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| Cuba has a strong musical tradition |
Cuba is a country with a strong tradition of music. We would have missed a lot if we did not watch a show visiting this country.
Through the travel agent stationed at our hotel, we purchased two tickets for a dinner show package for the Buena Vista Social Club.
Since the dinner show wouldn’t start until 8:00 pm, we spent the morning relaxing at our resort.
In the afternoon around 3 o’clock, we took a taxi from our hotel and agreed on the fare of 15 CUC’s
( about Canadian $ 20.00) to Old Havana where we spent a few hours prior to dinner.
We explored a few famous sites including the popular Obispo Street.
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| Buena Vista Social Club dinner show was held at Teatro Rosalia de Castro |
We arrived at the Buena Vista Social Club dinner show venue around 8:00 pm. There were a lot of people waiting outside to get in for the dinner at 8:30pm.
The dinner show actually took place at the Teatro Rosalia de Castro.
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| Going up to the upper floor for the dinner and show |
The Buena Vista Social Club was a members' club in Havana that held dancing and musical activities. It became a popular location for musicians to meet and play during the 1940's. But later on the original club was closed.
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| Reception area where guests were checked in and assigned their seating |
In the 1990's, it inspired the making of a musical album and a documentary; both of which gained international fame.
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| The dinner show venue |
The hall was a big place with tables set for many who would be here for the dinner and show.
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| A pre show solo performance by a pianist |
Fortunately, we were glad that we were seated pretty close to the stage with a good view.
However, we were surprised that two other guests were also ushered to seat at our table. It was not an arrangement we had expected.
We made the best of the situation, introduced ourselves to these two strangers at our table. They were a father and daughter team from Mexico.
After serving us our drinks, the waitress took our order from a pre set menu.
My husband chose fish while I ordered beef for dinner.
The musical show started shortly after 9:30pm.
The place was getting full with more people arriving for the show.
Apparently, the show assembled a lot of veteran singers in the earlier days and got them together for this show.
The M.C. spoke ins both English and Spanish so that we knew what was going on.
Apparently, the musicians performed songs from the 1950's and 60's.
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Not being familiar with Spanish hits from that era, we did not know the differences between these Cuban hits from the different ages anywhere.
One thing for sure, there was lots of audience participation and many had fun dancing out there with the performers and musicians.
It was a good experience spending an evening enjoying traditional Cuban food and the 50’s Cuban music and Jazz singing.
R.T.
At the Buena Vista Social Club Dinner Show
Old Havana, Cuba
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