La Rumba Buena (Salsa)

It is our distinct honour to welcome DJ Vans Trujillo, daughter of the great Rey Trujillo, as she plays in honour of her father at this month’s Rumba. We’ll get out of the way and let Vans set out how much this means, in her own words: For me, salsa is not just music, it is the thread that weaves together my family, our heritage, and the rhythm of daily life. I am the daughter of DJ Rey Trujillo, one of Toronto’s earliest salsa DJs, who helped spark the city’s salsa explosion in the late 1970s. His influence lives on not only in his vast vinyl collection of over 4,000 records, but in the love he passed down to my sister and me: to honor this music, to feel it in our souls, and to carry it as part of who we are. My dad was the life of every party, the cool, joyful father whose music lit up every room. Watching him, we didn’t just learn to love salsa, we became salsa. Today, my sister and I live as proud salseras—performing, dancing, and keeping alive the rhythms that connect us back to him. I’ve taken great pride in caring for his legendary records, exploring every crate, discovering hidden gems. Ours is a family built on salsa—this music runs in our blood. That is why playing at Rumba Buena is profoundly meaningful. This night is not just a set, it is a tribute. A tribute to my father, to our family’s story, and to the timeless power of salsa that continues to unite and move Toronto, just as it has moved us for generations. This very special Rumba will be going down Saturday, October 18th at @cafeteria____. Advance tickets are now on sale (we’ve simplified the tiers a little, we hope it’s helpful). We have a feeling this one is going to be legendary. Bring your dancing shoes, people. Much, much love.