Buena Vista Social Club threatened

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Originally posted to SocialistsUnmoderated@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
October 21, 1999

Cuban Band Cancels Miami-Area Show

MIAMI (AP) -- The Cuban musical group the Buena Vista Social Club
canceled a concert in Miami Beach, citing the recent furor over a show by
another well-known Cuban group, Los Van Van.

Promoter Debbie Ohanian said Wednesday that the agent for the group had
canceled a Feb. 11 concert at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach.
The band, which won a Grammy last year for their recording with American
roots musician Ry Cooder, has some of Cuba's most-heralded musicians.

When Los Van Van performed at the Miami Arena on Oct. 9, thousands of
protesters yelled insults and pitched bottles at concertgoers. Eleven
people were arrested. Protesters, mostly Cuban exiles, argue that Cuban
artists who perform in the United States bolster Fidel Castro's
government.

Miami-Dade County's mayor and some city officials have said they oppose
having Los Van Van perform in Miami again, claiming the band's return is
meant to provoke Cuban exiles and is a threat to public safety.

Buena Vista Social Club is on a U.S. tour that has sold out venues across
the country. But Ohanian said the band won't be coming to Miami Beach
because its U.S. agent fears for the musicians' safety. She said she was
unable to convince the agent that a venue in another South Florida city
would be an acceptable alternative.