Music News – New & Returning Salsa venues… 5/15/2021

Now that the COVID vaccines are available to the majority of the US population and that the number of cases are going down in California, venues are starting to open up again for regular business. During this transition between playing shows during the pandemic and the general return to live music in venues, a few scenes in the SF Bay Area/Northern California have opened up.

Los Moles Beer Garden’s two locations in El Cerrito and San Rafael have been featuring live music by all star trios led by Vibraphonist/Pianist Charlie Barreda of VibraSON and drummer/percussionist Rene Escovedo respectively since the pandemic hit. Both trios have exceptional talents in their ranks: Barreda has vocalist/percussionist/flautist Ramon Garcia and bassist David Pinto in his lineup. And Escovedo’s trio feature vocalist/bassist Carlitos Franco and pianist Gary Flores. Both of Los Moles locations have a restaurant and full bar

One of the popular Salsa spots, The Seahorse in Sausalito has been hanging in there since the Summer providing DJ music by DJ Jimmy Ahron a.k.a. DJ Griego in their backyard patio. During the past month or so, The Seahorse has expanded to include DJ Jose Ruiz (KPOO/KPFA) on Saturdays from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm. DJ Griego is now featured on Sundays. Now live music will be resuming at the venue. The popular salsa band Mazacote featuring ex-Willie Colon timbalero Louie Romero has announced that they will be playing on June 20th.

The other popular Salsa spot that has been open for a few months now is the Caribbean Gardens in Burlingame. They have opened their doors to tardeadas on Saturday and Sunday afternoons offering a full bar and restaurant service. Long time DJ Tony O has been featured at the venue’s resident DJ and bands such as Alberto Y La Diferencia have been playing at the venue’s indoor and outdoor spaces depending on the occasion.

Rocky’s Market Brooklyn Basin, 288 9th Avenue in Oakland has opened up their huge outdoor venue to Salsa bands every Sunday night from 6 to 8 pm for a $10 door charge. Bands that have played so far are the revamped Salsa Caliente, the Josh Jones Salsa Band, guitarist Camilo Landau’s band, timbalero Mio Flores and His All Stars and others. Masks required, social distancing for now. Dancing near your table, full Bar and dining available. Adrian Goddard’s Jaffe Events is holding their Salsa By The Bay event at Rocky’s on Sunday, May 23rd featuring DJ music by DJ Tony O and DJ Antonio.

Now that the bigger promoters and acts are announcing their shows such as Marc Anthony for his November show and J Balvin at Outside Lands, you can expect mid size venues such as Roccapulco and other smaller clubs to open up again to live music and dancing. I’ll have more news about venue openings and concert announcements as they pop up.