Cuban music has its principal roots in Spain and West Africa, but over time has been influenced by diverse genres from different countries. Mainstream audiences were introduced to traditional Cuban music when the Buena Vista Social Club album/documentary was released in 1997. Today, Cuban artists continue to perform a wide variety of traditional music including guajira, música campesina, son, rumba, nueva trova, salsa and merengue. However modern forms of music such as rap, timba, and reggaetón are quickly becoming more popular. To accompany the great music, Cuba also has some fantastic venues for dancing. Every night at the top of the steps alongside Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima in Trinidad, live music and dancing is performed at what is referred to as Casa de la Música (House of Music). The night usually starts off with exhibition salsa/merengue or Afro-Cuban dancing, and later, the dance area is opened up to anyone that wants to join in. Those who want to continue partying late into the night usually head onto Discoteca Ayala (also called La Cueva since it's a nightclub built inside a cave) or Coppelia, a night club frequented mostly by locals. In Havana, there are often music festivals at La Cabaña on the weekends. In addition, there are many nightclubs throughout the city, some open until 6am. Less frequently there will be festivals such as Festival Caliente, a massive street party along El Malecon in Havana which attracts thousands of people to dance along the seawall at night. |
