Cuban Cabaret Show: Parisien
I’m actually amazed to see so much culture in Cuba. Stunning colonial buildings, vintage American automobiles, fragrant cigars, a smorgasbord of cocktails, superb coffee, sugarcane-tobacco-coffee plantation ruins, the union of Roman Catholic and Santeria, and of course the life and soul of Cuba, its music and dance, it is everywhere. Cuba is home to the habanero, guaracho, cha-cha-cha, rumba, mambo, but to us non-Cubans it is salsa that we are quite familiar with, although cha-cha-cha is big in the Philippines as well.
People say that a holiday in Havana is not complete without watching a Cuban cabaret show. Music, the singing and dancing, is the blood that runs in the vein of every Cuban, and a cabaret show is a great platform to see the fusion of Cuban music and dancing. Now that is a splendid idea to spend our second evening in the country!
We heard that the most popular of cabaret shows is the ‘Cabaret Tropicana’ and the most expensive as well because dinner and drinks are included in the price. Interestingly, almost all the locals from the tourism industry told us that going to this show is a waste of money because half of the cost pays for the measly food and the overpriced drinks which can be better spent on a nice restaurant somewhere else. The only thing that attracted me to Cabaret Tropicana is the venue. It is held outdoors and it looks amazing. But if it rains? Tough luck.
The other popular option is the ‘Parisien Cabaret Show’ at the grand and beautiful Nacional Hotel de Cuba located in Vedado, Havana.
Blondine and I didn’t have to pull each other’s hair to come to a decision. It was an easy choice really. We booked for the Parisien Cabaret and paid CUC$35 each (US$39/EUR28). The show starts at 22:00 sharp but they strongly advise visitors to come early, that is if you want to have the best seats in the house.
Naturally, we want to make a grand entrance so we arrived at the Nacional Hotel de Cuba in real Cuban style—in a COCO TAXI! Haha =)
The entrance to the Parisen Cabaret show is separately located on the left just before the main lobby entrance of the hotel. After checking our tickets, we were quickly ushered to the ballroom. The place is not so big, it’s cosy enough and the seating arrangement was laid out well that everyone had a good view of the stage.
The show started with a big bang of colours and beguiling rhythm. At this point, Blondine and I were thrilled to be sitting there, even if we were tired from the effects of jetlag. Then the dancers joined the floor and fortunately they did not involve the audience, which is spot on good. It’s really my pet peeve when they start engaging the spectators into their act. Please, we came to watch you and not to perform your job, ok.
Did we enjoy the evening? Yes we did but we were suffering from jet lag and Blondine was dozing off a bit, haha, so we ordered coffee and a daiquiri for me—aaaah, the loveliest daiquiri I have so far in Cuba, but it’s just our second night so there’s more daiquiris in the coming days to taste and evaluate.
The highlight of the Parisien Cabaret show was none other than the exceptional ‘tango act’.
I must say that everyone in the ballroom was completely captivated, held in anticipation of their next move and wanting for more. The sharp moves, so very sexy and the drama that crowns the dance of course. It was sublime. I did not want them to stop dancing. I didn’t realize tango would have so much impact on me. The act was spectacular. Bravo! Brilliant dancing talent. The audience never clapped so hard during the entire show.
So, tango—this comes from Argentina right? Hmm, Argentina is in the pipeline for next year which means we will be witnessing a lot of tangos from the source.
Here are the pictures:
Anyway, the rest of the show was okay. I have to admit though that the explosion of colours and the outlandish mardi gras carnival costumes were up to some point, becoming tedious. Especially as the show dragged into the night. It is a 1 hour and 45 minutes show and we finished almost midnight. OK, maybe I am not the easiest person to please but I’m just being honest. Or maybe we were just jetlagged... whatever.
I still recommend this though. Go watch!
Travel Period: May 2012
Destination: Havana, Cuba
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
People say that a holiday in Havana is not complete without watching a Cuban cabaret show. Music, the singing and dancing, is the blood that runs in the vein of every Cuban, and a cabaret show is a great platform to see the fusion of Cuban music and dancing. Now that is a splendid idea to spend our second evening in the country!
We heard that the most popular of cabaret shows is the ‘Cabaret Tropicana’ and the most expensive as well because dinner and drinks are included in the price. Interestingly, almost all the locals from the tourism industry told us that going to this show is a waste of money because half of the cost pays for the measly food and the overpriced drinks which can be better spent on a nice restaurant somewhere else. The only thing that attracted me to Cabaret Tropicana is the venue. It is held outdoors and it looks amazing. But if it rains? Tough luck.
The other popular option is the ‘Parisien Cabaret Show’ at the grand and beautiful Nacional Hotel de Cuba located in Vedado, Havana.
Blondine and I didn’t have to pull each other’s hair to come to a decision. It was an easy choice really. We booked for the Parisien Cabaret and paid CUC$35 each (US$39/EUR28). The show starts at 22:00 sharp but they strongly advise visitors to come early, that is if you want to have the best seats in the house.
Naturally, we want to make a grand entrance so we arrived at the Nacional Hotel de Cuba in real Cuban style—in a COCO TAXI! Haha =)
Our friendly coco taxi driver who overcharged us with his meter. Sometimes you just cannot win them all.
Coco taxis parked in front of Parque Central and the National Theater.
The show started with a big bang of colours and beguiling rhythm. At this point, Blondine and I were thrilled to be sitting there, even if we were tired from the effects of jetlag. Then the dancers joined the floor and fortunately they did not involve the audience, which is spot on good. It’s really my pet peeve when they start engaging the spectators into their act. Please, we came to watch you and not to perform your job, ok.
Did we enjoy the evening? Yes we did but we were suffering from jet lag and Blondine was dozing off a bit, haha, so we ordered coffee and a daiquiri for me—aaaah, the loveliest daiquiri I have so far in Cuba, but it’s just our second night so there’s more daiquiris in the coming days to taste and evaluate.
The highlight of the Parisien Cabaret show was none other than the exceptional ‘tango act’.
Too bad, I never got the chance to film it. What can I say, it was mesmerising! I was able to take a picture though.
I must say that everyone in the ballroom was completely captivated, held in anticipation of their next move and wanting for more. The sharp moves, so very sexy and the drama that crowns the dance of course. It was sublime. I did not want them to stop dancing. I didn’t realize tango would have so much impact on me. The act was spectacular. Bravo! Brilliant dancing talent. The audience never clapped so hard during the entire show.
So, tango—this comes from Argentina right? Hmm, Argentina is in the pipeline for next year which means we will be witnessing a lot of tangos from the source.
Here are the pictures:
Anyway, the rest of the show was okay. I have to admit though that the explosion of colours and the outlandish mardi gras carnival costumes were up to some point, becoming tedious. Especially as the show dragged into the night. It is a 1 hour and 45 minutes show and we finished almost midnight. OK, maybe I am not the easiest person to please but I’m just being honest. Or maybe we were just jetlagged... whatever.
I still recommend this though. Go watch!
Travel Period: May 2012
Destination: Havana, Cuba
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
