From The San Francisco Standard · · 1m 50s
SF’s Cuban dance scene thrives despite home crisis
Bay Area Cuban dance community continues despite Trump administration’s blockade harming Cuba.
In brief
Bay Area Cuban dance community continues despite Trump administration’s blockade harming Cuba. Cuban artists in San Francisco maintain vibrant dance and music exchanges while Cuba faces economic collapse and energy shortages. Originally reported by The San Francisco Standard.
CubaCaribe’s dance classes
Susana Arenas Pedroso teaches salsa suelta at Dance Mission Theater in San Francisco.
“I can be mad at home. I can be mad anywhere. But when I go to the studio, and I press play, my life changes.”
Cuba’s energy crisis
Cuba faces power grid collapse since Trump administration blocked Venezuelan oil shipments.
“People are walking around without a soul, like zombies”
Ramon Ramos Alayo’s mission
Alayo raised $10,000 for solar panels to power six homes in San Luis, Cuba.
“I’ve never seen such quick decline”
Bay Area dance scene
San Francisco has strong Cuban dance teachers, music scene, and community of supporters.
“The Bay Area has strong dancers, strong teachers, a strong music scene, and a strong community of supporters”
CubaCaribe’s impact
CubaCaribe has organized 50 people-to-people educational trips since 2000.
“The U.S. is trying to starve the people in Cuba. It’s a kind of pre-genocidal move”
Energy blockade effects
Cuba’s power grid collapses, leading to limited food, water, and communication.
“You don’t hear music anywhere. Not just because there’s no electricity, but because there is no joy”
CubaCaribe’s challenges
Alayo’s trips to Cuba are now limited to solo visits due to energy blockade.
“People are only living to think about what they’re gonna eat today”
Cuba’s cultural resilience
Cubans use dance and music as resistance and survival in difficult conditions.
“Dance and music have always been a form of survival”
Bay Area’s Cuban community
San Francisco has long been a hub for Cuban dance and music exchanges.
“The Bay Area has strong dancers, strong teachers, a strong music scene”
Energy blockade impact
Trump administration’s energy blockade has cut off Cuban access to oil and electricity.
“The U.S. is trying to starve the people in Cuba. It’s a kind of pre-genocidal move”
CubaCaribe’s future
CubaCaribe’s trips to Cuba are now suspended due to energy blockade.
“I want to say something important. I am very thankful to Cuba for giving me my work discipline”
Cuba’s cultural survival
Cubans use dance and music to maintain cultural identity despite economic hardship.
“It’s resistance, it’s celebration, it’s connection, it’s tradition, it’s identity, it’s everything”
Energy crisis in Cuba
Cuba’s power grid collapses, leading to limited food, water, and communication.
“People are walking around without a soul, like zombies”
CubaCaribe’s response
CubaCaribe raised $10,000 for solar panels to power six homes in Cuba.
“I’ve never seen such quick decline”
Cuba’s cultural exchange
Bay Area has long been a hub for Cuban dance and music exchanges.
“The Bay Area has strong dancers, strong teachers, a strong music scene”
Cuba’s energy crisis
Cuba faces power grid collapse since Trump administration blocked Venezuelan oil shipments.
“People are walking around without a soul, like zombies”
The big picture
Cuban artists in San Francisco maintain vibrant dance and music exchanges while Cuba faces economic collapse and energy shortages.
