Festival Au Desert

Festival Au Desert 2011

Details coming up...

More info@
http://www.festival-au-desert.org

Ballet Nacional de Cuba

Ballet Nacional de Cuba

Details coming up...

More info@
http://www.balletcuba.cult.cu/

World Circuit Records

World Circuit Records

Details coming up...

More info@
http://www.worldcircuit.co.uk
http://www.livingstonstudios.co.uk/

¡Como No! Events

¡Como No! ~ Upcoming events...

ORQUESTA BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB®

Featuring Omara Portuondo
Royal Albert Hall | London
Tuesday 19 April. 7.30pm

Following a series of hugely successful performances in recent years, the twelve-piece Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® which features a number of Buena Vista Social Club alumni make their eagerly awaited return to Europe. 

This Cuban musicians' collective has played together for over half a century. Stylistically, they span the entire spectrum of Afro-Cuban music. Deliciously slow bolero ballads and majestic danzones feature the swell of strings, while background vocals conveying messages of romance hide behind arrestingly beautiful melodies.

Buena Vista Social Club's most influential style is the exuberant, polyrhythmic music known as son, which gave birth to both Mambo and Salsa. These upbeat numbers are full of infectious guitar licks, multilayered Afro-Cuban rhythms, soaring vocal melodies, and brash, Big Band-style horn parts.

Joining this new and expanded lineup of Cuban players is vocalist Omara Portuondo, a member of the original Buena Vista Social Club, whose 2008 recording Gracias (World Village / Montuno) won a Latin Grammy and scored a Grammy nomination.

More info@
http://www.buenavistasocialclub.com

London Latin American Film Festival

20th London Latin American Film Festival

Details coming up...

More info@
http://www.latinamericanfilmfestival.com

AfroRomanzo presents... Pasion De Rumba!

Pasion de Rumba!

Calle Real Concert, London, May 2010

Aida Teshome

AIDA TESHOME
Ethio-Jazz, Soul, Funk


New band, details coming up...

Wara EP launch

WARA ~ "Somewhereland" ~ EP Launch

Rich Mix, London

Thursday 11 November

Video, photos, reviews: Details coming up...

Calle Real London Debut

Calle Real, London Debut 29 May 2010

Video, Photographs and reviews coming up...

Si le Gusta Repite by Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor

Tin Roots @ The Ritzy

Tin Roots ~ Coming to The Ritzy, Brixton...

Friday 3 Dec

More info@

www.tinroots.bandcamp.com
www.tinroots.blogspot.com
www.soundcloud.com/tinroots
www.myspace.com/tinroots

Mali Latino Album Launch

Mali Latino Album Launch

Tuesday 2 Nov 2010
Brighton Dome


And finally the wait is over for the eagerly awaited new music album production from Alex Wilson, a magnificent fusion of Cuban and Malian musical genres. In fact if you've missed the press... there are two such launches this month, with Nick Gold's "lost project" ~ AfroCubism ~ also making its UK debut at The Barbican Hall later this month, 21 November.

"Mali Latino" CD album is an exquisite music offering, and the brainchild of a trio of virtuoso musicians in Alex Wilson (UK's leading Salsa jazz pianist), Mamadou Diabate ( Kora player, 71st generation griot, and grandson of the legendary the Master Griot Amadu Bansang Jobarteh and brother to the renowned kora maestro Toumani Diabaté), and Ahmed Fofana (balafon player). They head up a sensational nine-piece band (including trumpets, trombone and full Latin percussion section).

Born out of an earlier encounter for the 2004 track Remercier les travailleurs and an Aldeburgh Music Composer residency, Mali Latino is a rare moment of musical alchemy: a collision of two distinct styles and traditions that a unique sound with fiery Latin percussion, mixed with the driving rhythms of Mali, the virtuosic kora and piano of Madou and Wilson’s intense combination of mandingue and Cuban vocals.

A rich mix of Latin dance patterns and driving West African rhythms make for a spectacular evening at Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange on 2 November at 8pm. Details other dates of the their UK launch tour can be found at http://www.malilatino.com/shows/

Tickets: £15 | £12.5 concessions
Date: Tuesday 2 November 2010
Venue: Brighton Dome
Time: 8pm start (Doors 7.30pm)

A review of the Brighton concert will be coming soon...

More@
http://www.malilatino.com/
http://www.brightondome.org/events/Alex-Wilson's-Mali-Latino/3752

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mali-Latino/128408340527820?ref=search

Clave y Guaguanco

Clave y Guaguanco

A review of a visit to the home of the World's leading AfroCuban folkoric music and dance group...

Rumba en Callejon De Hamel 2010 ~ Part 1 by AfroRomanzo.MOD

"Las Cosas de un Amigo" ~ Havana D'Primera by AfroRomanzo.MOD

"Pa Cualquiera" by Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor

Percussion Solo: Rodney Illarza Barretto by AfroRomanzo.MOD

World Music

Great Music. Independent Thought

More info@
http://worldmusic.co.uk

Maykel Blanco

Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor

New album, videos, concerts, 2011 tour,,, details coming up...

London Jazz Festival 2010

London Jazz Festival 2010

A profile of some of the leading Jazz musicians, who will grace various venues across London for the 2010 "London Jazz Festival". Details coming up...

More info@

http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk

http://www.serious.org.uk

http://www.apassion4jazz.net

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk

http://www.barbican.org.uk

http://www.jazz.gr

http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com

http://www.festivals.musicomh.com

Callejón de Hamel

Callejón de Hamel & Salvador Gonzales Escalona: 

Details coming up...

Royal Photographic Society

The Royal Photographic Society,,, details coming up

More info@
http://www.rps.org

WOMAD Las Palmas de Canaria

WOMAD Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

11-14 November 2010

Las Palmas' lovely Parque de Santa Catalina will once again play host to WOMAD Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. A traditional city square, Parque de Santa Catalina is surrounded by the natural beauty of Las Palmas, the golden sands of the beaches and the villages perched on hillsides.


More info@
http://www.womad.org/festivals/canarias

Cubaton Music

Cubaton Music,,, coming up....

New Cuban Albums 2010

De Qué Estamos Hablando Released!

ALBUM OF THE MONTH ~ OCT 2010

Finally!!!

Finally the long awaited new release by Elito Revé y Su Charangón is available on-line! We've seen some great CDs come out this year, but for me "De que estamos hablando" is so far in the lead as best CD of 2010. You really do not want to miss this CD. It has been a grueling and long wait, but in the end it is well worth it. So get yourself the CD today and start preparing for the upcoming European Tour this autumn! 

Bloomsbury Festival 2010

Coming up... Bloomsbury Festival 2010

22-24 October

From 22 – 24 October 2010 Bloomsbury will come alive with an exciting programme of contemporary dance, music, arts, guided walks, theatre, workshops, debates, talks, secret sessions and much, much more.

SOAS World Music Stage, filling Russell Square with sounds ranging from Senegalese kora to Jewish klezmer, drawn from musical traditions spanning Mongolia to medieval England. Look out then for rising stars in Kadialy Kouyate, Ahmed Dickinson, Adriano Adewale, She’Koyokh, Michael Ormiston & Candida Valentino, etc...

More info@
http://www.bloomsburyfestival.org.uk/

SOAS African Music Night

Coming up @ SOAS... Friends of African Music Night
Friday 22 October

More info@

Oxjam Music Festival

October's here, and there are hundreds of extraordinary Oxjam gigs taking place across the country.

Local bands, DJs and performers coming together to raise money for Oxfam's life changing work - and it's all happening at a venue near you.

More info@

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/Oxjam

Musicport Festival

Coming up,,, a look at Musicport Festival...

The eleventh Musicport Festival happens 22-24 October 2010 at  The Spa, Bridlington, East Yorkshire, UK.

More info@
http://www.musicportfestival.com/

Music Review ~ October

Editor's review of "Ruby and The Vines" and "Havana Rakatan" concerts, coming up...

October ~ Black History Month

Check out Issuu Magazine special edition of Black History Month...


More info@
http://issuu.com/limemag/docs/oct-lime2-1

Arrested Development

Arrested Development + M3NSA

WED 13th October ~ Barbican Hall, London

The double Grammy-winning hip-hop legends who gave us the hits "Mr. Wendal" and "Everyday People" are back in the UK in support of their new album "Strong"

 

 

With roots going all the way back to Africa and branches heading straight into the urban centres of American streets, Arrested Development   is a band with a message. "We get on stage every night as warriors of rhythm and story tellers of dignity!” says Eshe, the band’s vocalist.

 

In the UK to celebrate the release of their new album, Strong, Arrested Development dare us not to be drawn into their world as they brew a potent concoction of funk, Soul, Jazz, Folk and Hip Hop!

“We wanted to do a very concise record,” [Arrested Development's Speech says]. “A record we felt that was filling a void in the industry right now. There aren’t many people really talking about the things that are happening or have happened as far as worldly issues. We wanted to write about those issues. The reason we entitled the album Strong is because we feel it’s one of the strongest records we’ve ever done.”

Arrested Development's Speech discusses the group's latest album in Soulculture.co.uk

Founded in the late ‘80s by leader/rapper Speech, whose mother owns a black newspaper in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this 2-time Grammy Award Winning group has been devoted to nudging folks in the direction of freedom and evolution for over 19 years. Many members have remained based in the countryside’s of the south using dirty & gritty sounds while mixing samples & B-3 organs, with wailing vocals and soulful southern choirs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2010 Mobo nominee, M3NSA opens the evening with his unique fusion of true school hip-hop and West African homegrown hip-life.

Of Ghanaian heritage and having lived in LA and now in London, M3NSA’s musical versatility has garnered him accolades from the BBC, Sub-Saharan Africa’s equivalent of the Grammys, the KORA Awards; and the Ghana Music Awards.

With his brand new release, No.1 Mango Street, an album bursting with soulful sounds, deep jazz chords, driving rhythms, and wryly comical lyrics. This is a fantastic follow up to his critically acclaimed debut, Rapublic.

When: Wednesday 13th October 2010
Time: 19.30

Where: Barbican Hall, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Tickets: £13.50 | 18 | £22.50. Subject to availability

More info @

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=11163

http://www.arresteddevelopmentmusic.com/

http://www.m3nsa.com/

Havana Rakatan,,, is Back!!!

Tues 14th - Thurs 16th October
Hackney Empire, London

Experience the authentic heart and soul of Cuba as Havana Rakatan one of Sadler’s Wells’ most successful productions, embarks on a UK tour!

Salsa, mambo, jazz, bolero, son, cha-cha-cha and rumba, all come alive in a dazzling dance display of Cuban Passion that is guaranteed to get heads nodding and feet tapping.

Set to live Cuban music courtesy of Cuba’s well-known son band Turquino, Havana Rakatan is a captivating journey through the dance and music of a truly unique country, and now finally ventures to the East End for three nights only.

Originally the dream of Cuban choreographer Nilda Guerra, the show has now toured around the world where it has been enjoyed by thousands.

"A stunning slice of Havana life" THE INDEPENDENT


“Rip-roaring entertainment… expectations were fulfilled to the point of a full-throated standing ovation” TIME OUT

“A brilliant band and the dancers’ energy is infectious” THE GUARDIAN

Venue: Hackney Empire

When: Tues 14th - Thurs 16th October
Prices: £10-£23.50. Premium Seats: £25

More info @

http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/1811/shows/havana-rakatan.html

http://www.havanarakatan.co.uk/

Ruby and The Vines gig update

Unfortunately this gig has been postponed to FRIDAY 15th October due to illness.


Instead AfroRomanzo DJs will be on the decks tonite with...
* 2010 SALSA CUBANA HITS *

The cool breeze of autumn is well and truly here in London, and have we got a special treat for you tonight. AfroRomanzo DJs will be smoking the decks with some funky new 2010 salsa hits from Cuba and it’s FREE FREE FREE!!! Entry For All

As for the exceptionally talented Ruby and The Vines trio, they will be spicing up our lives with some funky grooves on the 15^th October. Many apologies for this unforeseen change in circumstances. As for your patience, and to say thank you for all your support, the 15th October being the birthday of the legendary FELA KUTI, for the first 100 guests to arrive will also receive a FREE Afrobeat CD mixtape.

Next Friday, AfroRomanzo DJs will warm up the dance floor with pulsating funky music from all parts of the World. As we celebrate the 50^th anniversary independence of 16 African countries, and as part of the Black History Month, the gig promises to be very special indeed. Don’t miss!!!

We always appreciate your continued support of all our events, thank you!

AfroRomanzo Events Team

Contact: +44 7818 023760
Venue: Upstairs at The Ritzy, Coldharbour Lane Brixton, London, SW2 1JG

Start: 7.30pm – 1am

Music: AfroRomanzo DJs

Love Life? Love World Music!

Around The World: Senegal

Featuring... TERANGA & BEOOGO YINGA

It’s Black History Month, so this ATW we’re taking it to Africa, and to Senegal to be precise!

Expect to be immersed in the music, dance, cocktails, nibbles and errr,,, decoration, of this great country. So get your djembe, get your djun djun, we have TERANGA & BEOOGO YINGA in to show you how they party Senegalese style! The 2 bands will take you from traditional West African rhythms, dances and songs, to a fusion of African and European music. Teranga, or ‘to give hospitality’, include members of Afro Celt Sound System, so needless to say, this will be a very special evening. Dugghal waay!

+ AfroRomanzo DJs ~ Funky World Rhythms ~ Don't miss!!!

Contact: +44 (0) 871 902 5739
Venue: Upstairs at The Ritzy, Coldharbour Lane Brixton, London, SW2 1JG

Start: 7.30pm – 1am

Music:  Teranga & Beoogo Yinga + AfroRomanzo DJs

More info @
http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Ritzy_Picturehouse/

Fela Kuti Birthday Tribute

Love Life? Love Afrobeat!

Feat. Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra + DJ Koichi Sakai (Afrobeat Vibration)

Fela Kuti’s Birthday tribute concert is the annual event to celebrate the originator of Afrobeat. Led by Fela’s Egypt 80 keyboardist Dele Sosimi, who moved to London in 1995 from Nigeria, stands out as one of the most active musicians currently on the Afrobeat scene worldwide. The musical career of Dele Sosimi began when he joined Fela Anikulapo-Kutis Egypt 80 band in 1979. As the rhythm keyboard player Dele worked and toured extensively with Fela around the world.

During Fela’s incarceration in 1984, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti Fela’s son and Deles childhood/school friend - took over the reins temporarily and led the Egypt 80 band. Thus giving Dele a chance to develop his arranging skills as a musical director. Working closely with Femi, they re-orchestrated and re-arranged most of Fela’s popular tunes. As a member of the band, Dele played keyboards on the following Fela/Egypt 80 hits (among others): Parambulator, Power Show, Original Sufferhead, Customs Check Point, MOP 1 (Movement of the People), Give Me Shit, I Give You Shit, Authority Stealing, Army Arrangement, Government Chicken Boy, ITT (International Thief Thief) and Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense.

In 1986 Femi left Egypt 80 to form Femi Anikulapo-Kuti and the Positive Force, Dele too left and became a founding member of the new group. The band toured the world extensively and played in several of the major jazz festivals including Montreux, the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz festival. The Positive Force was also invited to perform at the Jazz Club of Nigeria Festival alongside other renown musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Weston, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Didier Lockwood. Dele closely collaborated with Femi in the production of the albums: No Cause for Alarm, Mind Your Own Business, and Wonder Wonder. Dele left Femi Anikulapo-Kuti and the Positive Force in December 1995 and moved to London where he set about forming a new group. Dele’s first solo album “Turbulent Times” (2002) featured the cream of the resident Afrobeat community on the label Eko Star, he currently leads his London based Afrobeat Orchestra.

Dele's dedication to Afrobeat has contributed to the development of many musical influences and interests in multi-cultural London. Covering a collection of Fela's greatest works and tracks from his critically acclaimed albums "Identity" and "Turbulent Times".

Venue: Jazz Cafe, London

When: Friday 15th October

Door time: 7.00pm

Show time: TBC

Tickets: £15 Adv

More info@

http://www.myspace.com/delesosimi
http://www.delesosimi.org/

http://www.jazzcafelive.com/

Daby Toure @ Jazz Cafe

What more can you say about Daby? After announcing himself to the world by supporting Peter Gabriel, he has gone from strength to strength becoming one of Senegal’s best known exports. His critically acclaimed performances produce such energy you cannot help but find yourself being taken on a hypnotic ride of emotion whilst all the time being treated to some truly great songs.

After a sell out performance here last year, Daby returns to the Jazz Cafe this time performing solo and along with his classics, will be bringing with him a whole new batch of songs, including one or two sung in English for the first time!

 

Venue: Jazz Cafe, London

When: Thursday 14th October

Door time: 7.00pm

Show time: TBC

Tickets: £13.50 Adv

More info@

www.myspace.com/dabytoure

http://www.jazzcafelive.com/

FELA! The Musical

Hits Olivier Theatre, London ~ Wed 17th Nov to Sat 4th Dec 2010

A show celebrating the life and work of the funk-jazz Afrique composer, Fela Anikulapo Keti that originally featured on Broadway and won a handful of Lucille Lortel Awards in 2009. It's a provocative and wholly unique hybrid of dance, theatre and music. FELA! explores the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (15 October 1938 — 2 August 1997).

Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), FELA! reveals Kuti's controversial life as an artist and political activist.

The musical style performed by Fela Kuti is called Afrobeat, which is a complex fusion of Jazz, Funk (especially the music of James Brown), Ghanaian/Nigerian High-life, psychedelic rock, and traditional West African chants and rhythms.

Afrobeat also borrows heavily from the native "tinker pan" African-style percussion that Kuti acquired while studying in Ghana with Hugh Masakela, under the uncanny Hedzoleh Soundz.

More @
http://olivier.official-theatre.co.uk/london/fela

Long Thanh Art

Check out the true forgotten art of Black & White photography,,,

More info @
http://www.longthanhart.com/

Tropical Jam in Aid of Haiti

£2,700 raised for Haiti disaster victims

Read report by Fiona Madden (Africa News):

Tropical Jam Fundraiser’ brought together exciting musicians, poets, and dancers to Brixton, 25th January donating their free services to raise money for the Haiti disaster victims. The evening began with the Pan-Afrikan Kultural Movement performing music from Zimbabwe with a mixture of all things musical, from guitars and drums to bongos and shakers, which provided a perfect ambience of soft African rhythms for those arriving.

Princess ‘B’, a singer, then took to the stage and gave her rendition of a Bob Marley classic, changing the lyrics to ‘No Haiti, No Cry’, in aid of the special event, and provided a heartfelt performance. As the venue began to fill up, there was a surprising mixture in the crowd, with children, adults, and all cultures coming together to support the important cause.

Other performances on the night included Poet Dumi Senda, Simply Samba, Maracatu Estrelas do Norte, and The London Rumba Collective.

With donated admission fees, raffle ticket sales and all other expenses for the evening, the estimated total raised at the end of the night was over £1,200, which The Ritzy PictureHouse Group agreed to match. The final total came in at £2,700, proving that the evening was a great success with more than 200 people packing out the venue.

This event was organised and hosted by Afro-Romanzo World Music. Very special thanks to Angela Taylor, Hannah Bates, The Ritzy Events Management, and all supporters for turning the idea into reality. .

More info @
http://www.africa-news.eu/africans-in-uk/478-p2700-raised-for-haiti-disaster-victims.html

AfroRomanzo Gigs

For details of Upcoming gigs, check out...

FRIDAY 15^th OCT ~ AfroRomanzo presents… Ruby and The Vines @ The Ritzy, Brixton

FRIDAY 22^nd OCT ~ Around The World: Senegal  + AfroRomanzo DJs @ The Ritzy, Brixton

WEDNESDAY 17^th NOV ~ Tropic Thunder! Night + AfroRomanzo DJs @ The Ritzy, Brixton

FRIDAY 3^rd DEC ~ AfroRomanzo presents… Tin Roots @ The Ritzy, Brixton

SATURDAY 4^th DEC ~ Khadijatou Doyneh + DJs Aquila & Romanzo @ Rich Mix, London

More info @
http://www.songkick.com/artists/3205166-dj-afroromanzo
http://www.myspace.com/afroromanzo

Dobet Gnahore @ RichMix

Dobet Gnahore concert at RichMix, London - Report and photos coming up...

Asere @ RichMix

July 1st 2010

Asere prooved once again, their credentials as one of the leading lights of Cuban music renaissance, when the world tour of their new album ~ Junio Groove ~ reached its climax in London.

Direct from Havana! Exclusive London club date for one of Cuba’s hottest bands, playing songs from their aclaimed new album ‘Junio Groove’ Emerging at the same time as the Buena Vista Social Club over 10 years ago Asere have been an integral part of the re-emergence of Cuba in the global music scene. Their new album and red-hot live shows are proof that the future of Cuban music is in safe hands. With inventive song writing and a soulful groove these musicians are building a fresh sound for a new generation.

‘A classic son septet, featuring trumpet, guitar, percussion and bass: superlative musicians who know exactly how to modernise without losing soul’ Songlines “Asere capture every corner of Cuban life in their playing …Great, slinky and rhythmic dance music…. sounding as fresh and adventurous as ever.” Robin Denselow, Guardian + DJ AfroRomanzo (AfroRomanzo World Music) and guests

More details @
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/gig-23434308-asere.do

Coming up...

WED 6th OCTOBER

Tony Allen 70 - Nigeria 50

Celebrating Tony Allen’s 70th Birthday and 50 years of Nigeria’s independence, this concert features guest collaborators who he has worked with over the years.

 

  

Feat. Seun Kuti, Cheikh Lo, Thandiswa, Pee Wee Ellis, Jimi Tenor, Jason Yarde, Byron Wallen, Keziah Jones, Eska Mtungwasi, Ty, Wunmi & more...

Biography
Tony Allen

Born in Nigeria in 1940 of mixed Nigerian and Ghanaian parentage, Tony Allen is perhaps the most highly-regarded African drum set player ever to emerge. Musicians of all backgrounds marvel at his uniquely polyrhythmic style. Allen belongs on one hand to a tradition of African drum set playing associated with the Ghanaian drummer Kofi Ghanaba and historically rooted in British military drumming, big-band jazz drumming, and indigenous percussion traditions. However, he is also an African exponent of the African-American tradition of modern jazz drumming typified by musicians such as Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, and Max Roach.

 Tony Allen's formative years were spent digesting these influences while apprenticing in various Nigerian bands during the late 1950s, performing the pan-Anglophone West African popular music style then known as highlife. But he came to international prominence in the 1960s as a member of the band of the late Nigerian bandleader Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, with whom he played for 15 years. Fela Kuti is himself recognized as one of the most important and influential African popular musicians/composers of the post-colonial era, and it is widely accepted that Tony Allen was his crucial collaborator in the synthesis of jazz, funk and highlife which resulted in the style known as Afrobeat. Tony Allen’s work with Fela is documented on over 30 recordings and today, he remains the primary exponent of Afrobeat.

Tony Allen's own recordings, made since leaving Fela’s band in 1978, are diverse in style and fascinating fusions of Afrobeat with other styles of world popular music. These works find him in the collaborative company of Nigerian juju musicians such as Fatayi Rolling Dollar, electronica musicians such as Doctor L, American funk musicians such as Michael "Clip" Payne and Gary "Bone" Cooper, and musicians from around Africa and the Caribbean. After playing for years in the shadows of better-known musicians, Tony Allen is now starting to receive the worldwide credit he deserves as one of the most dynamic players of the drum set.

Text by Michael E. Veal

6 October 2010 / 19:30
Barbican Hall
Tickets: £13.50 - 22.50
Subject to availability

More details @
http://www.tony-allen.com/

Santa Maria del Mar

The beaches east of Havana are known as "Playa del Este". They are just 20 minutes from Downtown Havana, and include from West to East: Bacuranao Beach, Tarara Beach, El Megano Beach, Santa Maria del Mar Beach, Boca Ciega Beach, Guanabo Beach, Veneciana Beach and Rincon Beach. Choose from 7 km of white sand beach...

Bacuranao Beach is the closest to Havana, and strictly speaking is in the Celimar, Habana del Este district. Through the beach runs the fresh water Bacuranao creek. The beach is not easy for the tourist to find, but is popular with the locals and the Habaneros.

Playa Santa Maria del Mar is a pleasant non-touristy beach, but packed with Habaneros at weekends. This was our first stop on arrival in Havana, Cuba ~ Sunday 12th September 2010, and it was to be the most pleasant and amazing exprience of our holiday in Havana.

The beach has white sand with remains of coral and shells. Its waters are crystal clear with different shades of green and blue. Underwater, Santa María shows a beautiful landscape of coral reefs, shellfish and lively colored fish. It is an experience to dive in these waters, due to the abundance of the fauna and its irregular landscape.