Cubanismo cancels arts center show

By: EVAN GRAHAM - For the North County Times | Wednesday, May 12, 2004 11:11 PM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- Representatives of the Latin jazz-pop ensemble Cubanismo say that new U.S. anti-Castro policies are responsible for the group canceling its U.S. tour, which was to include an appearance at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, on Friday night.

The center has promised refunds at point of purchase for all tickets sold prior to the performance's cancellation.

The Rosebud Agency, which represents Cubanismo, said the group had no choice but to cancel its tour after the members were denied visas in March to travel inside the United States. Cubanismo, had been slated to appear in 35 U.S. cities in April and May.

"The State Department sees it one way and we see it another," said Rosebud agent John Lochen.

A news release on the agency's Web site blamed a new policy aimed at artists who receive salaries from the Castro regime. "No Cubanismo member has ever received a salary from the Cuban government," said the release.

The group has been touring in the United States since 1993 and claims it has never been denied entry into the country. Cubanismo performed at the California Center for the Arts as recently as 2002.

Up to 150 Cuban artists and musicians have been denied visas from the State Department since new travel restrictions were implemented in November, aimed at squeezing the communist government's economy.

Musicians who have been denied visas include salsa band Los Van Van and Ibrahim Ferrer, famous for his role in the Buena Vista Social Club.

"The blanket decision is affecting a lot of artists," said Lochen, calling the travel difficulties a "frustrating situation."

"But the fact remains that this is (the State Department's) policy, and we can just hope that the policy changes," he said.

U.S. officials claim that most of the proceeds collected from the CDs and other products promoted in the United States by Cuban artists benefit the Castro government either directly or indirectly.

Critics, however, contend that the money made by Cuban artists is but a tiny fraction of other financial sources benefiting the island, including hundreds of millions of dollars that Cuban-Americans send annually to relatives there.

In addition to recent restrictions on the travel of Cuban musicians, the United States has also tightened regulations on Cuban-Americans' relations with the island, including travel to Cuba and the money they send to relatives in Cuba.

In a statement obtained through the California Center for the Arts' public relations office, performing-arts director JoAnne Ewan-McGregor also pointed to "heightened security worldwide" for Cubanismo's cancellation.

Center spokeswoman Farra Levin said that security concerns linked to international terrorism and the situation in Iraq have also affected other international artists expected to perform at the center this year, including famed Spanish flamenco musician Pacode Lucia. Lucia's Jan. 31 show was canceled, but was rescheduled to March 7.

Lochen said he "maintain(s) hope" that Cubanismo will again be permitted to perform in the United States, but doubted it would happen before "there is a radical shift in the policy between the U.S. and Cuba."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.