Coming up later This Week-

Live Salsa is happening down in Los Gatos every Thursday night at Charley’s LG, 15 N. Santa Cruz Avenue. Featuring this week one of the Bay Area favorites Julio Bravo y Salsabor. Yours truly, Luis Medina will be your DJ and MC (KPFA/WorldSalsaRadio), WSR’s DJ El De La Clave will be in the house. Dance lessons with Migi and Angel start at 8 pm. Last week’s opening night shined with a festive atmosphere, dynamic sound, great dancers and explosive music. Manny Martinez y La Rebeldia on 5/26 followed by Orquesta La Moderna Tradition 6/2 and Carlos Xavier 6/9. This night is presented by International Salsa Magazine.

La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley is alive with fine events this coming weekend. The monthly Baila party is featuring vocalist-percussionist Danilo Paez and his Orquesta Universal. Danilo has been a fixture in the SF Salsa scene playing with Mestizo, Orestes Vilato y Los Kimbos 90’s and toured with Ruben Blades. He latest recording is entitled Perservando (Preserving). Joining Danilo will be KPOO/KPFA DJ Jose Ruiz, DJ Ron in the Bachata Lounge and dance workshops with special guest dance instructor Kathy Reyes. Tickets available at www.lapena.org. Get your tickets fast – this event was sold out the last two months.

La Peña is also hosting a Celebration Of Life Rumba in honor of the late Illuminado Yaya Maldonado on Sunday, May 22, 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Maldonado passed away on March 27, 2022. The proceeds of the benefit goes to Maldonado’s family. Performers include John Santos, Fito Reinoso, Sandy Perez, Javier Navarette, Hector Lugo, N. Bruce Williams, Jose Luis Seluma Gomez, Butch Haynes and more. Get your tickets now as tickets are selling fast!

That’s it for this time! Ciao 4 Now!