Celebrity Hall of Fame, Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Notice photo of Nat King Cole behind sculpture.

A Cuban Cultural Collage of Dancers, Musicians, and Artists

Dancing in Cuba isn't just about Mambo, Cha-Cha, and Conga lines. Although, I can say I took my turn on the dance floor with a Cha-Cha, partnering with a sure-footed, suave, Cuban musician. It's amazing what I can do after a couple of Mojitos and a visit to the Buena Vista Social Club.

Most impressive, however, was a visit to the colonial city of Camaguey, home of the Camaguey Ballet Company. This ballet school teaches and grooms carefully selected, dedicated students in the art of classical ballet, beginning at an early age. This school and company have been in place for several decades.

Entrance to Camaguey Ballet School

The Ballet Company has  performed in over forty countries. We arrived in time for an early morning warm-up class at the barre.

I recognized this ballerina from a YouTube video I viewed before my trip. She danced with partner, a pas de deux  from Coppelia, a comic ballet, which features the principal ballerina dancing with a flirtatious fan, historically one of the last romantic ballets. I also recognized that she was dancing in this studio in the video; and she did dance her heart out! Certainly a lovely, dedicated artist.

But, of course, the main tools of a ballet dancer are ballet slippers and toe shoes. Not something that is easily found in Cuba, if at all.  In addition, toe shoes only last through one performance. Every performance requires a new pair. In the U.S., a pair of toe shoes costs on average $90--take that times numerous performances over a period of years. This resourceful ballet company came up with a solution many years ago--have your own cobblers. Please take a look at the gentleman below. He has been making ballet slippers for over thirty years!

                          Music, Music, Music

Music permeates the island of Cuba--morning, noon, night, and any time in between. I was impressed when a stringed quartet played at a hotel breakfast buffet at 7:30 a.m. A musical venue can be created wherever. I was flattered when I was serenaded by a guitarist while sitting on a park bench in Old Havana. Okay, yes, that's how he makes his living! I didn't consider myself special, but, on the other hand, I had never been serenaded to. He sang to me, "I Love You for Sentimental Reasons" (an old tune from the forties, I think, maybe around WWII, and an American song.) But, of course, we'd never met and had no history, so what are those sentimental reasons that make you love me? I'm thinking this jokingly in my head as he croons. Doesn't matter. I fell for the romance of the situation. He had snagged another satisfied customer.

                                                                         

Going to? or Coming from? a Gig

                                                                       

Lunch with these young men in Cienfuegos, hearing lots of percussion, along with John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

Notice their CD in the basket on the small table.

                                                                       

                                                                     

Dinner music in Cienfuegos. These guys were really good! That's fellow traveler Jill to my right

along with Polly across the table dining at Paladar Casa Prado.

                                                                         

Above is a small orchestra in Cienfuegos that played for us. They were stunning, so talented. We were moved by their beautiful performance of Shenandoah with dedication to their American audience. It is such a beautiful piece of music, a favorite of mine. It was an honor to hear them play it. There was not a dry eye in the house when they finished. We learned from them that there isn't even a music store in Cuba, which makes it difficult if a string or reed needs to be replaced. Also, it's difficult to get a piano tuner. They seem to find ways; they are resourceful people. It's a shame that these talented, young people cannot easily access what they need to maintain their instruments. I try not to be political in my blog, but I do have to say, sixty years of embargo is far too long.

                         A Family of Potters

We visited the family owned Cassanova Pottery Studio in Camaguey. Two generations of the Cassanova family work at the studio, led by their father, with a son who is being groomed to assume leadership in years to come. This business has been in place for several years. Privately owned businesses aren't that common in Cuba, but more are opening, accommodating the influx of tourists, i.e. paladars (restaurants, sometimes in homes), bed and breakfasts/hostels. The beaches of Cuba are a popular winter destination for Canadian snowbirds and many Europeans.

                                                         

Papa Cassanova works his Magic.

His wheel spins by electricity.

And my tour friends Leia, Andrea, Dee, and Barbara watch.

                                                         

Son learned well from Papa.

He uses his foot to spin his wheel.

We Finish the Afternoon with, of course, a Song!

    Still Several Days of Travel Ahead!