Better than Sex: Cuba’s Interactivo

Carlos Fraguela

HAVANA TIMES — On January 14, I went to the Bertolt Brecht theater in Havana, where the Cuban band Interactivo performs every Wednesday near midnight. I felt it was the best concert of my life, and I’ve been to quite a number of these. It was my second live concert by this particular band.

I am a great admirer of the music performed by this band directed by Roberto Carcasses, the son of that other excellent Cuban musician, the great Bobby Carcasses. Several virtuoso singers and instrument players perform with the band, which sounds spectacular. Francis del Rio, Telmary and others treated me to unrepeatable hours of excellent Cuban music.

Something that caught my attention was the improvisation a young man in the audience carried out after one of the singers gave him the microphone for a few minutes. He sang, in tune, for a while, then praised the virtues of the band’s musicians.

Interactivo’s songs give me a sense of freedom I never feel at other venues around town. The band encourages love and trust among human beings.

Admission to their concerts is only 3 CUC per person and the host is always Rene de la Cruz, a renowned Cuban actor, son of the late of actor of the same name (known for his work in the old Cuban TV series Julito el pescador).

I recommend this place to anyone who loves music and life and believes in the ability of human beings to make the world a better place, a place for communication, tolerance and enjoyment.