A Venezuela-Cuba Drum Connection
William Hernandez is a Venezuelan percussionist who’s in love with Afro-Cuban music. He and the Muñequitos de Matanzas performed using his creation: “el cajon,” which he also calls the “Obba Drum.”
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Culture
Havana Culture Calendar for Jan. 2012
With lots going on the first week of January 2012, the Kewelta Habana cultural calendar is the most complete place to find what’s happening in the Cuban capital. Another well done source on Havana culture in English and Spanish is the Cuba Absolutely website.
Read MoreCuba’s Banner Vocal Group ‘Sampling’
Rene Baños is the leader of the renowned Cuban a capella singing group “Sampling.” In an interview for HT he noted, “Something that regularly catches my attention is the ability and willingness of the most diverse audiences to give themselves enthusiastically to music, to share it, to sing it and to dance with us, even when they don’t know the language or aren’t familiar with the musical style.”
Read MoreNew Year’s Hip Hop Concert in Alamar
The Alamar housing projects on the east side of the Cuban capital will host a massive outdoor New Year’s Day hip hop concert starting at 10:00 pm on January 1, 2012.
Read MoreTribute to Alicia Alonso at the Grand Theater
Tonight at the Garcia Lorca Hall of Havana’s Grand Theatre, a performance of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba will honor the 80th anniversary of the artistic debut of Alicia Alonso.
Read MoreCuban Troubadour Eduardo Sosa
A native of Santiago de Cuba who lives in Havana, Eduardo Sosa is a pure strained Cuban gajiro (campesino). He has the sensibility of a poet and the voice of a mockingbird – that warbler so typical of our fields.
Read MoreGood Cuba Rumba in Havana’s Vedado
The group Los Muñequitos de Matanzas — which is now marking 60 years since its creation — had almost all those in attendance on their feet and dancing. Even the more timid were moving their shoulders and tapping their toes from their seats. (15 photos)
Read MoreEduardo Galeano to Open Cuba Literary Event
Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano will be guest of honor at the 53rd edition of the Casa de las Americas literary awards ceremony and will deliver an address on January 16 to open the event.
Read MoreCuba’s Jazz Plaza Closing Night
Jazz Plaza came to an end last Sunday at the Mella Theater in Havana after four days of concerts at nine Havana venues and one in Varadero. The closing night concert included performances by the Jazz Band Orchestra led by Joaquin Betancourt and a masterly interpretation from pianist Frank Fernandez. (7 photos)
Read MoreBook Fair Dedicated to Caribbean
The 2012 Cuba Book Fair, the island’s most well attended yearly event, will be dedicated to the culture of the peoples of the Caribbean as well as to Cuban intellectuals Ambrosio Fornet and Zoila Lapique. The event will take place in Havana from February 9 to 19 and then move across the country.
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