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It’s been 50 years since Castro took power, and still the stretches of
ocean surrounding Cuba can’t stop the flow of its people’s creative
juices. The second annual Global Cuba Fest pays homage to the
continuity of this unique Caribbean culture by uniting artists who long
ago spread to the far reaches of the planet. Emblematic of their
exodus, these vanguardistas break all sorts of geographic and cultural
boundaries without losing their island identities.
Fundarte and Miami Light Project kick
the series off Friday with the closest thing to traditional that one
can get this side of the Strait of Florida: two-time Grammy winning
musician Albita. Considered a classic among her contemporaries, she mixes it all together with dance and soul. On Saturday, Canada transplant Alex Cuba
pushes soul even further with a melancholy yet serendipitous concoction
of trova, funk, and rock that is retro in the mod-est sense of the
term. On Sunday contemporary purists will pleased to hear that Cuban
jazz jams on in all its splendor. Backed by a smattering of piano and
drums Yosvany Terry squeezes all sorts of emotive notes out of his sax.
Global
Cuba Fest 2009. With Albita, Alex Cuba, and Yosvany Terry. Friday,
February 6 through Sunday, February 8. North Beach Bandshell, 7275
Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Shows start at 8 p.m. each night. Admission
is $20 each show, or $50 for the entire festival. Fundarte.us and miamilightproject.com
— Julienne Gage
