The Rolling Stones in Cuba Part I: Casa de la Musica

The night before The Rolling Stones concert in Havana Mick Jagger took over my favorite music venue in Cuba Casa de la Musica in Miramar for a private party. The first time I walked into Casa de la Musica in 2000 the legendary Grammy Award winning Cuban band Los Van Van was performing!

Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, Darryl Jones, and Mick Jagger were in attendance. It was great to say hello to Ronnie who had the first ever exhibition of his art in the U.S. at Govinda Gallery. Ronnie spent two days at Govinda as it was a launch for his first book featuring his art, Ron Wood: The Works, along with the opening of his exhibition the next day. He was in great form in Havana and said to me “Washington Chris, yeah, Washington!” Mick had an amazing Cuban percussion band performing and danced beautifully to the Cuban rhythms and song. Viva Los Rolling Stones!

Casa de Musica, Miramar, March 24, 2016. © Carlotta Hester

Darryl Jones looking at the invitation card to the exhibition La Revolucion del Rock and Roll presented at Fototeca de Cuba in 2002 and organized by Govinda Gallery. © Carlotta Hester