We’ve had an update… and good conversation … with the promoters of OssingtonVibes, which is the surviving bit of “Havana Cultura” festival of previous years… thanks for contacting us folks, good talk!
Some good news – the promoters are going to try to get one of the top well-known guitar/tres players from Cuba that we are so lucky to have living in Toronto… a name you will know and have seen on-stage. This is for the Sunday night at Julie’s Cuban Restaurant:
Sunday Aug 19 Julies Cuban: 202 Dovercourt Rd:
Mojito & Cuba Libre Sampling, Drinks Specials 5.30-8.30PM
Enjoy Havana Club cocktails and Toronto’s best authentic Cuban food with live Cuban guitar playing.
This should be fabulous.. and if you haven’t tried Julie’s, ask the Cubans in town. It really is is Cuban- authentic Cuban style, go try it out!
[ Too bad the best events of OssingtonVibes are happening at the same time... you could have a meal at Julie's and head over to the Painted Lady (see yesterday's post!) ... ]
This Saturday at Lula Lounge – Clave Kings featuring Yani Borell.
Yani Borrell began his professional singing career in Cuba at the age of 17 when he left home to perform with his first group Orchestra Ideal. Growing up first in Camaguay province, then moving to Las Tunas and later Varadero, Yani developed his distinctive vocal style and dynamic stage presence with well known Cuban showbands including the internationally acclaimed orchestra, Valentin Y Los Del Caribe. Since moving to Toronto in 2004, Yani has entertained many different Canadian audiences at festivals including Beaches Jazz Festival, Salsa on St. Clair, Caribana and other venues in Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal.
Featured players in the Klave Kings are Roberto Linares Brown, arranger and pianist for some of the most famous names of Cuban salsa including Adalberto Alvarez, Mayito Rivera, and Azucar Negra. Others players include percussionist Jalidan Ruiz, who first came to Canada with the guitarist Elmer Ferrer, plus Junior Urbaez(percussion), Aris Montenegro(bongos) and Frank Aular( Bass) all regulars with the Cafe Cubano band.
Yani Borrell began his professional singing career in Cuba at the age of 17 when he left home to perform with his first group Orchestra Ideal. Growing up first in Camaguay province, then moving to Las Tunas and later Varadero, Yani developed his distinctive vocal style and dynamic stage presence with well known Cuban showbands including the internationally acclaimed orchestra, Valentin Y Los Del Caribe. Since moving to Toronto in 2004, Yani has entertained many different Canadian audiences at festivals including Beaches Jazz Festival, Salsa on St. Clair, Caribana and other venues in Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal. Featured players in the Klave Kings are Roberto Linares Brown, arranger and pianist for some of the most famous names of Cuban salsa including Adalberto Alvarez, Mayito Rivera, and Azucar Negra. Others players include percussionist Jalidan Ruiz, who first came to Canada with the guitarist Elmer Ferrer, plus Junior Urbaez(percussion), Aris Montenegro(bongos) and Frank Aular( Bass) all regulars with the Cafe Cubano band.
The Havana Club team in Toronto are probably top-notch at selling rum in Canada. However… after they got a mojito and a cigar in hand, they kinda lost interest before they found out anything about Cuban music.
Without Billy Bryans on their advisory team (R.I.P. Billy!)… they appear to be having trouble seeing all the Cuban talent that’s in front of their noses in Toronto.
They found some DJs that have some Latin-sounding stuff… they remember Telmary from last year…
Other than that, they came up pretty much empty-handed. This, in the city with the most Cuban musical talent outside Havana.
Someone at Painted Lady had the insight to book the Iya Ire rumba troupe before Telmary’s bit at Painted Lady Sunday evening. I guess the organizers aren’t sure if la Rumba is Cuban or not though. So they are not on the festival list …
Maybe they had less money, maybe without Billy it wasn’t coming together… but anyway, the bigger “Havana Cultura” of prior years is replaced by a Cuban & Latin Vibes fest this weekend only.
Anyway… something DID come together in spite of all that… check it on Ossington this weekend!
Mainly it’s about the Sunday night at the Painted Lady, 5:30 PM til late! Iya Ire, followed by Telmary. And some of that Latin-ish DJ music .
Good to get news from Rumba troupe Iya Ire again, here’s the latest:
We’re back for a Sunday afternoon full of straight-up back-breakin Afro-Cuban rumba at The Painted Lady! This ain’t The Buena Vista Social club, son! Come check out what Cubans are doing while you’re taking pictures of old American cars.
Picture it: the crumbling alleys of old Havana. As you wind your way through the oppressive heat and dodge hungry dogs, you follow a sound that reverbs in your chest- el tambor te llama! You arrive at some random space that has been converted into a ceremony of sound and sweat- and you can’t look away.
Special guest from Havana- vocalist of the legendary group AFROCUBA, Ricardo Echemendia.
Amazing venue, hot vibe, electrifying energy.
PAY WHAT YOU CAN (PAGA LO QUE PUEDAS. Y si no sabes no te metas)
We’ve had an update… and good conversation … with the promoters of OssingtonVibes, which is the surviving bit of “Havana Cultura” festival of previous years… thanks for contacting us folks, good talk!
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