The European summer tour season is off to an early start with Issac Delgado, Tirso Duarte, Pedrito Calvo Jr. and Septeto Nabori already on tour in May, among others! I was able to see Elito Revé y su Charangón on the Viking Line salsa cruise last month and will be catching the Supercubano himself, Issac Delgado, at the May 25th concert in Copenhagen. This will be the only concert in Scandinavia, by the way, so if you live in Sweden or Norway you should make a timba pilgrimage to see him! Doors open at 8:00pm and the pre-concert activities include my friend Salsani Salsa-dj spinning tunes and a salsa warm-up with Stine Ortvad and her Cuban Moves group at 9:00pm. The concert will be from 10:00pm-11:30pm and then the afterparties begin, first at Vesterbro Kulturhus and later at Club Mambo!
Advance tickets are 280 DKK at the door they cost 330 DKK
For more information: www.cubakultur.dk

The remaining concerts of Issac's tour are posted on his tours page so check it out to find a concert near you.

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Orquesta Revé @ Festival Nacional del Changüí 2007

The 6th National Changüí Festival in memory of Elio Revé Matos will take place in Guantanamo from May 30th - June 3rd. This year will include the participation of Orquesta Revé and Los Van Van. On the second night of the event Van Van will perform in Plaza Pedro Augustín Pérez, health permitting, Pastorita Yuani Sayús, the inspiration for the famous changüí "El guararey de Pastora", will dance changüí on stage with Van Van to the song she inspired.

If you will be unable to make a trip to Guantanamo for the festival, you can still see Orquesta Revé and Los Van Van together in concert on May 19th in Havana as they give Habaneros a small taste of the changüí festival.

This year will also see the 1st International Workshop on Changüí "el changüinaso" for national and international musicians who wish to update their knowledge of the instruments, dance and genre-related topics surrounding the most indigenous musical style from Guantanamo, Changüí. This pre-festival workshop takes place from May 27 - 30. To sign up for the workshop you must confirm your participation by May 15th. Contact the Centro Provincial de la Música “Luís Martínez Griñán” .
Director: Alexis Téllez Guerrero
Address: Los Maceo No 906 e/ Emilio Giro y Crombet
Telephones: (53) 021 - 32 2870 – 32 7590 – 32 9202
e-mail: cpm@gtmo.cult.cu
http://www.gtmo.cult.cu/instituciones/cpm

Let me leave you with a little taste from a changüí @ Casa de Pipi in Yateras December 2007 where Pipi shares stories about when he met Elio Revé Matos and what the old changüí used to be like.

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I "met" Billy probably about 10 years ago. He is one of my Internet timba friends to whom I feel very close, although we have never met in person, and in recent years we have dropped out of touch. If you've been a follower of the world timba scene for the past several years, you are probably familiar with his blog, MisterBryans. For six years his blog was the absolute leading source of information on what was happening within Cuban music and dance in the rapidly-growing Canadian scene. He began traveling to Cuba back in the early 90s and has worked with musicians such as Telmary and Alberto Alberto.

But Billy's illustrious musical career began long before timba. He began working as a professional musician 40 years ago. He may be best known in Canada as the drummer of the Parachute Club. He has also worked as a promoter, DJ and publicist, not only in Cuban music but also with African and Brazilian music.

Five years ago Billy fought and won a bought with lung cancer. Sadly he is ill again. Now Canada's musical community is rallying behind the man who has given so much to them, and to the world, with a Rumbón for Billy Bryans this Thursday April 19 at Lula Lounge. Billy has worked closely with Lula Lounge over the years, DJing there quite often for Timba events. All funds from the event will go to help cover Billy's expenses. The rumbón will include a dance lesson, dance performances and a concert by Alex Cuba. For more information and to book a table see Lula's website.

And, Billy, on behalf of all of your friends around the world who can't be there on Thursday, I send you our love and our good vibes. Take care of yourself!

Billy on drums with Parachute Club - Rise up!

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The 3rd Annual International Guaguancó Festival will be held from June 22-24 in Barcelona, Spain. This year's festival is dedicated to Gregorio Hernández better known as "El Goyo", a legendary rumbero who passed away earlier this year.

The festival offers classes with live music for both students and teachers in a wide variety of Afro-Cuban dances such as: Yoruba dances, Rumba Guaguancó, Columbia, Yambú, Contemporary Afro, Congo: Makuta, Palo & Yuca, Timba, Afro-Rumba, Franco-Haitian, Abakuá, Arará, Rumba Casino, Folkloric songs, Rueda de Casino, Son and Cubatón.

There will also be dance performances and live music including the amazing line up of La Charanga Habanera Friday the 22nd and Tirso Duarte & La Mecánica Loca Sunday the 24th!

Check out the Guaguancó Festival 2012 promotional video below.

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