Saturday 28 April 2018
Shenkman Arts Centre
Posted as Tropicana Night – A journey through Cuban Music and Dance, the two-hour mega show lived up to its grand billing and then some! Pianist Miguel des Armas and his ensemble put up an awesome display of exotic Cuban music replete with dancers, singers, acrobats and drummers that thrilled as it entertained. The passion and sensuality of this musical genre were only surpassed by the dazzling display of colour and exuberance, as only a maestro like Musical Director and pianist Miguel des Armas could conjure. As the show went from the opening Mambo Inn Mario Bauza through El Cumbachero, the show cleverly turned its focus to Cuba’s African origins, as it explored its Yoruba (Nigerian) roots with Ochun Ibu Kole, a tribute to the spirit god Ochun, an orisha or spirit, deity and its many manifestations in Ifa/Yoruba culture and religion.
