“Mi rumba tiene sabor, mi rumba tiene iré, mi rumba tiene bomba” (my rumba has flavor, my rumba has iré, my rumba has feeling), reads a catchy choir by Rumbávila fusion, a band that has contributed with boosting this genre and has opened the 11th edition of the Piña Colada Festival, which began last Thursday and ends this Sunday.
Among choirs, mixed touches of timba and an appealing choreography, this band form the central Cuban province of Ciego de Avila, is a sample of the diverse musical expressions in this territory. This event, led by young artist Arnaldo Rodriguez, has also contributed with revealing these expressions to the public.
According to Virginio Menéndez Moro, cultural director of the province, Ciego de Avilahas many young talents. “The event is a space for making them known to the public, so that everyone gets to know their work and their efforts to move on. This is a good opportunity for them to become public, though they have taken part in other events as well”, he noted.
However, Rumbávilais not alone in the Festival. There are also other bands such as: Aromas, Motivos personales and Iré tocao —the latter made up by art instructors—; trova singers Héctor Luis de Posada and Yoan Zamora, rappers Aka-demia, and singer Dayani Gutiérrez, among others.
Virginio Menéndez Moro affirmed that this idea, proposed by Arnaldo Rodríguez more than a decade ago, has been supported by many other artists, who have also performed in the festivals, as another opportunity to spread their music.
“This is an event for fusion, here people can enjoy rock, hip hop, jazz and trova”, Menendez pointed out and recalled it is dedicated to young people and the organizationsthat represent them as the Young Communist League (UJC by its acronym in Spanish)and the Jose Marti Young Pioneers’ Organization (OPJMby its acronym in Spanish).
For Arnaldo Rodríguez, president of the organizing committee of the Festival, “the most important thing is to make this event about exchanging music, culture and friendship because I believe that with the passing of time we have become a family”.
In line with the current debates on music and taking into account past experiences in recent years, this event pays attention to the repertory used in the concerts, always considering the preferences of the audience and thus contributing with the formation of their aesthetic taste.
“The Festival takes place in the midst of the questioning of aesthetic premises of the Cuban musical manifestations. Nowadays, there are lots of debates on the issue of vulgarity in the lyrics of popular songs. It is one of the challenges we are currently facing and we are trying to share our opinions in the dialogue we have arranged for this Saturday at the Museum of Decorative Arts” explained Arnaldo to Oncuba.
Arnaldo, the leader of El Talisman and the author of songs like La lucecita and Tierra de la soledad, stated that they always study proposals for the cast and the guests they will have at the event and one of the requirements is “that vulgarity is out from their songs”.
Young musicians liked by the audience are sharing the stage around these days in Ciego de Avila as for instance singer Gretell Barreiro, trova singers Ray Fernández and Inti Santana, rap band Obsesión, duet Bony and Kelly, rock bands Koflint and Metastasys; and other bands such as Gitano, Mediterráneo, Qva Libre, Deja Vu, and JG.
Arnaldo said that this is another achievement of the Piña Colada Festival. “The main purpose of the Festival is to enjoy the party and this is a perfect opportunity for the youngest to enjoy the music they like”, he added.
