We are approaching a milestone and are ecstatic to be celebrating our 5th anniversary, contributing to the development of not only the Cuban dance scene in Toronto, but most importantly to the happiness of so many people, through the dance classes, events and shows we organize. We could not have done it without the participation of all of you, past and present students, volunteers, assistants, dancers, and community in general!

Come join us for our 5th Anniversary Party, an event bigger and better than any of the previous ones, where you will enjoy hours of the best in Cuban Salsa, Timba, and even some Zouk, Kizomba, and Samba, and presentations by our 5th Student Performance Group and AfroLatino’s professional dancers. We don’t even have to mention our usual complimentary lesson, door prizes, and delicious hors d’oeuvres.

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How do you mesh Cuban rumba, jazz, rock guitar?

Many have tried, very few have nailed it like la Mezcla. Please note: this is not the worthy local Toronto band called la Mezcla… this is la Mezcla de Cuba with Pablo Menéndez.

And they are in Toronto in Luminato festival.

NOTE: Previous listing was June 12, this is correction to June 19.

Not to be missed… you won’t get another chance most likely, unless you go to Havana.

… y si viene la policía, lo va coger lo que anda !!

Youtube video here

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One of the most important contemporary Cuban pianists and arrangers today, Juno award-winner Hilario Duran brings his latin jazz trio to Lula for two nights – June 18 and 25. Featuring Mark Kelso on drums and Roberto Occhipinti on bass.

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With their potent blend of dancefloor-friendly salsa and high-energy showmanship, Cafe Cubano evokes the spirit of the legendary dance clubs of Havana.  Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St W. (near Dufferin) Toronto.

Join us for 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.

Reservations are not required for just the lesson and dancing portion of the evening. Just show up at the door or purchase advance tickets through paypal, see the above link.

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The Muhtadi International Drumming Festival (MIDF) is a not-for-profit organization that hosts a three-day annual event held in Toronto from the 3rd to 6th of June 2010. The festival celebrates the drum, its universality as an art form,  and its presence in all cultures around the world.

SAMBA SQUAD, MUHTADI AND THE WORLD DRUMMERS, NJACKO BACKO, TRICHY SANKARAN, others.

SPECIAL CONCERT Jun 3 at 7-10 PM

Changuito, one of Cuba’s most famous percussionsts… and Lady Son, Baque de Bamba, Amara Kante

ARTSCAPE WYCHWOOD BARNS

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www.QueenGallery.ca
382 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5A 1T1

Arte caribeño “A group painting exhibition”

Select Caribbean Artists now being represented by Queen Gallery.   Manuel Hernandez Valdez, Milene Busutil Salgado, Alexeir Diaz Bravo, Jorge Delgado Gutiérrez, Elías Federico Acosta Pérez, and more.

[Note: All apparently Cuban artists: why is the exhibit called Caribeño?]

June 4 -June 29, 2010
Saturday 1-5 pm
Tuesday – Friday 11am–6pm

Opening reception:
Saturday June 5, 2010, 2-6 pm

In this exhibition, there is a real ‘life’ to the works, a happiness and light that can only come from a place with such island colours and radiant sun. This exhibition showcases vibrant, colourful works from contemporary Caribbean artists illustrating a culture of art and imagination. With abstract, surrealist, and figurative works, we learn about the people of the Caribbean through their colours and contemporary styles and ideas.

On the canvases from Manuel, the greens, oranges, blues and yellows vibrate. Even in the predominantly black and white works from Jorge Delgado Gutierrez, although there is minimal colour, the textures are lively and animated. Milene Busutil Salgado translates dreams, history, and poetry into paintings.  Visually, she aims to engrave the image in the observer’s mind.  In these energized works, one can see the legacy of preceding masters’ skill, with the addition of a refined, contemporary Caribbean style.  While viewing these pieces one perceives a whole world, a personality, a culture, which words are not aptly able to describe.

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Arnaldo Rodriguez is one of the most recognized talents of  young Cuban musicians, Director  of the well-known  group Azucar   in 2002  decided  to form his own band named  Arnaldo y su Talisman.  In the past 8 years this band has received 4  awards at Cubadisco  (Cuban Junos) and made the top hit list in Cuba many times.   Arnaldo Rodriguez  is the founder and Director of the International Festival Piña Colada that takes place every year in Cayo Coco  to promote tourism and culture.  This festival gathers renown international artists and their fans from all over the world.

Doors open at 8 pm   Show starts at 9 pm,  at Lula Lounge 1585 Dundas St. W., west of Dufferin.

Cover:  $20 cad per person  at the door or by visiting lula.ca to make dinner reservations…

Youtube video, after the storm

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If you missed the amazing show during Lulaword by the Lula All-Stars, here is another opportunity to see them live as part of the  Luminato Light on Your Feet Series.  Also La India, veteran salsa star from Puerto Rico.

Saturday June 12
7-11pm
Yonge – Dundas Square
Latin Diva Night.     FREE

The Lula All Stars pay tribute to the queen of Salsa Celia Cruz featuring Patricia Cano, Alberto Alberto and Luis Mario Ochoa and more.

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Pachá Lounge is a new hot spot on Sunday afternoon. The boys from Cuba get to play hot cuban salsa, TIMBA — live on stage, there’s nobody to tell them not to at Pachá.

There’s a Facebook page: but you have to log in to facebook to see it. So let’s put the current info here:

K F!GGy In Conjunction with RHYTHM and ROOTS Presents…

PROJECT SOUND© LATINO EN VIVO

LATIN LIVE OPEN JAM

EVERY SUNDAY

PACHA LOUNGE
1305 DUNDAS ST WEST
(Dundas W / Dovercourt).

No duds in the band, this is the core, others will drop in:

YOSVANI CASTANEDA VALDES Lead Vocals/Violin
JORGE BENTANCOURT Keys
ALEXIS BARO Trumpet
YOSER RODRIGUEZ Bass
JALIDAN RUIZ Drums/Timbals
JORGE LUIS PAPIOSCO Percussion

@ 5:00PM SALSA CASINO WORKSHOP ~ BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED
From 5PM ~ 8PM with the Most Advance Casino Round in the City!!

Featuring…

VLADIMIR ARANDA RIVERA
@ 416-666-2441. rhythmandroots@sympatico.ca OR vladbaila@hotmail.com

Sure it’s the same night as Babaluu’s Cuban night, with DJ Billy Bryans. But … not so hard to hit both spots, Pachá starts early enough !

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A salsa dance party featuring Roberto Linares Brown and an all-star Cuban line up with special guests featuring:

Changuito, Telmay, Alberto Alberto, Yani Borrell, Angel Luis Marquez, Jorge Betancourt + DJ Billy Bryans!!! With 9:30 Dance lesson by Afrolatino dance company.

$15 Admission includes Dominic Mancuso at 8pm.

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