“There is a broad dichotomy in the work developed by musicians, which is perceived in their lyrics. Some of them are elegant and intentionally ambiguous while others are plain and less elaborate”, said a colleague of mine last Saturday in Alamar, during the third stop of Artex’s tour through Cuban neighborhoods. This tour is gaining significance therefore the Cuban media should pay more attention to it.
His words were the result of an authentic performance by Tania Pantoja and her band, one of the four musical groups that performed at the Plaza Africa, in Habana del Este. Pantoja, the third artist to go on the stage gave a wonderful presentation; she could have put a perfect end to the evening. This event had a basic moral: popular dancing music demands a systematic space for interacting naturally with dancers as it used to back in the 90’s.
Tania Pantoja is one of the “keys” to reconnect with that audience eager for similar performances. She reedited hits form her epoch with Bamboleo such as Sueño de cristal, Se acabaron los guapos en La Habana and Quién manda and made a version of a single by Mexican Thalia.
She was able to win the audience over. She addressed women and found a moment for addressing men about gender equality at home, based on couples’ mutual respect.
However, the success of the presentation sponsored by Artex was not only in charge of Tania Pantoja. Georgia Aguirre and its legendary Anacaona band opened the evening. This band, about to celebrate its 82 anniversary, interpreted songs such as Llora si te duele, Mentiras, Quiéreme, pero no me celes and others in order to please the public’s preference for the so-called alternative music.
When extolling this initiative, Georgia explained OnCuba that “there are many Cuban bands that work with Musicalia and Clave Cubana representation agencies, both from Artex. It is our duty to spread our work throughout the country, especially for the youth. This musical genre has moved on, has evolved, and has preserved its origins, but it has also taken other courses and wants to conquer new audiences”.
JG and his band and Alain Daniel followed this line as well. The first one was in charge of the closure and he gave a tremendous performance with audiovisual resources, an amazing percussion set and lot of energy by the members of the band.
This was Alain Daniel’s first performance with Musicalia. He pleased dancers with Una canita al aire, Lloro por ti –which emerged from a duet with Descemer Bueno-, De princesa a plebeya and Playa Leonora, the song of a recently concluded Cuban soap opera.
For him it was essential for Artex to realize of “the significant role of neighborhoods in this kind of music. I know it because I was born in Old Havana, between Cuba and Chacon streets. Everyone knows who can or cannot attend the spaces we regularly perform in, not to mention these are small considering the amount of people who wants to enjoy our music”.
“Our music, Cuban music, needs to get hold of these people’s spaces, public places. That’s the reason why this is such a good initiative”, he pointed out.
Artex is already announcing three other stops through the neighborhoods: Boyeros in July; the José Martí Anti-imperialist Tribune in Plaza de la Revolucion, in August; and Playa, in September.
