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The 12th International Cuban Record Fair, Cubadisco 2008—organized by its Permanent Committee and the Cuban Music Institute—will take place in Havana from 17 to 25 May.
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A highlight of Cubadisco 2008 will be “The Longest Rumba in the World”, which began on May 3rd in the city of Holguín and is scheduled to wind up on the 17th in Havana. Hundreds of professional and amateur dancers will perform in open spaces in this marathon rumba throughout the Island. As a tribute to one of the greatest Cuban percussionists, the music of Chano Pozo will serve as link between the different bands and music groups. With over 300 hours of non-stop rumba, the longest rumba will no doubt make the Guinness Book of World Records. The Cubadisco International Symposium, which has become a traditional happening during the fair, will be held from 9 to 23 May. Musicologists, narrators, writers, musicians and other experts will focus their discussions on Africa and the relationship of poetry and music; oral, literary and musical traditions; and the African influence in popular festivities. Another collateral event that will take place during the fair will be the 2nd Meeting of the Necessary Song, when audiences will be able to appreciate lyrics that emphasize the commitment to and the defence of the identity and authenticity of musicians and peoples all over the world. Several categories are recognized for awards with a Special Prize to five recordings for outstanding artistic contribution. Nominees include Noel Nicola, Silvio Rodríguez and Harold Gramatges, among others. The strong presence of young musicians was acknowledged during the Nominee Gala held at the Habana Libre Hotel: X Alfonso with his CD Revoluxion, Harold López-Nussa with Canciones, and Dayramir González with Dayramir y Habana Entrance, just to name a few. Other popular musicians will also be competing in the event with the special treat of their performances: Kelvis Ochoa, Descemer Bueno, Rochy, Warapo, Haila, Alejandro Vargas, and many more. Cubadisco will start off on 17 May, 8:30 pm at the Karl Marx Theatre with the awards ceremony for outstanding records made during 2007, while the Opening Gala will take place the following day, at 5:00 pm at the Amadeo Roldán Theatre with the performance of the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra. Africa and its Diaspora will be the centrepiece of the gala that will be held on the 24th, at 8:30 pm, also at the Karl Marx Theatre. Performances by Cuban and international musicians will take place every night at different venues from the 19th to the 25th, when the closing ceremony will take place at the Amadeo Roldan. On the 23rd, at 4:00 pm, Cubadisco 2008 nominees and awardees together with the participants to the event will parade carnival-fashion down 23rd Street of Havana’s El Vedado district to the Tribuna Antiimperialista where Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco from Cuba and Andy Montañez from Puerto Rico will set the night on fire with their fast and exciting salsa. Film showings, exhibitions, lectures, CD releases and book launchings are just some of the activities also included in the event’s program. Cubadisco is today one of the most varied and comprehensive events in the Cuban cultural scene today. As stated by Rogelio Martínez Furé, “…this edition of Cubadisco will bring a blast of fresh and renovating air to many areas of Cuban dance music and all our music in general. It will be, no doubt, a tempting invitation to get to know each other better.” |
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