Monday September 29 2008 - Calle Real in Paris
Odduara is organizing the Calle Real concert on December 7th in Paris. This concert will coincide, more or less, with the release of Calle Real's as yet unnamed new studio CD. The band will finish recording the CD in October and are still planning for a December release although no exact date has been set.
For more information about the concert see Odduara's site (soon in English as well).

Carlos Joel y La Balanza Upcoming CD
Mirco at TimbaPorSiempre has all the latest on Carlos Joel y la Balanza, a relatively new group that are getting many good reviews. They will soon release their CD titled Lo que traigo ahora, and they have provided TimbaPorSiempre with some audio clips so you can check them out for yourselves as well as a short biography and the track list from the CD.

Saturday September 13 2008 - Luis Alvaro Varona Has Passed Away
Timba.com is sorry to report that Luis Varona passed away early this morning in Copenhagen from pancreatic cancer. One of the great Cuban trumpet players, Varona worked with groups such as Klímax, Issac Delgado, Adalberto Álvarez y Su Son, Irakere, Robert Faz and Calixto Oviedo. He will be missed here on Earth but now goes to his place in that great orchestra in the sky.

Friday September 12 2008 - Timberos Take Action to Help Hurricane Victims
The Cuban people have suffered greatly from the two hurricanes that swept across the country this past month leaving many people homeless and as many as 320,000 houses damaged, not to mention the damage to crops that will have long-term ramifications for the Cuban economy. As the long process of clean-up and restoration begins, people around the world are finding ways to help.

Tonight an "artists' brigade", including Salsa Mayor and other groups, will leave Havana for the provinces where they will perform for the victims of the hurricanes, bringing them a little happiness amid all the loss and devastation. Also Oderquis and Lisandro are trying to work out transportation to Las Tunas where the carnival was cancelled due to the hurricanes.

Meanwhile in France the venue Back-up has sprung into action. Orly Solomon of Candela Productions informs that Back-up will host a "Solidarity with Cuba" event on September 25. All of the cover charges will go to hurricane relief. The French really know how to put on a timba party, so why not plan a long weekend in France where you can get your groove on and contribute to a good cause?

Tuesday September 9 2008 - Tiempo Libre's Elizabeth Sobol Wins 2008 Recognition Award
As you probably know, Melao recently set up a poll to select the Timba Pioneer of the Year. Elizabeth's work with Tiempo Libre has brought timba to whole new audiences and has been a significant part of their success. Melao has the full story of Elizabeth's work. Read it and be inspired.

Remember that each individual can make a difference. If you would like more timba clubs and concerts in your area, think about how you personally can contribute to making it happen. You'd be surprised how far a little obsession will take you!

Manolín on Tour in Europe in September
As soon as we have the concert dates we'll post them. You may wnat to get ready for a trip to Italy in September.

Saturday September 6 2008 - Anda y Pégate Release Delayed!
Fans are beginning to grumble amongst themselves because many ordered Salsa Mayor's new CD Anda y Pégate when it appeared at Prodland. However, it now turns out that the CD, is delayed due to some sort of technical problem at a factory in the US. The new release date is September 12. Hopefully it won't get pushed back again. So if you've ordered the CD, don't worry it will be coming in a couple of weeks...probably.

Or as Los Mayores would say "no te deseperaras, esperaras tranquilito que la máquina llegara".

Monday September 1 2008 - Copenhagen Latin Festival
The Copenhagen Latin Festival will take place October 3rd and 4th at Amager Bio. the program features a Cuban-Brazilian cabaret, a concerts both nights by Gilito y su Clave, dance workshops in salsa, reggaeton and dancehall, as well as a "booty shaking contest" and afterparties with DJ Edwin. Click here for more information.

Danish/Cuban Friendship Society Dance Classes
Every year the Danish/Cuban Friendship Society in cooperation with  the CNSEA organizes four dance and music study trips to Cuba. Classes include son, casino and rueda de casino as well as some mambo, chachacha and rumba. Classes in congas and Spanish can also be arranged.

Every student gets a Cuban dance partner. the courses are held at Hotel Kohly in association with the National School of the Performing Arts. Upon completion of the two-week course participants will receive a diploma from La ENA. For all the details including prices click here.

The next courses will be held:
October 12 - 26
December 25 - January 7
January 4 - 17
April 5 - 19