#257: Today, we’re saying goodbye to a space with a storied legacy in this city – the Conga Room. The Latin nightclub opened in 1998, and brought in artists ranging from Celia Cruz and Tito Puente to Maluma and Bad Bunny. 

The club’s star studded list of investors included Jennifer Lopez, Sheila E., comedian Paul Rodriguez, and actor Jimmy Smits. 

This week, the Conga Room is closing its doors. 

The legacy of the club will live on through a non-profit called Conga Kids, a program bringing music and dance of the African diaspora to classrooms across L.A.

But it is still the end of an era.

One of the Conga Room’s original investors, Jimmy Smits, talked with me about the club’s legacy.

Music featured in this episode:
Celia Cruz - Que Le Den Candela
Bad Bunny - Soy Peor
Prince Royce - Adicto
Jennifer Lopez - Una Noche Más
Wisin & Yandel - Recordar
Tito Puente - Ran Kan Kan

#257: Today, we’re saying goodbye to a space with a storied legacy in this city – the Conga Room. The Latin nightclub opened in 1998, and brought in artists ranging from Celia Cruz and Tito Puente to Maluma and Bad Bunny. 
The club’s star studded list of investors included Jennifer Lopez, Sheila E., comedian Paul Rodriguez, and actor Jimmy Smits. 
This week, the Conga Room is closing its doors. 
The legacy of the club will live on through a non-profit called <a href="https://www.congakids.org/">Conga Kids</a>, a program bringing music and dance of the African diaspora to classrooms across L.A.
But it is still the end of an era.
One of the Conga Room’s original investors, Jimmy Smits, talked with me about the club’s legacy.
Music featured in this episode:
<ul>
<li>Celia Cruz - Que Le Den Candela</li>
<li>Bad Bunny - Soy Peor</li>
<li>Prince Royce - Adicto</li>
<li>Jennifer Lopez - Una Noche Más</li>
<li>Wisin &amp; Yandel - Recordar</li>
<li>Tito Puente - Ran Kan Kan</li>
</ul>

How to L.A. aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way. 

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

How to L.A. aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way. 
Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

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