A quick note to wish you a Happy New Year and to share with you the big news I have been quietly working on for the last while.

For the last year and a half, my wife Franca and I, have been running our own  Bloom Restaurant and we have turned it into a Cuban Oasis in the middle of the Bloor West Village. We are located at 2315 Bloor St West, a few meters from Windemere on the South side of the street.

Well, it has been a big hit, but of course, we got the great Cuban Chef Pedro Quintanilla running our kitchen.

Before coming to Toronto in 1992, chef Pedro spent 7 years as sous chef of the French Embassy in Havana, Cuba, then he moved to Toronto, where he has ran the kitchens of Rum Bacardi, Xango and Latitude restaurants among other places. Last May, we brought him into Bloom and here are some of the Reviews we’ve received ever since he moved in with us.

Now, I am ready to add another touch to this endeavor by bringing my Cuba Tradicional Quartet on Sunday Feb 12th (see special menu) as a “pre-Valentine” celebration…but hey, you don’t have to be “in love” to come that day, so bring yourself alone or come with a friend or two and enjoy the great food and ambiance in my new house Bloom Restaurant. I will be performing two shows starting at 7pm & 9pm and we will try to make you feel as if you were right in my Caribbean Island of Cuba.

Hope to see you, but if not, please spread the news! There will be Cuban parties happening in the Bloor West Village from now on!

Warm Hugs,

Luis Mario Ochoa

Havana Lounge at Cayo Coco 2012 Edition!

Join us Friday Feb 3rd from 9:00PM to 2:00AM at the beautiful CAYO COCO resto-lounge for a night of great music and dancing (304 Richmond St West across from Scotiabank Theatres).

Inspired by the classic dance bars, cafés and lounges in Centro Havana, we invite you come sip mojitos, socialize and dance the night away to smooth Cuban salsa, timba, and son spun by Toronto’s premier latin DJ BERNAL.

Cover is free before 10PM and $10 after 10PM (no coat check fee) and domestic beer and Havana Club drink specials will be in effect all night!! Kitchen open until midnight with great tapas and remember, those who arrive <9 PM will enjoy no cover and an extended version of Cayo Coco’s famous $4.50 Happy Hour Martini’s (4:30pm-9PM)!

A guarachar!

www.clubcayococo.com

havananights.TO@gmail.com
facebook.com/havananights.TO

Profoundly moving, Rodion Shchedrin’s music drama The Sealed Angel is one of the most important Russian works of the 20th century. Brilliantly choreographed by Lars Scheibner (Germany), performed by Toronto’s Elmer Iseler Singers and the Amadeus Choir, conducted by Lydia Adams, and featuring Pro Arte Danza, this magnificent choral opera is a contemporary answer to Rachmanivov’s Vespers. The program includes new choreography by ProArte Danza.

Dates:

• THURSDAY February 2
• FRIDAY February 3

Time: 8:00 pm
Price: Starting at $42.00 + service fee $5
Venue: Koerner Hall

SPECIAL PRICE for Artists and Under 35:

Artist/ Under35 price available in price levels 2 & 3. Purchasers of this price should be prepared to show ID upon entrance to the hall.

Prices include tax. All tickets are subject to $5 per ticket service fee at all points of purchase. All sales are final. No exchanges or refunds.

Here’s a note from Jay Danley, who played the tres for Son Ache for years.

“I just wanted to let you know that Los Caballeros Del Son will be playing every Wednesday in February at The Local Pub, 396
Roncesvalles ave.

We have an incredible brand new cd for sale and we are really looking forward to the shows.”

Join us for a great dinner and dance!  Great price if paid in advance.

7:00pm  -  Saturday,  28 January, 2012
José Martí Cuban Dinner and  Dance and Cultural Program

Listen or Dance to  Pablo Terry & Sol de Cuba

$30 per person Paid in Advance  or $40 at door

For Dance only:     $10 from 9pm

• Door Prize  — Raffle – 3 chances   A Gift basket  or 2 other items
• Cash Bar
• Vegetarian meal must be requested in advance

For more information & to get  or reserve tickets

from the  CCFA Toronto:
Liz  416-654-7105 or  Sharon 905-951-8499

You can mail cheque to:    CCFA Toronto
c/o    209 Oakwood Av    Toronto  ON   M6E 2V3

The beat goes on – the contra-tiempo beat that is… as Lula continues the successful Sunday Brunch !

Spend the day in Havana! Every Sunday, Lula offers a salsa brunch party featuring live music by Luis Mario Ochoa’s Traditional Cuban Quartet and a beginner salsa lesson by Miko Sobreira. Perfect for birthday and family celebrations, baby showers, office and retirement parties, the $15 cover includes buffet brunch, coffee, dance lesson, live music, tax and service. Kids 12 and under are 7$.

phone 416 588 0307

Arrive for brunch at 11am, dance lesson at 11:30 and live band at 12. Stay and dance till 2 pm.

DINNER & SHOW SPECIAL

Arrive early and enjoy Lula’s famous dinner and show package. The three course prix fixe special includes choice of appetizer, main, and dessert as well as the dance lesson and all entertainment. Starting at just $49 per person, the dinner special guarantees seating for the whole evening. We are happy to accommodate everything from small intimate dinners to large parties! Reserve@lula.ca or 416 588 0307.

DINNER & SHOW SPECIAL

Arrive early and enjoy Lula’s famous dinner and show package. The three course prix fixe special includes choice of appetizer, main, and dessert as well as the dance lesson and all entertainment. Starting at just $49 per person, the dinner special guarantees seating for the whole evening. We are happy to accommodate everything from small intimate dinners to large parties! Reserve@lula.ca or 416 588 0307.

Join us for the best dance party in town with salsa lesson, live band and DJ spinning the hottest dance floor-friendly salsa, bachata, reggaeton and top 40 hits. Cover is just $15 at the door or book a table for our dinner special (starting at $49 plus tax and tip). The admission price includes our 9PM beginner dance lesson which is followed dancing all night long!

With their potent blend of dance floor friendly salsa and high-energy showmanship, Cafe Cubano evoke the spirit of the legendary dance clubs of Havana. Drawing on the skills of three of Toronto’s most accomplished frontmen (vocalists Yani Borrell, Alberto Alberto and Angel Luis Marquez) and lead by music director/pianist Jorge Betancourt, the band features some of Toronto’s finest musicians from such famous Cuban groups as Adalberto Alvarez y su Son and Cubanisimo.

Friday, January 27 starting at 9pm join us on Varadero Friday at Epic Lounge for an intense night of Urban Vibes and Latin Grooves!!!!!

DJ BERNAL & DJ YUMANICHE will be presiding over a perfect blend of DANCEHALL REGGAE, REGGAETON, CUBATON, HIPHOP, TOP 40, SALSA & MERENGUE URBANO to keep you moving all Night!

$7 before 11pm and $10 after.

Don’t miss this incredible night of Urban Entertainment!-NO SE LO PIERDAN!!!