Que vuelta, mi gente? That's Cuban for "Hello, dear friends. How are you this fine day?" You might be wondering the reason for the lesson in Cuban slang. Have I been watching Pichy films' 299 again? No. Well...okay...yes. Yes, I have. Damned if I'm not still running around screaming, "que bola con mi pomito GEL!" (It means, "What have you done with my rather expensive hair product, good sir?" in case you were wondering). In any event, that's not the reason for the crash course in Hooked on Guajiro.
Today FUNDarte and the Miami Light Project kick off the Global Cuban Fest in the North Beach Bandshell, so get ready. Put on your Cubaneo. Starch up your guayabera and press those linen pants. It's been exactly 45 days since Noche Buena and you know your in dire need of some flavor from the homeland. But the festival isn't just for Cubans. Jot down my notes and you'll do fine.
Besides, this festival is all about music, and music is, after all, the universal language. Tonight two-time Grammy winner Albita
takes the stage. Known as "the diva", Albita's is one of the most
recognizable female voices ever to make its way out of Cuba. Tomorrow
night Alex Cuba
performs, blending the sound of his roots with pop and rock for a
modern take on Cuban music. And the festival ends on Sunday with Yosvany Terry's
"Ye-Dé-Gbé Afro-Caribbean Legacy". I don't even know what Ye-Dé-Gbé
means, but have you ever seen an afro that didn't kick ass? And if
you're lucky, you might run into Crossfade blogger Jose El Rey. I hear
he'll have a knapsack full of pan con lechons with him.
Oh, and remember to ask you neighbor, "perdon, tienes otro mojito en tu cartera?" That'll get you smuggled booze.
If
you want to check out the Global Cuban Fest, hit the North Beach
Bandshell on Collins and 73rd Street in Miami Beach at 8:00pm Friday
through Sunday to catch the shows. Tickets are $20 per performance, or
$50 for the weekend.