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…

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.

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.

Tuesday, July 20
Jane Bunnett’s African- Cuban Blues Summit at Hugh’s Room

featuring Jane Bunnett, Larry Cramer, New Orleans Blues Legend Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, Toronto’s own Madagascar Slim & Bill King’s Rockit 88 Band .

$28.75 advance / $32 door.

The African Cuban Blues Session takes you on a Musical Journey that blends together the rich roots blues Rhythms of the Madagascar region and twisting in New Orleans roots & blues along with the spiritual Roots Music of Cuba.

Jane Bunnett & Larry Cramer have put together some of North Americas best Musicians to form a band for the cultural age of roots & Blues

When asked Bunnett Explains that after her critically acclaimed and Juno award winning album “Radio Guantanamo” that melded together the oldest Form of Cuban Roots music called Chanqui and blues from New Orleans, she always wanted to expand that musical idea. In the past having worked with both Madagascar Slim & Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, Bunnett & Cramer have found the perfect fit to this musical Puzzle.

Multiple Grammy nominated and 6 time Juno Award winner Jane Bunnett & Larry Cramer are joined on stage by New Orleans Roots & Blues master Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone. Johnny has performed & recorded with the elite of the Roots & Blues community the world over. His 30 year career and with too many awards to list for his own solo projects he is widely know as one of the best Harp players in the world, along with his powerful vocals backed by his guitar and accordion prowess he is what Blues is all about.

Madagascar Slim is no stranger to the world of Blues. Born and raised in Madagascar,he taught himself to play music on his older brother’s guitar when he was just a child. His music, inspired by recordings of BB King, Jimi Hendrix, and the traditional songs of Madagascar, mix together nicely to create a unique sound that is equal parts roots, blues, folk, R&B, reggae, and world music. Dulcet vocal harmonies, propulsive guitar playing, up lifting and complex rhythms that surprise and delight, are all trademarks of his infectious music. Slim has three Juno Awards to his name: World Music Album of the Year in 2000 for his solo album, another in the same category for his 2005 collaboration with the world music group African Guitar Summit; and Roots & Traditional Album of the Year prize in 2001 for another collaboration this time with folk music group Tri-Continental.

Bill King Pianist-composer-publisher/photographer/journalist Bill King is a multi-talented individual whose recording and production credits include ‘Live! In Session’ by Liberty Silver; ‘Magnolia Nights, Moment’s Notice’ by Bill King and the Jazz Report All-Stars, ‘From The Heart’ a tribute to piano great Oscar Peterson, ‘East Side Symphony, The Night Passage Years’ and most recently Bill King’s Saturday Nite Fish Fry “Jump Shout Rock da House,” “Rhythm & Soul” and Dirt Road Blues, The Rockit 88 Band’s “Too Much Fun” and the King.Alleyne.Roth Trio’s “It Might As Well Be Spring.” Sophie Berkal-Sarbit’s – Gypsy In My Soul’ and Sophie Milman’s self titled debut which has topped 100,000 sales worldwide amongst several others. These projects highlight King’s versatility as both keyboardist, composer and arranger. Twice honoured Jazz Producer of the Year and Jazz Photographer of the from the National Jazz Awards.

DIRTY MARIA,  Latin rock\funk music

A non-Cuban favourite:

Their amalgam of funky grooves, slinky guitar and rolled-r-vocals is actually pretty killer……you don’t have to speak Spanish to have fun
Darryl Sterdan , Toronto Sun
contact:416-707-3433

DIRTY MARIA  are performing at LULA LOUNGE , 1585 Dundas West ,  the 5th of August,  at 10:00pm, $5.00 cover.

The game will take place on Tuesday, August 24th at 7:30pm at the Hershey Center in Mississauga. This game is part of a series of exhibition games in which players of the Canadian national team will face the Cuban national volleyball team in Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec.

The exhibition matches will serve as preparation for both teams for the 2010 World Championship being held in Italy in September.

Cuba, currently ranked 9th in the world, has had success at the America’s Cup 2008 in Brazil where they won the gold medal. Last year, the Cubans won the 2009 Men’s NORCECA Volleyball Championship in Puerto Rico and finished in second place at the 2009 FIVB Men’s Grand Champions Cup in Japan.

Members of the public and the media are encouraged to come and support Canadian players.

Tickets for the Toronto game can be purchased through http://www.ticketmaster.ca/ as of July 9th, at 10:00am.

The roster for the Canadian team is as follow:

ELITO REVÉ – Fri Oct 1, 2010, Courthouse, 57 Adelaide E. Toronto

EXCITING partnership between OKOKAN and SMALLWORLD MUSIC
Elito Reve will be part of the exciting Smallworld music festival and the semana dela cultura cubana!

Color & Koló: Expressions of Cuba and Curaçao is an exhibition of new work by the local artist, which explores the two Caribbean island countries of Cuba and Curaçao.  A mix of indigenous heritage and colonial rule have uniquely influenced and shaped the history and architectural landscape of these countries over the centuries.  Although both islands are categorically Caribbean, they are almost 2,000 km away from each other and have evolved culturally, socioeconomically, politically, and architecturally into two very distinct identities.  A treatise on Caribbean colour, Color & Koló (the respective Spanish and Papiamentu translation of ‘colour’), contrasts the popular northern Caribbean’s Spanish influenced Cuban landmarks against the tranquility of the southern Caribbean’s Dutch influenced Antillean landscape.