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U LAKA LAKA LA
Carnaval La Habana 2003
Released by Boogalu Productions.
DVD: 52 Minutes
The
chorus "U Laka Laka La" was on everyone's lips in Carnaval La Habana
2003 – a call to dance, celebrate, and let it all hang out.
2003 was the 180th year anniversary of Carnaval La Habana, a
spectacular festival that incorporates an extrordinary array of Cuba's
diverse cultural traditions. For an entire week the city's Malecon
seafront drive was awash with hot rhythms, color, and gyrating bodies,
along with the rain showers and spray from the sea. The wind and rain
were overwhelming at times, but carnaval prevailed and became its own
force of nature, blending with the elements.
Parade groups known as comparsas, dominate carnaval, and are composed
of a percussion section playing the conga rhythm, dancers in stunning
costumes, and floats. Traditional groups, such as El Alacran (The
Scorpion) have distinctive themes rooted in the cultural history of
Cuba. Comparsas that have formed in more recent years, such as Los
Guaracheros de Regla, rely on innovation and style to capture the
public's heart.
Carnaval in Havana is a tropical deluge of color, gyrating hips, and
vibrant drumming; the life blood of the Cuban people - a marvel to
behold.
Special features of U Laka Laka La include:
~ children's carnaval with dance groups and clowns
~ ten of Havana's most outstanding parade comparsa groups
~ costuming of incredible color and style
~ carnaval floats (carrozas)
~ salsa Cubana street dancers
~ percussion and folklore ensembles
~ giant puppets (muñecones)
~ interview with Director of La Jardinera
~ slideshow of performing artists
Complete list of performing groups:
Grupo de Danza Thaba
Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba
Carroza Orgullo Latino
Comparsa La FEU
Comparsa La Jardinera
La ENA
Efik Yaguaremo - Abakuá Society
Comparsa Textilera Santiago de Cuba
El Maestro del Tanque, street artist
Agrupación Danzaria La Giraldilla
Comparsa Los Marqueses de Atarés
Comparsa Los Guaracheros de Regla
Comparsa El Alacrán
Comparsa Jóvenes del Este
Carroza El Tropicana Nightclub
Carroza Banda Los Angeles de La Habana
Comparsa La Sultana
Carroza Los Caballeros del Ritmo
Comparsa Componedores de Batea
