Hot salsa in the city

Sydney's Charangón.

The weather is heating up*, and appropriately (and thankfully) there are a number of Cuban music events coming up. (Woohoo!)

First up is J.J. Son, the band from Santiago de Cuba that have been residing in Sydney for the last two months or so. They’re playing a Latin Solidarity fiesta at Petersham Town Hall on Saturday with Amandito y so Trovason.

Son isn’t really my thing, but J.J. Son are very enjoyable, and they’re good. They’re a three piece - tres, guitar and bongo. They’re voices are lovely and the tresero kicks arse. The leave Sydney on December 10, so if you haven’t already seen them, you’re running out of time.


December 4 is our monthly bash One Night in Cuba. This month it’s a tribute to Changó. Dress in red and white. Hotel Chambers, Martin Place, city.

The next night, there are two options (que lástima!). I’ll be at Mi Tierra at the Basement. These guys don’t live in Sydney, so you have to take any opportunity to see them crank out the timba. Also on is Buena Vista Dance’s Christmas party at Bexley. They also have some Cuban dance workshops on the day. More details here.

The big one is the debut of the group Charangón (pictured at the top of the page) on Friday December 11 at the Off-Broadway Hotel. This band features musos from Mi Tierra, including their awesome drummer Giorgio, and they’ll be banging out some Cuban music by the likes of Revé and Havana D’Primera. Myself and Mani and Nandez will be DJing. See you there.

The following night, December 12, is Noche de Fuego at the Manning Bar. With its enormous balcony, it’s a great venue for a summer’s night. The guy’s from Son Veneno will be back from Cuba and ready to play. Mani is also DJing.

*Understatement: it was 40C here on Sunday. For those living in the '50s, that’s 104F.

The Timba Geek's Guide to Havana: Part 1 2009 Update

How to find out who's on where: residencies

As I've mentioned in previous chapters of The Timba Geek's Guide to Havana (see sidebar), finding out who's playing where (and when) is an arduous task. The most reliable information comes from the horse's mouths - the musicians themselves. But, amiable as they are, they can't be friends with everyone (though they sometimes try). And even when you do know them, getting in contact with them isn't always an easy task, such are communications in Havana.
Spending two hours everyday listening to Disco Fiesta isn't an option for people with limited time and lots to do. But there is another way: residencies - or penas, in the local parlance - have become increasingly popular. Some are off and on, lasting maybe six weeks or a few months: Los Van Van, for instance, can't sustain one for long, because they tour so much; while smaller bands will get booted out of a residency if a bigger one comes back from tour or recording and wants the slot. But others are so concrete, that the only way they don't happen is if the particular band is out of the country.
This is a list of the residencies that have lasted for a year or more. It's most likely to change from June-August, when almost all of these bands go to Europe for the summer festivals. But no matter what time of year it is, it's always a good idea to either check timba.com's tours page, or phone the venue first.
If you have any additions, let me know.

Monday matinee
Pachito Alonso y su Kini Kini, Casa de la Musica, Miramar
Audience often populated with local luminaries.


Monday night
Salsa Mayor, Cafe Cantante
Maikel Blanco and crew started this regular gig sometime in between my '08 and '09 trips, and they are still doing it, according to Egrem's cartelera. It's a late one - it's unlikely they'll start before 1 (and more likely to be 1.15am). Lots of foreigners.

Tuesday matinee
Havana D'Primera, Casa de la Musica, Miramar
They've been doing this one for more than a year now. Great environment in which to see them play: lots of fanaticos singing along give the gig a great vibe.

Tuesday night
Pedrito Calvo y su Nueva Justicia, Casa de la Musica
Sometimes does the Wednesday matinee as well.

Wednesday matinee
Bamboleo, Casa de la Musica, Galiano
Bamboleo have been playing this very popular gig since '07. It'll be packed and messy. Wear close-toed shoes.

Wednesday night
Adalberto Alvarez, Casa de la Musica, Miramar
I first saw these guys play this pena in 2002 - don't know how long before that they started, but they are still doing it, eight years later.

Thursday matinee
Manolito y su Trabuco, Cafe Cantante
They started doing this when I was there in 2006, and play there every week as long as they are in town. They go on at 7pm or 8pm, depending on whether they have a support. Often play there Saturday nights as well, but check.


Thursday night
Alaín Daniel, Hotel Capri, Salon Rojo, Vedado
Since Alaín got too big for the tiny, but fun, Cabaret Las Vegas on Infanta, Thursday nights at the Capri is Alain's house. He'll be on after 12.30am - probably at 1. There'll be a hideous PMM show first with obnoxious recorded house and reggaeton, and models trying to dance. The audience isn't much more bearable. The band kicks arse though. It's often the only time he plays in Havana. Grin and bear it.

Thursday night
NG la Banda, Diablo Tun Tun*
If you have any energy after Manolito and Alaín, you can kick on with NG at Miramar, upstairs from Casa de la Musica.

Friday night
NG la Banda Casa de la Musica, Miramar*
I've never been to this gig but I've been scanning Havana gig guides long enough to know that this night at Miramar has belonged to El Tosco's crew for a long time.

Saturday night and Sunday matinee
Bamboleo, Casa de la Musica, Miramar
Bamboleo owns Miramar from midnight on Saturday through till Sunday night. Have done for a few years (waaay too long).

Sunday matinee
Yoruba Andabo, Delirio Habanero*
The Afro-Cuban dance group has played this venue upstairs from Cantante for years.

Sunday night
NG la Banda, Delirio Habanero*
Another long-established regular gig for El Tosco's crew. Sometimes do a three-for-one deal on the door, so ask about that.

* I notice that none of these are listed at this week's Egrem cartelera, but they have been such stalwarts for so long, I'm leaving them on the list. If they haven't returned to these days/venues within a couple of months, I'll delete them.