In 2008 musician and journalist Nathan Thornburgh returned to Havana where he had lived and played music with El Septeto Típico de la Habana some 9 years earlier. He published an article about his experiences, "The Sound of Change: Can Music Save Cuba? " in the November 26, 2008 issue of Time Magazine. He has now also published video from his trip at Time Video. It's a brief glimpse at what life is like for the majority of musicians in Cuba. Check it out and read his article for a more in-depth look at a musician's life in Cuba.

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2010 was a sparse year for timba concerts here in Stockholm. But everything moves in cycles and 2011 is off to an amazing start thanks to the cruise line Viking Line. Last weekend they began a month of Cuban-themed cruises between Stockholm and Finland, which they are calling Dance Revolución. From January 16 through February 13 you can enjoy dancing by night to the following bands: Adalberto Álvarez y Su Son, Tumbao Habana, Charanga Forever, Yumurí y Sus Hermanos and Osdalgia, and shopping by day in cities such as Helsinki, Åbo and Mariehamn. This is the first time anyone has organised such a large Cuban event here in the Baltic region and it is a perfect excuse for you to look for a cheap flight on a discount airline to spend a long weekend dancing with us Nordic timba fans aboard one of these cruises. 

The advertisement at the website is in Swedish but I have posted the schedule below. You can book in English and German. Tell them Timba.com sent you. This is an opportunity you can't afford to miss!

Adalberto Álvarez y su Son
January 16 – 24,Cinderella (Stockholm–Mariehamn)
January 25 – 26, Gabriella (Stockholm–Helsinki)
January 27 – February 5, Cinderella (Stockholm–Mariehamn)
February 6 – 7, Gabriella (Stockholm–Helsinki)
February 8 – 9, Cinderella (Stockholm–Mariehamn)
February 11–13 Cinderella (Stockholm–Mariehamn)

Tumbao Habana
January 16 – 24, Gabriella (Stockholm–Helsinki)
January 25 – 26, Cinderella (Stockholm–Mariehamn)
January 27 – February 5, Gabriella (Stockholm–Helsinki)
February 8 – 13, Gabriella (Stockholm–Helsinki)

Yumurí y sus Hermanos
January 16 – February 13, Mariella (Stockholm–Helsinki)

Osdalgia
January 16 – February 13, Amorella (Stockholm–Åbo)

La Charanga Forever
January 16 – February 13, Isabella (Stockholm–Åbo)

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Timba photographer Patrick Bonnard has posted a photo retrospective of 2010, the year in timba at his site http://www.patrickbonnard.com. As 2010 draws to a  close and we look forward to the upcoming timba tours and events of 2011, take a few minutes to look back at the year that has passed. Patrick captured some powerful moments that will leave you feeling inspired and excited for the coming year.

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I've been on vacation and off-line for a couple of weeks and have three more weeks to go before I'm back at my desk, but I the dates are beginning to come in for European tours 2011, so I wanted to post a  little update. A great match up will take place at the festival Bailar Cuba which will take place from March 4 - 6 in Orvault (Nantes), France. Lázaro Valdés & Bamboleo will perform the 4th and Leonel Limonta & Azúcar Negra the 5th. Now that's a serious match that you don't want to miss.

Bamboleo will also be performing at the New Year's Eve party in Mexico City at Mama Rumba de la Roma. You can get your tickets in advance for 200 pesos.

Other upcoming 2011 tours include Issac Delgado in Europe in February and July and Los Van Van in February/March. Stay tuned as we can give you the actual dates and look for more exciting tours in the US in 2011. Melao has info about plans in the works for Paulo FG y La Élite and Havana D'Primera as well as plans to set up a Cuban music festival in the US.

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