Nostalgia for Nostalgia

Steve Satterwhite

Buenaventura moves forward by moving back

Details

Friday and Saturday evenings. Call 305-716-4999.

Havana Dreams Café, 9735 NW 41st St.

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More About

• Buenaventura
• Eduardo Rodriguez
• Pepe Horta
• Buena Vista Social Club
• Havana

While Buenaventura showcases these classics, the group also draws from much more modern pieces, which it situates within the airtight, remarkably sufficient traditional context. "Babalu Aye," for example, is a 1980s number penned by controversial island songwriter Pedro Luis Ferrer, a personal friend of Bofill. "I like to play one of his songs whenever I get an opportunity," says the vocalist. Ironically this contemporary song summons the most ancient traditions, an homage to the Yoruba god and patron saint of the infirm. In button-down shirts and jeans, modern-day dancers reached for handkerchiefs at Friday night's performance, shooing away evil spirits. Using old sounds to propel original compositions is the ultimate goal of Buenaventura. This nostalgia for nostalgia points toward the future. "Where are we going?" asks Rodriguez. "We'll see what happens as we move down the road."