CUBA 50 Celebrating Cuban Culture  /  September 2019

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

 
 


Cuba celebrates the legacy of the great singer Benny Moré, 100 years since his birth



Known as ‘El Barbaro del Ritmo’ across Cuba Benny was born 100 years ago this August in rural central Cuba, descended from slaves. He “had immense musical knowledge, fantastic songs, an inspirational voice, a brilliant ability to sing in every Cuban style, a charismatic stage presence, stylish dress sense and – despite his inability to read or write a note of music – the deep respect and love of the best musicians in the country…With his Campesino hat and his Congo cane, neither a Habanero nor a Santiaguero, Benny was a hero for all Cubans.” 


 


New Cuban films submitted to Oscars and Goya awards: ‘A Translator’ and ‘Innocence’ (+ Trailers)

Two new Cuban feature films are to represent the island in the most prestigious international cinema awards. Rooted in the little-known true story of how 20,000 Chernobyl victims were eventually treated in Cuba, ‘Un Traductor’ (A Translator) is set in Havana 1989 about a good-hearted man in turmoil. ‘Inocencia’ (Innocence), directed by Alejandro Gil, is inspired by the true life tragic event that occurred on November 27, 1871 in Havana, with the execution of 8 Cuban medical students by the Spanish colonial authorities.


 
 
 


Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) in Havana declared one of the 100 best places in the world

In August Time Magazine, the US publication, declared the arts centre in Havana as among the 100 best places in the world…despite President Trump’s best efforts to stop US citizens visiting the island! Created by Cuban rock musician X Alfonso in 2014, the cooking oil factory converted into a community project has become an important creative centre for Cubans and foreign visitors alike, with galleries, performance art spaces and a dance floor.


 
 


Interview with Omar Puente: Passing on my knowledge to the next generation

" I have absorbed a lot. But my Cuban roots are still there."

UK-based Cuban violinist Omar Puente is set to perform a special show with friends in London on Friday 22 November in memory of his late wife Debbie Purdy. He talked to CubaSí magazine about Debbie, his life, musical influences and current projects.


 


Nancy Morejon and her poetry

This August Cuban National poet Nancy Morejón celebrated her 75th birthday. Known for her most famous poems 'Black Woman' and 
'I love my master', her work addresses contemporary issues of ethnicity, gender, history, politics, and Afro-Cuban identity. Read about her and her poetry here and watch and listen to her talking about her work.


 
 
 
 


Watch this beautiful short film about Cuban Rene who makes and repairs ballet shoes in Camaguey. You can turn on English subtitles by clicking on the dots in the righthand corner in youtube.



 


Buy Cuban coffee, honey, chocolate 

Fresh and rich Crystal Mountain coffee, beans and ground, direct from the Escambray mountains of central Cuba, delicious honey from Matanzas and much more

 
 
 

EVENTS COMING UP

 
 

 Raúl Cañibano: Chronicles of an Island, from 13 September, London


The first solo exhibition by Cuban photographer Raúl Cañibano

presenting two themes 'Ciudad' and 'Tierra Guajira'. From rural Las Tunas himself, his work has surrealist influences.


 
 

Designed in Cuba: Cold War Graphics,

from 27 September, London

A major exhibition of graphic design from Cuba’s ‘golden age’. It brings together 115 posters and 70 magazines distributed across the globe by OSPAAAL: an organisation founded to promote cooperation between socialist countries and liberation movements.



 

Dayme Arocena,

Fri 4 October, London

Singer, composer and choir director, Dayme is a bright-shining performer carrying the flame for a new generation of Cuban musicians. Approaching jazz, soul and classical influences with an innate sense of rhythm, she knows her Cuban traditions, whether rumba, changui or guaguanco, but is also an outward-looking artist finding new musical connections.  


 
 
 
 

Ariwo - Late Night Jazz at Royal Albert Hall, Thu 10 October, London


Ariwo sculpt an immersive sound world using a base of Afro-Cuban polyrhythms, carnival melodies, cosmic jazz and live electronics.

The band brings together acclaimed Iranian electronic composer, Pouya Ehsaei, Latin Grammy-winning percussion virtuoso Hammadi Valdes, important figure of London’s Cuban music scene, Oreste Noda and  jazz trumpeter, Jay Phelps.


 
 

London Latin Jazz Fest,

21-26 October, London

This year's festival, curated by supertalented musician Eliane Correa, headlines an Afro-Cuban jazz collaboration led by percussionist Hammadi Valdes and London-Cuban timba group Eli and the Evolucion. 


 

RanKanKan Cuban Night,

Sat 26 October, Oxford

Ran Kan Kan team up again with charismatic Cuban dance teacher Ariel Rios, for a night of Cuban dance, with live music from the golden years of Cuban big bands.  This 24-piece Oxford based big band bring syncopated mambos, rumba and son montuno classics to dance to.


 
 
 
 


Acosta Danza: Evolution,

28 October 2019 - 11 April 2020, UK tour

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


 
 

5th Havana Glasgow Film Festival,

12-16 November, Glasgow

This year the film festival celebrates 50 years of ICAIC – the Cuban Film Institute – with screenings of some truly classic Cuban films made by the legendary Tomás Gutiérrez Alea (Fresa y Chocolate) and Jorge Perugorría (Se Vende). Mirtha Ibarra, top actor and wife of the late Alea, will visit from Cuba. Plus dance, talks and discussions.


 


Omar Puente & friends, 22 November, London

Cuban jazz violinist Omar Puente is performing a very special show in honour of his wife, campaigner Debbie Purdy who died in 2014. Omar will showcase work from throughout his career for solo violin, piano duo, and with his new project Classico Latino Sextet. Puente will be joined by some very special guests including pianist Alex Wilson, saxophonist Courtney Pine, trombonist Dennis Rollins plus some surprise appearances.

 
 
 

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