US Fest of Cuban Timba Just Days Away

HAVANA TIMES — First Festival of Cuban Timba, set to be held on June 16 at the Copacabana Nightclub in New York, will feature performances by leading bands from the island, including Los Van Van, NG La Banda and Manolito Simonet.

The event — which will run for more than eight hours, according to organizers — will also enjoy the participation of the groups Bamboleo and Pupy y los Son Son, as well as singers Tania Pantoja and Pedrito Calvo – all led by musician Lazaro Valdes.

“In New York we’re going to demonstrate the strength of our timba, a movement of international standing,” said Valdes to the Prensa Latina news agency.

Cuban timba was a new concept, style and sound of dance music on the island, which marked its beginning in 1989 thanks to the composer, arranger and conductor Jose Luis “El Tosco” (roughly, “Rude Boy”) Cortes.