February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day and week-end!

Do not forget Tonight Ricky Franco at LULA LOUNGE SAT FEB 14 2009 www.lula.ca

Tomorrow night BABALUU  There will be a 14$ cover charge from 9pm -Free beforehand so get there early-
 8.30pm is the Rueda Class with Sarita LEYVA and DJ Billy Bryans spinning until 11pm then DJ Julio Cesar -
DAQUIEL ( from Zona Franca) will be celebrating his birthday . It should be a fantastic night out.

Valentine's day video...

February 08, 2009

Wed, 11 Feb. - 8 pm - Student Showcase - Hilario Duran/Luis Mario Ochoa

Latin Jazz Night

featuring
The Humber Latin Jazz Ensemble directed by Hilario Duran and The Humber Latin Big Band directed by Luis Mario Ochoa

at Humber College Lakeshore Campus Auditorium
(Lakeshore Blvd. West at Kipling Avenue)
For details, contact:  Sanja Antic, 416-675-6622 ext. 3427

Tues. 24 February - noon - Luis Mario Ochoa Big Band

CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY SERIES - noon series at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W, corner University Ave. 12 – 1 p.m.

Midwinter Latin Heat: Under the lively direction of Luis Mario Ochoa, the powerful 21-piece Humber Latin Big Band with percussion and vocals, will supply a wintry blast of Latin warmth!

Feb 24: Voices of the Diaspora: Canciones de Cuba at York U.

The thrilling 20-voice Nathaniel Dett Chorale, directed by Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, will present a special concert, "Voices of the Diaspora: Canciones de Cuba", in partnership with the Faculty of Fine Arts at York University on February 26. 

Launching the Chorale's new 'Diaspora' series, "Canciones de Cuba" highlights the contributions of African-Cuban poet, Nicholas Guillen (1902 - 1989).

The concert will mark the world premiere of three compositions drawn from the poetry of Guillen. The program includes Seis Canciones and Momenade a la Trova, arranged by York University music professor Michael Marcuzzi; Canciones Por Las Americas by Canadian composer Sid Robinovitch; and two pieces by Cuban composer Guillermo Fragoso.

February 07, 2009

Feb - Jun 2009: Rumba drum workshops in North York

Rumba Alternate Mondays at Soul Drums.  See schedule on the site.

Rumba Courses begin February 2. Alternate Mondays (mostly: see schedule!) from 7:00pm - 9:00pm join us for Rumba Night.

These sessions will help better define the true essence of Afro-Cuban Rumba. Congas, timbales, and bongos will be the instruments of focus. We concentrate on the basic patterns including Yambu, Guaguanco, Columbia, Son, Bolero and Guaracha. A general look in to the Yoruba culture and how its rhythms are performed on the bata will be featured. This class is led by master drummer Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo from Cuba.

Feb 19: Hilario Durán, Havana Remembered: Chalkers

ChCd_habana_remembered2alkers Pub launches Toronto's International Latin Night featuring: HILARIO DURAN and the Havana Remembered Orquesta & Dj Nilson spinning the Hottest Latin Beats, and much more...

Thursday's at Chalkers Pub is going to be  night unsurpassed in Toronto featuring Latin entertainment, arts and culture. Live bands, Musicians, Latin Cuisine,Wine Tasting, Art, Fashion, DJs, Salsa, Latin Dance Lessons, and more....

Chalkers is at:

247 Marlee Avenue
North York, On

February 03, 2009

Feb 7: Hilario Durán at Donway United Church

Church ain't what it used to be...

Catch  Some Like It Hot  at the Donway Covenant United Church
    * Donway Covenant United Church The  
      Sat., February 07, From: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

$12-$20. CALL 416-444-8444.

Music on the Donway presents Some Like it Hot, a special Valentines concert, featuring Cuban pianist Hilario Duran and full Latin ensemble with horns and percussion.

JULY 2 announce: Chucho Valdes Quintet, Montreal Jazz Fest.

This is way in advance, but another reason to visit Montreal this summer!

Timba enthusiasts have settled on Jose Luis Cortes' NG La Banda as the first to fit the modern meaning of "timba music", around 1988... which developed into the pre-eminent dance music of the world today...

But for decades leading up to that, Chucho Valdes' group Irakere was reaching young crowds... and giving them something that got them dancing.  Bacalao con Pan ( a hit in 1974 and again in 1982 ) was the big song of those years... 

When you see how it got young people dancing, and check the instrumentation... even the jazzy feel is not such a big step away from NG La Banda early years. 

Montreal Jazz Festival touches the other side of Irakere, jazz.  Chucho has said he needed to mix both dance music and jazz in the Irakere years... and eventually jazz did make his career, lifting him to international fame.  The Festival has announced they will feature his quintet July 2 ... it won't be primarily dance music, but you will hear the dance music of Cuba in much of what they do

January 28, 2009

This Friday: Telmary and Alberto (reminder)

JAN 30: Two of the best anywhere will mix timba and rap, reggaeton and son, it's hot, new and inventive and happening here in Toronto.  

January 27, 2009

Jan 31: CCFA celebrates José Martí

A HOT CUBAN CELEBRATION NIGHT

Cultural program and dance with the CCFA Toronto, political supporters of Cuba. Come in from the cold and help us celebrate José Martí's Birthday with a Dinner and Dance. Listen or Dance to the HOT HOT Music of Pablo Terry and Sol de Cuba! 

COVER CHARGE:  $15

JAN 31 2009-- FROM 7:00PM

DELICIOUS DINNERS FROM $10.99 OR JUST APPETIZERS FROM $4.99… CASH BAR 

Cervejaria Downtown Restaurant and Bar, 842 College St.(just west of Ossington)

FOR INFO:  CCFA Toronto Sharon 905.951.8499

January 26, 2009

Thu Jan 29: Alexis Baro, new CD release at Lula Lounge

Join the best funk-jazz-latin band in the country in celebrating the release of Alexis Baro's latest CD "From the Other Side." Advance tickets at ticketweb.ca.  It happens at Lula Lounge of course!

ABOUT ALEXIS BARO: Alexis Baro was alexis_baro100.jpgborn and raised in the heart of Havana Cuba. His musical influences began with his family. His mother is a cellist with the National ballet company of Cuba, she is also a music teacher. one of his aunts is a viola player for the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, the other two aunts played violin and piano. Alexis began playing trumpet at a very early age and has been classically trained in Cuba. He graduated from the Amadeo Roldan music institute one of the top music schools in Cuba where he received his music teaching certification. From the age of 19 he worked as the Lead trumpet in the Radio and Televison Orchestra of Cuba.

First time I managed to catch Quimica Perfecta, the timba band that Billy Bryans glued together 5 or 6 years ago at the Bamboo Club... all the players blew me away.  But what took the roof off was Alexis Baro's trumpet, seemed like somehow he was doing way more than playing a trumpet, there was an atmosphere of "no telling what can happen".

January 23, 2009

Wed's, Sat's: Pearls in odd places... a reminder

Bands composed primarily of Cuban musicians here in Toronto... and playing largely Cuban music... play regularly in 2 places in 905 area.  Who plays depends on who's available... and who's turn it is ;-).

Richmond Hill: The Marlowe on Wednesday evenings.

Ajax: Havana Nights, Saturday evenings.

Sometimes there's a Dominican singer and it's largely merengue/bachata.  But most of the time, it's primarily Cuban theme.

This Saturday in Ajax, Orlando Cardoso plays piano in a band that he promises will be drilling out piles of cuban salsa and timba.

Feb 27: Jane Bunnett, Embracing Voices, Hugh's Room.

: Jane Bunnett

:Fri Feb 27 8:30pm

: Hugh's Room

$22 in advance or $25 at the door

Jane is joined on stage by her group The Spirits of Havana and special guest vocalists Elizabeth Sheppard and Telmary Diaz and will be performing songs from her new critically acclaimed CD "Embracing Voices" as well as a wide variety of songs from her many award winning albums.

Touring begins in April, catch the show before it hits the publicity fan.

Percussionist Papiosco is booked for this date, and vocal Desandann plus other Cuban musicians of note.

Jan 31: St Philip's Church, Royal York Rd. Hilario Durán & Luis Mo. Ochoa

Cuban musicians Hilario Durán & Luis Mario Ochoa Quintet will play for a Salsa Party with music, food, and dance lessons on Saturday, January 31, 5:00 pm., featuring the live music of Hilario Duran and Luis Mario Ochoa. St. Philip's Parish Hall, 60 Dixon Road. Tickets are $20.00. Please call 416-247-5181.

January 22, 2009

Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St W... February con mucha cubanía

 
Toronto Dance Salsa Party w Conjunto La-ca-lú

Friday, 06 February.  Conjunto La-ca-lú is one of Toronto’s newest salsa bands. Co-directed by pianist Sean Bellaviti and percussionist Luis “Luisito” Orbegoso, it features some of this city’s most talented and hard working musicians.  Lineup to inlcude local Cuban heroes Yani Borrell singing, Pablosky Rosales on tres guitar, Mario “Mayito” Del Monte on trumpet who we haven't seen in a big band role for a while.



The Son Ache Party with DJ Billy Bryans

Friday, 13 February.  One of Toronto's most popular Cuban music groups, Son Ache performs their patented blend of high-energy son montuno that has been packing dance-floors for many yearsmany years.


Salsa Valentines with Ricky Franco (10pm)

Saturday, 14 February.  What better way to celebrate Valentines than with the heartthrob of Toronto Latin music, Ricky Franco. Backed by his powerhouse ten-piece P-Crew Orchestra, Ricky will perform his patented blend of salsa romantica, bachata and classic salsa.   5 Musicians hail from Cuba on the list...


 Alberto Alberto y su Orquesta

Saturday, 21 February.  Fresh off his latest tour with Cuban bandleader Maraca, vocalist extraordinaire Alberto Alberto debuts his new salsa band with original material from his newly released solo album Traigo de Todo. Featuring special guest Telmary.


Luis Mario Ochoa y Cimarron
 
Saturday, 21 February.  Luis Mario Ochoa and Cimarron bring their 100% Salsa show to Lula Lounge for a night dedicated to the dancer.


Salsa Dance Party with Cafe Cubano

Saturday, 28 February.  With their potent blend of dance-floor friendly salsa and high-energy showmanship, Cafe Cubano evoke the spirit of the legendary dance clubs of Havana. With dance lesson by Ana Machado. $15 for dancing only.


January 20, 2009

Energetic Soul in Clawson, Michigan brings Pupy Insua

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Energetic Soul Dance Studios brings Pupy Insua for teaching regular classes. 

The Rumba and Son classes on Fridays will be under Pupy's instruction.

MEMBERS ~ Free | NON-MEMBERS ~ $20 per class

Click on the link above for more particulars as the plan develops.  Or

For more information, please contact us at:
248.435.4030 or 313.590.9909

Studios in Clawson, Michigan: 

1060 West 14 Mile Road, 2nd Level, Clawson, MI USA.

January 18, 2009

Rochester: Rueda Weekend March 20-22

From our kindred spirits on the other side of the lake: The Tango Cafe Dance Studio is proud to announce the Spring Fling Casino Rueda Workshop Weekend, March 20 - 22, 2009. This fantastic event is for the true Rueda enthusiast, with worshops all day Saturday and a live performance by Rochester's own Orquesta Antonetti to dance away the night.

http://www.tangocafe.citymax.com/ruedaworkshopmain.html

January 17, 2009

FRIDAY JAN 30 2009 - at the LULA LOUNGE : Telmary meets Alberto

Click on this beautiful picture (by Roger Humbert, Live Music Report) for Lula Lounge event information !!

Telmary_Alberto400

Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas Street West
Doors at 7:00 PM
Show 10PM
Admission $10.00
www.lula.ca
Dinner reservations ensure best seating.......
Info 416 588 0307

Jazz poet/rapera Telmary Diaz and singer/composer Alberto Alberto join forces  at Lula Lounge on January 30th for a new combination of timba, hip-hop, funky jazz  and alternative Cuban sounds.

Both are dynamic Cuban performers who have worked with a wide variety of artists  both on and off the island - including Los Van Van, the Afro-Cuban All Stars  Changuito, Hilario Duran, and many many others.

Telmary and Alberto will be applying their unique chemistry to compositions from  Cuban alternative artists such as Gema y Pavel, Havana Abierta, Francis del Rio, and, of course, Telmary's songs from her award winning 'A Diario' album.

The band they have assembled contains some of the finest players in Toronto including pianist David Virelles, drummer Frank Durand, Riveron on bass, Jalidan Ruiz on  percussion, with an added horn section and special  guest ex Bamboleo/Sur Caribe violinist Yosvani Casteñeda.

Music provided by dj Billy Bryans

The line up

Alberto Alberto: Cantante
Telmary: Rapera
David Virelles: Keyboards
Riveron: Bass
Frank Durand: Drums
Jalidan Ruiz; Congas
Jorge Maza: Flute and saxophone
Kervin Barretto:Trumpet
Luis Deniz: Saxophone
Yosvani Casteñeda: violin

Co-sponsored by Toronto Womens Bookstore and CubainToronto.com.

Lula Lounge is home !


January 08, 2009

Big Cuban night in Toronto at Babaluu this & EVERY Sunday

January 06, 2009

Cubaintoronto has a new hero : Pisicore ! Casino archival footage ! Finally Rosendo & Caruca who started it all !

This is truly one of the most valuable gems of the history of Casino .

 We discovered PISICORE on youtube and just subscribed to his or her videos. This  hero of Cuban music has been uploading incredible archival TV footage of our favorite bands and the begininnings of "PARA BAILAR"  ancestor to "Para Bailar Casino" started in the 70's on Cuban TV by Rosendo and Caruca - Here is a sample with the founders dancing a Rueda . Rosendo is in the black shirt white pants : he is introduced with his partner Caruca . Other Cuban Tv dance personalities ( founders/producers) show up and dance a fun social Rueda ! The MCs tease them at the end joking that they rehearsed for 6 months. I am hoping to find the footage of Juan Carlos Bulnes and Hermanos Santos dancing in a special that featured siblings.