¡Cuba Vibra! at the Festival in Mexico with Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba
Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba (LADC) will present a show titled ¡Cuba Vibra! at the Santa Lucía International Festival in Mexico, showcasing the music and various dances of the Caribbean nation.
On October 24, the company will perform at the Explanada de los Héroes in Monterrey, proudly invited for the second time to this event, which views arts and culture as transformative agents within society. They have the creative capacity to change perspectives on adverse situations for both the performing artist and the observing audience, positively enhancing their mood, as explained on the official event website.
¡Cuba Vibra! features rhythms that have shaped the Caribbean nation since the 1950s, incorporating close foreign influences. The choreography intertwines chachachá, mambo, rumba, salsa, bolero, and conga, perfectly harmonized with Latin jazz, swing, rock and roll, and flamenco, among many other styles.
The work reflects the blend of Spanish and African roots that define Cuban culture, showcasing the Iberian passion and spirituality emanating from Afro-Cuban dances and songs. It utilizes a wonderful fusion style characteristic of the company, incorporating elements from Spanish dances, ballet, contemporary dance, folklore, and various popular Cuban, Afro-Cuban, and urban dances.
The protagonists of ¡Cuba Vibra! weave common life stories in a neighborhood of Old Havana, combining elegance and passion with the artistic-technical complexity of contemporary choreography. The scenes were conceived by the director herself, Lizt Alfonso, along with Diana Fernández and Yadira Hernández, masters of her dance ensemble.
This year, the production was showcased in several theaters across Spain, captivating audiences and receiving significant acclaim from critics. Notably, Mariano Velasco from the Spanish digital magazine Culturamas described it as “Cuba Vibra: a delightful song (and dance) celebrating racial mixture,” adding that “from this blend comes perfection or at least something very close. This is the message conveyed in every dance number, every musical note, every gesture, every glance, every smile… this beautiful show.”
Once again, we aim to bring to life the title of our show and more than just illustrate; we seek to share, inspire, provoke joy in singing and dancing—vibrating with a heritage that honors and sustains us from heart to soul.
Source: Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba
Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez
