Timba en la Capital

Welcome to Timba en la Capital, an on-going report on Cuban music in the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virgina areas.

If you have an upcoming event please email me at almacubana [at] yahoo [dot] com

*in the pic: me (Rosy Estrada) and flautist & director Orlando "Maraca" Valle during his October 2008 Washinton, D.C. visit.

Cuban Spring Fever Descends on the DC Metro Area!

May/June 2012 - It's been a Cuban spring season here in our nation's capital.  Sierra Maestra came back to the Artistphere on April 19th and put on a great performance.  Playing traditional Cuban Son and some faster Cuban Salsa to a packed crowd of the DC area's Cuban music lovers, Sierra Maestra did not disappoint.   We also checked out Roberto Rodriguez and the Cuban Jewish All Stars on May 14th at the Jewish Community Center (DCJCC).  Playing a mesmerizing fusion of Cuban Salsa and middle eastern/israeli music, we were awestruck with the unique and contagious sound.  Check out a few of the pictures I took with my tiny Cannon power shot here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/115550588427837081531/RobertoRodriguezAndCubanJewishAllstars?authkey=Gv1sRgCMei3v_Pw4DyBA#

June 9 - On June 9th, the DC Cubans will be hosting their annual DC Metro area potluck Cuban Picnic at the Belle Haven picnic in Alexandria right off the GW Pakrway.  For more information on the picnic, please email me at almacubana at yahoo dot com.  Two of our members will be contributing their artistic talents and sharing with us in a special way.  Festivities will commence at 11:00am

Aramis Pazos of Timba Street will be joining us and providing an exciting basic rumba lesson.

Adrian Valdivia of DC Casineros will also be joining us with a salsa casino demo.  He will be teaching a basic rueda de Casino class, that will introduce moves such as adios, pal centro, exibe, vacila, ecufla, and others.  He will explain a bit of the history of casino, and foundation, and then introduce fun moves that you can do rueda which add flavor and lots of energy.

By the way, Adrian teaches every Tuesday night at Dance Place.  Their summer session starts this Tuesday at 6:30pm.  

Dance Place 
3225 8th St NE Washington, DC 20017 
(202) 269-1600 
http://www.danceplace.org/

Check out his smooth moves at the link below: 
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151749262280591

Timba Street is Back at The Salsa Room

March 18, 2012 - This Sunday's the place to be is The Salsa Room with its Cuban Party and timba tribute with performances from local artistsTimba Street, Alafia dancers, DC Casineros and Saoco.  This is the first of four tributes to be held throughout the year to Cuban Timba.  Timba Street will also be recording their first CD live at this event.

The dress theme of the night will be Jeans (blue jeans that is) and white (something white on top, doesn't have to be the whole shirt, just something must be white).  As you may know, that's the standard Cuban outfit for good dance get-togethers in Cuba.  There will be plenty of dancing, mojitos, afro-cuban and casino dance classes, live music and performances. Don't miss out on this one!

Details of the night's activities are below, plus you can use the link at the bottom to go to the ticket website to purchase tickets in advance:

Cover:
     $15.00 in advance at www.tsrtickets.com, codigo TSR 2012 
     $20.00 At the doors 

Performances by:
“Timba Street” Live Cuban Band
Oscar y su Afro-Cuban group “Alafia”
DC Casineros, Saoco Dance Group, DJ Reina, and more!!! 

Schedule:
6pm Doors Open-DJ 
6:45-7:30 pm Rueda Classes by Jenn Gonzalez for Beginners, Adrian Valdivia for Intermediates, Yadiel Suares for Advanced 
7:30-7:45 pm DJ 
7:45-8:30 pm Timba Street Live Cuban Band
8:30-8:45 pm Afro Cuban & Rumba Class Oscar/Aramis 
8:45-9:00 pm DJ 
9:00-9:30 pm DC Casinero, Saoco, Barbara Dance Group, Alafia Performance, DJ 
9:30 pm Timba Street Live Cuban Band, DJ 

• TSR Productions www.eventbrite.com TSR Productions is using Eventbrite to organize 2 upcoming events. .  

February 3, 2012 - Grammy winner Chucho Valdes will be playing at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA (Washington D.C. metro area) on Friday, February 3, 2012. Performing with the Afro-Cuban Messengers, Chucho will be promoting his latest CD, Chucho's Steps.

Chucho Valdes and the Afro-Cuban Messengers to Play at George Mason University

February 3, 2012 - 

Grammy winner Chucho Valdes will be playing at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA (Washington D.C. metro area) on Friday, February 3, 2012.  Performing with the Afro-Cuban Messengers, Chucho will be promoting his latest CD, Chucho's Steps.

Shango Celebration at The Salsa Room

December 11, 2011 - 

Please join the DC Cuban community at the Cuban Party/Shango Celebration, by Tumbao Productions (Aramis Pazos), at The Salsa Room on Sunday, December 11, 2011 with doors opening at 6:30pm.  Get there early to take advantage of classes and dance performances!!!  This evening brings some of the hottest local Cuban performers in DC under one roof including Timba Street, Alafia, DC Casineros, Saoco and DJ Reina.  So, if you missed Timba Street at the Kennedy Center, dont miss (no te pierdas!) Timba Street at The Salsa Room.  The DC Official Cubans Meetup group will be in da house.

Bring your dancing shoes, wear something red and white if you have it, and preparate pa' una noche tremenda!

CUBAN PARTY / SHANGO CELEBRATION - IN RED & WHITE

Sunday December 11, 2011 - Doors Open At 6pm

Presented By TUMBAO PRODUCTIONS

Performances

6:30pm-7:15pm Rueda Classes

Live 13-piece Cuban Salsa/Timba band By TIMBA STREET

Live Cuban Drumming and Afro-Cuban Dancing by  OSCAR and his group ALAFIA

Dance Performances By DC CASINEROS DANCE GROUP

DJ REINA l DJ DOLA

Tickets $20

Tickets On Sale At www.trsrtickes.com

TSR members use code: tsr2011
for $12 tickets www.tsrtickets.com

www.thesalsaroom.net

2619 Columbia Pike Arlington, VA 22204  

UPDATE!

November 22, 2011 - Timba Street brought the house done last night at the Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage.  They played Timba and Cuban classics.  Check out pictures from the night's event here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/115550588427837081531/TimbaStreetAtKennedyCenter?authkey=Gv1sRgCI3P85ejxuuv6AE

Check out the video now!

http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=80516&source_type=B