John Santos Documentary at SXSW; Yeny Valdes visits SF; Baila@ La Peña; Jose Ruiz B’Day w/Anthony Blea!

A documentary on renowned SF Bay Area based percussionist, bandleader, educator, activist and cultural cataylist John Santos (pictured on left) entitled “Santos: Skin To Skin” by Producer/Director Kathryn Golden and Producer Ashley James is being released by Searchlight Films. The film is currently being screened at the prestigious South By Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Film makers Golden and James have worked on the documentary for 10 years. Music for the film was composed by John Santos, The John Santos Sextet, Omar Sosa, Kenny Endo, Abhijit Banerjee and Rico Pabon. No word about a SF screening date of the film yet.

Former Van Van vocalist Yeny Valdes performed in the SF Bay this past weekend at DJ Walt Digz’ Fresquecito monthly party at Oakland’s La Furia Chalaca. Yeny and her husband, renowned percussionist/vocalist Erick Barberia were accompanied by Team Bahia, a group of local Cuban music all stars on Saturday evening. My radio colleague Emiliano Echeverria of Radio Cuba Canta who attended the show reported that Valdes was in excellent voice and put on an explosive show that had the packed crowd on their feet. Valdes and Barberia are working on putting out a new recording for Yeny soon. I wasn’t able to catch her this time but hopefully I will be there to see Yeny in action next time! You can follow Yeny Valdes on Facebook by going to the her page Yeny Valdes Music and on Instagram on her page: Yenyteambahia.

Coming up tomorrow, Friday, March 18th from 7 pm to 1 am…don’t miss Baila: A Community Dance Party featuring PMO vocalist/percussionist Braulio Barrera and Somos El Son, KPFA/KPOO DJ Jose Ruiz in the main room, DJ Ron in the Bachata Lounge at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley. There will be Salsa and Bachata lessons given by In Lak’esh Dance Company starting at 7:30 PM. The show will start at 9:30 pm. For more information and tickets, go to lapena.org. There will be limited tickets available at the door for first come, first served. This show will be a sell out. Corey Raynor, the new Production Manager of La Peña was one of the producers of the popular Taste Friday night parties at the defunct SF Salsa palace Cafe Cocomo back in the day!

KPFA/KPOO Jose Ruiz celebrates his 60th Birthday in style on Saturday, March 19 with the sounds of violinist Anthony Blea and his all star Quintet at The Seahorse in Sausalito. The celebration starts at 5 pm.

That’s it for this time. Ciao 4 now!!