Ahi Na Ma!

All our publicity since the beginning of El Swing has featured images of the great Celia Cruz, the undisputed Queen of Salsa, aka La Reina.

Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso (21 October 1925 – 16 July 2003) would have been 99 in October and we will be celebrating her life and music. La Reina recorded 70+ solo albums as well as collaborative releases with other major Salsa artists such as Willie Colón, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco and La Sonora Ponceña; and was the brightest star amongst the Fania All-Stars with any number of Salsa and Tropical classics to her name.

Reina Rumba “The queens of the party!” – October’s live band – will be making a long overdue return to The Portico and El Swing. Reina Rumba are a 4 piece all female outfit consisting of bass, piano, multi percussion and vocals. Reina Rumba perform a range of Latin musical styles; salsa, son, cumbia, bachata and bolero to name a few.

The name of the band was taken from Celia Cruz’s song “Reina Rumba” which talks about the female spirit at the core of this afro-tropical rhythm: rumba. Reina Rumba aims to bring this energetic female spirit to its music and performance.

La Reina lives on! ¡Azúcar!

We begin the evening with a salsa dance class led by the wonderful Yamile and DJ sets from your resident selectors spinning the hottest new salsa dura to the deepest, classic Fania and all the amazing stuff in between.