# SF’s Cuban dance scene thrives despite home crisis > Bay Area Cuban dance community continues despite Trump administration’s blockade harming Cuba. - Title: SF’s Cuban dance scene thrives despite home crisis | Shortify - Summary: Bay Area Cuban dance community continues despite Trump administration’s blockade harming Cuba. Cuban artists in San Francisco maintain vibrant dance and… - Keywords: cuba, cuban dance, bay area, salsa, san francisco, energy crisis, trump administration, blockade, cuba caribe, dance mission theater, solar panels, lithium batteries - Source: The San Francisco Standard — https://sfstandard.com/2026/10/12/cuba-bay-area-dance-music-exhcange - Published: 2026-10-12T13:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: cuba, cuban dance, bay area, salsa, san francisco, energy crisis, trump administration, blockade, cuba caribe, dance mission theater, solar panels, lithium batteries ## 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 ## Key takeaway Cuban artists in San Francisco maintain vibrant dance and music exchanges while Cuba faces economic collapse and energy shortages.