What’s Happening in London?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• You Can Also Read: 6 Clubs To Dance Salsa In London