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Legendary Afro-Cuban Jazz guru, Bobby Carcassés, direct from Havana, Cuba, will be headlining the BIG CUBA FIESTA at the Respect Festival in London this summer, along with his orquesta. The multi-instrumentalist and scat master has been described as 'Cuba's best kept secret' and 'overwhelming' on stage to the extent that it's been said that he has left Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente along with the New York Jazz fraternity speechless after his performances.
Also taking the stage during the day of non-stop live music from Cuba and beyond, are the mesmerising Cuban violin virtuoso, Omar Puente and his band Raíces Cubanas playing hot salsa and son; the traditional son band Los Yumas led by Leo Duany from Santiago de Cuba, the birthplace of son; SuperPakitoChac, the young Rock Latino group live and direct from El Salvador who fuse punk, reggae, salsa, rumba and ska with a rebellious rock sensibility. The original London latin DJ, the legendary Dave Hucker, will be spinning the latest Havana beats along with the DJs of Club Clandestino.
To keep up the tempo, Cuban dance teacher Mario Lopez-Goicoechea y sus bailarines will be leading dance classes in salsa, chachacha and mambo and performing throughout the day. There will also be screenings of the documentary, ‘Inventos’ about the homegrown Cuban hip hop scene, exhibitions, stalls, cocktails and lots more.
Rob Miller, director of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, organisers of the ‘fiesta within a fiesta’, boasts “This will be the best BIG CUBA FIESTA yet – a truly diverse feast of popular Cuban culture happening right here all for free. With respect, what more could Londoners wish for?”
The BIG CUBA FIESTA tent will be at Respect Festival on Saturday 17th July 2004 from 12 to 8.30pm at Victoria Park, Grove Road, London E3. Nearest tube: Mile End. The BIG CUBA FIESTA is organised by the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, with special thanks to TGWU Region 1 and GMB London Region.
For more info contact Tel: 020 7263 6452 or office@cuba-solidarity.org.uk
The Respect Festival promotes anti-racism and celebrates cultural diversity. It is a one-day festival with free music and entertainment and last year attracted over 100,000 people. It is organised by the Mayor of London, in association with UNISON, the National Assembly Against Racism, SERTUC and the TUC. For more info www.respectfestival.org.uk
Big Cuba Fiesta at Respect Festival 2004
This year’s Respect festival will take place on Saturday 17 July at Victoria Park, East London. Once again the Cuba Solidarity Campaign will be a major partner in the event with our ‘Big Cuba Fiesta’ featuring music and dance from Cuba and beyond. The CSC ‘fiesta within a fiesta’ was one of the highlights of last years Respect Festival when around 100,000 attended the event at the Millennium Dome in Greenwich. This year we are delighted to have the full support of the TGWU and the GMB who are joint sponsors of the ‘Big Cuba Fiesta’.
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and the Greater London Authority are organising the Respect Festival as London’s biggest free event of the year.
As well as the Big Cuba Fiesta, there will be a main stage featuring major acts from across the musical spectrum. There will be the Choice FM stage, an Asian Mela marquee, roots stage, fire starter stage, Comedy marquee, hip hop stage, an acoustic tent and a dance performance stage. There will be activities and attractions for all the family.
Starring at the Big Cuba Fiesta will be the Afro Cuban sounds of Bobby Carcassés y su Orquesta direct from Cuba. Support comes from Omar Puente and Raices Cubanas, the UK-based Cubano outfit who always get everyone dancing, traditional Salsa y Son from
Los Yumas as well as a special treat from Latino rockers from El Salvador, SuperPakitoChac. Live sounds will be interspersed with special dance sets from legendary DJs Dave Hucker and Club Clandestino.
Salsa y Mambo dance classes and performances from Mario Lopez-Goicoechea y sus bailarines will be available throughout the day, where top teachers will help everyone from beginners to advanced dancers. So if you’re not too sure about your basic step then this is your chance to really find your feet.
Make a date in your diary – July 17th – you won’t want to miss it !
For further info and details of sponsorship opportunities:
Rob Miller, Cuba Solidarity Campaign, 020 7263 6452
director@cuba-solidarity.org.uk www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk
Respect Festival details at
www.respectfestival.org.uk
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