(This Calendar lists events both within Chicago and the larger region within reach of Chicagoans.  The Agenda view shows more detail, and clicking on each item will also bring up a Google map. These listings are based upon information from venue, band and promoter websites, and Timba.com is not responsible for schedule changes, cancellations, etc. )
See the Interviews & Reviews subpage  for reviews and interviews of concerts, CDs, films, books etc. For some capsule reviews of area restaurants that regularly feature live music, see the Restaurants with La Música page. For a listing of the directories for Salsa instructors, DJs and their events, see the Dance Events and Resources page.

VENUE KEY :

Abbey Pub , 3420 W. Grace St, Chicago IL 60618 (773) 478-4408   
Alhambra Palace Restaurant , 1240 W. Randolph St, Chicago IL 60607 (312) 666-9555
Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago IL 60607 (312) 666-6775
Cafe Bolero , 2252 North Western Avenue, Chicago IL 60647 (773) 227-9000 
Cafe Laguardia , 2111 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60647 (773) 862-5996 
Carnivale , 702 W. Fulton Market, Chicago IL 60661 (312) 830-5005 
Chicago Theatre , 175 N. State, Chicago IL 60601 (312) 795-0034 
Club Mambo , 3336 N. Milwaukee Av, Chicago IL 60641 (773) 481-2050 
Coconut Beach Nightclub ,  2787 S. Floyd St, Louisville KY 40299 (502) 634-2843
Coco, 2723 W. Division St., Chicago IL 60622 (773) 384-4811
Excalibur Nightclub , 632 N. Dearborn, Chicago IL 60607 (312) 266-1944
The Foundry , 85 Executive Drive, Aurora, IL 60504 (630) 978-2088 
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge , 4802 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60640 (773)-878-5552
Instituto Cervantes, 31. W. Ohio, Chicago IL 60654 (312) 335-1996
Las Tablas Restaurant , 4920 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago IL 60641 (773) 202-0999
Latino Arts Inc , 1028 S. 9th Street, Milwaukee WI 53204 
Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie AV, Chicago IL 
Mayne Stage , 1328 W. Morse Ave, Chicago, IL 60626 (773)-381-4554 www.maynestage.com
McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage , 425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn IL 60137 (63) 942-4000
Music Institute of Chicago , 1490 Chicago Av, Evanston IL 60201 (847) 905-1500 www.musicinst.org
Old Town School of Folk Music , 4544 N. Lincoln Av, Chicago IL 60625 (773)-728-6000  www.oldtownschool.org
Ravinia Festival , 418 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035  (847) 266-5000
Rumba , (Moving: new address to be posted later)
Salud Tequila Lounge, 1471 N. Milwaukee Av, Chicago IL 60622 (773) 235-5577
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center , 4046 W. Armitage Av, Chicago IL 60639 (773) 698-6003
Siboney Cuban Cuisine , 2165 N. Western Av., Chicago IL (773) 276-8776
Tumbao , 3213 W. Armitage, Chicago IL 60647, (773) 772-9800
Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, IL 60059 (847) 499-5000
Wherehouse , 818 S. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53204 (414) 383-7593

Notes About Some Key Concerts and Events

Some of the key events accessible to Chicagoans are:

A.  Sunday, 27 May 2012 at 9:00pm:  Rica Obsesion's  CD release party at Cubby Bear, Chicago. Rica Obsesion's release party for their new CD Llego Mi Turno.

B.  Thursday, 14 June - Sunday, 17 June 2012:  Fiestas Puertorriqueñas in Humboldt Park, Chicago.  Now in its 30th year, this is the signature Puerto Rican cultural event in Chicago with several bands during the Festival.    You can see the lineup here.

C.  Friday, 29 June at 9:00pm:  Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca at the Mayne Stage , 1328 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago.  Ricardo's band is one of the best practitioners of African/AfroCuban music today.  The repertoire includes Congolese Rumba, Afrocuban Son, Kizomba and many other things. 

D.  Wednesday, 11 July at 8:00pm:  T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou at the Mayne Stage , 1328 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago.  From Benin, this powerhouse band is a great way to experience Benin's (called Dahomey in colonial times) contributons to Cuban music.  But don't go for educational purposes only, this also happens to be one of the funkiest bands on the planet.  

E.  Saturday, 4 August -  Sunday, 5 August 2012:  3rd Annual Festival Cubano at Riis Park, Chicago.  This is looking to be the best Festival Cubano yet with acts including headliner Isaac Delgado and Chicago's own Angel d'Cuba, who recently put out a fine new CD, Heritage.  

F.  Friday, 5 October 2012 at 8:00pm:  Arturo Sandoval at Viper Alley,
275 Parkway Drive, Lincolshire, IL.  Arturo will be coming off the release of his new CD tribute to Dizzy Gillespie, Dear Diz, which is already getting great buzz from Jazz critics.  This should be an explosive concert.