Welcome to Paradise read the banner over Hackney's Paradise Gardens, ­ and for aficionados of Cuban music it was. The inaugural event in the Barbican's Dance Nations series kicked off with cha-cha-cha lessons in the Spiegel Tent, then went outside to strut its stuff.

Three bands, old and new: Leeds-based Charanga del Norte were an ensemble of Latin-loving northerners that included a cellist from the Liverpool Philharmonic. Their blend of European classical music and African rhythms sparkled in the afternoon sunshine, buoyed by founder Sue Miller's ubiquitous flute.

barbican film
Guests Juan Carlos Tabio and Mariela Castro
at Cine Cuba: 50 Years of Revolution in Film
Friday 3 to Thursday 9 July

http://www.barbican.org.uk/film Hotline: 0845 120 7527

Friday 3 to Thursday 9 July

Due to illness of their Musical Director Los Van Van have unfortunately had to cancel their tour dates in Europe.

Win a 14 night holiday to Cuba courtesy of Cubana Airlines and the Cuba Tourist Board.
This summer the Barbican in association with Cuba50 invite Cuba's hottest artists to play a series of concerts at the Barbican (27-28 June) and in venues across the East End of London including Hackney Empire (25 June), Paradise Gardens in Victoria Park (21 June) and in Dalston's Gillett Square (27 June).

24 JUNE 2009: For Immediate Release

Dr Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, will be speaking at major LGBT events in July.

Pre concert receptions with Dr Aleida Guevara and other guests from Cuba
Barbican Centre
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June
from 5.30pm

Cuba50 VIP Receptions at the Barbican Centre

Free events at Cuba50 festival at the Barbican, London

Cuba50, the largest ever festival of Cuban culture outside of Havana, announces a spectacular showcase weekend at the Barbican Centre, London, on 27 and 28 June.

The Cuban Record Company EGREM, which received the most awards at the International Fair Cubadisco 2009, was also granted the event's Prize of Honor, in recognition of its great contribution to Cuban culture.

Sting sent a thank-you letter from London to organizers of Cubadisco 2009 Festival for his award in the category of international record during the Cuban record industries annual awards ceremony on Saturday.

Friendship and integration, rivalry and healthy sportsmanship characterized the closing ceremony of the Third ALBA Games and its 12 days of arduous competition.

The Organizing Committee of the 29th Caribbean Festival, to be held in Santiago de Cuba from July 3rd through the 9th and aimed at reaffirming the cultural identity and traditions of the peoples, has been constituted in this city.

The US Department of State, headed by Hillary Clinton, banned renowned Cuban songwriter and singer Silvio Rodriguez from travelling to the United States, where he had been invited to an homage gala for the 90th birthday of legendary US musician Pete Seeger.

The June issue of Songlines magazine (#60) is now on sale.