J Alvarez Saving Lives With Reggaeton at La Covacha on December 8

If there's one thing we learned from Cheers, it's that "sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name." And nowhere in Miami is that sense of belonging stronger -- especially for J Alvarez -- than at La Covacha, New Times' two-time Best Latin Club award winner. Alvarez, the...

By Victor Gonzalez

November 27, 2012

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If there's one thing we learned from Cheers, it's that "sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name."

And nowhere in Miami is that sense of belonging stronger -- especially for J Alvarez -- than at La Covacha, New Times' two-time Best Latin Club award winner.

Alvarez, the Latin Grammy-nominated reggaetonero behind such jams as "Te Deseo" and "Ponte Pa Mi," has become a regular at La Covacha over the past few years, each show more energetic than the last.

But why wouldn't it be? Music saved Alvarez's life, after all.

"Thanks to music I'm away from the streets," Alvarez told Fox News Latino in February. The singer was discussing Puerto Rico's unfortunate spike in street violence, which claimed the life of is cousin, Kasinski, earlier this year.

"I've been through some various situations that have allowed me to grow as a person. I spent almost four years in jail. There are opportunities to get out of there and you can progress. The doors aren't shut on you.

"It was a wake up call," Alvarez admitted. "I came out of it with dreams that I have been able to realize."

J Alvarez. Saturday, December 8. La Covacha, 10730 NW 25th ST, Doral. The show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets cost $19.95 to $39.99 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 18 and up. Call 305-594-3717 or visit lacovacha.com.

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