Timberos around the world, it's time again for us to spend a month celebrating some important Timba anniversaries. First up is the anniversary of NG La Banda on April 4. Formed in 1988 they took the base built by Irakere and developed much of what are the standard features of timba as we know it today. If you are new to timba do youself a favor and check it some classic NG La Banda. It is timeless!

NG La Banda - Santa Palabra complete with choreography

Next up is Azúcar Negra which will celebrate 12 years on April 8th. Leonel Limonta is unquestionably one of the great composers of the timba era having penned some of the best songs ever written from a woman's point of view. Here are a few of my personal favorites: Andar andando, Se acabó la rabia, Yo no me parezco a nadie, Vengo de estreno, Con un canto en el pecho, Te traicionó el subconciente...well I could go on but just take my word for it and go buy one or two of their CDs. They will be back in the US in June for their first tour in 10 years!

La Palabra from Toque Natural

Also celebrating an anniversary in April is Klímax under the direction of Giraldo Piloto winner of the Best Timba Drummer Award and director of the annual Fiesta del Tambor which just took place in March.  The arrangements are a thing of beauty on so many levels. People often talk about their complexity but don't let that scare you off. They are highly danceable tunes, and Piloto is one of few who has been able to successfully and tastefully inject reggaeton into his timba arrangements, in my opinion.

Classic Klímax - Consejo a una amiga

So how to best celebrate International Timba Month (ITM)? In Copenhagen tonight the fans are celebrating with a concert by Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor. They played here in Stockholm last night on ITM-eve and we got to hear 5 of the songs that will be on the new album "Esta que te hala". They are all great so get ready for another dose of Los Mayores. In Toronto you can celebrate ITM with La Charanga Habanera and El Chacal on April 10th. In the US Orquesta Revé will be touring giving many Yumas their first look at this band en vivo! Havana D'Primera continue amazing the European audiences in April but will even make it over to Mexico before ITM comes to an end for two concerts at Mama Rumba in Mexico City. Poland will celebrate with two major Cuban festivals the final weekend of April.

If you don't have any concerts of congresos nearby and can't afford to take a timba trip, why not just invite a handful of casineros over to dance and celebrate this fantastic music.

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Rumba fans, we got a couple of last minute concert dates for Muñequitos de Matanzas. Tomorrow they play in Poznan, Poland and on Sunday they will be in Berlin. Click here for the tour schedule and please send me an e-mail if you know of any other dates we are missing.

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Alexander Abreu & Havana D'Primera continue blowing the minds of their European fans. Last night was their first ever concert in Sweden and as always they gave 110% playing non-stop for over two hours. Tonight they play in Copenhagen before returning to France and Italy to complete their European tour. But they won't be getting much rest. They will play two shows in Mexico City on April 23 and 24th at Mama Rumba. Don't miss them!

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Well in the Spring it never rains but it pours and this is definitely the case in Poland. I know that for timberos in Poland it sometimes seems like an uphill battle spreading the good news of timba and casino, but their hard work is bearing fruit. This Spring there are two Cuban dance congresses including live timba bands. Unfortunately they happen to take place the same weekend! Now that's just not fair! Cubamemucho will be in Warsaw from Friday April 30 - Sunday May 2, while Krokow hosts the Festival Cubana from Friday April 30 - Monday May 3. While I am thrilled to see that Poland is host to two major Cuban congresos, my heart goes out to the timberos who have to choose which event they will attend. And imagine this, Yanek will be at the Cuban Festival while Diana goes to Cubamemucho and both congresos will have an El Indio singing.

Sixto Llorente El Indio                                                                                               Angá El Indio

Fortunately which ever event you decide to attend you will be getting excellent dance instructors and great music. In Warsaw you get Angá better known as El Indio from Orquesta Revé and Rei Ceballo & Calle Sol on April 30th, Calle Real on May 1 and a rumba party on May 2. In Krakow you get Tirso Duarte and Sixto Llorente El Indio on April 30, Pedrito Calvo Jr. & Leo D on May 1, and José Torres y Salsa Tropical and Calle Real on May 3.

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