valenzuela in all social networks, you can also do it by email: [email protected] and Valenzuela [email protected] and for bookings by phone +58 424 1044822 and +58 416 6388420.

At the end of the interview, let me say that it was an honor to have you in Salsa Escrita “La Columna Salsera de Barquisimeto” and wishing you continue to succeed inside and outside our country so that we all enjoy Cheo Valenzuela “El Sonero de la Dulzura”.

A thousand thanks, Professor Carlos Colmenárez, for your unconditional friendship and for giving me a space in your column through International Salsa Magazine, also predicting successes in bulk and that you continue to support us in order to make our productions and presentations known, very soon in the name of God. Bendiciones Carlos and counts with the friendship of Cheo Valenzuela “Con Dulzura” and a lot of salsa…!

Remember not to leave your house…! Until next time and let’s keep on saucing!

Article of Interest: Eliel Rivero, “The Shaman of the Trombone”

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