Benefit for Cuban Hurricane Victims

At 1st Ave. (Twin Cities Area)

On September 23, First Avenue/7th Street Entry nightclub in Minneapolis will be the venue for a star-studded musical and dance benefit for Cuban hurricane relief.

In the past weeks, Cuba has suffered tremendous damage from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Close to one million people were evacuated and more than 300,000 houses and other structures have been destroyed or damaged, and the United Nations estimates losses of between $3 and $4 billion. The U.S. government's offer of $100,000 in aid to Cuba is cruel and insulting; because of the U.S. embargo, ordinary humanitarian relief is not available to Cuba. However, some humanitarian organizations are finding ways of filling the gap. Here in the Twin Cities, a number of well-known artists are contributing their talents to help raise money for hurricane relief.

The line-up includes:

*The Tropical Zone Orchestra*
*Wayne McFarlane and Jahz*
*Charanga Tropical*, "Salsa Meets Strings," featuring Viiviana Pintado,Cuban-born pianist
*"La Niña" Rivera*, Twin Cities own Cuban diva
*Maria Isa*, bomba/hip hop/R&B fusion recording artist
*Rene Thompson and his Cuban dance group
Social Dance Studio* - Cuban dance and performance studio to get you on your feet

Cuban food will be available for sale, provided by Victor, Cuban chef extraordinaire, who is coming out of "exile" and back into the kitchen.
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Details here

Hat tip: Stephanie Z.