For the 9th consecutive year Dutch entrepreneur Henri van Woerkom (HENNES) has organized his free Cuban party on the river Waal in Nijmegen. It is a beautiful and intimate festival with participants traveling from far and wide to take enjoy the music. What could be bettr than a week-long Cuban party featuring DJs and live bands? The 2015 edition started Saturday and ends on Friday the 24th with a concert by Nils Fischer's Timbazo, who recently released their second CD - "Rumberos a montón" - to much acclaim.

One of the things that makes Hennes Latin Stage so unique is the fact that the headline band plays three consecutive nights. This year that band is El Niño y la Verdad, who are on their second European Tour and a must-see band for all Cuban music fans.

Rumours are already spreading that Hennes has big plans to celebrate the 10th Edition next year. Moreover, their 10th Anniversary coincides with the 100th Anniversary of 'the international 4 day marches Nijmegen', so expect a double celebration. If you're like me and can't make it this year, mark your calendars for the 3rd week in July 2016: 10 years Hennes Latin Stage anniversary! A great line-up is guaranteed!
Hennes gladly welcomes foreign guests in person !
As always… FREE entrance !

Here is the full 2015 schedule:
Saterday 18 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Joost
08.00 PM: Orquesta Salsabor

Sunday 19 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Lady Kizz & Dj Sigi
08.00 PM: Tomi y su Timbalight

Monday 20 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Eric B
08.00 PM: Barbara y VaiVen Cubano

Tuesday 21 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Leslie
07.00 PM: Barbara y VaiVen Cubano
10.00 PM: Emilio Frias El Niño y La Verdad

Wednesday 22 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Leslie
07.00 PM: Pedro & his cuban experience
10.00 PM: Emilio Frias El Niño y La Verdad

Thursday 23 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Joost & Lady Kizz
07.00 PM: Pedro & his cuban experience
10.00 PM: Emilio Frias El Niño y La Verdad

Friday 24 july 2015
06.00 PM: Dj Joost
08.00 PM: Timbazo

"Hennes celebrates his annual party and everyone is invited."

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Click here for the full gallery of both the SF JAZZ and Kuumbwa Jazz Center shows.

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ENGLISH:  Bill Tilford participated in Cubadisco 2015 in Havana, Cuba in May.  The first in a series of pieces about Cubadisco 2015 is now available here. 
ALSO:  You can hear Bill's interview in English of Jazz pianist Alejandro Falcón, who won two Cubadisco awards this year, in the radio archive of The Afro Cuban Jazz Edition with Frankie Pineiro on WSLR until Tuesday, July 28, when the show will run his special segment on the music of Ruy López-Nussa & La Academia.  The show before ACJE bleeds into the first two minutes of the archive, but stay with it.  You can listen here - look for the July 14 program. 
ESPAÑOL: Bill Tilford participó en Cubadisco 2015 en la Habana, Cuba en mayo.  El primero en una serie de articulos sobre Cubadisco 2015 ya está disponible aquí. 
TAMBIÉN: pueden escuchar la entrevista por Bill (en Inglés) de Jazz pianista Alejandro Falcón, quien ganó dos premios Cubadisco este año, en el archivo de radio The Afro Cuban Jazz Edition con Frankie Piñeiro en WSLR hasta el martes, 28 de julio, cuando el programa pondrá su segmento especial sobre la música de Ruy López-Nussa y La Academia. El programa antes del  ACJE sangra en los primeros dos minutos del archivo, pero quédense con ello. Pueden escuchar aquí - busque el programa de 14 de julio.

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Por fin, a team of presenters has banded together to bring Los Van Van to Chicago!  They are coming to Thalia Hall on Sunday, August 9 at 8PM.  If you need me to tell you why this is a must-go, you must have stumbled onto the wrong website by accident. And yes, even with the loss of Juan Formell, they are still in a class all their own.  For tickets and details, see the Thalia Hall website. Needless to say, there are other US cities on the itinerary, which we think we have here. 

But hey, there's more!  For you traditionalists, the Adios Tour for the Buena Vista Social Club is coming to Ravinia on Wednesday, August 12 at 8:30pm.   Tickets and details at the Ravinia website. Supposedly this is their last trip out, but then I was at Flaco Jimenez Jr's "retirement concert" in Denton, Texas about a decade ago, and the last time I checked he was still playing.  These things happen when you are dedicated to your art. But why take a chance, eh?   

Tell you what, just take the whole week off.  Festival Cubano is happening Friday-Sunday, August 14-16, and that lineup includes Pedrito Calvo, Miguelito Cuni Jr.  and many others. Even the non-Cuban artists like Jose Alberto "El Canario" and Luis Enrique have for the most part been working with Cuban artists recently.  Full details at the Festival Cubano website. 

But Bill, what about RIGHT NOW, you ask?  Got you covered.  This Friday and Saturday,  the Chicago Latin Jazz Festival in Humboldt Park is happening. Complete details are at the Jazz Institute of Chicago's website.  I'll let Mr. Papo Vazquez explain why you should attend: 



Next case. 

Before you go, check out the photo gallery and interview with Jorge Gomez of Tiempo Libre, which was just here.  They tore up the block, and I think they made it to Madrid before they could be arrested for it....

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