Owing to these influences, we have experienced styles ranging from Columbian and Cuban Salsa, to the Cross Body styles "On 1" / "On 2" and Cha Cha Cha, It was in May 1999, on a visit to the first SalsaWeb Convention (which was hosted in Washington DC), that we really got inspired, the amount of talent there amazed us, this plus encouragement from Nelson Flores and some friends who wanted us to teach them, prompted us to start MamboCity, which we did in August 1999, our first class had about 15 of our friends and steadily grew, we held our first party in October of that year, which was a Halloween Fancy Dress/Mask Party, we like themes as it keeps the party atmosphere.

The following month (November), we got involved in promoting a New York dance group who wanted to come to the UK, Luis Zegarra of Fuerza Latina and Ismael Otero of Caribean Soul, This happend by chance, due a promoter who was responsible for organising the event pulling out, Luis Zegarra persuaded us to go ahead with the promotion.

Since then MamboCity has gone on to host and promote Workshops and Showcase weekends for the following events:

November 1999:
Luis Zegarra of Fuerza Latina and Ismael Otero of Caribean Soul (Photo's)

April 2000:
We had the pleasure of having the Mambo King himself Eddie Torres and Nelida perform and Henry Knowles DJ at Bootsy Brogans, Wembley, Middlesex (Photo's)

February 2001:
Nelson Flores – Descarga Latina, SantoRico Dancer Co, Alma y Sabor (Featuring Daniela and Graziano), 17 Dancers from New York and Italy took part in a Show called “Latin Connection” for a St Valentines weekend of Workshops and showcase, this showcase was only ever perform once and was the fore-runner for the much acclaimed off Broadway show “Latin Madness” (Photo's)

October 2001:
SantoRico Dance Co, Halloween Weekend of Workshops and Shows and production of the Mambocity Presents SantoRico Video. (Photo's # 1) and (Photo's # 2)

November 2001:
The Cobo Brothers Weekend of Workshops and Shows (Photo's)

December 2001:
Christmas Party, featuring Frankie Martinez, Aisha Koswara and Henry Knowles (Photo's)

April 2002:
Nelson Flores – Descarga Latina, Jai and Candy Weekend of Workshops and Shows
World Premier of "Merecumbe Dance Routine" (Photo's)

July 2002:
Frankie Martinez and Aisha Koswara Workshop and Show.
World Premier of "Welcome to The Party Dance Routine" (Photo's)

December 2003:
"The Palladium Mambo Legends" Freddie Rios and Mike Ramos End of year Workshop and Show. (Photo's)

March 1st 2003:
Frankie Martinez and Lori - Perez Workshop and Show. (Photo's)

July 2003:
SalsaSplash Weekender @Hayling Island (Photo's)

April 2004:
5 Star Congress @The Radisson Edwardian Hotel Heathrow, MamboCity's 1st Salsa Congress featuring Eddie Torres and The Eddie Torres Dancers, Felipe Polanco, Rene Guiets and Salsa Lovers, Daniela and Graziano, Susana Montero, Rafael & Janet and many more (Photo's)

Why the name Mambo City?

The Mambo: of African and European parentage, Mambo, Conga and Bongo were originally Bantu names for musical instruments that were used in rituals and gradually became secular. Mambo means "conversation with the gods" and in Cuba designates a sacred song of the Congo (Cubans of Bantu origin).

The Congos absorbed a variety of foreign influences and the mambo drum rhythm became a cocktail of Bantu, Spanish and Yoruba. Coupled with Western Jazz, these beats provided the basis for the creation of the Mambo then the Cha Cha Cha and Salsa. The mambo is the result of a long cross-cultural journey, A journey through life with Music and Dance.

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