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Here’s What to Know About Jet Set, the Dominican Republic Club Where the Roof Collapsed

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The roof of the renowned Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed early Tuesday (April 8), killing dozens and injuring more than 100 attendees, according to local authorities. The deadly incident occurred during a Rubby Pérez live performance, where more than 300 people gathered to see the merengue singer perform.

Deadly Nightclub Roof Collapse in Dominican Republic Kills 27, Injures Singer Rubby Pérez

04/08/2025

Located in Santo Domingo’s National District, the beloved live music venue — a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike — was celebrating its 50th anniversary, according to its Instagram account. “Dominican discotheque in charge of making its audience dance for more than 50 years,” an official description reads.

Hours after the collapse, the nightclub posted its statement: “Last night a tragedy occurred that has deeply touched the hearts of all of us at Jet Set and all Dominicans. At this difficult time, our prayers are with each of the families affected. We share their pain as if it were our own, because we are also in mourning. We are collaborating fully and transparently with the competent authorities to help the victims and clarify what happened. The loss of human lives leaves us in a state of deep pain and consternation. We join the expressions of solidarity from all over the country in this unexpectedly painful situation.”

According to Enrique Paulino, Pérez’s manager, who spoke to reporters at the scene, the roof collapsed about an hour after the show’s midnight start time. The singer was transferred to the Plaza de la Salud Hospital, according to medical director Nepomuceno Mejía. Pérez’s saxophone player was killed in the incident, according to Paulino. It’s not clear what caused the roof to collapse.

Below are fo ur things to know about the emblematic Jet Set nightclub.

Location

Right in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, the nightclub was located in the city’s National District, which hosts various nightlife activities, including chic discotheques, hotels and upscale restaurants and bars.

Who Has Performed There?

Powerhouses such as Los Hermanos Rosario, Sergio Vargas, Omega and Fernando Villalon, to name a few, had performed at the Jet Set. Notably, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico performed there for the first time in 2008, in celebration of the nightclub’s 35th anniversary. Mondays were particularly busy for the live music venue.

Cultural Significance

Billboard Español contributor Franchesca Guim, who is from the Dominican Republic but is currently based in Spain, shares the importance of Jet Set. “The Jet Set has been part of the nightlife culture and entertainment in Santo Domingo. I would dare to say that it is a place of reference in the Dominican Republic, where locals and tourists attend to enjoy live orchestras,” she explains. “Christmas and New Year’s parties have been memorable, and part of the Dominican tradition. Any week lends itself to go to the Jet Set, because there is always a good atmosphere and above all live orchestras and music. My mom remembers that Jet Set Mondays became a tradition. Every Monday there was a party with a live orchestra.”

Background

Owned by businessman Antonio Espaillat, the Jet Set Club had a capacity of 700 seated and 1,000 standing room only. According to local reports, it had been remodeled several times to update its dance floor, ambiance, lights and sound. It is reported that in 2015 it underwent its last remodeling. In 2023, a fire affected the facilities after lightning struck its power plant.

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Jelly Roll Brings Grit & Heart to In-Ring Debut at WWE SummerSlam 2025

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Jelly Roll made his WWE in-ring debut this weekend, and teamed up with Randy Orton to battle Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul at SummerSlam 2025. Jelly didn’t disappoint, as the brute country force rattled McIntyre and Paul with a series of slams and elbow drops, before ultimately falling short in his Saturday night (Aug. 2) WWE match.

Cardi B Kicks Off Night One of WWE SummerSlam 2025: ‘We’re Making History Tonight’

Ahead of the match, Jelly introduced tag partner Orton and performed his entrance theme song, “Voices,” electrifying the MetLife Stadium crowd in East Rutherford, N.J.

Kicking off the match against Paul, Jelly impressed early. Not only did he deliver some offense, including an impressive shoulder tackle on Paul, but he absorbed a flurry of attacks. The defining moment came when Paul sent Jelly crashing through the announcer’s table with a high-flying splash. Despite the setback, a hobbled Jelly Roll delivered a clinical performance: first chokeslamming Paul before issuing a punishing bodyslam. But Paul had the last laugh, connecting with a frog splash and scoring the 1-2-3.

Jelly, a lifelong wrestling fan, trained rigorously at WWE’s Performance Center ahead of his match, which contributed to his 230-pound weight loss.

“This is about belief — believing in myself — and wanting to selfishly be a part of a beautiful moment,” Jelly said earlier this week in an interview with WWE’s Jackie Redmond. “I love this business. I just wanna bring value. I’m not here to take nothing away. I’m not here to take nobody’s spot. I want to bring value. I think this is one of the greatest ages of storytelling I’ve seen in wrestling this decade.”

See clips of Jelly’s SummerSlam in-ring debut below.

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Jerry Garcia Has Childhood Street Named for Him in San Francisco

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A few hundred people gathered Friday (Aug. 1) to name a tiny San Francisco street after legendary Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia on what would have been his 83rd birthday, and as part of a citywide celebration to mark the band’s 60th anniversary.

7 Best Moments From Dead & Company’s Kickoff Celebrating 60 Years of the Grateful Dead in SF

Harrington Street, which is one block long, will also be called “Jerry Garcia Street.” Garcia died in 1995, but the band’s popularity has only grown as younger generations discover the Dead’s improvisational music, which blended rock, blues, folk and other styles.

Garcia spent part of his childhood in a modest home in the city’s diverse Excelsior neighborhood. He lived with his grandparents after the death of his father, Jose Ramon “Joe” Garcia.

“I hope that you all get a chance to enjoy the music, dance, hug, smile,” said daughter Trixie Garcia, growing emotional during her brief remarks. “Cherish what’s valuable, what’s significant in life.”

Tens of thousands of fans are in San Francisco to commemorate the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary with concerts and other activities throughout the city.

The latest iteration of the band, Dead & Company, with original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, play Golden Gate Park’s Polo Field for three days this weekend (beginning with Friday’s show), with an estimated 60,000 attendees expected each day.

Formed in 1965, the Grateful Dead played often and for free in their early years while living in a cheap Victorian home in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. The band later became a significant part of 1967’s Summer of Love, and the Grateful Dead has become synonymous with San Francisco and its bohemian counterculture.

On Friday, fans in rainbow tie-dye and Grateful Dead T-shirts whooped and cheered as the sign was unveiled. Nonfans with shopping bags and some using walking canes maneuvered around the crowd on what was for them just another foggy day in the working-class neighborhood.

Afterward, devotees peeled off to pose for photos in front of Garcia’s childhood home.

Jared Yankee, 23, got the crowd to join him in singing “Happy Birthday.” Yankee said he flew in from Rhode Island for the shows. He got into the music about a decade ago.

“It’s a human thing,” he said of his impromptu singing. “I figure everyone knows the words to ‘Happy Birthday.’”

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Fans Choose Mariah The Scientist & Kali Uchis’ ‘Is It a Crime’ as This Week’s Favorite New Music

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“Is It a Crime,” the new duet from Mariah The Scientist and Kali Uchis, tops this week’s fan-voted music poll.

Friday Music Guide: New Music From Chappell Roan, Metro Boomin, Demi Lovato and More

Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Aug. 1) on Billboard, choosing the pair’s fresh collaboration as their favorite new release of the past week.

“Is It a Crime” rose above a plethora of new releases — among them, songs from hitmakers like Demi Lovato, Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp and more. Mariah and Kali’s collab track topped the poll by a landslide, bringing in more than 57% of the vote.

“Is It a Crime,” a slow jam that has the two artists singing about the return of a past love — and defending the relationship if anyone’s got anything to say about it — dropped on July 31, with spicy, jail-themed single art. (“very intentional, very grown woman,” Uchis commented of their shoot on Instagram.)

The chorus of the song says it all: “And so what? I fell, you fell in love a couple times/ Tell me, what’s it to ya? Tell me, is it a crime/ To fall, to fall in love, in love a couple times?/ Tell me, what’s it to ya? Tell me, is it a crime to fall?”

Among the new releases trailing behind “Is It a Crime” on this week’s poll are Demi Lovato’s “Fast,” coming in with 17% of the vote; Chappell Roan’s “The Subway,” with 16% of the vote, and Reneé Rapp’s “Bite Me,” with 2% of the vote.

See the final results of this week’s poll below.

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