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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.

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.

Gumby Navedo he was born on December 22nd in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

Our Miami Correspondent for International Salsa Magazine Diana Marie has the honor and privilege to introduce us to an extraordinary Puerto Rican musician based in Miami, who from a very early age has been in the music scene, we are referring to Gumby Navedo.

Jesus M. Navedo Marrero, best known in the artistic musical field as GUMBY Navedo. He was born on December 22nd in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

Since he was a child, music was always present in his home as family and friends got together with musical instruments and formed a party in seconds. The first major influence on Gumby’s artistic career was his grandfather, Moises.

A renowned "Tresista" who infused joy by playing and singing for everyone. Gumby, who as a child was always surrounded by great musicians and performers, preferred to share and learn from them.
Jesus M. Navedo Marrero, better known in the artistic music scene as Gumby Navedo

A well-known “Tresista” who infused joy by playing and singing for everyone. Gumby, who as a child was always surrounded by great musicians and performers, preferred to learn their music and unique rhythms.

At age 5, his cousin Carlos Morales, taught him the blows of the tumbler. Gumby fell in love with all the sounds of the percussion instruments and from there he began his musical career.

Being a teenager it was common to see Gumby playing the percussion of recognized local orchestras and accompanying exceptional musicians in the island.

The beginning of his musical education, was taught to him by the great music teacher Roberto Soler. Under the leadership of maestro Soler, Gumby participated in the middle school band and the municipal band.

Beginnings that gave him the foundation to his musical career as an interpreter and musician in different genres such as salsa, boleros, bomba y plena, jazz and all kinds of Caribbean music.

During his amazing  musical career, Gumby has played as the lead percussionist and the choir to many well renowned artists recognized internationally like Rolando La Serie, Olga Guillot, Celia Cruz, Israel Kantor, Carlos Oliva, Willy Chirino, Roberto Torres, Tito Allen, La Palabra, Conjunto Universal, Lefty Perez, Nino Segarra, Orquesta Exodo, Luis Enrique, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Alberto Beltran, Roberto Torres, Eddie Santiago, David Pabon, Mario Ortiz jr., Lalo Rodriguez, Yolanda Rivera, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Cachao ,Patato Valdes, Henry Fiol, Ángel Canales , Chamaco Rivera, Meñique, Adalberto Santiago, Hansel y Raul, Piro Mantilla, Cuco Valoy, Nestor Torres, Típica Tropical, Roberto Ledesma, Billy Ocean, Gipsy Kings amongst many more. Thanks to his renowned musical talent, Gumby has shared international stages in countries such as Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Martinique, Aruba, Curacao, Canada, Ecuador, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Central America, England, France, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, Israel, Armenia, Kenya, and Senegal among many others.

Since he was a child, music was always present in his home as family and friends would gather with musical instruments and form a party in seconds.
Gumby Navedo. He was born on December 22 in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

Gumby, continues to share his musical talent in many local and international venues accompanied by renowned musicians well known around the world for their music and talent. “Gumby” can be found in several tourist places in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

Facebook: Gumby Navedo

For hiring, interviews, parties of all kinds and / or activities please: email [email protected] or call: 786-715-4692    

Article of Interest: David Lucca “My music is guaranteed to please dancers”

The Argentina Tango Salón Festival 2022 returns in January.

In Argentina, Buenos Aires will have a very interesting and attractive start to the year (2022) with the Argentina Tango Salón Festival, an event that takes place every year and is highly anticipated by tango dancers both nationally and internationally, organized by Roberto Zuccarino and Magdalena Valdez which will take place both in “La Viruta” located in Armenia 1366 Palermo, as well as in “La Milonguita” located in Armenia 1353 Palermo, where the professional dancers to teach us will be in these predetermined places in the schedule that we will present soon.

Argentina Tango Salon Festival 2022 Flyer
Argentina Tango Salón Festival 2022 with dancers Christian Marquez and Virginia Gomez

The Argentina Tango Salón Festival 2022 will be held from January 13 to 17, where the following tango dancers and / or instructors will be participating:

  • Christian Marquez and Virginia Gomez
  • Juan Malizia and Manuela Rossi
  • Roberto Zuccarino and Virginia Pandolfi
  • Dante Sanchez e Ines Muzzopappa
  • Carlitos Espinoza and Agustina Piaggio
  • Fernando Carrasco and Jimena Hoeffner
  • Daniel Nacucchio and Cristina Sosa
  • Sebastian Jimenez and Magdalena Valdez
  • Facundo Piñero and Vanesa Villalba
  • Javier Rodriguez and Moira Castellano

The cost of the classes is presented as follows:

  • 1 Class: $25000
  • 3 Classes: $6000
  • 6 Classes: $11.000
  • 9 Classes: $16.000
  • 12 Classes: $20.000
  • 15 Classes: $25.000
The previous Argentina Tango Salón Festival
The Tango Dancers who participated in the Argentina Tango Salón Festival 2020 (live)

During these 5 days of instruction and tango, we were presented with the schedule of activities will be distributed as follows:

  • On Thursday (13): Starting at 1:00 p.m. they will be giving classes with Carlos Espinoza and Agustina Piaggio at (“La Viruta” located in Armenia 1366 Palerm) and Juan Malizia and Manuela Rossi will also be at (“La Milonguita” located in Armenia 1353 Palermo), both until 17:15 hrs.
  • On Friday (14): Starting at 1:00 p.m. they will be giving classes with Roberto Zuccarino and Virginia Pandolfi in (“La Viruta” located in Armenia 1366 Palerm) and they will be in Fernando Carrasco and Jimena Hoeffner in (“La Milonguita” located in Armenia 1353 Palermo), both until 17:15 hrs.
  • On Saturday (15): Starting at 1:00 p.m. they will be giving classes with Facundo Piñero and Vanesa Villalba in (“La Viruta” located in Armenia 1366 Palerm) and they will be with Javier Rodriguez and Moira Castellano in (“La Milonguita” located in Armenia 1353 Palermo), both until 17:15 hrs.
  • On Sunday (16): Starting at 1:00 p.m. they will be giving classes with Sebastian Jimenez and Magdalena Valdez in (“La Viruta” located in Armenia 1366 Palerm) together with Daniel Nacucchio and Cristina Sosa in (“La Milonguita” located in Armenia 1353 Palermo), both until 5:15 p.m.
  • On Monday (17): Starting at 1:00 p.m. they will be giving classes with Christian Marquez and Virginia Gomez in (“La Viruta” located in Armenia 1366 Palerm) together with Dante Sanchez and Ines Muzzopappa in (“La Milonguita” located in Armenia 1353 Palermo), both until 5:15 p.m.
Argentina Tango Salón Festival 2022
Schedule of activities for the Argentina Tango Salón Festival 2022

If you want more details about the event, buy your tickets or send a personalized message, you can contact them and obtain more information through:

  • WebSite:
  • Facebook: @Argentina-Tango-Salon-Festival

Why Does Everyone Know La Bodeguita Del Medio In Prague?

The Most Emblematic Restaurant / Bar In Havana (Cuba) Turns 19 Years In The “City Of Hundred Spires”

Five women sitting and toasting at the La Bodeguita del Medio bar
Spanish is also spoken in La Bodeguita Del Medio in Prague

Prague (Capital of the Czech Republic) has become one of the most hospitable major cities for Cuban migrants.

In this bohemian region nicknamed the “City Of Hundred Spires”, beer is the traditional drink of any establishment, so an authentic Mojito (made with natural spices that aid good digestion) is a delight for the palate of any inhabitant or tourist of the area. And you can only taste it in an authentic Cuban place such as La Bodeguita Del Medio.

This Restaurant / Bar was founded in the city of the Astronomical Clock 19 years ago (December 17th, 2002), six decades after the opening of the original restaurant in Havana (Cuba).

La Bodeguita del Medio is designed in the colonial style of 20th century Havana with live music and daily dance acts. It has two original bars and a replica of the famous Sloopy Joe’s Bar (a 20-meter long mahogany bar with high stools and luxurious display cabinets) that was made in Colombia. In this bar, besides the mojitos, you can also try more than 150 types of short and long drinks.

View from the stage with a pianist and singer performing at the bodeguita del medio in prague
Usually, there is a notice that says: Tonight Latino Dance Show

Regarding the menu, you will find typical Havana specialties, as well as seafood, fish, vegetables, and meat specialties. Also, and adding a bit of tradition, you will find the menu in Spanish and if you can attend every day at noon you will delight the international European menu.

Additionally, while you taste the variety of dishes and cocktails, you will enjoy a live Cuban band (generally trios) and performances by Latin dancers every night.

Six Decades Of La Bodeguita Del Medio

Night shot of the neon green facade of the Bodeguita del Medio in Prague
Food is prepared with fresh ingredients and according to the season in La Bodeguita Del Medio (Prague)

Based on the story written by La Bodeguita Del Medio in Prague

“For some reason unknown to us, it is said that La Bodeguita is located at a distance of one hundred cobblestones (stone carved in the shape of a rectangular prism for paving streets) from the largest American Baroque building in Cuba, which if proven, indisputably turns out to be true and is the Havana cathedral.

In 1950, La Bodeguita del Medio restaurant opened its doors at number 207 cobbled street…

Upon entering La Bodeguita (in Havana) for the first time, the olfactory senses revel in the delicious aroma of Cuban mint, while tasting the special herbs, which do wonders for the digestive system. Thus, these inseparable ingredients became the rudiments of the famous drink that we know today as MOJITO, whose current shape and flavor were developed in La Bodeguita.

At the back of the Havana Bodeguita restaurant, guests have the opportunity to sample excellent Cuban cuisine, while enjoying the sounds of traditional melodies sung by a Cuban trio.

Now let’s go back to… 1942 when Ángel Martínez Borroto bought a small shop in the still fortified old town of the city. A short time later, he dedicated himself to managing and developing his small business, called La Casa Martínez… For some time… clients would come to La Bodeguita to settle their business with a glass or two of rum.

Among the most prominent regulars who frequented the Bodeguita at that time, were the classic Cuban poet Nikolas Guillén and the notable prose writer Alejo Carpentier. Little by little, La Bodeguita established an impressive client base, which turned out to be a popular choice for intellectuals, artists, and bohemians… In fact, over time, La Bodeguita became a forum for progressive-thinking intellectuals (who came from Latin America and the world) to meet and debate.

…Initially, meals were only available to family members and the few waiters, prepared by Martinez’s wife, nicknamed “Armenian girl” (presumably because of her dark skin tone).

At this time, the main ingredients were a combination of black beans and white rice or as it were more often called: maoríes y cristianos.

To finish, the guests were served baked pieces of pork, called “Fried Pork Masses” and fried plantain chips known to the locals as “Plantain Tostadas.”

Martínez was dedicated to satisfying the requests of his most trusted customers and later began serving food, even though people only paid for drinks.

Crowded bar area in Prague's Bodeguita del Medio
Smoking is allowed in this establishment (La Bodeguita Del Medio-Praga)

In 1950, the title of Martínez’s company was indefinitely changed from La Casa Martínez to the name the regulars had been using for some time: La Bodeguita.

This same decade also saw the arrival of a new wave of clients from around the world, including artists such as American singer Nat King Cole, Nobel Prize Winner for literature Ernest Hemingway, and female beauty idols Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren.

…Today La Bodeguita del Medio serves as an unwavering reminder of its bohemian past where guests, whether intellectuals, politicians, or passersby, continue to meet and pass the time.

As for the colonial Bodeguita building, dating from the late 19th century, many visitors believe that the collection of priceless signatures, memorabilia, and photographs preserved on the stone walls deserves to be listed in the Guinness Records Book.”