I'm one of those people that dread looking at people's travel photos from Cuba. Without trying to sound too jaded, most of it is super cliche -- let's see, there's the che guevara mural shot, some old lady with a cigar in her mouth, a decayed 1950's buick, maybe one propaganda billboard? While most people…
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Cuban Jam Session
Time moves soooooo slow down in Cuba...Everyone is basically waiting for something to change. Anyway, the guys I know down there bust out in an improvised song every five seconds. Its really in their blood. Anyone who's ever hung out in Cuba will totally get this clip. Makes me laugh everytime. J p.s. notice the…
The Other Che
(Camilo Cienfuegos) I wrote an article in this Summers issue of Preen on Camilo Cienfuegos, whom I call, "The Other Che". Camilo was a compelling figure in the Cuban Revolution who fought side by side in Fidel Castro's army. While others try to be like Che Guevara, truth is, Che really looked up to Camilo.…
Aquiles: Art Show In Cuba
Showing in Havana now. ("Walking Man" by Damian Aquiles) Got an email from a friend in Cuba who sent pics on this new installation. It's called "Memoria y Palabras" (Memories and Words) which is a perfect title considering ALL the things young artists have swimming in their heads right now for this little country fighting…
East of Havana at F.I.U.
(East of Havana, at Florida International University) Back in February (the week Fidel Castro retired), I was invited to screen my documentary, East of Havana, at a Florida college and speak to some students on the state of affairs for Cuba today. By no means am I an expert. On the contrary, it seems that…
Celia Cruz Is A Badass
Festival Recommendation (Celia the Queen plays the Tribeca Film Festival on April 26, 2008) Meet the "Queen of Salsa", Celia Cruz. The trailer for the film is calm, reflective, and spans years of memories. It's a nice ride. (Celia The Queen Trailer). Celia was a complicated woman. She spent a lifetime representing Cuba on every…
R.I.P. Cachao
King of Mambo Passes (Photographed inside his Coral Gables apartment in Miami) The inventor of Mambo dies at 89 years old this last Saturday. The original Mambo score is framed above his head here. His mass service is to be held in Miami today. In lieu of flowers, the Lopez family asks that you please…
The New Cuba 