It was just after noon on a Sunday in Los Angeles, and inside Oaxacan restaurant Guelaguetza a crowd of nearly 50 people were dancing to El Alfa’s “4K,” coffees in hand, under an outdoor canopy draped with colorful papel picado. They crouched down to perrear in their friend groups and swayed their hands to the Caribbean rhythms. As people continued to trickle in, the DJ continued to spin essential reggaetón and dembow songs such as “Pa’ Que Retozen,” “Rompe,” “De Carolina,” “NuevaYol,” “Tu Sicaria” and more.
At the front of the space was Allie Ramirez, a.k.a. Allierockk: DJ and host of a day party called “Café con Allie,” which takes place two Sundays per month. There, dozens of people gather to start their day by sipping coffee while dancing to reggaeton and hip-hop.
“There’s so much