Travel for Pennies

It’s not difficult to find good Cuban music in Tampa.  The city itself is small, but the Tampa Bay area has a fairly large population, and it’s one of the more diverse places in Florida.  There is a lively local culture, or constellation of cultures, which means there is always something interesting to do.  It’s always a good idea to get plugged into the local community, but if the time here is too short, then it’s good to come with a few basic ideas about what’s happening in town.  A good source for hotels is here, and for music, there are many different nightclubs where you can hear popular as well as new musicians trying out their rhythms on usually responsive audiences.

There are also other groups that perform for cultural and spiritual functions, and these might be a bit more difficult to find.  For the spiritual traditions, there’s no question that these songs have some of the most intense and complicated rhythms in the world.  Basing the measures on African instrumentations, as well as mixing in the local Cuban influences, there is a depth to the beats that are difficult to translate into secular circumstances.  However, some groups have perfected these songs for performances that are more folklore than religion, and these are more accessible to newcomers.

Son de Mi Tierra are a great example of a local band who captures some of the essence of Cuban music, while still maintaining a performance aesthetic that can translate to popular music aficionados as well.  This is a good place to begin looking, as they do play many local community events, such as Halloween festivals and Hispanic Heritage celebrations.  Look for them, and keep your eyes and ears peeled for recommendations.  It might not be likely to hear any lengthy discussion about African rhythm in Cuban music, but if your Spanish is good, and you happen to have the chance to speak with a drummer, there are probably a few good conversations that can come out of the deal.

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