Viva la Van – Salsa Beats in Vancouver

THE SCENE

Photo by Tim Samoff

The Afro-Cuban rhythms of Salsa music have taken a long and colourful trip to arrive on Canada’s West Coast. The music’s roots originated in Cuba, Colombia and Puerto Rico, birthing from the marriage of Spanish Rumba and African percussion. It wasn’t until the late forties that the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente popularized this contagious genre in the New York scene. Since then, Latin music has proliferated on a global scale. It’s only fitting that a city as international as Vancouver would enjoy its own established Salsa community.

THE ESSENTIAL SALSA VENUES

*The following venues do not necessarily provide live Salsa seven nights a week.  When in doubt, please call for specific event dates.

Atlantis Nightclub

1320 Richards St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 3G6, tel: (604) 662-7707

Atlantis Nightclub - photo by Jhayne Holmes

The 911 Salsa event features DJ Cachete playing the best of contemporary Cha Cha, Salsa and Bachata in one of Vancouver’s favourite night clubs. The modest eight dollar cover charge is well worth the energetic atmosphere, expansive dance-floor and reasonably-priced cocktails. Line-ups can occur, but a guest list is available online.

Empire Landmark Hotel

1400 Robson St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 1G9, tel: (604) 999-5588

Great view, great cocktails, great salsa - Photo by Rick Audet

Situated in the tallest hotel in the West End, the popular Salsa Fusion Fridays provide the best of Salsa, Mamba, Cha Cha, Bachata and Merengue. Experience expert instruction during the early evening, then dance the night away as the DJ brings the vitality of Latin dance and music to downtown Vancouver. Twelve dollars cover.

Howard Johnson Hotel

395 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1L8, tel: (604) 688-8701

Photo courtesy of the Howard Johnson Hotel Vancouver

Nothing says Latin like Saturday nights in the ballroom of the Howard Johnson Boutique Hotel. DJs provide the entire gamut of Latin musical genres accompanying beginners lessons, demonstrations and an exotic evening of dancing. This is one steamy night out whether timid novice or seasoned Don Juan. Cover is ten dollars.

Can’t wait for the weekend? Salsa Passion Thursdays at the Howard Johnson provide an eclectic mix of mambo, cha cha, bachata and meringue. Seven dollars cover.

Polish Community Centre

4015 Fraser St., Vancouver, BC, tel: (604) 874-8620

Photo courtesy of the Polish Community Centre

Don’t let the location of East Vancouver’s Polish Community Centre throw you. This is one of the most authentic Latin nights to be found in the city with live music, courtesy of Miguelito Valdes and his Cuban Salsa Band, Puro Son. Cover is ten dollars.

The End Café

2360 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC, V5N 4B7 tel: (604) 215-3888

Puro Son is a regular at The End - Photo by La Teja Pride

If you dig Puro Son, they also play the café scene at the famously multi-ethnic Commercial Drive strip. Cover charge is seven dollars.

Waldorf Hotel

1489 Hastings St. East, Vancouver, BC, V5L 1S4 tel: (604) 253-7141

The Tahitian Longue at the Waldorf - Photo by Bowling Trophy

Come down to one of Vancouver’s most celebrated hotels for Havana Nights, an evening of live Salsa music featuring The Sonora Kings (formerly Tropicana Band) as they offer the best of Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia.

Zocalo Contemporary Mexican Restaurant

2515 Main St., Vancouver, BC, V5T 3V5 tel: (604) 677-3521

Marlin Ramazzini’s band, Salsa Beat, plays at this amazingly authentic Mexican restaurant every Friday and Saturday night. Cover charge is free with a minimum order of ten dollars.

BACKYARD TALENT

Here are some of the kings and queens of Vancouver’s Latin scene.

• D’Talle
• Expresion Juvenil
• Grupa Jazz Tumbao
• Grupa Tabasko
• La Candela
• La Clave/Salsa Kings
• Marlin Ramazzini Orquesta
• Orquesta BC Salsa
• Orquesta Tropicana Band
• Puro Son
• Rumba Calzada
• Shango Ashe
• Sin Limite
• Sumalao
• Tanga