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El Swing hits the dancefloor with a monthly night of the very best in Salsa – from the hottest new salsa dura to the deepest, classic Fania – and all the amazing stuff in between.
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PAST EVENTS
El Swing New Year Party - Sarabanda live + Salsa Dance Class + El Swing DJs
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
The Portico23a, Knights Hill,SE27 0HS7.30 – 12.00Sarabanda play our first live set of 2023 - guaranteed to fill the dance floor with their glorious mix of Cuban rhythms. Sliding effortlessly between classic, vibrant Cuban Salsa and Son - with serious sabor - by way of cha cha cha, mambo, and the latest hot timba, salsa and Latin jazz … including son from the 40s and 50s with a nod to Buena Vista Social Club.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.The DJs (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.7.30 - 8.30: Yamile leads her swinging all-comers Salsa Dance Class8.30 -12.00: Salsa Party: 8.30 -10: El Swing DJs 10 -11: Sarabanda live 11-12: El Swing DJsCome and support live music at a great venue with lovely people as far as the eye can see and, of course, the very best in salsa!
El Swing New Year Party - Saturday January 14 - Sarabanda live + Salsa Dance Class + El Swing DJs
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
All Fiesta - no Siesta. The Portico is a great space with a dance-friendly floor!!We begin 2023 with a live set from Sarabanda on Saturday January 14Pianist Sara McGuinness sought out musicians with a passion for Cuban music to form Sarabanda and the result is a powerful sextet with a big sound.Sarabanda is a musical collective that unfailingly fills the dance floor with their glorious mix of Cuban rhythms. Sliding effortlessly between classic, vibrant Cuban Salsa and Son - with serious sabor - by way of cha cha cha, mambo, and the latest hot timba, salsa and Latin jazz … including son from the 40s and 50s with a nod to Buena Vista Social Club.The collective’s obvious love of the music they play is evident in the passionate and exuberant arrangements of both original material and Cuban classics. It also features a host of wonderful musicians steeped in Cuban music and Salsa including bassist Jimmy Martinez and percussionists Emeris Solis, Bill Bland and Alejandro Martinez, all led by Sara who has rightly earned a mighty reputation in both the salsa and African music scenes.The all-comers salsa dance class kicks off at 7.30 - led by the wonderful Yamile from Colombia - before the club night gets into gear at 8.30 for 100% Lean Latin through until midnight with Sarabanda and top-notch El Swing DJs keeping the dance floor bubbling.The Salsa DJ Dream Team: (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.
El Swing Christmas Party with live Salsa from Wil Sifontes and his Latin Sound Quintet
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
El Swing - the best in live and recorded SalsaEl Swing Christmas Partywith live Salsa from Wil Sifontes and his Latin Sound Quintet+El Swing DJs+Salsa Dance Class led by YamileSaturday December 10th The Portico 23a, Knights Hill SE27 0HSAhi Na MaWil Sifontes and his Latin Sound Quintet. Wilmer Sifontes, originally from Caracas Venezuela, is one of London’s most accomplished, outstanding and prolific percussionists. He has backed up many of Salsa’s biggest stars (Henry Fiol, Adalberto Santiago, Tito Gomes) and played some of the most prestigious festivals (Glastonbury, North Sea, Womad) as well as leading his Conjunto Sabroso. Another great El Swing night is guaranteed.Our Colombia-born Salsa teacher, Yamile, gets the hips moving with her all-comers Salsa Dance Class from 7.30, followed by the club night with El Swing DJs and Los Domingos top-notch El Swing DJs keep the dance floor bubbling.The DJs (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.
El Swing - November 12 - Los Domingos live + Salsa Dance Class + El Swing DJs
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
The best in live and recorded Salsa -El Swingwith live Salsa from Los Domingos+El Swing DJs+Salsa Dance Class led by YamileSaturday November 12thThe Portico23a, Knights HillSE27 0HS7.30-12
El Swing + El Swing Descarga Band with Sarabanda live + Salsa Dance Class + El Swing DJs
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
El Swing + El Swing Descarga Band with Sarabanda live + Salsa Dance Class + El Swing DJs. Our September band, Orquesta Estelar, came with 24 musicians and rocked the place under the direction of Sara McGuinness and Bill Bland. (I’ll get around to posting some of the show at some point!). Bill is off to Cuba but Sara returns to head up the El Swing Descarga* Band with her own Sarabanda. Sarabanda is an accomplished and popular band in its own right and has graced the Portico for many a hot session.A descarga (literally discharge in Spanish) is an improvised jam session consisting of variations on Cuban music themes, primarily son montuno, but also guajira, bolero, guaracha and rumba. The genre is strongly influenced by jazz and it was developed in Havana during the 1950s. Important figures in the emergence of the genre were Cachao, Julio Gutiérrez, Bebo Valdés, Peruchín and Niño Rivera in Cuba, and Tito Puente, Machito and Mario Bauzá in New York.Our Colombia-born Salsa teacher, Yamile, gets the hips moving with her all-comers Salsa Dance Class from 7.30, followed by the club night with El Swing DJs and El Swing Descarga Band with Sarabanda.The DJs (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.7.30 – 8.30: Yamile leads her swinging all-comers Salsa Dance Class8.30-12.00: Salsa Party: 8.30-10: El Swing DJs 10-11: El Swing Descarga Band with Sarabanda live 11-12: El Swing DJs
El Swing - Orquesta Estelar live + El Swing DJs + Salsa Dance Class with Yamile
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Ahi Na Ma Orquesta Estelar is a community-based 20 piece Cuban big band! They are a SOAS Union society and part of the vibrant SOAS community. The band play a range of Cuban and salsa repertoire from 40s classics through to contemporary hits and are led by the formidable team of Sara McGuinness, Elpidio Alegria, Bill Bland and Jimmy Martinez. A live blast of BIG BAND Salsa comes to The Portico - just as well the stage has been enlarged and reinforced so we only have to worry about Orquesta Estelar blowing the roof off!Our Colombia-born Salsa teacher, Yamile, gets the hips moving with her all-comers Salsa Dance Class from 7.30, followed by the club night with El Swing DJs and Orquesta Estelar.The DJs (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System
El Swing - Kalima Project live + Salsa Dance Class + El Swing DJs
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
El Swing - the best in live and recorded Salsa with Kalima Project live + El Swing DJs + Salsa Dance ClassSaturday August 13th The Portico 23a, Knights Hill SE27 0HS 7.30-12 Adv: £6 (early bird), £8 + bkg fee from Eventbrite £10 on the door Ahi Na Ma Kalima Project’s mission is to share the rich Latin American musical heritage with the London community. Their heart and soul is from Colombia and they combine the intricate and pulsating rhythms of Salsa and Cuban music, as well as Cumbia. Our Colombia-born Salsa teacher, Yamile, gets the hips moving with her all-comers Salsa Dance Class from 7.30, followed by the club night with El Swing DJs and Kalima Project.The DJs (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.
El Swing with Orquesta Mambarito live + Salsa Dance Class + El Swing DJs
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Orquesta Mambarito went down a storm on their El Swing debut in February so make sure you reach!Orquesta Mambarito plays red-hot salsa from the likes of Ray Barretto, Hector Lavoe and Ruben Blades. The 11-piece group has a classic line-up of trumpets, trombones, baritone sax and full Afro-Cuban rhythm section. It’s led by baritone player David Strahan and fronted by Colombian singer Fabian Velez. Colombia - born Yamile, our Salsa dance teacher extraordinaire, leads a fun class for all-comers, with enthusiasm and flair.The DJs (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.
El Swing - Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Cafe + El Swing DJs + Salsa Dance Class
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
El Swing - the best in live and recorded Salsa with Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Cafe live + El Swing DJs + Salsa Dance Class. Vibes Alive! Dorance leads the band from the vibraphone. Pioneering the worldwide “salsa con vibes” revival of the late 1990s, they were one of the first bands in Europe to favour the small combo salsa sound of 1960s/1970s bands like Joe Cuba Sextet/ New Swing Sextet/Pete Terrace Combo.Our Colombian Salsa teacher, Yamile, gets the hips moving with her all-comers Salsa Dance Class from 7.30, followed by the club night with El Swing DJs and Dorance Lorza & Sexteto Cafe.The DJs (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.
El Swing at The Portico with Kalima Project live
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
The finest in live and recorded Salsa. Kalima Project live, Salsa dance class led by Yamile plus DJs (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight, Gerry Lyseight
El Swing - Wil Sifontes and his Latin Sound Quintet live + Salsa Dance Class + El Swing DJs
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
The best in live and recorded Salsa + all comers Salsa Dance Class led by Yamile from 7.30 - 8.30
El Swing at the Portico Gallery
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
El Swing March 12th - Celebrating International Women’s Day inna Latina stylee with all female 4-piece Salsa outfit - Reina Rumba. Yamile kicks off the evening with her all-comers Salsa Dance Class at 7.30 to be followed by the club night with El Swing DJs and Reina Rumba.The DJs (on rotation): Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.7.30 – 8.30: Yamile leads her swinging all-comers Salsa Dance Class8.30-12.00: Salsa Party: 8.30-10: El Swing DJs 10-11: Reina Rumba 11-12: El Swing DJsCome and support live music at a great venue with lovely people as far as the eye can see and, of course, the very best in salsa!
El Swing at the Portico Gallery
The Portico, 23a Knights Hill, SE27 0HS Map
A belated Happy New Year to one and all. If you were lucky enough to make it to our El Swing Christmas Party you won't need to be told to get your dancing shoes on and make sure to make it down our St. Valentine’s bash. El Swing is about dancing to the best live and recorded salsa. In December Sarabanda rocked it, and in February it will be the turn of 11-piece salsa outfit, Orquesta Mambarito. Colombia - born Yamile, our Salsa dance teacher extraordinaire, leads a fun class for all-comers, with enthusiasm and flair, from 7.30. Orquesta Mambarito plays red-hot salsa from the likes of Ray Barretto, Hector Lavoe and Ruben Blades. The 11-piece group has a classic line-up of trumpets, trombones, baritone sax and full Afro-Cuban rhythm section. It’s led by baritone player David Strahan and fronted by Colombian singer Fabian Velez.7.30 – 8.30: Yamile leads her swinging all-comers Salsa Dance Class 8.30-12.00: Salsa Party: 8.30-10: El Swing DJs 10-11: live Big Band Salsa with Orquesta Mambarito 11-12: El Swing DJs
El Swing at the Portico Gallery
El Swing at the Portico GalleryThe Portico Gallery, 23a Knights Hill, West NorwoodLondon,SE27 0HS Map
El Swing hits the dancefloor with a monthly night of the very best in Salsa - from the hottest new salsa dura to the deepest, classic Fania - and all the amazing stuff in between. The DJs: Johnny Gee, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System. The all-comers salsa dance class kicks off at 7.30 - led by the wonderful Yamile - before the club night gets into gear at 8.30 for 100% Lean Latin through until midnight. If you love your salsa you won’t want to be anywhere else!
El Swing at the Portico Gallery
El Swing at the Portico GalleryThe Portico Gallery, 23a Knights Hill, West NorwoodLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Join us on February 14th as El Swing hits the dancefloor with a monthly night of the very best in Salsa - from the hottest new salsa dura to the deepest, classic Fania - and all the amazing stuff in between. DJs Johnny Gee, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights.The all-comers salsa dance class kicks off at 7.30 - led by the wonderful Yamile - before the club night gets into gear at 8.30 for 100% Lean Latin through until midnight. If you love your salsa you won’t want to be anywhere else!
El Swing at the Portico GalleryThe Portico Gallery, 23a Knights Hill, West NorwoodLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Salsa comes to The Portico Gallery. A monthly night of the very best in Salsa - from the hottest new salsa dura to the deepest, classic Fania - and all the amazing stuff in between.The DJs: Johnny G, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.The all-comers salsa dance class kicks off at 7.30 - led by the wonderful Yamile - before the club night gets into gear at 8.30 for 100% Lean Latin through until midnight. If you love your salsa you won’t want to be anywhere else!
El Swing at the Portico Gallery
El Swing at the Portico GalleryThe Portico Gallery, 23a Knights Hill, West NorwoodLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Hot Salsa is on the menu at The Portico Gallery, Friday 13th December, courtesy of El Swing. Yamile, from Colombia, gets things moving at 7.30 with her all-comers salsa dance class, followed by DJ sets from selectors supreme: Johnny Gee, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight.
El Swing at the Portico Gallery
El Swing at the Portico GalleryThe Portico Gallery, 23a Knights Hill, West NorwoodLondon,SE27 0HS Map
El Swing hits the dancefloor with a monthly night of the very best in Salsa - from the hottest new salsa dura to the deepest, classic Fania - and all the amazing stuff in between.The DJs: Johnny Gee, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.The all-comers salsa dance class kicks off at 7.30 - led by the wonderful Yamile - before the club night gets into gear at 8.30 for 100% Lean Latin through until midnight.If you love your salsa you won’t want to be anywhere else!
El Swing at the Portico Gallery
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
El Swing hits the dancefloor with a monthly night of the very best in Salsa - from the hottest new salsa dura to the deepest, classic Fania - and all the amazing stuff in between. Johnny Gee, Dave Hucker, Carey Lyseight and Gerry Lyseight have hosted some of London’s most legendary club nights: Sol Y Sombra, Salsa Fusión, Latin Swing at Wessex House, Mambo Inn, Villa Stefano, as well as lighting up Notting Hill Carnival with the Latin Rave Sound System.The all-comers salsa dance class kicks off at 7.30 - led by the wonderful Yamile - before the club night gets into gear at 8.30 for 100% Lean Latin through until midnight.If you love your salsa you won’t want to be anywhere else!
El Swing at the Portico Gallery
Portico Gallery23A Knight's HillLondon,SE27 0HS Map
Salsa comes to the Portico Gallery once again on 13th September. DJs Dave Hucker, Johnny Gee, Gerry Lyseight and Carey Lyseight will be playing the very best in Salsa. The all-corners salsa dance class begins at 7.30pm - led by the wonderful Yamile - before the club night gets into gear at 8.30pm for 100% Lean Latin until midnight.