SALSA YOUR WAY TO CUBA…

Think Cuba and the first thing that has to hit your mind is ‘dance and music’. Cuban lands have epitomized for long the ‘moves and grooves’ of the world. The salsa capital of the world (not the spicy sauce, but the spiced-up dance form), this island has a lot to offer for the musical souls that land on its shores.

The Dirty Dancer’s Haven:

Remember the 2004 movie – Dirty Dancing : Havana Nights? This movie was set in the streets of Havana, Cuba; at the cusp of what was the Cuban Revolution (remember Che Guevara?). Coming back to the plot of the movie – it was based on a young American girl (Katey); with parents who used to be professional dancers; who as a family shift to Havana, Cuba.

Here she comes in contact with the Cuban style of dancing; introduced to her by a Javier; and she goes on to combine these styles with her own ‘ballroom-induced’ styles of dancing. The rest of the movie, needless to say, goes on with sprinkles of dancing and some romance (How original!).

The deal is that reach Cuba and you can’t really miss the dancing. It’s all over the place. Well, we’re not trying to suggest that people do nothing but dance on the streets all day; but there are a few who do. One thing you can be sure of when you land in Cuba – You’re going to be introduced to the dancing sooner or later!

Live Music Is The Way To Go:

It is, perhaps, (arguably) one of the most musical islands on planet earth. The Caribbean rhythms are almost intoxicating; and the ability to move their body will leave your eyes mesmerized. At almost every corner that you turn at, you’ll be left facing a small venue that can offer some live music and a miniscule dance floor for sure.

Almost everyone who is Cuban can seem to dance insanely well.

The music here is a mixture of African beats and percussion. This gets coupled with what we identify as European verse and melody. As a wise man once put it ‘Cuban music is like the marriage of the Spanish guitar and the African drum’.

You can be sure to hear pulsating music as you walk the streets of this island; and it’s difficult to get your legs to stop. You will find yourself swaying as the music takes over.

The Dances

The Cubans claim to be the creators of some of the common Latin musical styles that dominate our sensibilities today –

• Son (which gave rise to salsa as we know it today)
• Cha cha cha

• Mambo

• Latin Jazz
• Bolero

• Timba

These are just some of the few that are known in the west. There are a many more that you’ll be introduced to along the (Cuban) way.

Salsa definitely tops the list and is almost synonymous with the local culture. The best part about the Cubans is that they encourage people to join them. If dancing isn’t your thing; you could choose to pick up a drink and just observe. We guarantee you, you won’t get bored.

Learn Along The Way:

The best thing to do would be to choose a tour operator who gives you an itinerary that includes learning an instrument or a form of dance while you’re there. This would be the ultimate twist that you could give your Cuban Vacation.