It was a historic night on Friday Oct. 21st, for the first time in the United States, The Havana Cuba All-Stars performed music rooted in their Cuban heritage, since the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations in 2015.
“Most of them thought they would never see this country…They are elated to see the U.S., they are like kids in a candy store. They are in awe by little towns and big cities and extremely glad President Barack Obama eased the restriction”, said company manager Peter Dake. 
Dake manages the 11 member band as they tour across the United States.
The Havana Cuba All-Stars preformed music that was infused with traditional African and Spanish styles.
“The Cuban (Son) dance styles that came into Cuba in 1917, It started in Guantanamo (traditional music) then moved out West to Havana where it became its own unique style, Dake said. “Because of the African influence, Son uses banjo, cow bells and the Tres guitar(unique to Cuba).”
Since relations have improved, many Cubans are pleased that they can finally go back to their country and see their family again. They are also thrilled that their culture can now be shared with the United States without any repercussion.
“It’s an honor to see them, as a Cuban, them represent me.” said a concert attendee and Cuban-American Odalys Padron. Padron has had firsthand experience with the tumultuous relationship between the two nations. Her parents were exiled because she was born in the U.S. at eight months instead of being born in Cuba.
“I grew up in America with Cuban culture in my house”, she said. This is fact for many Cuban-Americans who have never been able to experience their culture at this level. They had to use food music and language to make up for the empty void that many people developed because they were exiled from their home. Some are lucky enough to go back and see their country again.
“I’ve been there three times”, Pardon said “Going with my mother she would explain that there used to be a grocery store there or there used to be a post-office there… It’s a bitter sense of the remains of my country.”
Since the severed political ties with the United States, Cuba has been frozen in time with vintage cars and old fashioned buildings.
The Huffington Post reported that the embargo put millions into poverty. Since the 1959 revolution, all Cubans received less than 471 pesos ($20) a month which is barely enough to survive or since socialism is the current government practice of Cuba, it is hard for the citizens to make a living. The system is based on sharing the wealth, so it allows the government to regulate the community as a whole. Even doctors and professors, traditionally high-paying positions, are paid equally to a person who does not have the same level of education.
For the past sixty years, since the severed U.S relationship, there has been an increase in European and Canadian tourism that has helped reduce the poverty in Cuba. This gave Cuba another chance to build its economy after the U.S. embargo and the loss of the Soviet Union’s financial support. This has allowed Cubans to convert their home into rentals for tourists.
Since the embargo has been lifted, Americans are now allowed to visit Cuba and purchase items such as cigars and rum. In return Cubans can now visit the U.S. The two countries now have a chance to squash any problems from past policies. Music and culture are some of the easiest ways for us to mend old wounds.
“It is only the beginning”, said Mitchell Pardon a member of The Havana Cuba All-Stars in regard to the new relationship. The group hopes to return to the U.S. Dake said, “We are already looking at 2018.”
Imani Jean-Gilles 