ONE OF THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS of the Latino and Chicano communities in Los Angeles is the eclectic and thriving music scenes.

Noche Romántica — “romantic night” in English — has been an ongoing project from San Diego native Chicano DJ Jose Luis Arreguin, known more commonly as ChicanoPlayboy . Arreguin created  Noche Romántica as a pastime with friends in order to reminisce about and celebrate the musical influence of his parents — a cultural aspect he felt was lacking in his new life in the Bay Area. From there, Arreguin and resident DJ Dave Salvaje brought Noche Romántica to Melody Lounge in the heart of LA’s Chinatown. There, they spin classic cumbia (dance-infused music heavy on percussion and the accordion), boleros (Latin love ballads), and ’50s/’60s Spanish rock ‘n’ roll.

Noche Romántic a is a night to dance and gyrate, a night dedicated to love — a moment in this bustling city to enjoy the music of our childhood and parents’ youth outside of our own homes, or, if you’re not of Latino descent, the music of a culture that makes up the very fabric of this city and state. Melody Lounge has been home to Noche Romántica for the past year, and Arreguin and Salvaje have created a unifying night of dance, love, and cultura for us Angelenos, and we are very thankful!

Arreguin and Salvaje not only entertain the Latino community in Los Angeles with their love of vinyl, they travel all over Southern and Northern California bringing NR to other regions of Cali, as well.

Over the weekend, Arreguin, Salvaje, and fascinating guest DJ BlackLotusRosie  brought Noche Romántica En Vivo (Live) to First Street Pool and Billiard in Boyle Heights. Joining them was L.A.’s very own San Cha y Las Sirenas , an electronic, erotic ensemble whose lead singer San Cha ‘s ethereal and visceral voice will either lead you to fall in love with her or make you believe she’ll stab you in your sleep. Either way, those are odds we’re willing to gamble on. The Tijuana-based cumbia rockeros La Diabla closed the night with a sweat-infused dance party, aided by special guest appearances from East L.A.’s psychedelic cumbia kings  Thee Commons .

Noche Romántica is exactly what its name entails — a night of romance, a night to let inhibitions go, and enjoy the moment of  now. If you happen to be in L.A. when the next Noche Romántica occurs, make sure you pop in for a night filled with dance and romance. Follow these movers and shakers in the Latino music scene to find out.