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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"Dressed In White" is the new album from an all-star timba project developed by drummer Michael Gerald and brothers Yosvel & Edduar Bernal. Exclusive to LPM & Timba.com, this record delivers exactly what it claims: killer timba from Havana's heaviest players.

While other genres and styles impose themselves on the current market, this HHH project arrives just in time to demonstrate the quality and grandeur of the way popular music was created in Cuba during its stellar days of the 1990s, a time for which many musicians -including myself- share strong feelings of nostalgia. -- Edduar Bernal Pina

Hoy en el 2010, nuevos géneros y estilos se imponen pero el proyecto Havana Heavy Hitters llega en el momento justo para demostrar al mundo la calidad y grandeza de una forma de hacer música popular en Cuba que por los años 90 tuvo su mayor esplendor y por la que muchos músicos en la actualidad, al igual que Yosvel y Edduar, sienten nostalgia. -- Edduar Bernal Pina

>> Read the full story here - Lea el desarollo completo escrito por Edduar Bernal Pina

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The highly anticipated Los Van Van US tour officially begins with a two night appearance at the Conga Room in Los Angeles, Thursday December 2nd and Friday December 3rd. They will make their way to Miami for their December 17 show via Texas, New York City, San Francisco and Tampa. Visit out tour page for the full schedule = http://timba.com/tours/los-van-van

A letter addressed to LVV manager Americo Miranda Ortiz has surfaced stating that the band was released from a previous exclusive agreement on May 28, 2010. Travel plans are moving ahead and the following full list is confirmed. Stay tuned for a concert report and photos from the opening night at the Conga Room.  

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A promoter and booking agent has filed suit against Cuba’s iconic band Los Van Van and its leader Juan Formell to stop a planned U.S. tour.

Band manager Americo Mirando Ortiz also was named as a defendant in the breach of contract suit filed Oct. 21 in Miami federal court by NYK Productions. The lawsuit alleges NYK was the band’s booking agent when the musicians engaged another company, Fuego Entertainment, to book a U.S. tour, violating a February agreement making it the exclusive booking agent for Los Van Van. The band has scheduled dates in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City in December.

The 14-piece band won a Grammy in 2000 for its salsa-infused music that Formell calls "timba". The band has spurred demonstrations in Miami. About 400 Cuban-Americans protested the band’s concert at the Knight Center last February, saying it was an extension of Cuba’s communist government. --source Law.com / Daily Business Review

NYK Productions is a Hallandale, Florida based production company led by Mr. Arie Kaduri (pictured right). Fuego Entertainment is a Miami based company led by Mr. Hugo Cancio (pictured left).

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