It is with great pride that RAZA’s May installment will collaborate with the folks behind Havana New York as they continue to explore the cultures of the Caribbean and take a musical journey into the island of Cuba.

To accomplish this, the forward-thinking trio behind RAZA, have gathered a veritable collection of musical talent and partnerships that will be sure to pay homage to this beloved island of the Antilles.

The evening’s music on the turntables will be provided by two of Cuba’s children…DJ Charo (Hudson Heels) and the aptly-named DJ Cuba. Charo was born in Havana, Cuba and raised in Washington Heights. She grew up in the 80’s and her love for Latin music came from frequenting ROSELAND, CASABLANCA and IPANEMA, as well as her Cuban/Latin-rich upbringing. A love of house music brought her to create Hudson Heels-one of New York City’s more successful women’s parties (August 2006) with her partner in business and in life. Although as of late her inspiration has been in the house music genre, she has been asked to re-bless RAZA for the second time after her much-praised Latin-tinged set at RAZA’s Novemeber 2007 edition. Her true roots have lead her back to a style that experiments with Santeria rhythms, Latin and Afro-Cuban music and this always leaves the crowd wanting more.

Partnering with Charo for the evening will be DJ Cuba whose name is just a taste of all that he has been known to bring to an evening of music and dance. Cuba attributes his influence as the Cuban upbringing that he had. In a household where his mother was an avid dance and music lover, Cuba was encouraged as a child to play percussion on cans of “Bustelo” coffee while listening to the masters of Cuban music that graced the speakers his home. His fusion of music with the percussion that is an integral component of Afro-Caribbean music brings forth a force and an obvious love of the rhythms of his homeland.

Headed by Victoria Hadar of the “You Should Be Dancing” dance center in Manhattan, the Casino and Rueda de Casino students dance troupe BAILATINA will provide a taste of the dance(s) of Cuba. Victoria is a graduate from Wingate Institute for Physical Education and holds a Master’s degree from CUNY. She has specialized in the world of Salsa dancing for the past 14 years and has learned with top dance teachers in Europe and Cuba including with the Cuban national dance company, Ban Rra Rra. Together with her dance partner, a former performer at the famous club Tropicana in Havana/Cuba, Victoria taught in the Norwegian International Salsa Congress, where they were the only US instructors chosen to teach the Cuban style Salsa (Casino and Rueda de Casino).Along the years she has also been invited to teach as a guest instructor in different clubs and schools around the Tri State area – Columbia University, Lincoln Center, SOB’s, Copacabana, Rhythm and Soul, Chelsea Market, Lafayette Grill and more.

RAZA moves forward in this endeavor with the partnership of HAVANA NEW YORK: Your Guide to Cuban Music (and more!). These are the premier folks for information on nightclubs, restaurants, concerts and special events in NYC and the surrounding area that feature live Cuban music.

The collective love for their motherland will be sure to make this one of the more memorable musical journeys at a RAZA thus far and it is one that the folks at RAZA are excited about. Whether you are Cuban or a lover of the culture of Cuba, this is a RAZA that folks will be well-advised not to miss.

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW FLYER: www.almanyc.com

Joann Jimenez, Benny Soto & Carmen Valentin
in association with
Havana New York & Havana Nights - A Lo Cubano

Friday
May 2nd, 2008
6 - 11pm

Mambo, Guaracha, Cha-Cha-Cha, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Son,
Charanga, Rumba, Timba, Guaguanco, Salsa + more

DJ Charo (Hudson Heels) & DJ Cuba
dance performances by Bailatina

$5 entry, 2 for 1 drinks + free Cuban dance class before 7pm!
$10 w/Flyer or RSVP to muzikbutrfly@earthlink.net / $15 at the door

Sullivan Room, 218 Sullivan Street (3rd St. & Bleecker)
A C E B D F or V train to West 4th Street

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