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History in the making...the story behind EL GRANDE....
EL GRANDE was launched in September 2004 at Club Colosseum, as SALSA REPUBLIC's monthly special event.
SALSA REPUBLIC, one of the leading Salsa names in London in the last decade was founded in April 2004 by two organizations, OLA LATINA & SIMPLY SALSA (SIMPLY SALSA later became Love2Salsa & S4Salsa).
SALSA REPUBLIC ran a very successful weekly Saturday club night and special events at Cafe Rez (part of the Colosseum Complex). SALSA REPUBLIC quickly established itself as one of the iconic and most reputed Salsa names in London.
With their Saturday clubnight SALSA REPUBLIC firmly established, the organisers behind the project, OLA LATINA & SIMPLY SALSA, launched their new big monthly event EL GRANDE at the legendary Colosseum Complex in Vauxhall comprising of the bar-nightclub Cafe Rez (later named Vox) and the huge Club Colosseum nightclub next door.
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The well located, great and spacious regular venues used, including the mighty Club Colosseum where EL GRANDE was held on the 3rd Friday of every month in Vauxhall, combined perfectly with SALSA REPUBLIC's top Salsa DJs, dance teachers, performing acts and a genuinely relaxed, friendly and exciting atmosphere.
For 10 good years Club Colosseum was the home to Salsa Republic's internationally recognized monthly event EL GRANDE, after a few years becoming the biggest Salsa, Latin & Afro-Latin regular event in the UK; this venue was also normally the setting for Salsa Republic's special events, such as Carnival after-parties and Dance Week-Enders.
Sadly after 40 years as one of London's biggest and most iconic nightclubs, Club Colosseum closed down at the end of April 2014 due to a redevelopment of the site.
SALSA REPUBLIC & EL GRANDEcreated a communal feeling and ambiance where people can meet to enjoy themselves, listening and dancing to some of the best Salsa and Latin music selections in the UK, regardless of dancing styles, social backgrounds, nationality, race or creed. These are key elements, that no doubt have helped make EL GRANDE the biggest regular event of its kind in the UK.
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The good news for us and all Latin music and dance aficionados in the UK was that from May 2014, the mega Latin & Afro-Latin event EL GRANDE was able to continue at their new home, the iconic and historic venue SCALA in King's Cross, without compromising their multi-room concept of: Main Salsa Room / Cuban Room / Latin & Bachata Room / Kizomba Room. The magic and party spirit of EL GRANDE lives on and will continue to bring happiness to London and the UK for many years to come, another 10 years or even more who knows!
