By Yimel Díaz Malmierca on August 21, 2023
The sound of the very personal piano style of Cuban Dayramir Gonzalez Vicet will fill the Alvas Showroom in Los Angeles on August 27, at 4:00 pm. This is a unique show by the renowned performer, arranger and composer, who will be joined by other artists organized by the Los Angeles Hands Off Cuba Committee (LAHOC).
The purpose of the event is to raise funds to send medical aid to Cuba. The event will also include the participation of US trumpeter Elliot Caine and the Afro-Cuban music and dance company Omo Aché, and artist Angélica Cardona.
“We want to raise funds for Global Health Partners, a company licensed by the State Department’s Office of Assets Control, to purchase and send anesthesia machines to the Calixto Garcia Hospital in Havana, Cuba,” Cardona told Trabajadores.
“In addition, as we do in all our events, we aim to continue raising awareness and educating the public about the need to end the U.S. blockade and to get Cuba removed from Washington’s spurious List of States Supposedly Sponsoring Terrorism (SSOT). We are always happy to have more people join this movement.”
Angélica Cardona and Omo Aché
Cardona, the leader of the Omo Aché ensemble and one of the coordinators of LAHOC said that all artists will donate their performances: “This concert is for everyone who wants to listen to good Cuban jazz and support a very worthy cause. It is a family event, open to an audience of all ages, which we are promoting through our social networks and our website, ushandsoffcubacommittee.com. Local unions such as the International Association of Machinists (IAM) and the International Longshoremen’s Union (ILWU) have already purchased blocks of tickets for their members.
“It is worth remembering that both unions recently passed resolutions demanding that the Joe Biden Administration take Cuba off of the SSOT. During the pandemic the ILWU donated $10,000 to send syringes to Cuba and the IAM helped with $1,000 donation to finance the participation of a group of young people in the union internship organized by the Confederation of Cuban Workers (CTC) in the days leading up to May Day.”
The Association of Machinists is a formal member of LAHOC, a committee that participated in the international event of solidarity with Cuba held in Havana at the end of April and beginning of May with a delegation of 37 union leaders, activists and youth.
“Cuba deserves the solidarity of its neighbors”, said Cardona, an expert in Afro-Cuban dance and music: “I graduated from the University with a degree in Afro-Cuban dance and music. I have dedicated the last 20 years to such studies and teaching. I came to Cuba to investigate its roots. I fell in love with the country and its people, whom I also recognize for the importance of their revolutionary legacy. Today I have Cuban friends whom I love like family.”
“LAHOC functions democratically as a united front around Cuba. It includes more than 50 organizations, unions and prominent individuals who sponsor our events and want to contribute right where help is most urgent.”
“Cuba makes contributions to the world through science, medicine, art, music… It sends its renowned medical brigades to the most affected places on the planet every time there is a crisis. The world counts on Cuba’s presence, and Cuba should also be able to count on us.
“We have organized other public events, but in this case it is about the universal language of music, and specifically Cuban music that has influenced many genres and continues to do so. Music is valid way to reach people who may not yet be willing to consider a political message, or what may seem like a political message. Plus, what better way to get into the Cuban spirit than by adding live music!
“This will be our first concert, but not our last. We plan to continue organizing solidarity events with Cuba until this fight is no longer necessary,” concluded Angelica Cardona.
Sunday August 27 at 4pm -LA Hands off Cuba Medical Aid for Cuba Concert with Dayramir Gonzalez
Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th Street , San Pedro CA
For tickets and more information go to: alvasshowroom.com
Source: Trabajadores, translation Resumen Latinoamericano – English