Toronto’s Ossington Ave. will be transformed into a Havana haven with a series of lively Cuban-themed events. The event takes place in both Toronto (Aug. 19-22) and Montreal (Aug. 12-14).

“Havana Club’s Havana Cultura originated in Canada and now, three short years later, it’s celebrated in seven markets globally,” says Kirsten Devitt, Senior Brand Manager for Havana Club Rum, the Festival’s creator and key sponsor. “Festival revellers will be able to experience the insatiable Cuban zest for life through themed events including salsa dance, Cuban music, cigar-rolling, original artwork and authentic Cuban cocktails like the Cuba Libré and the Mojito.”

Each of the participating venues along Ossington Ave. (between Queen St. West and Dundas St. West) will host a unique, Cuban-themed activity.   “Havana Club’s Havana Cultura exists as a vehicle for Havana artists to show the world what they do, and to let the world see and hear what they have to say about their work, their life and their city,” Devitt says. “It’s an international effort, originating in Havana, brought to life in Canada by Havana Club International S.A., and now available to the world.”

More details to come…

Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St W presents:

… the best salsa dance party in town. With their potent blend of dancefloor-friendly salsa and high-energy showmanship, Cafe Cubano evokes the spirit of the legendary dance clubs of Havana.

Dancing after 9pm ($15 includes the lesson) …  or come early and enjoy our $49 dinner and show package. Our dinner package guarantees seating for the night and includes  appetizer, main course and dessert, the 9pm beginner salsa lesson and three sets by the live salsa band.

LIVE REGGAETON vs LIVE SALSA

IN A CLASSY AND ELEGANT ENVIRONMENT

FRIDAY JULY 23RD 2010!

SALSA VS REGGAETON PART #2

TORONTO CUBAN ALL STARS  12 PIECE SALSA BAND

Rufino Maceiros
Aris Montenegro
Roberto Riveron
Jorje Luis Papiosko
Jorje Betancur
Angel Luis Marquez
Reynier Torres
Yosvani Castaneda
Frank Durand
Jorge Maza

VS

ZONA FRANCA
LA UNION ENT

DJ BILLY BRYANS

Spinning the best and latest in :

?Salsa ?Reggaeton ?Merengue ?Bachata?Timba?Cubaton ?Latin House ?top 40

HOSTED BY: MC ANGELITO

& ? ?&R ? RHYTHM and ROOTS ?

FRIDAY JULY 23RD @ 6 DEGREES.

COVER $10

Elito Revé’s show at SOB’s in New York was amazing, people saying it’s the best so far…

WARNING: With a smaller size venue in Toronto for the  Oct 1 show… and the shared promotion with the 9th annual Small World music festival… you may have to be sharp to be sure you get in…

The Elito Revé Facebook page
Melao’s Facebook page and videos have a lot of the Elito buzz.

Saturday, 24 July 2010  – Changuito nears the end of his visit to Toronto, you might need to take advantage !

Master Class with Changuito (1pm)

Don’t miss this opportunity to study with one of the great masters of Cuban percussion. Limited spaces available. Class to run from 1 to 4pm. Purchase tickets before June 25 and receive a complementary ticket to our Cuban Jazz Masters show on June 25th featuring Hilario Duran and Papiosco. Students should bring their own instruments.

One of the finest soprano saxophonists in the world, Jane Bunnett originally studied classical piano but tendonitis cut her dream short.  She has been nominated for Grammy awards, numerous Juno awards, and most recently was honoured with an appointment to the Order of Canada.  An internationally acclaimed musician, Bunnett is known for her creative integrity, improvisational daring and courageous artistry.  Her exploration of Afro-Cuban melodies expresses the universality of music and her ability to embrace and showcase the rhythms and culture of Cuba has been groundbreaking.  She has toured the world bringing her own special sound to numerous jazz festivals, displaying her versatility as a flutist, saxophone player and pianist.  In addition to her husband, trumpeter Larry Cramer, the late pianist Don Pullen had also been a fixture on her albums.  In her 1988 debut, Dark Light, Bunnett featured fellow jazz saxophonist Dewey Redman.  Her most adventurous work is 1991’s Spirits of Havana, which is reminiscent of the musical style of Cuba’s top jazz musicians.  Bunnett moved to Paris in the mid-’90s and continued to record Afro-Cuban jazz throughout the decade, releasing several critically acclaimed discs for Blue Note records.  In 2002, Bunnett took a brief sabbatical from Afro-Cuban music and released Spirituals & Dedications, highlighting her interest in both traditional gospel and modern compositions.  Jane Bunnett’s performance will feature harmonica player and accordionist Johnny Sansone and Juno award-winner Madagascar Slim.

Ilédè is a Rumba ensemble who will be featuring “El Gato” Ernesto Gatell from Los Rumberos de Cuba .   If you know about the Afro Cuban Dance Classes put on by Gotta Dance Inc. then you know what the energy will be like. If not, then come out and get a blast of Cuban culture. This night will be packed with great music, great people, and off the charts energy.  Read more …Facebook  Event

Mambo Lounge Restaurant and Tapas Bar,  130 Danforth Avenue

Rumba  Lesson w/Melissa Noventa : 9:15 pm,     Show: 9:30 pm,  Cover $5

Friday, 20 August 2010

Buena Vista Social Club presents Eliades Ochoa

Eliades Ochoa is considered one of the most important Cuban ’soneros’ of all time and guardian of traditional Cuban music. His trademark cowboy hat belies the fact that he is a Guajiro (from the countryside), and his musical interests run along this traditional line. His repertoire includes son, guararcha and Afro-Cuban music.

Enjoy great performances by talented local artists both on stage and on the street.   Salsa on St. Clair

This FREE family street party celebrating Toronto’s Latin cultures transforms midtown Toronto between Winona Drive and Christie Street into a showcase of Latin life: pulsating music, passionate dancing, fiery foods, a Latin market, a children’s area and much more.

This year’s lineup of artists includes SalsAfrica, Roberto Linares Brown, Café Cubano, Aché and many more.