The ensemble called Zandhunga performs searing-hot salsa, plus, cha-cha-cha's, cumbia, merengues and is set to appear at La Cabaña this Saturday.
The Mexican restaurant closed abruptly less than a couple of months ago, but on Canada Day, it opened its doors again in a new location on Cliffe Avenue and right across the street from Sure Copies.
The all-ages fiesta with live Latin music, authentic food and dance kicks off this Saturday. The cover charge at the door is $10 and children under 12 years old are free. Music starts at 10 p.m.
In addition to original material, Zandhunga has become known for their unique flavour infused into the classic and modern compositions of Latin greats such as Los Melodicos, Joe Arrollo, La India and Celia Cruz. With roots in Mexico City where director, Oscar Robles Diaz was born, the group originally formed as a quintet of four Mexicans and a Canadian.
Since then, Z, as the group has affectionately become abbreviated, has grown into a much bigger collective and includes currently locally-based musicians. Appearing as a five-piece this Saturday, instrumentation includes trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboard, fretless bass, drum kit and a range of Afro-Latin percussion.
A CD in the final works and with some exciting summer touring ahead, the Zandhungueros are feeling pretty stoked. A lot of hard work has paid off, and a lot of hard work still lies ahead.
“Music is its own reward,” says Robles Diaz, “…the more you put into it, the more you give your life to it, the more you enjoy it, the more you get back. Sharing a love of music with the community here and with the world community is a big part of that reward.”
And, whether performing for a packed night club or an intimate audience of family and friends, Zandhunga members fully agree that there is a beautifully reciprocal relationship between energy on the stage and energy on the dance floor.
If you love dancing, this is not a show to be missed. See www.zandhunga.com for more information, audio, and video clips. For reservations, contact La Cabaña at 250-703-2639.
— Zandhunga