Without a doubt, the participation of the media immensely contributed to tango’ s popularity. Cinema and radio were the greatest drivers of the tango activity in Cuba. The almost mythical Argentine cinema of the 40s and 50s, with its sumptuous décor, and splendid blond artists like Zully Moreno moved to admiration and imitation. A musical films proliferated in the small cinemas of the barrios of Havana. The films of Carlos Gardel,, Hugo del Carril, Luis Sandrini and many others were financial successes.
However, currently tango has no regular schedule of lessons and no music playing most of the times. It seems that lessons and performances depend on tailor-made tourist demand.
Another place where the tango reigned was the Neotango Pena Tanguera with its familiar atmosphere. In the 80s had mushroomed into one of the most popular clus in Cuba. However, tango remained unusual in Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Santa Clara and other more traditional parts of the island. In March 1984, Casa de las Americas organized the Festival Ayer y Hoy del Tango, the biggest event dedicated to tango on a worldwide scale. Some of the biggest Argentine names gathered and performed in Havana. Citing a few of the performers, gives an idea of the significance of the show: Osvaldo Pugliese and his orchestra, Eladia Blazquez and her musical group, Nelly Vazquez, Sebastian Piana and his musical group, and other. s
The Cuban branch of the Academy of Tango Argentina was inaugurated in December 1994, in the presence of the Argentine maestro Horacio Ferrer and Dr. Bernabe Ordaz, director of the Psychiatric Hospital and tango lover. They invited a group of musicians to the opening of the Cuban subsidiary, including Astor Piazzolla who premiered his Freudian suite.
In recent years, there are many tango-themed events at the Centro Cultural Rosalia de Castro, National Theatre, Theatre Lazaro Pena, Sociedad Cultural Rosalia de Castro, Museo de la Musica, Asociation National Promotora del Tango, Theatre America, Caseron del Tango, Ballet de la Television Cubana and Teatro Mella.
The Casa del Tango in Havana is another important institution and legendary tango venue. It preserved thousands of treasures and memorabilia from almost of a hundred years of tango history in the city. They promise to hold weekly performances on Monday night, tango dance classes with a practica afterwards. They share the space with salsa and rumba.
In Havana Vieja, Old Havana, just off the Plaza de Armas, the Caseron del Tango is a welcoming place to enjoy shows, take dance classes, meet people and relax. It has tango mlongas, featuring amateur performances aiming for cultural promotions on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday featuring tango all-stars Emilio Alvarez, Katy Angel and Jorge del Cambo. There are also afternoon tango classes on Thursday and Saturday.
In Centro Habana and Cerro, there is another Caseron del Tango with a live tango music. It is a cultural centre dedicated to tango music and dance, hosts tango mlongas on Monday. It is home to a mass collection of tango records, tapes, trophies and other memorabilia. Also in the Centro, Union Arabe de Cuba hosts occasional milongas.
— 11—
TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE