Havana Club presents Havana Santiago - a Cuban inspired exhibition

Authentic Cuban rum, Havana Club is continuing to provide London with a window into the lifestyle of local Cubans with the arrival of Havana Santiago. From 2-4 March, consumers will be invited to a Havana inspired cultural takeover at East London’s Rich Mix for a three day long exhibition has been carefully curated by Boiler Room’s very own Thristian bPm and will feature a host of extra special guests including Gilles Peterson and Charlie Dark who will be on hand to host the weekend proceedings.

The takeover will include photography, films, Afro Latin inspired music and a Cuba inspired street market. The whole event will be styled by renowned artist, Josephine Ade Chinoyewill.

The inspiration for Havana Santiago, started early last year when photographer Pia Ebrill (see notes to editor) and Thristian boarded a flight to Cuba to capture the colour, sights, sounds, people and the music of Havana. Over 14 days, Pia and Thristian travelled 1,720 miles from Havana right across to Santiago de Cuba gathering photos, sounds and inspiration to bring back to London. The reportage style shots were taken using a small point- and- shoot a camera instead of a 35mm SLR; creating shots evocative of film stills and consequently a more unique glimpse into a world which has been documented by so many.

The three day programme will kick off with a VIP preview night on the Friday, where guests will be invited to enjoy classic Cuban cocktails and take an exclusive peek at the photography, followed by a screening of legendary Cuban film, ‘I am Cuba’, a 1964 Soviet-Cuban film directed by Mikhail Kalatozov. The film will be accompanied by a live DJ score created by The Shining; featuring A-Cyde and Hyperdub’s Morgan Zarate. The collective, signed to the Young Turks record label, will re-work the film’s soundtrack.

On Saturday 3rd March, the Rich Mix will be given a rumba makeover, where special guests will dig out their rarest Afro Latin influenced records from deep within their crates, for one night only, to create an unforgettable global roots style house party. A selection of freestyle sounds will be spun by some of the country’s finest DJs led by Thristian bPm, supported by Charlie Dark (Blacktronica) and including guests from the Brownswood label, NTS Live Vince Vella and Mr Bongo, making this a night not to be missed. The music will be an inspired mix of afro latin and electronic drum rhythms.

Finally, to wrap up things on the Sunday, a street style market will take place in the main foyer, providing Londoners with the sights, sounds and tastes of Cuba. Stall holders will include Brownswood, Cuba Connect, the infamous Churros guys and Mr Bongo’s selling some of his rarest world cinema and music releases. In addition there will be Cuba inspired food and drink. Soundscapes and field recordings captured by Thristian on his MP3 recorder will provide an audio narrative as guests wander from stall to stall, for their very own Havana Santiago souvenir. Gilles Peterson will be playing an afro latin jazz set for the event, whilst Charlie Dark will perform a poetry piece specifically created. To support the whole experience, some of the best mixologists in London will create authentic Cuban cocktails such as the Genuine Cuban Mojito.

Thrisitan says: “For me it was extremely important to try and capture what's happening in Cuba now…raw street sounds alongside polished and well-rehearsed Samba. Throughout the journey, I recorded live street sounds on my MP3 recorder, and picked up music from whatever record store / stall I could find. The result is a combination of street recorded and studio recorded Bolero, Son, Rumba and Reggaeton.’’

Havana Santiago is a modern day remix of Cuban culture showcased in a contemporary East London setting; offering a fresh, compelling and unique insight into the country’s cultural heritage. It is also a celebration and culmination of many of the gifted creatives who have worked with Havana Club over the years to continue to educate and inspire the UK audience.