HAVANA RHYTHM AND DANCE FESTIVAL 2018

ENGLISH: The XVII Edition of the International “Havana Rhythm and Dance Festival" Guillermo Barreto in Memoriam will take place in Havana from March 6 - 11, 2018. As always the festival will include performances by many of Cuba's most popular bands and dance companies as well as competitions in percussion, casino dance, and rumba dance. Masters classes will also be offered in music and dance, including customized classes for groups or individuals. The competitions are open to all ages and both Cubans and international musicians and dancers. If you're interested in competing or would like to attend classes, click here for contact information as well as more detailed information about the event. As the date approaches we'll update with the complete festival program. And I leave you with a new video by Giraldo Piloto & Klímax, below.

ESPAÑOL: La XVII Edición del festival internacional "Fiesta Del Tambor" Guillermo Barreto in Memoriam tendrá lugar en La Habana del 6 al 11 de marzo de 2018. Como siempre el festival incluirá actuaciones de muchas de las orquestas y compañías de baile más populares de Cuba, así como concursos de percusión, y bailes de casino y rumba. Se ofrecerán clases de música y baile, incluyendo clases personalizadas para grupos o individuales. Los concursos son abiertos a todas las edades y tanto para cubanos como para músicos y bailarines extranjeros. Si estás interesado en competir o quieres asistir a clases, haz clic aquí para la información de contacto, así como información más detallada sobre el evento. En cuanto se acerca la fecha vamos a actualizar la página con el programa completo del festival. Y les dejo con un estreno de Giraldo Piloto & Klímax.

Thursday, 25 July 2024, 12:05 AM

There is a lot going on this week in addition to the regular concert schedule in Havana. First up, Leonel Limonta & Azúcar Negra will hold a press conference today at Casa de la Música Miramar for the release of their excellent new CD "Tonada pa'l bailador". They will also give a concert at CDLM Miramar on Saturday, October 7th.

Azucar Negra Press Conference 2018

This is Azúcar Negra's 7th album and as the rightly claims, it is a brilliant album for the dancers. You can find the album at the usual digital retailers and streaming sites. "Tonada pa'l bailador" contains 14 tracks and a full review will be coming shortly.

Track list:
Tonada pa'l bailador
Cuando pienso en ti
De fiesta en fiesta
Retomando el son
Por qué me miras así
Mi chica se rebela
La Habana está de fiesta
Tonada pa'l bailador feat. Alexander Abreu
Agua caliente
El tequila feat. El Micha
Pa' que se entere La Habana
Yo necesito de ti feat. Luna Manzanares
Suave, rico y despacito
Maltratando la tela

Havana D'Primera 10th anniversary

Congratulations to Alexander Abreu & Havana D'Primera who celebrated their 10th anniversary yesterday. They will hold two special concerts this weekend: Saturday the 7th at Karl Marx Theater with surprise guests and Sunday the 8th at Salón Rosado de la Tropical. Their European Tour begins October 12th in Moscow and they will follow up with a national Cuban tour.

Unlike most young bands, Havana D'Primera didn't have a period of "finding themselves" but burst fully-developed on the timba scene. This was in part due to the fact that many of them had already worked together for years in Issac Delgado's band. Alexander's lyrics also made the Havana D'Primera stand out from the masses. It didn't take long for them to become one of the most popular bands both inside and outside of Cuba. During their first decade, Havana D'Primera has released three studio CDs all of which have been at the top of the timba charts and even done well among regular salseros. Still one of Cuba's greatest trumpeters, Alexander is today also highly sought after for collaborations as a vocalist.

We cannot fail to mention that today is José Luis Cortés "El Tosco"'s birthday. Where would Cuban music be today without NG La Banda? I shudder to imagine. So Happy Birthday El Tosco and thank you for your role in making our music and dance obsession possible.

El Tosco

And across the pond over here in Europe, Maykel Blanco & su Salsa Mayor begin their European Tour tonight in Paris. Click here for concert dates. Here is a recent live clip of the band performing in La Guayabera in Alamar, Havana, Cuba.

Thursday, 25 July 2024, 12:05 AM

Yasser Ramos y 9 Milímetros Tour

ENGLISH: Today Yasser Ramos & 9 Milímetros celebrate their third anniversary with a mega-concert at Salón Rosado de la Tropical. They have invited many other artists including Papucho y Manana Club, Maikel Dinza, Azúcar Negra, El Niño, Mandy Cantero, Los 4, and PMM. Yasser has promised to present some new songs as well as having some gifts for the audience.

The band will be touring Europe in early 2018 to present their first CD "Ni antes, ni después". Stay tuned as the concert dates become available. Yasser & 9 Milímetros are also busy working on new material under the musical direction of Nachito Jr. It will be exciting to see what the combination of Yasser and Nachito Jr. brings to the sello of the band.

If you haven't yet read the interview with Yasser from July 2017, click here. Below is the most recent official video release by the band, "El Artista" - one of the hits from the new album.

ESPAÑOL: Hoy, Yasser Ramos y 9 Milímetros celebran su tercer aniversario con un mega concierto en el Salón Rosado de la Tropical. Han invitado a muchos otros artistas incluyendo a Papucho y Manana Club, Maikel Dinza, Azúcar Negra, El Niño, Mandy Cantero, Los 4 y PMM. Yasser ha prometido presentar algunas canciones nuevas, así como tener algunos regalos para el público.

La banda estará de gira por Europa a principios de 2018 para presentar su primer CD "Ni antes, ni después". Estén atentos a medida que las fechas del concierto estén disponibles. Yasser & 9 Milímetros también están sacando nuevo material bajo la dirección musical de Nachito Jr. Será emocionante ver lo que la combinación de Yasser y Nachito Jr. aporta al sello de la banda.

Si aún no ha leído la entrevista con Yasser desde julio de 2017, haga clic aquí. A continuación les dejo con el video oficial más reciente de la banda, "El Artista", uno de los éxitos del nuevo álbum.

Thursday, 25 July 2024, 12:05 AM

ENGLISH: With of the terrible news in California from the fires, it's nice to be able to post some good news for Californians. With some well-planned logistics you can see Yeni on Friday and Elito y Su Charangón with Mayito Rivera on Saturday.

ESPAÑOL: Con la terrible noticia en California de los incendios, es bueno poder publicar buenas noticias para los californianos. Con la logística bien planificada puedes ver a Yeni el viernes y a Elito y Su Charangón con Mayito Rivera el sábado.

Yeni Valdés

ENGLISH: The San Diego International Cuban Dance Congress will take place this week, October 19 - 22. On October 20th Yeni Valdés will perform with her band. Doors open at 10pm. Tickets from the full congress pass, to party pass to concert tickets for Yeni's show are available at the following link.

ESPAÑOL: San Diego International Cuban Dance Congress se llevará a cabo esta semana, del 19 al 22 de octubre. El 20 de octubre, Yeni Valdés cantará con su orquesta. Las puertas se abren a las 10 pm. Las entradas desde el pase del congreso completo, al pase de fiesta hasta las entradas para el concierto de Yeni están disponibles en el siguiente enlace.

Elito Revé y Su Charangón

ENGLISH: The San Francisco Bay Area Cuban Festival is underway and this weekend October 21st at Roccapulco you can see Elito Revé y Su Charangón and Mayito Rivera. It has been confirmed that the members of the Charangón have ther visas now. This is a concert you don't want to miss! Get your tickets here.

ESPAÑOL: San Francisco Bay Area Cuban Festival está en marcha y este fin de semana 21 de octubre en Roccapulco puedes ver a Elito Revé y Su Charangón y Mayito Rivera. Se ha confirmado que ahora los miembros del Charangón tienen la visa. ¡Este es un concierto que no quieres perder! Compra tu entrada aquí.