Dance in Cuba

Internet Photo: Yemaya Santeria ritual dance on the beach. Highly choreographed dance is a large part of the Santeria religion.

Rumba, Conga, and Cha Cha Cha, come to mind when we think of Cuban dance. They have roots in Africa and Spain. As children, the Cuban people learn these popular genres in the course of everyday life. 

Photo from Internet. The conga dance was originally a street dance.

Last Day in Havana

Toes tapping, shoulders shimmying, heads bobbing—our group was into the music and dance moves of the award-winning modern dance troupe, Havana Queens.  It was our last day in Havana, and viewing their rehearsal followed our morning discussion on Cuban Dance.

Artistic dance, such as ballet and modern, are ways of communicating with an audience. And these young people whose routines combined modern, popular, ballet, hip-hop, and break dancing in their exciting choreography were definitely communicating with us!

After several numbers showcasing different dancers and styles, they invited us to join them. Though some of us were shy about dancing in general, and especially about engaging in their high-powered moves, we all climbed the steps to the stage. The uncertain looks and frowns broke into smiles as we followed the music and the leads of the charming young dancers.

Sherry with the Havana Queens company

Internet photo

In our morning talk with one of the Directors of the Ludwig Foundation, which promotes Cuban culture, he mentioned the ballet was performing that night and encouraged us to attend if possible. He told us about Alicia Alonso, prima ballerina assoluta, who was a founder of the Cuban National Ballet and Cuba’s National Ballet School.

Photo by Edwin Soto

The Alicia Alonso Theatre is the only building in Cuba named after a living person.

The ballet was not on our itinerary, but we all were eager to go, so trip leader Yanet worked her magic. From the Havana Queens rehearsal, our bus took us to the theatre, where Yanet collected $30 CUCs (about $34 US) from each of us and secured our tickets. 
 

Yanet arranged a schedule change since our fancy paladar dinner needed to be moved forward so we could arrive at the theatre on time.

Three pieces, two classical and one contemporary, thrilled and entertained us that night. This special outing on our final evening in Cuba was lovely and memorable.