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Search Results for: dance

International Salsa Magazine presents the Dj, Jeferson Flores, triumphing in Europe

Currently, they are known through the abbreviation “Dj” or the term “deejay” respectively, and in previous times, they were called “disc jockey”, to those people, which select and mix recorded music and thus be heard by a certain audience, thus issuing its sound in locations such as: discos, mini clubs, clubs, dances, events, concerts, bars, restaurants and rumbas, demonstrating their versatility, knowledge and bringing joy to their followers, listeners and dancers.

In this issue of International Salsa Magazine, we present a Venezuelan musician, selector or dj, who is currently triumphing outside our borders and extolling the name of our country.

Jeferson Flores, born in Caracas in 1992.
Jeferson Flores, born in Caracas in 1992.

We refer to Jeferson Flores, born in Caracas in 1992, and from a very young age he was inclined to music, because his father, also worked as a professional dj of salsa music rhythm and this somehow influenced Flores to learn the trade and legacy acquired thanks to his father.

Beginning with only 15 years of age to musicalize, using in first place the formats of compact discs “cds” and “cuatromil quinientos”, in the Caracas saraos known as “Picoteros” and in the remembered “Minitecas”, and in second place demonstrates his skill in the “plates”, when using the formats of discs in acetates or vinyl, selecting salsa for the dancer and he also commented us that with the passing of the years and until the present time, he stands out and characterizes himself for being a professional salsa dj; he stands out and is characterized for being a “dj crossover”, that is to say, what it means in the Spanish language, dedicated to “mix” with the use of “controllers” his excellent musical repertoire. International Trajectory.

The performance abroad of our guest of this month in International Salsa Magazine, has been quite extensive and successful, beginning to work in Colombia, where he worked as a “resident dj” for five years in a prestigious nightclub in Bogota, then began his period, musicalizing in Ecuador, Poland, Germany and is currently based and makes professional life in Barcelona, Spain, being described by specialists as one of the “Dj Crossover” more complete and versatile, placing Latin music in their dances. And as a result of his excellent performance in the Iberian country, he was the winner last year of the “Latino de Oro” award, in the categories: Salsa Dj and Dj Crossover, respectively, and by the way, in this year’s edition 2024, he has been nominated again in both categories for this award, considered one of the most important of the music in the European continent.

As for his most recent performances as a “musical selector”, last Saturday, June 28, he was mixing salsa at a location in the city of Marbella, Spain, in an event called “Venezuelan Night”, and next Saturday, July 6, he travels to Madrid to make the rumberos of the “mother country” enjoy, integrating the line-up of the Dj show, the “Fiesta Blanca”, alternating in this opportunity with the musicalizers: Reni Herrera, Ditxon Mercado, Dj Argenis and Dj “El Negrito Caliente”.

Finally – he told us – Jeferson that his work in Spain has been very well liked and he is one of the most requested Djs in the rumbas every weekend. His social networks and contacts are, instagram: jefersonfloresoficial2, facebook: Yeferson Flores, Tik tok: @jefersonflores457, Youtube: jefferson flores.

Dj. Jeferson Flores
Dj. Jeferson Flores

Email: [email protected], Booking: +34691292564. From International Salsa Magazine in Palo Alto, CA www.salsagoogle.com, we wish Dj Jeferson Flores, the best of success and continue to succeed in Europe for the pride of Venezuelans, always putting good salsa for the dancer …! Until next time and let’s keep on salsaing. Dj. Augusto Felibertt and Carlos Alberto Colmenárez Oropeza.

The first DJ was British radio engineer Ron Diggins.

Contrary to what many may imagine, it was not a bohemian musician in a garage or some friends in a ghetto. The first DJ was British radio engineer Ron Diggins, who in 1949 invented the Diggola, which today is considered the first “mixing desk” in the history of music. The home-built Diggola had two turntables, lights, microphones, amplifier, speakers and was built on a wooden coffin (yes, coffin) base.

With his Diggola at the ready, and like a good DJ, he loaded his equipment into a van and began playing records at the hundreds of UK events where he was hired, causing the crowd to go wild. “I didn’t invent anything, I just put the same things to a different use,” he commented in the magazines of the time, never imagining that his creation would be the beginning of a revolution in music, where DJ’s and beatmakers would take beats to every corner of the planet.

Ron Diggins, throughout his life, played records in more than 20 thousand parties, retiring only in 1995, after 46 years of career in front of the decks. Passionate about music, he passed away in 2011 at the age of 91, leaving an eternal legacy.

Dj. Ron Diggins
Dj. Ron Diggins

In 2020 it will be 25 years since Diggins retired from the dancefloors. And we commemorate it with music, without a minute of silence, because a life with silence is the last thing the first DJ in history wanted.

Article written by @comte_con_eme, member of the Urban Roosters Army.

Also Read: Djane Shina una Pasión Convertida en Realidad

Asia / August 2024

Calibrated maracasBill Martinez

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JAPAN
DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

Bar Mirage
Bar Mirage
5F VORT Roppongi Briller, 3-14-14 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
+03-5860-6946

Fiesta
Fiesta Latin Spot Bar
3F, 1 Chome-14-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City
Tokyo 160-0021, Japan
+81 90-1086-2878

El Cafe Latino Tokyo
El Cafe Latino
3 Chome-15-24 Roppongi, Minato City
Tokyo 106-0032, Japan
+81 3-3402-8989

JBA
Studio JBA
11-8 HAT Chuo-ku
Chuo City, Tokio 103-0011, Japan
+81 3 62310638

jsdc
Japan Social Dance Club
1-19-5-705 Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
+81 3 5939-7262

Studio Pepe
Studio Pepe
7-17-12 Minato-ku
Tokyo106-0032, Japan
+81 090-4705-715

La Tropi Azabu
La Tropi Azabu
3F Roppongi Azelea Bldf. 1-3-6 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku
Tokyo1060031, Japan
+81 3 6804-5776

Latin Club Leon
Latin Club Leon
5-17-6 B1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 160-0022, Japan
+81 90-6474-5638

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HONG KONG
DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

PCL
Petticoat Lane
8F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
+852 2808 2893

DANCETRINITY
Dancetrinity
8/F, Fung Woo Centre, 279-281 Des Voeux Road Central
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
+852 9634 9770

Sole Mio Restaurant
Sole Mio
Upper Ground Floor, 51 Elgin Street, Soho. Central
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
+852 5508 8244

Solar LKF
Solar LKF
+2F, Ho Lee Commercial Building, 38-44 D’Aguilar Street
+Central District, Hong Kong 0000
+852 65467339

After Work Salsa Party
After Work Salsa Party
Pong, 1st Floor, Ho Lee Commercial Building, 38-44 D’Aquilar Street, Lan Kwai
Fong Central & Western District, Hong Kong
+852 6389 6213

ISRAEL
DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

Havana Music Club
Havana Music Club
Yigal Alon St 126
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
+972 3-562-3456

Salsa Carlos
Salsa Carlos
Yegi’a Kapayim St 10, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
+972 54-573-7173

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THAILAND
DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

bAFROS lOUNGE
Bafros
Sugar Club Complex Sukhumvit Soi 11
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
+66 63 039 8700

Havana Social Cocktail Bar
Havana Social
1/1 Sukhumvit Rd. Soi 11
Bangkok, Thailand
+66 2 821 6111

MillionSpace
MillionSpace Rooftop Bar & Bristro
Soi Sukhumvit 32, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
+66 83 898 9939
ASIA AUGUST 2024 FESTIVAL by Karina Bernales
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INDIA
Latin Festival Madras 2024

Latin Festival Madras

Aug 31 / Sep 01 2024

High On Dance
52, eldams road, teynampet
Chennai, India
$ 90

ConRi Sensual Aura 2024

ConRi Sensual Aura

Aug 29 / Sep 02 2024

Hotel Park Regis Goa
Saqwadi, Arpora, Bardez
Goa, India 403509

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SINGAPORE
Salsa Bachata Temptation Singapore 2024

Salsa Bachata Temptation Singapore

Aug 09 / 11 2024

MAX Atria
1, #02-01 Expo Dr. Singapore 486150

$ 199 – 299

 

Europe / August 2024

Calibrated maracasMartinez attorney

fRANCE FLAG
FRANCE
DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

Salsabor
Salsabor Paris
31 rue Chapon 75003
Paris, France
+33 1 42 71 61 61

Selsero
Salseroparis
9 Rue du Petit Pont, 75005
Paris, France
+33 6 50 16 74 76

La Peña
La Peña Saint Germain
3 passage de la Petite Boucherie 75006
Paris, France
+33 1 46 33 19 89

Cubana
Cubana Café
47 rue Vavin 75006
Paris, France
+33 1 40 46 80 81

Canela
Canela Club Latino Paris
77 Rue du Faubourg du temple 75010
Paris, France
+33 6 46 78 28 35

Balajo
Le Balajo
9 rue de Lappe 75011
Paris, France
+33 01 47 00 07 87

La Pachanga
La Pachanga Officiel
8, rue vandamme 75014
Paris, France
+33 1 40 47 63 69

Pachamama
Pachamama PARIS
46 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine 75012
Paris, France
+33 1 55 78 10 00

Cuba Compagnie
Cuba Compagnie Café
48 BD Beaumarchais 75011
Paris, France
+33 1 48 06 07 11

O'Sullivans By The Mil
O’Sullivans Backstage By The Mill
92 Boulevard de Clichy 75018
Paris, France
+33 1 53 09 08 49

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GERMANY
DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

Clärchens
Clärchens Ballhaus
Auguststraße 24
10117 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 555785440

Havanna
Havanna Berlin
Hauptstr. 30
10827 Berlin-Schöneberg, Germany
+49 30 78899655

SODA
Soda Club Berlin
Schönhauser Allee 36
10435 Berlin, Germany
+49 30 44056071

Zapatissimo
Zapatissimo Dance School
Kolonnenstrasse 29
10829 Berlin, Germany
+49 176 20470772

Brotfabrik
Brotfabrik Frankfurt
Bachmannstr. 2-4
60488 Frankfurt, Germany
+49 69 24790800

Latin Palace Changó
Latin Palace Changó
Münchener Strasse 57
60329 Frankfurt, Germany
+49 69 27220807

Cascadas
Cascadas
Ferdinandstr. 12
20095 Hamburg-Mitte, Germany
+49 69 27220807

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SPAIN
DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

ACM City
ACM CitY
Carrer Can Pallarès 2, Cerdanyola del Vallès
08290 Barcelona, Spain
+34 675 30 26 64

Antilla
Antilla Barcelona
C/ d’Aragó, 141
08015 Barcelona, Spain
+34 610 90 05 58

Mojito
Mojito Club
Rosselló, 217
08008 Barcelona, Spain
+34 654 20 10 06

Morena
Morena Barcelona
calle 11 num.29
08860 Castelldefels, Spain
+34 691 46 57 72

Que Chimba
¡Qué Chimba!
Av. del Vallès, 117
08223 Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain

Seven Dance
Seven Dance (Dio Club)
Carrer del Perill 10
08012 Barcelona, Spain
+34 934 51 61 18

Azucar
Azúcar SalsaDisco
Calle de Atocha, 107
28012 Madrid, Spain
+34 639 64 29 06

El Son
Discoteca El Son
C. de la Victoria, 6
28012 Madrid, Spain
+34 671 05 67 91

Prisma Discoteca
Discoteca Prisma
C. de Alcalá, 192
28028 Madrid, Spain
+34 638 92 16 98

Sala Olvido Madrid
Sala Olvido
C/ Olvido 15
28026 Madrid, Spain
+34 619 22 29 19

The Host Madrid
The Host
C/ Ferraz nº 38
28008 Madrid, Spain
+34 918 05 36 48

Disco Bar Cuba Live
Cuba Live
Ramón y cajal número 2
07011 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
+34 618 86 78 20

Discoteca El Edén Boliviano
El Edén Boliviano
Carrer Gremi de Tintorers, 49A
07009 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
+34 676 64 68 26

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UNITED KINGDOM
DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

Rosies
Rosies Birmingham
259-262 Broad St
B1 2HF Birmingham, UK
+44 121 632 4936
Revolucion de Cuba
Revolucion de Cuba Leeds
64-68 Call Lane
LS1 6DT Leeds, UK
+44 113 350 6556

 

All Stars Salsa
All Stars Salsa Fridays
122 Oakleigh Road North
N20 9EZ London, UK
+44 7956 941172

Salsa Soho
Bar Salsa Soho
96 Charing Cross Rd
WC2H 0JG London, UK
+44 20 7379 3277
Salsa Temple
Bar Salsa Temple
Victoria Embankment, Temple
WC2R 2PH London, UK
+44 20 7395 3690

 

Juju's
JUJU’s Bar & Stage
Ely’s Yard 15 Hanbury Street
E1 6QR London, UK
+44 020 7770 6109
LightHouse
The LightHouse Bar & Club
62 Rivington Street
EC2A 3AY London, UK
+44 20 3325 9745

 

EUROPE 2024 FESTIVALS by Karina Bernales

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CROATIA
Latina Istriana

Salsa Latina Istriana Festival

Aug 23 / 26 2024

Dom Hrvatskih Branitelja
Leharova 1
Pula, Croatia 52100

€ 113.03

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FRANCE
Avoriaz 2024 Avoriaz Danse Festival
Aug 24 / 30 2024
Avoriaz 1800
44 Promenade du Festival
Avoriaz, France 74110€ 100
Dealers De KIZ Festival

Dealers De KIZ Festival

Aug 01 / 05 2024

Hôtel C Suite
152 Rue Claude Nicolas Ledoux
Nimes, France 30900

€ 91.19

XL Bachata Festival

XL Bachata Festival

Aug 02 / 04 2024

Casino Grand Cercle Aix-les-Bains Hotel
200 Rue du Casino
Aix-Les-Bains, France,73100

€ 80

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GERMANY
Berlin Salsa Marathon

Berlin Salsa Marathon

Aug 09 / 12 2024

Gaststätte Tegeler- Seeterrassen
Wilkestraße 1
Berlin, Germany,13507

€ 129

Bailamos! Salsa Festival Chemnitz

Bailamos! Salsa Festival Chemnitz

Aug 16 / 18 2024

Subbotnik
Vettersstraße 34a
Chemnitz, Germany 09126

€ 42

Berlin Salsa Congress 2024

Berlin Salsa Congress

Aug 22 / 25 2024

Groundplan Tempodrom
Mockernstrabe 10
Berlin, Germany 10963

€135.80

Italy circle flag
ITALY
Roma Sensual Symposium 2024 Roma Sensual Symposium

Aug 22 / 26 2024

Hotel Cristoforo Colombo
Via Cristoforo Colombo, 710
Rome, Italy 00144

€ 95

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NETHERLANDS
I Love Kizomba Sensual Festival 2024

I Love Kizomba Sensual Festival

Aug 05 / 12 2024

Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Taurusavenue 12
Hoofddorp, Netherlands 2132 LS

€ 105

Latin Village Festival 2024 Latin Village Festival
Aug 18 2024
Spaarnwoude Park
Genieweg 46
Velsen-Zuid, Netherlands 1981 LN

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POLAND
Bachaturo Festival 2024

Bachaturo Festival

Aug 16 / 18 2024

Katowice International Conference Centre
Plac Sławika i Antalla 1
Katowice, Poland 40-163

€ 100

Portugal Circular Flag
PORTUGAL
Dmaes Summer Bootcamp 2024

Dmaes Summer Bootcamp

Aug 02 / 12 2024

Muxima Bar
Rua Maurício Lourenço de Oliveira, No 206
Vila Nova de Gaia , Portugal 4405-034

€ 150

Romania Flag
ROMANIA
Gozadero Latin Fest 2024

Gozadero Latin Fest

Aug 13-19 2024

Club D’or
Strada Ion Creanga 15
Vama Veche, Romania 905500

€ 175

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SLOVENIA
Bachata It’s Magic

Bachata It’s Magic

Aug 30 / Sep 01 2024

Grand Hotel Union Eurostars
Miklošičeva cesta 1
Ljubljana, Slovenia

€ 110

Spain Flag
SPAIN
LIONS Alicante 2024

LIONS Alicante

Aug 01 / 04 2024

University of Alicante
Carr. de San Vicente del Raspeig
Alicante, Spain 03690

€ 70

Bachatazo Beach 2024

Bachatazo Beach

Aug 29 / Sep 01 2024

Hotel Gandia Palace
C/ Rioja 41-43
Gandia, Spain,46730

€ 65

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SWITZERLAND
Basel Salsa Marathon 2024

Basel Salsa Marathon

Aug 16 / 18 2024

Basel Salsa Marathon
Dance Studio
Steinenvorstadt 33
Basel, Switzerland,4051

CHF 135

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TURKEY
Bosphorus Dance Festival 2024

Bosphorus Dance Festival

Aug 29 / Sep 02 2024

Selectum City Hotel
Ataşehir Brandium, Dudullu Cd. Ataşehir Yaşam ve Alışveriş Merkezi
Istanbul, Turkey 34750

€ 70

North America / August 2024

Kemi and LucumiGabriel NaviaYari More Latin BandNanette hernándezWillie GonzálezPBS

Thumbnail about the salsa museum

Las Maracas promo

Martinez attorney

Canada flag

CANADA

DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

Dirty Martini
Dirty Martini Oakville
2075 Winston Park Dr
Oakville, OntarioN, Canada L6H 6P5
+1 905 829-8400

El Rancho
El Rancho
430 College St
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1T3
+1 416 921-2752

LULA LOUNGE
Lula
1585 Dundas West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6K1T9
+1 416 588-0307

Marlowe Restaurant & Bar
Marlowe Restaurant & Bar
55 York Blvd
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4B 3B4
+1 905-771-8645

Sahara
Sahara
1855 Dundas St E
Mississauga Ontario L4X 1M1
+1 905 282-0316

Smokeshow BBQ & Brew
Smokeshow BBQ & Brew
744 Mt Pleasant Rd
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4S 2N6
+1 416 901-7469

Mangos Kitchen Bar
Mangos Kitchen Bar
1180 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1R2
+1 604 559-5533

Baza
Baza Dance Studios
1304 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1R2
+1 778-379-2292

Studio Nightclub
Studio Nightclub
919 Granville street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1L3
+1 604 620-6604

 

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UNITED STATES

DIRECTORY OF NIGHTCLUBS

CALIFORNIA FLORIDA  ILLINOIS
MICHIGAN NEW JERSEY NEW YORK
OHIO PENNSYLVANIA TEXAS
VIRGINIA WASHINGTON

Yes, I speak the ancient African Lucumi toungue: The second language of salsa

Many Latin Americans have left the name of their culture very high around the world, making people from other nationalities and even continents feel fascinated by these elements and end up adopting them as their own. Such is the case of Nigerian Oluwakemi Odusnya, better known as Kemi, who has been kind enough to share with us a little of her story, her knowledge of the Lucumi language and her relationship with Latin music.   

people practicing Yoruba
A group of people practicing the Yoruba religion

Kemi’s coming to the United States   

Kemi tells us that she was born in Nigeria, but moved to the United States when she turned 18 in search of a better future for herself. That was more than 10 years ago, so the young woman already had a good idea of how things are handled in her country of residence.   

Taking advantage that this is the land of opportunity, she studied computer science and graduated as a software engineer, the profession she is in now.   

Additionally, she discovered other passions and hobbies such as Latin music and dancing, especially tango, but we will talk about that a little later on.   

In his country of origin, he learned to speak English, which is the official language of Nigeria, and Lucumi, which we will talk about in the next section.   

Lucumi and its relationship with Latin music   

After talking a little bit about her personal life, Kemi went on to explain what the Lucumi language was and how it was perceived today. Contrary to what many online sources might say on the subject, the Nigerian explained that Lucumi and Yoruba were pretty much the same thing, but with a different name.   

The group of people who spoke Locumi are no longer called that way because many Nigerians have moved to other countries, so there are other terms to define them today.  

Kemi moved on by explaining that, in her country, there are about 300 languages in general, but the official one is English. This in order that the speakers of the other languages can communicate with each other without any problem. Among these native languages, we can mention the ”Pidgin English” which is the result of mixing English with elements from local languages.   

In the specific place Kemi grew up, villagers speak Yoruba, which was formerly known as Lucumi. The name change of the language and many terms used in it have been the direct reault of the immigration of many Nigerians to other countries, especially to the West.    

In Kemi’s particular case, she was pleasantly surprised to discover the lyrics of Celia Cruz and to find many of the words of her own Lucumi language.    

Yoruba dancing
Yoruba dancing and singing in Cuba

Lucumi and Latin music 

For Kemi, the relationship between Lucumi and a part of Latin music is more than evident. Something that particularly caught his attention was that several songs by Cuban artists constantly made reference to the Yoruba divinities: Oshun, Yemayá, Changó, Elegguá, Oggun, Oyá and Obbatalá.   

”For me it was very impressive to see the extent of our culture, since there are many Africans who have had to leave their lands in search of a better place to live, but they do not want to distance themselves emotionally from their country. On the contrary, they want to be as connected as best they can to their country and Latin music, specifically Cuban music, is an excellent tool to stay bonded to their roots” said Kemi on the subject.   

”Many just like me who have come to this country find in Latin music and dance a way to stay connected to our traditions. Sometimes, even we feel that we and Latinos have the same ancestors,” Kemi says with a laugh.   

How new generations perceive Yoruba culture and its elements   

Something Kemi pointed out is that the new Nigerian generations no longer perceive Yoruba culture in the same way. In fact, a large portion of the immigration from the African country no longer feels a real connection with the customs of their own country because they became ”westernized” in some way, especially the younger part.  

Another important detail highlighted by Kemi is that, in today’s Nigeria, Santeria and other religions like that have begun to be perceived as dark, so many people no longer feel comfortable practicing these cults. In fact, there has been a rise of Christianity and Islam in the country, so not a few locals ended up designing their own ritual by mixing these religions with Yoruba culture so that the latter is not seen as impure.   

Those who practice the Yoruba religion in Nigeria are aware that their worship is a mixture of Yoruba culture and Christianity, but they can not say it openly because it looks bad,” Kemi says about this.   

To close, Kemi also said that she is neither a Santera nor a practitioner of any religion. Her family is Muslim and she grew up adhering to Islam, but that changed when she moved to the United States. Today, she has a great deal of respect for these aspects of the Yoruba religion, but does not perform any of these practices.  

Kemi in our interview
Kemi during our interview via Zoom

Kemi’s love for tango 

Kemi has a great love for tango, to the point that she practices it two or three times a week for entertainment and physical activity. 

Initially, Kemi enjoyed dancing salsa because it reminded her so much of the music of her homeland and Yoruba culture, but after some health complications on her hips, she had to opt for something slower and calmer. That’s when she started to try tango and ended up liking it very much. 

After the pandemic, she found that there was a dance academy near he rhome, which motivated her to dance tango to the point where these lessons have become a very important part of her life. She also sees dancing as a way to connect with others and be on the same page.   

Read also: Patrón Latin Rhythms manager talks about the band and its plans 

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.