Danny Rivera
Puerto Rican popular music icon Danny Rivera is the latest 'boricua' in a string of international entertainers who'll team up Sep. 20 to perform in Juanes' controversial concert at Havana's historic Plaza de la Revolución in Cuba.
“I'm honored and thrilled to take part in this event,” said in a statement released by the artist's management, Ariel Rivas Entertainment, this week.
Rivera, one of the island's premiere popular music voices, joins Puerto Rican tropical music singer and Grammy-winning artist Olga Tañón, who last month announced in an open letter that she would take part in the second “Paz Sin Fronteras” concert despite the heated debate that surrounds the show.
Widely known for his social activism, the interpreter of “La camisa negra” has been under fire from a group of Miami-based Cuban exiles who contend that the event is nothing but a move in support of Cuba's communist government.
Still, Juanes has insisted the show will have no political overtones despite being staged in the plaza that pays homage to revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara.
Earlier this year, the Colombian rocker also invited Puerto Rican artists Ricky Martin and Luis Fonsi, but they turned down the offer.
To date, confirmed headliners include legendary Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez and the swinging Cuban salsa ensemble Los Van Van, among others.
“She confirmed her participation last month in an open letter and she hasn't changed her mind. She's ready to go,” television producer and Tañón's husband Billy Denizard told the Latin Music Examiner this week.
“She continues to support him [Juanes] 100 percent,” he added.
In her letter, Tañón lamented that some blasted her for having backed Juanes' initiative.
“Juanes and I, like many other artists, have shared the gift of our voices and our music across all the countries that have invited us to perform. Our commitment has always been with those cultures, not with their ideologies nor the political systems that rule them. Our commitment has been to share our talent and never exclude a country that opens up its arms to us. Cuba can't be the exception,” she said.
“La Mujer de Fuego” added that she can tolerate criticism, but contended: “What's categorically impermissible for me, is to accept those based on lies and are only filled with rage and hate for the mere reason of not sharing the same political vision. I can't also tolerate critique over Juanes' honest intention to hold a a concert of love and compassion through what we know to do with our hearts, music.”
In addition, she said she's aware that Cuba's political situation is a hot topic, but stressed that her goal isn't to become part of the controversy.
“I recognize that Cuba's political theme throughout history has been a delicate, complex subject, full of feelings and different visions. That's why I have always respected it and never have gotten involved in it. And for that same respect is why I backed my friend Juanes in this daring proposal. My aim has never been, nor will ever be, to intervene in this matter, but to create ties with Cubans thorugh music,” she concluded.
In mid-August, Juanes— who now calls Florida home — told Miami police that he had received death threats via his Twitter account and said he was going to cancel the show for concerns about his family’s safety. The message said, among other things, "I hate what you are saying but you will die for defending your right to say it."
However, a few days later Juanes' publicist announced the show would go on as planned.
Comments
Thanks for your discussion of the concert. The reason it's being held in Revolution Plaza couldn't be more simple: it's the biggest venue for any kind of event anywhere in Havana, or in Cuba itself, for that matter.
Personally, I wish I were able to be there. As you know, Cuba is the only country on the entire planet for which people from the United States need a permission slip from the federal government to go for a visit, or to attend a concert like this.
Really, it's time and overtime to normalize relations with the island nation.
Walter, you keep saying that the U.S. government will not let you go to Cuba, but that is not true. You can go through an intermediary country and the Cubans would love your American dollars. I do not know of a single American who has been fined or imprisoned for going to Cuba. Please do go and enjoy yourself. Be careful with Cuban state security, though, and under no circumstances make any critical remarks about the ruling elite, or you will find yourself back on the next plane to the U.S.A. and declared persona non grata in Cuba.
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