Afropop Worldwide (New York)
12 November 1998
New York — The following document was released by Afropop Worldwide:
AFROPOP WORLDWIDE CULTURAL STUDY SESSION IN CUBA ANNOUNCED FOR FEBRUARY 4-15, 1999
Note: printed brochure available by sending e-mail to discover@enteract.com. Put "Afropop Worldwide group to Cuba" as the subject. Include your street address.
letter from Ned Sublette about the Afropop Cultural Study Session in Cuba, February 4-15, 1999 plus itinerary (see below)
Dear colleague,
I don't have to tell you how good Cuban music is. Cuba was always a leader in music, and in Cuba the music has never stopped, not for a moment. Today the island is boiling with music and musicians. And if you want to know about Africa -- go to Cuba, where the cultures of the Yoruba, the Kongo, the Arara, are maintained and practiced.
Cuban music is what I do. I co-run a record label called Qbadisc that specializes in presenting music from Cuba, and for the last nine years I've made it my business to be well-informed about the music of Cuba and the ever-changing conditions in the country. World Music Productions has invited me to come along on with you on a cultural study session of Cuba that I think will be truly educational and inspiring for all concerned.
Given that U.S. law forbids you to go to Cuba as a tourist, is this legal? Yes! We're not promoting tourism here -- no beach trips, no cigar-buying expeditions. This trip is a serious cultural study, and you have to qualify for it. (There are a number of ways you could possibly qualify. Contact us and we'll refer you to the appropriate channels.) Knowledge of Spanish is helpful but not mandatory.
We'll start out in Havana, stop in Matanzas province, continue on to Santiago, and work our way back to finish up in Havana again.
The Afropop Worldwide Cultural Study Session in Cuba is a project of World Music Productions, producers of Public Radio International's Afropop Worldwide. We will be hosted by the Institute of Music Research in Havana.
For more information, call 1-888-373-4816. From outside the US, call 773-665-7080. Or you can send an e-mail to discover@enteract.com. Put "Culture study in Cuba" as the subject. More details are also on the web at www.afropop.org.
I hope you'll join us in Cuba next February.
Ned Sublette For a catalog of Qbadisc releases, e-mail qbadisc@interport.net and put "catalog request" in the "subject" line.
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ABOUT YOUR TOUR HOST
Ned Sublette is one of the U.S.'s leading researchers on contemporary Cuban music and has traveled to the island over a dozen times in the last eight years. Ned is also the former Senior Co-Producer for Afropop Worldwide and he still contributes occasional programs in our groundbreaking Cuban Connection series within Afropop Worldwide. Ned knows many musicians from both the leading pop bands and the major Afro- Cuban folkloric music groups as well. Ned's relationships with the artists will open doors for Afropop visitors to Cuba. And his enthusiasm for the music is catching.
LETTER FROM GEORGES COLLINET ABOUT THE AFROPOP TOUR TO SENEGAL AND CAPE VERDE IN MARCH 1999
Dear Afropop fan,
My Afropop tour leader partner, Sean Barlow, and I are pleased to invite you to join us this March 17-28th, 1999 for what promises to be a highly memorable Afropop Tour to Senegal and Cape Verde.
Last time Afropop took a group of music lovers to Senegal, the hospitality of our musician friends there was outstanding: Baaba Maal did a special acoustic concert for us; Youssou N'Dour led us on a tour of his studio; and Thione Seck's band kept us dancing mbalax 'til all hours. Encore! Except this time we're adding the fascinating islands and culture of Cape Verde.
Our musician friends in Senegal are excited we're coming back and they have all said they want to participate again and make our visitors feel especially welcome. We'll take in Dakar's fabulous nightlife and dance to Senegal's top bands with the home fans. We'll also meet the artists and see special performances. We'll visit new recording studios serving the burgeoning Senegalese music industry and drop in on top radio stations.
Our Afropop visitors in Africa hone their bargaining skills quickly, and if you want to take home beautiful arts and crafts and fabrics, you can shop til you drop! We'll introduce you to the leading craftspeople.
After the hustle and bustle of Dakar, we will fly to Cape Verde and chill out at the beach for a few days. Then we'll go to the culturally rich city of Santiago to meet local musicians, see performances, and learn more about this land of funana, coladeira, and morna.
We return to Dakar for a grand finale to our musical adventure.
The Afropop Tour to Senegal and Cape Verde is a project of World Music Productions, producers of Public Radio International's Afropop Worldwide, in collaboration with our tour operator partner, Discovery Tours International. They are travel professionals highly regarded for their attention to detail and customer service. Note that Afropop lovers based in Europe or South America or anywhere else can join us in Dakar. Note also that a portion of the proceeds from the Tour benefits your public radio station.
For more information, call Discovery Tours toll free at 1-888-373- 4816 or 773-665-7080 from outside the U.S.. You can also e-mail them at discover@enteract.com. Ask for Charlene and tell her you're interested in Afropop. Or check our web site--www.afropop.org.
I hope you'll join us in Senegal and Cape Verde. This will be a trip of a lifetime--don't miss it!
Georges Collinet
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