Jimmy Smits Says Goodbye To LA's Conga Room

#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