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Latin Beat Magazine, March, 2001 by Rudy Mangual

After the customary slow pace of events at the beginning of every new year in the City of Angels, February brought us out of the doldrums with several good music events. Direct from New York City, the group Willie Villegas y Entre Amigos rocked the Conga Room stage for two consecutive nights. The authentic New York salsa style of the band was a refreshing treat for most Angelinos. The legendary percussionist Jack Costanzo, "Mr. Bongó" also graced the Conga Room on Friday, February 9, celebrating the release of his latest CD titled Back from Havana. Valentine's Day featured Poncho Sánchez and his band at the Conga Room and Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad at El Floridita Restaurant in Hollywood. These two bands are the town's busiest local working groups, with Sánchez also being the busiest Los Angeles band working abroad. Ricardo Lemvo y Makina Loca, Costazul, Son Mayor, Orquesta La Palabra, Susie Hansen, Charanga Cubana, and Latin Fusion are some of the other local favorites, which are also constantly working throughout the Southland.

This year's annual NAMM Show (International Music Products Association) celebrated its 100th anniversary. The event was held on January 18-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. This paramount annual conference brings together thousands of music instrument manufacturers, and their staff and sales executives to discuss the challenges in this highly competitive international marketplace. All the latest musical products are exhibited together with hundreds of endorsing musicians showcasing the new instruments, equipments, accessories, peripherals, etc. About 60,000 people attended this year's event, making it the largest to date and also the most historic.

Upcoming dance concert events from Albert Torres Productions include singer Herman Olivera (direct from New York City) on Friday, April 6, together with Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad; direct from Venezuela, Oscar D'León on Friday, April 13; and direct from Colombia, Fruko y sus Tesos on Friday, April 28. All performances will be at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City.

Salsa Dance Contest 2001 will take place at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City. Six weeks of qualifying begin Friday, March 2. Three couples from each of the following categories will be selected: Professional, semi-professional, amateur, and 40 & over. Over $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. Winners will be eligible to perform at this year's West Coast Salsa Congress.

Legendary Cuban singer/songwriter Pablo Milanés will be performing at the Conga Room in Los Angeles in April.

Performing as part of this year's 3rd Annual West Coast Salsa Congress ate music headliners Los Hermanos Morenos on May 25, Cachao (direct from Miami) on May 26, and direct from Puerto Rico, Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound.

Please continue supporting your local artists and venues.