Imagination Celebration

Between the Chicano Music Awards in Pasadena and the Cuban Cultural Festival in Echo Park, the Southland will sizzle with Latin rhythms this weekend:

Friday

With Havana a bit hard to reach, there’s always the new Miracle Mile nightclub the Conga Room, which boasts a 4,000-foot ballroom, conga drum-shaped tables, a restaurant, a cigar lounge, three bars and a hallway lined with vintage black-and-white photographs of Cuba. Tonight and Friday the Conga Room hosts San Francisco’s Afro-Cuban Latin jazz ensemble Conjunto Cespedes, anchored by Gladys “Bobi” Cespedes, the Cuban-born sensual vocalist. $17 to $30. 5364 Wilshire Blvd. (213) 938-1696. The Playboy Jazz Festival presents a free “Latin Jazz Jam” with the B-Side Players Sunday at 8 p.m. (310) 449-4070 for reservations.

Before the show, stop at Cuban mainstay Versailles on La Cienega for a garlicky roasted chicken fix. 1415 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles and three other area locations. (310) 289-0392.

Saturday

Take the afternoon to visit two museums dedicated to Latino culture. The year-old Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture is showing “Paul Sierra--A Cultural Corridor.” Paintings by the quintessential Latin American artist reflect on his turbulent Cuban heritage in explosive color. Mondays to Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Ends Oct. 9. 112 S. Main St., Los Angeles. Free. (213) 626-7600.

In Long Beach, the Museum of Latin American Art showcases work by artists of Mexico and Latin America. Currently on view: “Pinturerias: The Art of the Bullfight,” features international artists’ interpretations of bullfighting. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. Wednesdays to Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Ends June 14. $2.50. (562) 437-1689.

Dine at Xiomara, where Cuban-born chef Roberto Ferrer serves the best in Nuevo Latino cooking. 69 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Reservations required. (626) 796-2520.

Nearby at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the 10th Annual Chicano Music Awards raises scholarship funds for Latinos through the Quetzalcoatl Memorial Scholarship Fund. Hosted by KPCC-FM radio personality Sancho, the event will include performances by Little Joe y La Familia, the Headhunters, Randy Garibay, Nuestro and Straight Up, highlighting a variety of Chicano musical styles from jazz and Tejano to rock and blues. Comedian Gilbert Esquival will also perform. 8 p.m. 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Tickets $25 and $35. (626) 449-7360 or (213) 480-3232.

Then, hit the Atlas Supper Club for a late-night dose of Latin jazz legend Poncho Sanchez with deejay Sesqui. 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. 3760 Wilshire Blvd. $12. (213) 380-8400.

Sunday

Capping off a month of events sponsored by the Cuban American Cultural Institute is the Fourth Annual Cuban Festival. Puff on Cuban-style cigars, browse at booths featuring Cuban authors and poets, dance and listen to Cuban music. There also will be cultural demonstrations, art exhibitions, children’s activities and food. The entertainment includes Israel “Cachao” Lopez, vocalists Candy Sosa and Maggie Paloma, dance group La Salsa Kids, vocalist Ricardo Lemvo with orchestra Makina Loca and more.. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Echo Park, Plaza Jose Marti, 1020 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles. Free. (310) 914-0015.

If you can still take the heat, head to La Masia in West Hollywood for Spanish cuisine and salsa dancing. Sunday show starts at 7:30 p.m. Free with dinner. Two bars and two dance floors. The crowd here is upscale, late 20s and over. Jacket recommended for men. 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 273-7066.

Or, hit Hollywood Athletic Club’s Latin Groove Live. This weekly club is broadcast live on 103.1 FM a.k.a. Groove radio, with host Kiki Melendez featuring the sounds of Latin house, merengue, hip-hop, salsa and more from deejay Robert Isaac. Free salsa lessons at 8 p.m.; show starts at 9 p.m. 21 and over, $12. 6525 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (213) 962-6600.

For an all-ages salsa experience, the Boathouse offers salsa music and free dance lessons with “Mambo Kings” instructors Albert Torres and Laura Canellias every Sunday, 2 to 10 p.m. 19 and over, $5; ages 11 to 18, $2.50; 10 and under, free. 301 Santa Monica Pier. (310) 393-6475.