By now you have probably read about the numerous live music venues we have here in Richmond. Just about every genre of music is represented in one way or another. Yet something is missing. That something is a style of music that has an incredibly large and growing Richmond audience.
By now you have probably read about the numerous live music venues we have here in Richmond. Just about every genre of music is represented in one way or another. Yet something is missing. That something is a style of music that has an incredibly large and growing Richmond audience.
Trying to figure it out? Well, unless you venture through the miracle that is South Richmond, you might miss the traditional styling of Hispanic and Latino music. As the Hispanic and Latino population grows in South Richmond, so does the culture. And, oh my, is it ever a breath of fresh air.
Many larger American cities have Latino music venues in their repertoire, and in the past five years, this scene has exploded in Richmond and deserves your attention. Why? Because these are the kinds of places you will have the most fun you have ever had in your life. Richmond has always been home to many diverse genres of music, and I can honestly say now that Richmond has a serious independent Mexican and Latino music scene.
I’m not talking about just local deejays, musicians, or groups performing at these venues either. Mexico Lindo and El Tropicabana bring in the real deal. There are many touring Mexican and Latino bands out there that come from their home countries to tour America extensively, and South Richmond is a definite destination nowadays. I have been keeping my eye on this part of the music scene in Richmond for some time, and it is growing fast. Even The Showplace, at 3002 Mechanicsville Turnpike, will sometimes play host to these larger international touring acts.
The two South Richmond venues most frequently hosting this awesome scene are Mexico Lindo, at 3900 Old Hopkins Road, and El Tropicabana, at 4900 Jefferson Davis Highway. Here, you can find the best of the traditional styles of bachata, bolero, cumbia, flamenco, Latin ballad, mambo, mainstream Latino dance music, merengue, Mexican pop, Mexican hip-hop, norteño, paso doble, punta, ranchera, reggaetón, rumba, salsa, soca, son jarocho, Spanish tinge, Tejano, and Tex-Mex music. When passing by Mexico Lindo the other night, I noticed that it was so busy, there was actually a taco truck in the middle of the lot, despite the fact that Mexico Lindo itself is a restaurant. I don’t know about you, but that tells me this place is the absolute place to be.
Viva South Richmond!
Mexico Lindo
El Tropicabana
The Showplace
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)
