Rumba Performance and the Politics of Place in the Era of Cultural Tourism 413
Afrocuba’s performances is strikingly similar to my own ethnographic
experience, suggesting that the group has followed this formula for
over twenty years. Corresponding with Afrocuba’s artistic mission, she
states that during the 1980s the group performed often in schools,
workplaces, and casas de cultura (state-sponsored community cultural
centers), mostly within the Matanzas province, and that less common
were “dance” and “recreational” events (ibid.).
During my period of research with the group, Afrocuba performed
often for state-sponsored events and within institutional venues, such
as those listed by Grasso González. However, the group’s perfor-
mance venues had also expanded in line with the new economic order
on the island: they were now involved in performances for tourist-
only audiences such as the Varadero hotel gig mentioned above and
private performances for specific groups of tourists. The group also
performed within small provincial towns for local festivals/events
several times a month, and was called on for state-sponsored events in
Matanzas such as the Feria del Libro (the annual book fair that travels
from province to province offering books at low prices). I witnessed
one political-oriented performance in which Afrocuba, along with a
variety of musicians performing other genres, participated in a cele-
bration for a local Communist Party school dedicated to teaching Rev-
olutionary ideals. There was one recurring event that could be viewed
as Afrocuba’s regular peña: the Tarde de Cabildo (Cabildo Afternoon),
performed on the second Friday of each month under the colonial
arches of the Palacio del Junco, Matanzas’ provincial museum. This
event is exemplary of the Afrocuba's pedagogical mission, as Minini
often gives an explanation before each song about what African-
derived tradition the dance is representing as well as a few details
about the type of percussion instruments being played. I have rarely
seen any other foreigners at this event due to the overall scarcity of
tourism in Matanzas. The audience consists of local aficionados of
folklore, and usually a sizeable group of casual onlookers also gathers
around as the group begins to play.
Rumba audiences in Matanzas.