The highly anticipated Los Van Van US tour officially begins with a two night appearance at the Conga Room in Los Angeles, Thursday December 2nd and Friday December 3rd. They will make their way to Miami for their December 17 show via Texas, New York City, San Francisco and Tampa. Visit out tour page for the full schedule = http://timba.com/tours/los-van-van

A letter addressed to LVV manager Americo Miranda Ortiz has surfaced stating that the band was released from a previous exclusive agreement on May 28, 2010. Travel plans are moving ahead and the following full list is confirmed. Stay tuned for a concert report and photos from the opening night at the Conga Room.  

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Prepárense bailadores y timberos! This Friday, November 12 - Sunday, November 14 Copenhagen will once again host the Latin Festival at Amager Bio. By day you can take part in dance workshops in Reggaeton, Salsa, Rueda, Rumba and Afro-Cuban Dance/Orishas. By night enjoy dance shows/competitions followed by first class music from:
Friday November 12: Egues y Su Cuban Beat and Pupy Los Que Son Son
Saturday November 13: La Empresa and Manolín "el Medico de la Salsa"

This festival is well worth making a timba trip. Pupy is simply not to be missed and this may well be the first time that Manolín has performed in Scandinavia, at least I think it's the first time since I got into timba back in 2003. So hitchhike if you have to but get yourself to Copnehagen this weekend! You can book your tickets in advance so you don't get left out in the cold. Just look at some of what you have to look forward to!

Pupy y los que son son - Calla Calla

Manolín - Somos lo que hay

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A promoter and booking agent has filed suit against Cuba’s iconic band Los Van Van and its leader Juan Formell to stop a planned U.S. tour.

Band manager Americo Mirando Ortiz also was named as a defendant in the breach of contract suit filed Oct. 21 in Miami federal court by NYK Productions. The lawsuit alleges NYK was the band’s booking agent when the musicians engaged another company, Fuego Entertainment, to book a U.S. tour, violating a February agreement making it the exclusive booking agent for Los Van Van. The band has scheduled dates in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City in December.

The 14-piece band won a Grammy in 2000 for its salsa-infused music that Formell calls "timba". The band has spurred demonstrations in Miami. About 400 Cuban-Americans protested the band’s concert at the Knight Center last February, saying it was an extension of Cuba’s communist government. --source Law.com / Daily Business Review

NYK Productions is a Hallandale, Florida based production company led by Mr. Arie Kaduri (pictured right). Fuego Entertainment is a Miami based company led by Mr. Hugo Cancio (pictured left).

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Tonight should be a very interesting night. Piedmont Piano Company holds only about 90 to 100 people, and has what may be the best piano currently available in the world, a 9-foot Fazioli concert grand. The concert is only $20 and the ticket is free if you buy the $170,000 piano. (Delivery is free!).

I'll be on hand with all 9 volumes of Beyond Salsa Piano, which you can have Melón personally autograph. There's also a discount for the full set, and a separate discount for the full set of Melón's volumes. Last but not least, I've completed two of the Calixto Oviedo Beyond Salsa Percussion volumes. They're not published just yet, but I've printed up mock copies of each for people to check out (and find typos if you can!) Tom Ehrlich will also be on hand and you might be able to convince him to take a shot of you with the maestro. Also a great opportunity to meet Bay Area luminaries such as Walfredo de los Reyes and other special guests.

Monday, Nov. 8 - 8:00 p.m.

Piedmont Piano Company 

call 510-547-8188 to reserve tickets

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