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For
tourists, Cuba is something exciting. On the one hand, it is a warm and
welcoming holiday destination with sunny beaches and friendly people. On the
other hand, there is a Marxist-Leninist one-party state that gives very little
economic freedom to its people. How should travelers feel about eating at a
restaurant that costs as much as one or two months of income for a Cuban
family?
For tourists, Cuba is a kind of
dizzying fantasy trip. In the context of modern Cuba, the Tropicana nightclub
in Havana is a striking anomaly.
The
Tropicana has entertained visitors in much the same way and in the same
location for more than 80 years, while everything around it has changed
dramatically. It could even be said that while the world hasn't changed the
Tropicana, the Tropicana may have changed the world. The signature live
performances—extravagant mixes of Folies Bergères and carnival parades—served
as the prototype for the productions we now associate with New York and Las
Vegas.
I came to the Tropicana two years ago to bring a real Cuban flavor to my seven-day vacation. My only previous point of departure was the fictional Copacabana nightclub. I was not prepared in advance for the performance that was ahead of me. Spectacle, Show... Whatever word you use, you can't go wrong with what I saw at the club.
… using “spectacle” to mean an event filled with
awe-inspiring magical possibilities.
... the viewer becomes a participant in the show with all his senses.
The word
"spectacle" cannot replace the explosion of costumes, music, dance,
color, lights and scenery that make up the Tropicana show.
The
100-strong group dances on the stage, above the stage, before the stage, on the
stairs leading up to the stage, and on a three-tiered cascade on one side of
the stage that changes colors, seasons and shapes throughout the performance.
Additional dancers flock to the aisles and balconies above the audience. The
extravaganza takes place under the stars, with illuminated trees framing the
backdrop of the main stage, providing a Midsummer Night's Dream atmosphere in
Caribbean colours.
The real stars of
the show are mostly the costumes. Some of the performers, who were not wearing
hats, did acrobatic numbers. On stage there was an orchestra and singing -
folk, pop and opera. Apart from the music, color and constant rhythmic
movements, another distinguishing feature is the aroma. The taste and sound of
Latin music are the essence of Havana.
If you don't mind
either, it's best to avoid the city and stay at your all-inclusive resort. If
you decide to explore Havana, you'll find that almost every restaurant or bar
has a light, sweet smell and live music. The music may fade out as you walk,
but it comes back as soon as you turn the next corner.
It's
not just the extravagance of the performance. It's also a stark contrast
between the show and real life. For example, at a rock concert, one minute
you're sitting in a sports arena, and the next minute the lights go down and
you're in the middle of something completely new. As a viewer, you have entered
a new space.
Tropicana
is a unique spectacle in Havana. Yes, it is completely separate from the Cuban
architectural landscape and the simplicity of daily Cuban life. But it
represents and embodies the soul of Havana - its history, its aspirations for
the future, and its pulsating multisensory present. It is strikingly different
from its context, but at the same time intensely expressive of it. As you
explore the Tropicana, you'll learn new ways to appreciate the city, the
country, and its people—in ways you might not have imagined before.
Havana. If you're looking for a sunny beach holiday, look no further than the Caribbean islands. There are many. If you are looking for a cultural experience you will never forget, Tropicana is the best choice.
Thank you for reading to the end!
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