Cuba50: Win ticket to Cuban AllStars Salsa fest, what's new in Cuban music and much more coming up around the UK

How does Cuba support its young artists?

How are young emerging artists, writers, filmmakers, actors, musicians, poets, cultural promoters and makers supported in Cuba to achieve their potential? The president of Cuban youth cultural network AHS was in the US to explain how young creators across the island in urban and rural areas are supported in their development through competitions, grants and training.

Miami Commission seeks to stop cultural exchange with Cuba

The tightening of the US blockade of Cuba affects culture too. Last week the Miami city Commission passed a resolution to ask US congress to veto recruitment of Cuban artists aiming to stop cultural exchanges with Cuba. It also urges other US states and local governments to ban recruitment of Cuban singers and artists from the island.

The Founding of Havana declared World Heritage

In the year of the 500th anniversary of Havana UNESCO has just declared the actual founding as World Heritage The documents are held in a specially built repository in Old Havana, amongst the picturesque plazas and historic buildings which have been systemically restored over the last 25 years, under the guidance of City Historian Eusebio Leal.

Havana D'Primera at London SalsaFest,

Sat 22 June, London + Sun 23 June, Edinburgh

London weekender of Cuban dance workshops with 2 major live music shows including Cuban salsa timba big band Alexander Abreu & Havana D’Primera on Sat 22 June at London SalsaFest. Then Havana D'Primera will perform in Edinburgh on Sun 23 June.

Son Yambu at VAMOS! LEEDS 5, Sun 21 July, Leeds

Festival of live music and community arts celebrating Spanish and Portuguese speaking cultures curated by DJ Lubi Jovanovich features UK-based Son Yambu who bring their Cuban son and salsa vibes to Leeds.

Omara Portuondo: Omara Es Cuba – El Último Beso,

Sat 28 July, London

With an artistic career spanning decades, Omara Portuondo is renowned for popularising Cuban music across the world. For one night only she will showcase some of her finest musical work. Her gestures match her vast vocal range, inherited from the ‘filin’ way of singing which mixes traditional bolero with American-influenced blues. She will be joined by superb Cuban jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca.

Charanga del Norte,

28 July, Huddersfield

Charanga del Norte, led by bandleader Sue Miller who studied flute improvisation with legendary Cuban musician Richard Egues from Oruesta Aragon, have been bringing wonderful Cuban charanga music to Britain for the last 20 years.

Rene Alvarez
& Cuban Combination at La Clave Fest,

Sat 3 August, London

Cuban Rene Alvarez leads this explosive 18 piece salsa big band, which was voted Best Tropical Act at the Lukas Awards last year in London, and headlines at this London festival of Latin American music and arts.

Havana After Dark,

5-25 August, Edinburgh

A new Cuban dance musical for hot summer nights. Starring singer Luna Manzanares, live salsa band, dancers from Acosta Danza, Ballet Nacional de Cuba and Ballet Revolucion, mixing ballet and salsa.

AcostaDanza: Evolution

11-12 November, Birmingham,

18-23 November, London

With its mix of ballet and contemporary dance, Carlos Acosta’s Cuban company brings a new programme, in which Acosta himself makes a guest appearance, which includes Paysage, Soudain, la nuit by visionary Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidberg; the iconic Rooster, choreographed by Christopher Bruce to music by The Rolling Stones; and a new work, Satori, by breakthrough Cuban choreographer Raúl Reinoso.

CUBA 50 Celebrating Cuban Culture / June 2019

All the latest cultural news from Cuba and events coming up around the UK

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