Every other Friday, Sudamericana fills the intimate (and underground) Continental Club downtown with a sweaty Latin dance party unlike any other in L.A. Beautiful people dressed in the requisite “stylish attire” — some from South America but many not — crowd the space between black leather booths to shake hips and dance their way through a world of rhythms, from salsa to bachata to cumbia to rock. Founded by Toronto native Paula Lucero in 2012, Sudamericana started as a free monthly night that focused on new and nostalgic music from all over Latin America. (Sudamericana also donates a portion of ticket sales to nonprofits in South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and California.) The idea behind the playlist remains the same, but the club has now morphed into a full event company that hosts the twice-monthly flagship night at the Continental as well as occasional booze cruises in Long Beach, rooftop parties in Chinatown and more.

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