Lido 66 @ Café Afrika, Cambridge -
Friday 6th August 2004

"I was really excited about this review and didn’t really know what to expect. Arriving at Café Afrika I was amazed by the atmosphere and the way it looked. It was really spacious and when I entered, the staff were amazingly friendly and made me feel very welcome. There were fairy lights around the bar, posters on the brightly coloured walls, sofas in the seating area, and flags hanging from the ceiling.

"After finding a table and sitting down I realised that food was being served. As I was already reviewing the venue I decided that I would review the food as well, (it’s such a hard life as a Blast reporter!) so I got a huge plate of Chicken and Rice. The food, for a start, was really tasty and filling and for £5 truly worth it.

"Everyone at the café mingled and it was such a relaxed atmosphere that I would definitely recommend going there. The café consists of very mature company and if you’re aged 16-25 then this is a great venue for you to attend. The service is truly amazing and as the evening progressed the café got packed and the live bands were definitely going to have a big audience!

"The band for the night was the explosive 10-piece Afro-Cuban powerhouse 'Lido 66'. The band (formerly known as ‘Manteca’) is fresh from appearing with the likes of the Scissor Sisters. Their mix of Latin Jazz with Afro-Cuban Street Rumba never fails to get a dance floor moving. This is a fact as they got the audience moving within seconds and, even I was dancing to the amazing feel of the Latin heat. While taking photos of the café I decided to get the audience's views of the place:

"I feel very relaxed and able to have a conversation with entertaining but not intrusive music. It's like being in the Caribbean."

"The art of conversation seems to flow better in the surroundings of Café Afrika."

"The response from the audience to the band was spectacular. Everyone was moving, even the staff, and everyone seemed to flow to the Latin music. I have never been to a place like this before, and will definitely be going back. I had no idea that there was a place like this in Cambridge. If you really want to get away from the normal atmosphere of most clubs and bars then Café Afrika is the place to be to let your hair down, have excellent food and service and to enjoy some truly amazing bands and Djz.

Afrocubism is on the first Friday of every month, 7pm - 11pm @ Café Afrika, Sturton Street, Cambridge. Tel: (01223) 716309. Price: £5, students £4. Families are welcome - but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

To get more information about Lido 66 check out their website on www.lido66.com