(L-R) Rum & Coke DJs Harold Fandino, James Alvarez-Bacon (DJ Kumi), and Jesus Rodriguez Credit: Courtesy
Sorta Pretty Good is hosting its second Salsa con Ron Latin dance party featuring Rum & Coke, the three-person Afro-Caribbean all-vinyl DJ collective playing music from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Think of the kind of tunes that spark a core memory that makes guests say: “I haven’t heard this song since I was at my grandma’s,” in the best, nostalgic way.
Kress Contemporary once again opens its beautiful doors, atriums and balconies overlooking Ybor City’s old bricks to bring people together for a day party full of music, dancing, dominoes, food by Chicken and Pig, along with plenty of margs and mojitos to go around. The DJ collective entrusted with spinning the good stuff is renowned in its world, holding one of the longest running residencies in Miami, happening monthly at Dante’s for the past five years.
“They’ve played VIP parties at the World Cup, and this last one we did at the end of May was their first time coming to Tampa” Sean O’Brien, one half of Sorta Pretty Good, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “They tag in and out and play for five hours straight. You name it, they can do it.”
On a big open balcony that holds 30-40 people, people from all walks of life—from 18-year-old kids to folks in their 70s—were vibing, playing dominoes, moving, grooving, and having a good old time.
Sandra Aguilar-Carson, baker and owner of WeVegan Cafe and a regular at Iroko Dance Academy told CL: “This is literally like a Latin party.” Aguilar-Carson’s girlfriends from the Latin dance studio showed up and asked her: “Where did you find these guys?” after hearing the collective’s deep cuts they were pulling out at the last one.
“It’s like a house party at your aunt’s house with good food, good drinks, and open windows,” she added.
Speaking of food, new joint Chicken and Pig (of Ichicoro’s Noel Cruz and King of the Coop’s Joe Dodd) will be offering up lechon sandwiches and beans and rice for anyone looking to grab a bite.
“This particular event is really special,” Effren Denson, Sorta Pretty Good’s other half, told CL. “It’s really something different. And it’s important right now, especially for Ybor. Ybor’s kind of got this cloud hanging over it with the closing of Crowbar; I love Ybor during the day. And to find this beautiful space, with its huge balcony and two atriums, with these three incredible DJs, and everybody showing up to dance, eat and enjoy, it’s all smiles.”
“Last time we sold-out,” Aguilar-Carson said. “People were texting and calling us the day of, but we couldn’t get them in.”
The dance party starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 and runs until 9 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 and day-of tickets are $20.
See more food & drink events coming to Tampa Bay from Sept. 13-17 below.
Drag Queen Brunch Sunday, Sept. 13. 10 a.m. Sold out. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa
Nonna Summer Supper Sunday, Sept. 13. 12:30 p.m. $80 & up. Bernini of Ybor, Ybor City. berniniofybor.com
It’s All Greek to Me! Greek Wine Tasting Monday, Sept. 14. 6 p.m. $43.43. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com
Mad Hatter Tea Party & Treats Tuesday, Sept. 15. 5:30 p.m. $55. Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg. imaginemuseum.com
Tampa Bay Food Fight Tuesday, Sept. 15. 6 p.m. $135.23. The Coliseum, St. Petersburg. tampabayfoodfight.com
Made in Market: Pizza Class Tuesday, Sept. 15. 6 p.m. $65. Market at Tampa Edition, Tampa. editionhotels.com
Peruvian Cooking Tuesday, Sept. 15. 6 p.m. No cover; waitlist open. Largo Public Library, Largo. largopubliclibrary.org
Appy Hour Cooking Class – Taco Party Wednesday, Sept. 16. 6 p.m. $55. Foodie Labs, St. Petersburg. thefoodielabskitchen.com
Restaurant Ebbe: Ten Michelin-Star Chefs Dinner Wednesday, Sept. 16. 6 p.m. $1495 & up. Restaurant Ebbe, Tampa. chefebbe.com
September Blind Wine Tasting Battle Wednesday, Sept. 16. 5:30 p.m. $32.90. Book + Bottle, St. Petersburg. bookandbottlestpete.com
Where in the Vino: Central Europe at Steelbach Wednesday, Sept. 16. 6:30 p.m. $150. Steelbach at Armature Works, Tampa. armatureworks.com
From Hive to Bite: A Honey Tasting & Flight of Bites with Café Clementine x Noble Nectar Apiaries Thursday, Sept. 17. 5:30 p.m. $40 & up. Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. mfastpete.org
Night Out Cooking Class – Modern Greek Mezze Thursday, Sept. 17. 6 p.m. $95. Foodie Labs, St. Petersburg. thefoodielabskitchen.com
Our Lady of Guadalupe Wine Dinner Thursday, Sept. 17. 6:30 p.m. $95 & up. Birch and Vine, St. Petersburg. thebirchwood.com
Taste of Grand Central: Cheers to 100 Years Thursday, Sept. 17. 6 p.m. $100. Coastal Creative, St. Petersburg. coastalcreativetv.com
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This article appears in September 10 – 16, 2026.
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