Harlem Havana: a love of music and culture

Good morning on this bilingual Tuesday. (Leer este artículo en Español.)

¿Qué bolá, La Habana?

“What’s up, Havana?”

This week, Cuban artists, musicians, dancers, fashion designers and chefs descend upon New York for the weeklong Harlem/Havana Music and Cultural Festival.

The event, two years in the making, is New York’s first cultural and educational initiative with the island nation since the United States and Cuba renewed ties in 2014.

And there’s mucho going on.

We suggest a jazz performance by César López at the U.S. Grant National Memorial Park (Wednesday); a dance workshop with the Compañía de Danzas Tradicionales de Cuba JJ and the Dance Theater of Harlem (Thursday); or a sampling of ropa vieja — a dish called “old clothes” but is really shredded beef — at Amor Cubano or mojitos at La Floridita (anytime).

While Washington and Havana work to overcome a decades-long animosity, we’d like to point out that Harlem and the Cuban capital have a history of cultural and political exchange.

In 1960, for example, during a visit to the United Nations, Fidel Castro stayed at the Hotel Theresa in Harlem, where he met a young Malcolm X and other political and intellectual figures.

Harlem and Havana share a common language: a love of music and culture.

And just as Americans are fascinated with the old cars and crumbling buildings of Havana, many Cubans are captivated by New York, and Harlem in particular.

“One of my childhood dreams was to play at the Apollo,” said Jorge Luis Pacheco, a musician who will play there this week. “Basketball, R&B, rap — in Harlem you’re breathing all that in and I’m super excited.”

But he’s hoping for more.

“This is bigger than Harlem and Havana,” Mr. Pacheco said, “I’m hoping this event creates friendships and opens doors.”