Vanished Venues: New York’s Latin Dance Explosion

Soundcheck | Jan 28, 2011

Vanished Venues continues with a look at New York’s Latin music heyday. The mid-century mambo craze began at Manhattan’s Palladium Ballroom (not to be confused with the rock club of the same name) – but when it closed in 1966, the party didn’t stop.

We’ll hear how salsa reigned at the Cheetah, the Corso, the Hunts Point Palace and more, before they were all eventually shuttered. Guests include Elena Martinez, folklorist for the New York history nonprofit City Lore and producer of the film From Mambo to Hip Hop; and Orlando Marin, timbale player and bandleader.

Listeners: Did you dance at one of these vanished salsa clubs? Tell us your stories below!

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