Romantic cuban boleros of the 1930s and 1940s, sung by Eydie Gorme and El Trio Los Panchos. Images from a special report by LIFE in the February 6th, 1950 issue concerning the elegant life in Havana, titled " High Society in Cuba". Some quotes from that article: " The first families of Havana lead a life of elegance that the Yankee rum-and-rumba tourists never see. In the winter before the bulk of American tourists arrive, Cuba's high society breaks out with some of the most elegant and lavish parties given in the Western Hemisphere. Wealthy Havanese feel that $ 5000.- is not too much to spend on a children's party and upwards of $ 10000.- seems justified for a successful debut. They dress their daughters in the latest Paris fashions, and expect women to appear in mink and sables in the hottest weather. Although the local society reporter makes a good living describing their parties in glowing terms, most of the top affairs need no embellishment. La Condesa de Camargo last year fortified her position as Cuba"s first lady of society by decorating a party for her niece with 5000 dozen gladioli banked along the fence around her home, but Havana is still talking about the ball she gave 20 years ago for which 500 pheasants were flown in from the US. Cuba's season of pomp and extravagance is shortlived. By the time the rum-and-rumba "touristas" begin to flood the island, chic Cubans have gone into semiretirement, and Havana's best parties are over." 00:05-04:39 " Eight of ...
Tags :Eydie, Gorme, Trio, Los, Panchos, Cuba, Cuban, La, Habana, Havana, elegant, elegancia, Bourgeoisie, cubaine, Kuba, Havanna, Havane, Havanne, aristocracia, aristocracy, boleros, Maria, Luisa, Gomez, Mena, Condesa, de, Revilla, Camargo, haute, couture, high, fashion, tiendas, El, Encanto, Fin, Siglo, Cuervo, Sobrinos, Galiano, Vedado, Miramar, Cubanacan, Biltmore, Country, Club, quinta, avenida, yacht, Jockey, cronica, social, luis, deposada, Tropicana, alta, costura, marianao, Oswaldo, Osvaldo, Farres, Amor, Spanish, love, songs, L'Avana, cubanos, cubano, Pollack

www.Netssa.com Living Cuba on Netssa.com. Cuba is in transition, something is happening with the Cuban society, no one knows how long it will take to emerge a better Cuba.
Tags :cuba, cuba change, cuba people, cuban people, cuba transition, cuba economy, better cuba, cuban society, living cuba, cuba chage, life cuba, cuban live, cuba life

Major media attention has been given to Cuba's version of Hip Hop culture-a culture originally developed in the Bronx, New York in the late 1970's as a vehicle of expression for disenfranchised youth. Serving the same purpose within the socialist Cuban society, Cuban Hip Hop is both defying numerous misconceptions anti-Castro propaganda has lead foreigners to believe about censorship in Cuba (via its highly critical lyrics), and also reaffirming certain limitations the Cuban society faces under Castro's regime (ie the lack of commercial success for artists). International attention to Cuban Hip Hop grew after the first annual Cuban Rap Festival, held in 1995, however this film indicates that the foundation for the growth of Hip Hop in Cuba was set in the 1970's, contemporaneously with the US. Based on first-hand investigation carried out over the course of four years, including observation of and participation in Cuban Hip Hop concerts and colloquiums at the eighth annual Cuban Hip Hop Festival in Havana, and interviewing the most influential Cuban Hip Hop artists and producers, this documentary traces Cuban Hip Hop step by step in a way that has yet to be formally recorded or published.
Tags :Cuba, Cuban, hiphop, Hip, Hop, Hip-Hop, Latin, America, Caribbean, documentary, music

Scenes of Cuban life, Havana, the people of Cuba before Castro's revolution. Visit our site at: www.NoTyranny.com
Tags :Havana, Cuba, Cuban, Society, Pollack-Rothschild, Mansion, Enrique, Pollack, proshow

Cuba and Havana Before 1959 by Enrique Pollack is a compilation of great photographs of Havana, Cuban Society and Cuban culture prior to the Cuban revolution
Tags :Cuba, Havana, Cuban, revolution, photographs, pre-Castro, proshow

Charlimar's dreams have just come true, imitating Shakira on stage at Cuba's first transvestite stage show. The landmark event in the communist country was held in front of 2000 people in Santa Clara, usually associated with Che Guevara rather than cross-dressers.Duration: 02:03
Tags :WEB, LIFESTYLE, CUBA, SOCIETY, GENDER, TRANSVESTITE

Cuba has a long and rich heritage in the arts, but during the last two decades, the visual arts have become a cultural phenomenon. In this week''''''''s FRONTLINE/World Rough Cut, filmmaker Natasha Del Toro travels to Cuba to meet two of its most acclaimed artists and find out why art is at the center of Cuban society
Tags :Natasha, Del, Toro, Los, Carpinteros, Cuban, art, Avant, Garde

With Or Without Fidel is a groundbreaking documentary that features Cuba's leading politicians, intellectuals and dissidents, who debate the future direction of the island's 48 year-old revolution. How do Cubans feel about their own identity and freedom of speech? For the first time, the people of Cuba question the values that western democracy holds sacred and the price Cubans have paid for their independence. With Or Without Fidel is an extremely rare glimpse into the heart of Cuban society. While the BBC, CNN and other correspondents were expelled from the country, Rice N Peas Films were given unprecedented access to produce an honest portrayal of the island. Filmed during the most precarious period in Cuba's history, With or Without Fidel reveals the aspirations and vulnerabilities of a country on the brink of change. 29th June at 6.50 pm Tricycle Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Road, NW6. Box Office: 020 7372 6611 5th July at 7pm Canning House, 2 Belgrave Square, SW1X. Box Office: 020 7235 2303 12th July at 6.30pm Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, W6. Box Office 020 8237 1111 DVD Available at www.ricenpeas.com from mid-July
Tags :Fidel Castro, Fidel, castro, Cuba, Documentary, Film, Death, Communist, Socialism, Healthcare, Hospital, Capitalism, USA, Havana, Habana, Dissident, Rice n peas, ricenpeas, ishmahil blagrove, ishmahil, blagrove, che, Guevara, raul

Watch the entire FILM (80 mn) : www.filmsdocumentaires.com Join us on Facebook : fr-fr.facebook.com Synopsis: Havana 1977: One day I decided to go into exile. This film relates the return to my home town thirty years later. My clandestine camera goes at the bottom of the Cuban society,just as Fidel Castro has officially given the power to his brother Raul. He has held the bridles during forty eight years of absolute power. The children of the Cuban revolution are now facing a bitter day-to-day life while a new upper class lead by the old generation in power is desperately hanging at it. Web site : www.injam.com
Tags :Cuban, Fidel, Castro, Raul, Edouardo, Lamora, communist, communism, Discovered, Cubans, Discovery

Fifty years after the Cuban revolution, which prompted a US embargo against Cuba, both Americans and Cubans remain far removed from each other's realities. The documentary "Cuban Hip Hop: Desde el Principio (From the Beginning)" shows that one cultural link between the Cuba and the US is Hip Hop. The bilingual film features intimate interviews and performances by such legendary Cuban Hip Hop artists as Doble Filo, Obsesion, and Anónimo Consejo, who have all toured internationally. There is also never-before-seen footage of Common, M1 of Dead Prez, and political exile Nehanda Abiudun. Hip Hop, a culture that incorporates various elements, including rapping, breakdancing, and graffiti, developed in the Bronx, NY, during the late 1970s as a vehicle of expression for disenfranchised youth. "Cuban Hip Hop: Desde el Principio " shows that Hip Hop is serving the same purpose within socialist Cuban society. Cuban rap is defying numerous misconceptions about censorship in Cuba via its highly critical lyrics. At the same time, the music is reaffirming certain limitations that Cuban society faces under Castro's regime, including the lack of commercial success for artists. How did Cubans learn of Hip Hop, when all American ties were severed by the US blockade? This documentary explains it all. Based on a first-hand investigation carried out over the course of five years, which included participation in Cuban HipHop concerts and colloquiums at the eighth annual Cuban Rap Festival in ...
Tags :trailer, Cuban, hiphop, hip, hop, Desde, el, Principio, From, the, Beginning, Cuba

Elian Gonzales - Walter's view on Cuban Society, Tourism, & prostitution Barbara Walters interviews Fidel Castro from Havana, Cuba -- 25 years after her first interview with the Cuban leader. Her original interview made a little history because people got their first real look at the man. Although Castro is known for very long speeches, he rarely does interviews. Fidel Castro, 76 at the time of this interview, has outlasted nine US presidents. He's on his tenth. His rule continues to inspire both fear and devotion. He tells Barbara Walters that Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev lied to both President John F. Kennedy and Cuba, heightening the Cuban Missile Crisis. Anchor: Barbara Walters and John Miller Airdate: October 11, 2002
Tags :fidel, castro, cuba, communism, socialism, barbara, walters, 20/20

Ignácio Cervantes, 1847-1905, or cuban romantic creolism in the colonial fin de siècle. He studied piano and composition with Nicolás Ruiz Espadero in his native Havana, with Louis Morreau Gottschalk and with Antoine François Marmontel and Charles Alkan in the Conservatoire de Paris. One of the major figures in the cuban musical life. He brought in the island the european romantic harmonic and pianistic tradition. He used creole melodies and rythmes, as opposed to the afro-cuban tendency expressed by Roldán-Caturla. He created an effective and sophisticated salon music, operas, zarzuelas and symphonic pieces. His most famous work remains the Danzas Cubanas for piano. A tender, sensual, nostalgic music imagery. I suggest here three of them: 1.Ilusiones perdidas, 00:00-01:14, (bonjour Honoré) 2.Homenaje, 01:15-02:46 3.Adios a Cuba, 02:47-04:14 The danza cubana came from the contredance which was meant for dancing and was transfrormed into danzón. At the end of the 19th century danza was an independent form of composition. Usually in 2/4, its rythme is also called habanera. Cuban pianist, teacher and composer Frank Fernández, b. Mayarí 1944, studied in Cuba and in Moscow with Victor Merzhanov. He has given concerts and recorded in Europe, Russia, E.Asia, S.and C.América. He used to teach in the Havana Instituto Superior de Arte and has been decorated for his arts all over the world. Among his pupils JL Prats, V. Rodriguez, L. Morales. In this recording he keeps a safe ...
Tags :Ignácio, Cervantes, Ilusiones, Perdidas, Homenaje, Adios, Cuba, Frank, Fernandez, Mayari, piano, danzas, cubanas, Fresa, Chocolate, film, soundtrack, Charles, Alkan, Tomas, Gutierez, Alea, Juan, Carlos, Tabio, Senel, Paz

To be screened on the 2nd "Music and the World" documentary film festival- Kraków/Poland 2008 HAVANA HIP HOP UNDERGROUND Director: Yves Billon Year: 2006 Time: 52 min. Today in Cuba rap music is undoubtfully one very powerful vector of independent freedom of expression, allowed by the state and even sometimes promoted by it. Castro's regime, although very much questioned in the news by those paying attention to the expression of opinions on the island, has enabled about 600 rap music bands to spring. Compared to its North American neighbour, and despite its domination, Cuban rap is a good means of observation of the various demands of the Cuban society.
Tags :muzykaiswiat

Brian Andres and the Afro Cuban Jazz Cartel performing the tune Song for Chano at the Grinstead Amphitheatre in the Plaza at Sonoma, Ca on Aug 11 2009 for the Sonoma Valley Jazz Societies 2nd Tuesday of the Month Concert Series. Brian Andres-drumset Carlos Caro-conga Patricio Angulo-timbales Christian Tumalan-piano Aaron Germaine-bass Jaime Dubberly-trombone Erik Jekabson-trumpet Darren Smith-sax www.brianandres.com
Tags :afro, cuban, jazz, cartel, latin, san, francisco, sonoma, valley, society, drumming, brian, andres, carlos, caro, patricio, angulo, aaron, germaine, christian, tumalan, erik, jekabson, jaime, dubberly, darren, smith, ray, barretto, chano, pozo, oye, productions

earthcds.com 50 Years On has been produced by La Timbala Films to showcase the work of one of Cuba's most famous music and dance groups - Afrocuba de Matanzas. Nine of the group's major works are presented in this high quality, 80 minute, performance, filmed and recorded live in specially selected locations around Matanzas. The nine performance pieces on this DVD provide an overall view of the pantheon of Afro-Cuban cultures maintained in Matanzas province, located in the western end of the island of Cuba. These ritual dances, with their accompanying music and song, represent the cultural heritage of many of the vast numbers of African slaves who were brought to Cuba over the long and painful history of transatlantic slavery. In Cuba, these ideas and traditions have been guarded, maintained, reconstructed and developed by both the descendents of their original carriers and the many sectors of Cuban society into which they have fed. They are by no means museum pieces. They are a vibrant, living element in contemporary Cuban culture, presented here in celebration of the 50th anniversary of this renowned group (1957-2007). This DVD includes a twenty page booklet containing background information and details about the pieces. Buy this DVD here: earthcds.com
Tags :afrocuban, drumming, dancing, lucumi, orisha, bricamo, palo, makuta, yuka, congo, arara, lukumi, bata, congas, clave, rumba, guaguanco

SHORT FILM A DOCU-DRAMA BUILT AROUND OVER 100 INTERVIEWS WITH REAL PROSTITUTES IN THE MODERN CUBAN SOCIETY. A TOUCHING AND EMOTIONAL INTERVIEW MADE OF FORBIDDEN WORDS AND MEANINGFUL SILENCES. WINNER OF MIAMI SHORTS BEST DOCUMENTARY 2007 AND SAN FRANCISCO GRAND JURY SILVER PRIZE 2008
Tags :SHORT FILM, CUBA, PROSTITUTION, TOURISTS, INTERVIEWS, WORDS, SILENCES, WINNER, MIAMI, SAN FRANCISCO

Interview with author and photographer Alex Harris ("The Idea of Cuba") "Cuba is very much an idea, much more than a reality; it is an idea that no Cuban takes for granted, but nurtures, cultivates, defends, possesses, celebrates. This book both documents and brings to life Cubans' experiences of being part of Cuba. . . . Thus the idea of Cuba emerges slowly, deliberately, bit by bit. The images in this book are seductive and powerful, and the voice that conveys its stories both vulnerable and compelling, much like Cuba itself."—Lillian Guerra, from her essay "Everyone seems to be waiting. A young woman in a pink shirt leans against a pillar. Two men sit on a stoop and look in her direction. Like most Havana streets, this one, Calle Zapatos in Santos Suárez, has seen better days. A glance reveals generations of faded paint, cracked plaster, and worn-down sidewalks. It's a curious kind of waiting—at once lethargic and restless—that I've become accustomed to in Cuba. Whatever is going to happen seems a long way off."—Alex Harris This remarkable journey into contemporary Cuba by photographer and writer Alex Harris is both a powerful and mysterious evocation of life on the island and an original meditation on the nature of documentary photography that reveals what Harris has learned over thirty-five years as a documentary photographer. Like his mentor, Walker Evans, who photographed Cuba in 1933 at a pivotal political moment, Harris arrived in Cuba with his camera at a ...
Tags :Alex Harris, Cuba, CNN

DVD: www.amazon.com thefilmarchive.org Tourism in Cuba attracts over 2 million people a year, and is one of the main sources of revenue for the island. With its favorable climate, beaches, colonial architecture and distinct cultural history, Cuba has long been an attractive destination for tourists. Having been Spain's last, oldest, and closest colony until 1901, in the first part of the 20th century Cuba continued to benefit from big investments, creation of industries, and immigration. Its proximity and close relation to the United States also helped Cuba's market economy prosper fairly quickly. As relations between Cuba and the United States deteriorated rapidly after the Cuban Revolution and the resulting expropriation and nationalisation of businesses, the island became cut off from its traditional market by an embargo and a travel ban was imposed on US citizens visiting Cuba. The tourist industry declined to record low levels within two years of Castro's accession to power. By the mid 1960s the Communist government had banned and eliminated all private property, outlawed the possession of foreign currency, and eliminated the tourist industry all together. Until 1997, contacts between tourists and Cubans were de facto outlawed by the Communist regime. Following the collapse of Cuba's chief trading partner the Soviet Union, and the resulting economic crisis known as the Special Period, Cuba's government embarked on a major program to restore old hotels, remaining old ...
Tags :cuba, travel, restrictions, services, usa, guide, ban, network, agency, packages, tips, from, us, history, salsa, documentary, help, adventure, culture, youtube, russia, warfare, free, nature, events, museum, new, hypnosis, educational, software, tourist, attractions, destination, account, speech, tourism, cruise, landmark, member, holiday, need, civil

Brian Andres and the Afro Cuban Jazz Cartel performing the tune Sand Castles at the Grinstead Amphitheatre in the Plaza at Sonoma, Ca on Aug 11 2009 for the Sonoma Valley Jazz Societies 2nd Tuesday of the Month Concert Series. Brian Andres-drumset Carlos Caro-timbales Patricio Angulo-conga Christian Tumalan-piano Aaron Germaine-bass Jaime Dubberly-trombone Erik Jekabson-trumpet Darren Smith-sax www.brianandres.com
Tags :afro, cuban, jazz, cartel, latin, san, francisco, sonoma, valley, society, drumming, brian, andres, carlos, caro, patricio, angulo, aaron, germaine, christian, tumalan, erik, jekabson, jaime, dubberly, darren, smith, ray, barretto, chano, pozo, oye, productions, eric, muhler

THIRD video of a conversation with Netfa Freeman, an activist who defined himself as an African born in the United States and who has traveled to Cuba several times. In this video series (four episodes) Netfa talks about Cuban people, their culture, the countrys politics, education system, religion, economy, government, labor rights, society, civil freedoms, human rights, democracy, the international influence of Cuba, the leadership of Fidel Castro and social issues like discrimination, racism, the US embargo, poverty, prostitution, the role of Cuban Americans, and what Americans can do to help Cuban people. More information: carlosqc.blogspot.com .
Tags :activist, african, united, states, traveled, cuba, video, series, cuban, people, culture, country, politics, education, system, religion, economy, government, labor, rights, society, civil, freedoms, human, democracy, international, influence, cubanos, leadership, fidel, castro, and, social, issues, discrimination, racism, us, embargo, poverty, prostitution, americans, justice, equality, travel, policy, barack, obama, gobierno, comunista, socialismo, latino, america, justicia, lider, castrista, miami, educacion, economia, modelo, mundo, politica