Obama can't or won't control congress, but he is the absolute supreme executive when it comes to customs. This buck stops at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. If you want to see Van Van,

email: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

write: 
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

call: 202-456-1111

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Ay ay ay what do we have to do to get some TIMBA? The saga continues with the kick-off date for the US tour postponed. The December 3rd date is still on their website so we guess that's still happening? Can anyone out there confirm this? Here's the official press release from the Conga Room in Los Angeles.....

Thursday, December 2nd date postponed
Los Van Van Visa for Band Leader Juan Formell Not Issued 

Due to the last minute failure of the US State Department to provide three Visas, including one to band leader Juan Formell, the kickoff night for the Los Van Van tour at the Conga Room, will be postponed. The anticipated makeup date for ticket buyers to tonight's concert is expected to Wednesday December 15th, which have been committed to the Conga Room as part of the U.S. tour. 

The Conga Room has always looked to support Cuban music and culture, and unfortunately we are at the mercy of politics in this case. 

For ticket holders, your ticket will be valid for the new concert date and we will notify you in the next few days with confirmation of the exact date. If you wish to get a refund of your ticket at this point, please contact Sasha Ortega at Sasha@CongaRoom.com. Please note that if you seek reimbursement for your ticket, we will not be able to guarantee you access to the new show and it will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, as the show is expected to sell out. 

Feel free to consult our website for further updates and we will attempt to notify you directly via email. The Conga Room will be open tonight and will feature a Cuban band and a DJ. We will offer you complimentary admission with proof of your ticket purchase. We apologize for the inconvenience and are deeply committed to presenting the US Los Van Van concert at the Conga Room. It promises to be an historic event. 

Abrazos,
The Conga Room 

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Mike Racette, producer/drummer of the highly recommended Havana Heavy Hitters was at Los Van Van's three hour concert in Toronto and reports that none other than the iconic Pedrito Calvo (Sandunguera, Que le den candela, El negro está cocinando etc.) was singing with the band. Meanwhile, Melao reports that the visas came through for la Yuma, so next up are LA, Houston, Austin, three nights at SOBs and then four nights at Yoshi's SF, then finally on to Tampa, Miami and Louisville. For the full tour click here.  [Kevin Moore]

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On December 17th & 18th the dark Stockholm night will shine with a glittering, hot Havana-style dance extravaganza by the dance troupe Tropicana Stockholm. The show entitled "Del Afro-Jazz a la Salsa" gives the audience a taste of the broad spectrum of Cuban dance and music from the early Afro-Cuban roots right up to the salsa of today. Accompanying the dancers with live music is Richard Ortega y La Jugada, bringing the authenticity of a night in Havana. But that's not all! When the show ends an afterparty begins with a timba concert by La Jugada and a DJ after the concert. The show will take place at Teater Replica at Hantverkargatan 78 where an art expo will also be held in foyer. It begins at 7:00pm and ends at 2:00am. That's 7 hours of Cuban dance and music! Tickets are only 250 SEK, so give yourself and all the timberos/Cubanophiles you love an early Christmas present. Don't miss this celebration of Cuban culture! For more information see Tropicana Stockholm's facebook event .

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