santiago is the music town of cuba
by hanspeter_W. about Live Music
in santiago you can find almost every day concert, live music
TRANCE, DANCE & PERFORMANCE
Have a look at the pros : salsa, casino, mambo, chachacha or son courses and lessons offered by members of Conjunto Folklorico de Oriente founded in 1959 or Ballet Folclórico Cutatumba, an Afro-Cuban group well-known in North America and Europe. Some of the oldies and goodies of Cuban music still perform : Los Jubilados, 70-year olds, sometimes at Casa de la Trova; Kokoyé, folklore group of Afro-Cuban and Haitian musicians. Not to be missed, the Vocal Divas a band of senior women singing a cappella. Sweat along with young chicos and hot chicas at Discoteca La Iris, calle Aguilera 617, e/Bamada y Placido. Bring ear plugs. And if you don't pick up (because he/she can't hear your opening line), you won't go home alone after cruising (for maybe ... 30 seconds) at Club 300, down the same calle Aguilera, between Lacret and San Felix very close to Parque Cespédes. Bring condoms.
ADMIRE
Dancers and musicians performing at Cabaret Tropicana Santiago (similar to Havana's Tropicana) : located about 2 miles out of town : 35cuc per person; on a smaller scale, the Santiago Café at the Melia Santiago Hotel : 5cuc per person. Otherwise, lots of music shows by up-and-coming and established stage artists where dancing along is allowed ; ) Locations on calle Heredia : Casa de la Musica at #208, Casa de la Trova (Patio de Artex) at #304, UNEAC's Patio de la Jutía Conga at #266, Museo del Carnaval at #303, Casa del Estudiante at #205 or the Patio de los Dos Abuelos (Grandfathers' Patio) at calle Pizarro (Pérez Carbo) #5 on Plaza de Marte and Casa de las Tradiciones at 154, calle Jesus Rabi, e/San Fernando y Princesa. On certain Saturday nights, up to 10,000 Santiagueros could show up to dance with live band music when Noches Santiagueras sprouted up in 3-4 different venues, varying from week to week. Are these still on? Check it out.
Forum Posts
A night out in Santiago de Cuba City?
by jonnyc1st
Hi, I am best man to my brother who will be marrying in Cuba in early July 2008. I am trying to organise a stag night for him and perhaps 8 other friends. We'd like to eat some good food, maybe see a show (tropicana perhaps) and drink some good rum and dance. we're not looking for anything too crazy, just a fun night that will give us all an insight into life in the city.
also if anyone has any ideas of a fun group activity or place of interest for the day time, please let me know.
does anyone have any ideas? or perhaps a good website to visit. cool night clubs etc?
thanks
Re: A night out in Santiago de Cuba City?
by Terry253
Best Cuba website cuba-junky.com
also google salsapower.com and go to their Santiago page
for monthly music listing google egrem santiago de cuba
re good food in Cuba: Now there's an interesting thought! I guess Hotel Melia Santiago (the only hotel in town that approaches first class) would be the best bet. they have several restaurants. More interesting would be a "palador" but they change all the time. you should ask around when you are there. I seem to remember a nice rooftop one in one of the streets just behind the Cathederal but I don't remember the name.
during the day, you could visit the Moncada Barracks, not a bunch of laughs but very interesting.
or El Castillo fort - not much going on here but good if you are big on forts.
or El Cobre - a 45 min. taxi ride to Cuba's most holy site - good for tacky religious souvenirs.
or organise a couple of hours of salsa lessons. according to Cuban law (as I understand it) you will need to be staying at a hotel in order to do this legally. you should ask for Cuban dance partners (young ladies of course) for each of you. Expect to pay about US$20 (equivalent) each per hour but for a group you should get a better rate. Great dance teachers are to be found at the dance group Folklorico Cutumba. Maybe your hotel or the tourist office could put you in touch. Please be aware that these girls are highly respected professional dancers and are not jineteras.
for night life
start with a few mojitos on the terrace of the Casa Grande Hotel overlooking Parque Cespedes.
Go over the road to La Casa de la Trova, Herredia Street, a must!
then 200 metres down the road Artex dance bar,
finally, try a hot, sweaty little dance bar called Casa de las Tradiciones, about 10 minute walk behind the Cathederal - normally a great mix of locals and tourists with loads of character.
Have fun!
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