Spectacular End-of-Year Showcase by Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba: ¡Mil niños en escena…y más!
With a vibrant and expressive performance titled ¡Mil niños en escena…y más!, the acclaimed Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba brought the 2024–2025 academic year to a close this past weekend at Havana’s National Theater. The production featured participants from the company’s Vocational Workshops, the Children’s and Youth Ballets, and its professional ensemble.
Each performance began with a tribute to Cuban identity and dance tradition: a casino rueda—a signature Cuban dance form—performed in the lobby of the Avellaneda Hall by dancers of all ages, celebrating generational unity and cultural heritage.
The versatility of the company was immediately apparent as the show opened with a striking rendition of Michael Jackson’s iconic Thriller, inspired by the work of renowned U.S. choreographer Vincent Paterson, who visited Havana in January.
As is tradition at each year-end performance, new choreographies premiered, showcasing Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba’s distinctive fusion style. The pieces seamlessly blended elements of Spanish dance, classical ballet, contemporary dance, Cuban folklore, and a wide range of popular Cuban, Afro-Cuban, and urban dance forms.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of works from the repertoire of the workshops and the Children’s and Youth Ballets. These performances demanded precision, stage presence, and full-body coordination—every head movement, arm gesture, tilt, turn, and leap was executed with meticulous attention to detail.
In a heartfelt audio message at the close of the gala, founder and director Lizt Alfonso congratulated the students, teachers, and technical team for their dedication throughout the school year. “It’s been a challenging year,” she noted, “but let’s not allow anything or anyone to take away the joy and pride we feel watching our children grow in an environment filled with art, peace, and harmony. See you at the 31st Summer Course and in the 2025–2026 academic year at Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba—Company and School—and at Malecón Art 255, to keep living the Magic.”
The gala served as a powerful showcase of the company’s educational, social, and professional achievements—work that has earned international acclaim.
This beautiful closing celebration once again demonstrated the exceptional quality and energy of Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba’s performances, highlighting the impressive artistic progression of its students, from beginners to advanced levels.
Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez
Photos: Gabriel Dávalos
