Latin Music in Portland
Contents
Find the best Latin music in Portland! We’ll keep you updated on the latest news, events, and happenings in the Latin music scene.
History of Latin Music in Portland
Portland has a long and storied history with Latin music. The city has been home to a vibrant Latin music scene since the early 20th century, when immigrants from Mexico, Cuba, and Puerto Rico began arriving in large numbers. Portland’s Latin music scene continued to grow in the postwar years, as jazz and R&B performers from across the Americas came to the city to play in its many nightclubs. In the 1970s and 1980s, salsa, cumbia, and other styles of Latin music became increasingly popular in Portland, as did Latin American dance clubs. Today, Portland is home to a diverse community of Latin music lovers and performers, and its clubs and concert venues feature a wide variety of sounds and styles from across the Americas.
The Various Genres of Latin Music
Latin music is a broad term that covers a wide range of music from countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. It includes genres such as salsa, merengue, cumbia, and bachata. Latin music is popular all over the world, and Portland is no exception. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular genres of Latin music in Portland.
Salsa
labeled as “authentic” or “roots” salsa. The Puerto Rican influence is evident in the New York City style of salsa which is also The original Cuban style of salsa is, simply put, a blend of Cuban son and Afro-Cuban drumming and dance which eventually made its way to New York City via Cuba’s extensive diaspora community. This first generation of New York City salsa was popularized in the 60s and 70s by such big bands as Eddie Palmieri’s La Perfecta and Tito Puente’s orchestra. But by the mid-1970s, a new group of young Puerto Ricans and Nuyoricans (New Yorkers of Puerto Rican descent) were making their presence felt on the NYC music scene with a new style of music that came to be known as “Salsa Romantica” or “Latin disco.” This new sound was spearheaded by such artists as Ray Barretto, Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Willie Colón and Rubén Blades.
Bachata
Bachata is a genre of music that originated in the Dominican Republic in the early 1960s. The style is a mix of Spanish and African influences, and is characteristically danceable with a strong rhythm. It’s easy to hear the Cuban influence in bachata, as the music often features Cuban instrumentation like acoustic guitar and armonía.
Bachata was traditionally seen as music for poor, rural Dominicans, but it has become increasingly popular in recent years. In the 1990s, bachata bands began to experiment with electric instruments and different styles of singing, leading to the creation of modern bachata. This new style of bachata is more influenced by American pop music, and is often heard in clubs and on the radio.
Merengue
Merengue is a popular style of Latin music that originated in the Dominican Republic. It is characterized by a 2/4 time signature and features a strong drumbeat with horns and guitars playing melodic riffs. The lyrics are usually in Spanish, though English lyrics are becoming more common. Merengue is often danced as a couples dance, with the partners holding each other around the waist and moving their hips in sync with the music.
Cumbia
Cumbia is a folkloric genre and dance from Colombia. It began as a courtship dance practiced among the indigenous people of Colombia, but has since spread to other parts of Latin America and the world. The name cumbia is derived from the African word for drum, cumbé.
Cumbia typically has a 2/4 or 4/4 time signature, and is danced in pairs. The music is upbeat and often includes accordion, drums, and guitar. Lyrics may be in Spanish or an indigenous language, and are often about love, nature, or social issues.
Cumbia entered the mainstream in Colombia in the 1950s, when it was popularized by singers like Lucho Bermúdez and Adolfo Pacheco. Today, cumbia is one of the most popular genres in Latin America, and can be heard in many different countries around the world.
The Different Venues in Portland that Play Latin Music
There are a few different places in Portland that you can go to in order to listen to some great Latin music. One of the most popular places is the Mississippi Studios, which is located on the Mississippi Avenue. This place typically has live music playing every night, and they always have a different genre of music playing each night.
clubs
Nightclubs are the most prevalent places to find Latin music in Portland. Most clubs that play Latin music are either all ages or 21+. This makes them accessible to people of all ages, which is great if you want to go out and have a good time without having to worry about getting into a bar.
There are a few clubs in particular that stand out as the best places to hear Latin music in Portland. The Wonder Ballroom is one of the most popular all-ages clubs in the city, and it frequently features Latin DJs and live bands. Another great option is Holocene, which has a more eclectic lineup but always has at least one Latin band or DJ playing on any given night. For those 21+, there are a few bars that feature Latin music regularly, including Barfly and Crush Bar.
bars
While there are many places in Portland that play Latin music, bars are some of the most popular venues. There are a few different bars that specialize in Latin music, as well as many bars that feature Latin music nights. Some of the most popular Latin music bars in Portland include:
-TheBit
-Bar XV
-Casa Del Matador
-Dixie Tavern
-Flamingo Cantina
-Laurelthirst Public House
-The Matador
-Mississippi Pizza Pub
-Portland Mercado
restaurants
If you want to experience Latin music in Portland, there are a few different types of venues you can check out. While you might think of clubs or bars when it comes to live music, there are also a number of great restaurants that feature Latin music on a regular basis. Here are just a few of the places you can go to enjoy some authentic Latin sounds.
Elixir Restaurant and Bar: This restaurant features a wide range ofLatin American cuisine, and they also have live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
La Movida: This is another great option for Latin American food, and they also have live music on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Nuestra Cocina: Not only does this restaurant serve up some delicious Mexican food, but they also have live Mariachi bands every Wednesday night.
Portland Mercado: This is a great place to go if you want to experience a variety of Latin American cultures, as they have food carts representing countries from all over the continent. They also have live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Different Events in Portland that Play Latin Music
Latin music is a diverse genre that includes many different styles of music from countries all over Latin America. In Portland, there are a few different venues that showcase Latin music. These events are a great way to experience the different cultures of Latin America and the music that comes from them.
festivals
There are quite a few festivals that play Latin music in Portland throughout the year. One of the most popular is the Latin Music Festival which takes place in the summer. This festival features a variety of Latin American music, including salsa, merengue, and reggae. There are also food vendors and craftsmen who sell traditional Mexican and South American items.
Another popular festival is Cinco De Mayo, which celebrates Mexican culture and features a lot of traditional Mexican food and music. There are also a few smaller festivals that feature Latin music, such as the Rose Festival and the Ancestral Arts Festival.
concerts
A certain type of music that is originating from countries like Mexico, Cuba, Ecuador and Peru is becoming popular in Portland, which is Latin music. If you are interested in listening or dancing to this type of music, there are a few different places that you can go. Below are some concerts that play Latin music in Portland.
-Gresham Latin Concert Series: This series is put on by the Gresham Arts Alliance and it happens every first Friday from May to September. It is free to the public and there are usually food trucks there as well.
-Latin Night at the Jack London Revue: This event happens every Wednesday night and it features different DJs and bands each week. It is $5 for entry.
-Alma Mater: Alma Mater is a restaurant that has live music on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 9 pm. The genres vary, but Latin music is often played here. Check their website to see who is playing before you go.
-Cider Riot!: Cider Riot! also has live music on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 9 pm. Like Alma Mater, the genres vary but Latin music sometimes makes an appearance. Check their website for more information as well.
parades
One of the most popular events in Portland that celebrates Latin American culture is the annual Cinco de Mayo Parade. The parade features floats, mariachi bands, dancers, and a variety of other performers. This event is usually held in early May and is a great way to get a taste of Latin American culture.
Another popular event is the Feria Latina, which is a Latin-themed street festival that features music, dance, food, and other activities. This event is usually held in late September or early October and is a great way to enjoy the vibrant Latin American culture of Portland.
