Hola 2017!!

As we start the new year 2017, I’ll recap what came down during the past holiday season. Los Van Van put on a spectacular show at Roccapulco (although I thought their Herbst Theater show was a better show). Both Charanga Habanera and Alexander Abreu/Havana D’Primera cancelled their SF Bay shows due to inept national producers and visa problems.

We missed seeing International and National Salsa acts visiting the area during the month of December and especially NYE. The annual SF International Salsa Congress was sorely missed this year. They would always feature international Salsa greats as headliners.

As we enter this new year, a new promising venue Calle 11 is opening South of Market on January 5th at the old Paradise Lounge site at 11th & Folsom St. in SF in the same neighborhood as Slims. The club features 3 floors with a ground floor Salsa club and an upstairs Puerto Rican restaurant. Latin Jazz icon Pete Escovedo has been added to Yoshi’s January lineup on January 21st and 22nd.

And…my radio program “Con Sabor” on KPFA 94.1 FM and worldwide on www.kpfa.org on Saturday evenings from 9 to 11 pm is celebrating 20 years on the air! Thanks to all the listeners for your support…2017 will be full of bright moments during this anniversary year!