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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.

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]

David Lucca “My music is guaranteed to please dancers”

“David Lucca and his Salsa Classics”

He was born on September 16, 1957 to Puerto Rican parents in New York City.

At the age of 13 he moved to Ponce, Puerto Rico where he graduated from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). He began his musical career at the age of 18.

He leads the “Panchanga Band” at the Miami Marlins Baseball Park and is widely known for his orchestra “David Lucca & Los Clásicos de la Salsa”.

David Lucca & The Salsa Classics
David Lucca & The Salsa Classics

The famed percussionist is followed by thousands of people in South Florida.

With an extensive and successful musical career, percussionist David Lucca has accompanied the greats of salsa for 45 years and finally founded his own orchestra “David Lucca & Los Clásicos de la Salsa”, which since 2013 has been recognized as one of the most followed in South Florida, United States.

The famed percussionist is followed by thousands of people in South Florida.
Leads the Panchanga Band at Miami Marlins Ballpark

This excellent Puerto Rican musician, after touring the world and being part of various orchestras, making recordings, and many activities of his art, decided to settle in Miami to retire, considering that his goals were already fulfilled, but his musical essence did not leave him, perhaps motivated by his Puerto Rican origin. As a good lover of salsa, he returned to his adventures with his orchestra “David Lucca & Los Clásicos de la Salsa”, which has stood out as one of the best in South Florida.

Lucca has more than 45 years in music. Throughout his career, he has accompanied many artists such as:

Andy Montañez, Ismael Miranda, Ray de la Paz, Michael Stuart, El Cano Estremera, Luisito Carrion, Moncho Rivera, Tommy Olivencia Jr, Hector Tricoche, Frankie Negron, Tito Allen, Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Rivera Jr, Elvis Crespo, Victor Manuel and Many more.

David Lucca y Oscar D' León "El Sonero del Mundo"
David Lucca y Oscar D’ León “El Sonero del Mundo”

David Lucca Achievements: During the 80’s he traveled the world with artists such as Ray Barreto, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, El Budda All Star, El Flamingo All Star, among others.

David Lucca Productions: for 2010 I did the production “David’s Dream” which is a production of 10 songs and a mix of Salsa and Latin Jazz. For 2020 I just came out with the production “Ponle Corazón” which has 10 original songs. It is composed of Salsa, Son Montuno, Bolero, Plena.

Hector Tricoche, David Lucca y Van Lester
Héctor Tricoche, David Lucca y Van Lester

He is currently the director of the Bomba and Plena group “PLENA ES”. He has also worked around the world doing Folkloric rhythms.

Right now I am one of the most requested Bands in South Florida under the name of David Lucca y Los Clásicos.

My new single “PONLE” video was considered as Short Video of the Year by Latin Grammy’s but was not nominated. The same with my production of David’s Dream was also considered by the Latin Grammy’s but was not nominated.

Celso Clemente, David Lucca y Moncho Rivera
Celso Clemente, David Lucca y Moncho Rivera

Lucca also mentioned that in 2020, he came out with a production called “Ponle Corazón”. We really put heart into this. The production is all original, but if you look at the arrangements, if you listen to the music, it has the feeling of the seventies, the little flavor for the dancer. We put heart into it to always please the dancer. This production is being heard all over the world, sales are going very well and I am very happy.

God willing, next year we will start with another production”, he said after pointing out that those interested in buying the album can find it on Spotify, Itunes, Amazon, among other platforms, as well as in the Casa Latina and Casa del Barrio stores in New York.

Those interested in acquiring the album of master percussionist David Lucca can contact him through his Facebook page “David Lucca & Los Clásicos de la Salsa“, or by sending an email to [email protected].

This excellent Puerto Rican musician, after touring the world and being part of several orchestras, making recordings, and many activities related to his art, decided to settle in Miami
David Lucca his Classics and Musical Trajectory

Source: https://latinopinionbaltimore.com/maestro-david-lucca/

Article of Interest: Alexandra Albán Manitas de Piedra baptized by Bobby Cruz

By: Diana Marie International Salsa Magazine Miami Correspondent

Salsa Superior
Salsa Superior Award
Diana Marie
Lady of Salsa 2021

International Salsa Magazine

 

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Willie Morales The Salsa Pilot Taking off with force… New, Tasty and Danceable Salsa!

The Salsa Pilot Willie Morales, “Vivencias mi Misión”

Is his second and most recent musical production after debuting with Desafiando la Gravedad, el Piloto returns with more power and an original sound that bets on the style of Salsa de la Vieja Guardia or Gorda in the same way of interpreting a Son Montuno, a Guaracha, a Bolero or El Mambo and surrounds us with a voice of the original Sonero.

The main theme and title track of the production “Vivencias mi Misión” features an excellent Congas solo by veteran Puerto Rican percussionist Paoli Mejías and the Vázquez brothers (Víctor and Toñito) on Trombones.

Willie Morales El Piloto de la Salsa ¡Despegando con fuerza... Salsa Nueva, Sabrosa y Bailable!
El Piloto de la Salsa Willie Morales, “Vivencias mi Misión”.

 William Morales Echeverría, better known as Willie Morales. Born in East Chicago, Indiana on December 1st. Son of Puerto Rican parents from the town of Añasco.

From a very young age, the inclination towards music was apparent, inspired by his brother Jose Rodolfo Morales (Rudy) who sang with various musical groups in the city of Chicago.

Willie developed in choirs of different schools in the city of Chicago where he demonstrated his vocal range where he performed all voices from soprano to baritone.

At the age of 13, after his parents’ retirement, he took up residence in Añasco, Puerto Rico on Nicolás Soto Ramos Street, better known as La Gallera.

Willie performed in choirs of different schools in the city of Chicago where he demonstrated his vocal range from soprano to baritone.
Taking off with force… New, Tasty and Danceable Salsa! The Salsa Pilot Willie Morales

It was here where his passion for Salsa grew and he had gatherings in the neighborhood with family and childhood friends where we spent hours in street rumbones.

He attended the Escuela Libre de Música de Mayagüez, where he took piano lessons with Luciano Quiñones, and also participated in the school’s band as a singer. He sang with several musical groups in the area such as Polanco, Nelson (Ruido), and La Dictadora, which belonged to Willie Sotelo, the current pianist of the Gran Combo.

His favorite singers are Cheo Feliciano, Marvin Santiago, Ismael Miranda, his relative among others. During this trajectory, he began another passion in his life, aviation.

His desire to be a pilot grew with the same intensity he felt to be a singer, as time went by, he took the path of aviation where he has been flying around the world for more than 30 years. He never stopped singing, bringing joy to co-workers, neighbors and the general public.

Bringing music and joy in every corner, in every place, dancing and singing even in the airplane.

Always with the hope that in the future he could realize his dream of making his own musical production. After such a long wait, he got the opportunity to do what he loves so much in life, taking both careers hand in hand, singing and defying gravity, two dreams come true.

Here is Willie Morales, El Piloto de la Salsa! As his friends called him.

Familia… ¡Recién salido del horno! Ya está disponible

Family…

Just out of the oven!

Now available for sale by PayPal, Zelle or money order. Bufete de Salsa, features 12 tracks, Pa’ Gozá!!!! Each unit has a cost of $16.00 includes shipping (USA) with tracking number. Autographed if you wish!

“YOUR SUPPORT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE MAKING MUSIC FOR THE SALSA PEOPLE”.

Contact: Willie Morales II or call 832-515-3522

Por: Erika Muñoz 

La Mulata Rumbera

Erika Muñoz 

“Se Armó la Rumba en México”

Corresponsal de International Salsa Magazine

Article of Interest: Fabián Rosales Araos Chilean singer-songwriter, native of the city of Valparaíso

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Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr. Growing Up in Latin Dance Music and Jazz

Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez Jr. is a salsa legend and world-renown, pioneering bongocero.

His “Dream Team” is currently regarded as the hottest salsa “conjunto” performing In New York City.

It is rare, and ever increasingly so, that a musician would spend a lifetime in a band. But percussionist Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr. who was a teenager when he was allowed to sit in with the Tito Puente Orchestra and be an apprentice for a few months before earning a place in its rhythm section, was also there at the end, playing alongside Puente until his death, after a concert on May 31st, 2000.

“I went from being a kid, coming into the band as a 16-year-old to being the man running the band at the end,” said Rodríguez, 70, in a conversation from his home in Las Vegas.

Johnny "Dandy" Rodriguez Jr. Growing up in Latin dance and jazz music
Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr.

Between that beginning and end, Rodríguez also contributed, in prolonged stints, to the sound of the Tito Rodríguez Orchestra, Ray Barretto, his own band, Típica ‘73, and more.

The son of Johnny “La Vaca” Rodríguez Sr., a respected percussionist who also played with the Puente and Rodríguez orchestras, “Dandy” Rodríguez is one of those essential musicians who have created and shaped the sound of contemporary Latin Jazz yet are little known by the public at large.

"When they called me to talk about the concert I thought it was a great idea," Rodriguez says.
Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr. y Pedro Bermúdez en New York

While some of the great players in Duke Ellington or Count Basie bands have long been recognized for their contributions, their counterparts in the Latin orchestras, for the most part, have not.  Rodriguez will be honored by Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra in their concert “Tribute to the Great Sidemen of Latin Jazz” alongside Sonny Bravo, Ray Santos, Papo Vázquez, Reynaldo Jorge, José Madera, Joe González, and Bobby Porcelli at Symphony Space, in New York City, January 29th and 30th.

“When they called me about the concert I thought it was such a great idea,” says Rodriguez.

Johnny Rodríguez
Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez Jr. is a salsa legend and a world-renowned pioneer bongocero.

“Usually people just know the name of the bandleader and it’s fine,” he says. “But they must remember that there is a good team behind that leader which makes him look so much better.

There’s a way of playing that music that makes it sound the way they wrote it and the way they wanted it and these guys knew it and they knew how to do it.”

Rodríguez grew up in Spanish Harlem, Manhattan, in a house with “a great music collection, a good, what was then called, hi-fi system and always full of musicians,” he recalls.

“It was great but I was interested in baseball, in stickball. I didn’t get involved with music until later, but the music was always in the background, in my house.” By the time he was in junior high, Rodríguez played bongos, congas, timbales, and set drums and, as he puts it, “started to get into it.”

“Remember, I lived in El Barrio and back in those days, in that area, there was a lot of music in the air.

There would be speakers outside the furniture store or the bodega or the record shop, and music would be playing. This shop would be playing this radio station, the butcher would have another, so walking one block you’d be hearing three different pieces of music. It was an environment full of music.”

During the first two decades of the new century, the musical work of maestro Johnny Rodriguez continued; thus, his musical imprint has remained in other publications with The Latin-Jazz Coalition, Frankie Morales, Eddie Palmieri, Gilberto Santa Rosa, George Delgado, Victor Manuelle, Rick Arroyo, Orestes Vilató, Mitch Frohman, Cita Rodriguez, Doug Beaver, Adalberto Santiago and Jeremy Bosch.

In addition, special mention must be made of the participation of maestro Johnny Rodríguez with a group called The Latin Giants Of Jazz, in the best style of the classic Big Bands, made up of great teachers, among them, some of the former members of the band of maestro Tito Puente; with this group they have released four albums; this project gave rise to another band called The Mambo Legends, who recorded the album titled: Watch Out! ¡Ten Cuidao!

John Rodriguez is, without any doubt, one of the most prolific percussionists in the world of Latin music called Salsa; the nickname “Dandy” goes back to his childhood, when the car in which he was taken was bought in a warehouse or a store called “Dandy”, and people said: look how cute the “Dandy”, and from there he kept that nickname. In music he is better known as Johnny instead of John.

In the (year 2022) the experienced Johnny Rodriguez had three or four groups with which he is playing, among them Dandy Rodriguez and his Dream Team, and at the same time he teaches percussion classes over the Internet. He is part of the true legends of Latin music, not to mention that his talent has also been reflected in recordings for other musical genres such as: Electronic, Folk Rock, Folk, World & Country, Funk / Soul, Heavy Metal, Jazz, Stage & Screen, Jazz-Funk, Merengue and Pop.

In his very extensive artistic career, the master Johnny Rodriguez took part in historical and iconic recordings of our musical culture, some of these albums have been worthy of awards such as the Grammy Award, among which are:

Homenaje a Beny Moré – Year 1978.
On Broadway – 1983
El Rey: Tito Puente & His Latin Ensemble – Year 1984
Mambo Diablo – 1985
Goza Mi Timbal – Year 1990
Mambo Birdland – Year 1999
Masterpiece / Masterpiece Tito Puente & Eddie Palmieri – Year 2000.

“In 2008, Johhny entrusted LP’s Research and Development Department with the design of the John “Dandy” Rodriguez Jr. bongoes in the Legends series. John is proud that these drums, which bear his name, feature such outstanding sound and visual characteristics.”

He died on August 17, 2024 in New York City of a stroke.

 

Facebook: John Rodriguez(Dandy)

Article of Interest: José Madera Timbal de Machito and his Afro-Cubans, Tito Puente, Mambo Legends Orchestra and Fania Record Co.

Johnny "Dandy" Rodríguez Jr. y Frankie "El Sonero del Barrio" Vázquez
Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez Jr. y Frankie “El Sonero del Barrio” Vázquez

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