As a journey that travels through the utopian corners of art, and takes them by the hand to celebrate their existence, we celebrated the first anniversary of the creation of the Fondo de Arte Joven (FAJ). "Journey to Utopia" was a concert designed for our artists, winners of the calls for creative music projects launched by the FAJ, and so it was. From the artistic direction to the sound engineering, they were the protagonists of the night. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
The tour began in the lobby of the National Museum of Fine Arts. The young flutist Yasel Muñoz was in charge of welcoming the audience and inviting them to enjoy an evening as diverse as it was out of the ordinary. He was followed by Patricia Díaz on guitar and the Flute Ensemble led by Samdor Ramírez. The audience, then, knew that there would be no turning back.
Bewitched by the power of the music, they walked behind Yasel, or at his sides, as one who does not want to miss a detail.
Once inside the theater, Abel Lescay at the piano confirmed each of the suspicions, and invited to remain seated because indeed, this concert promised endless emotions. Thus came the clarinet chords, from the hands of Coqui Calzadilla, who after a first appearance on stage, then accompanied the young pianist Lianne Vega on stage.
The music went in and out to the sides of the audience, over the boards, back behind the seats, as if bouncing through all the chinks and crannies of the room. The audience applauded, as if not knowing what to do with so much sensory provocation.
Wendy Oram entered the show with her vibrant voice. So, when everyone thought their cell phones would take a break, they looked for where this strong and sweet timbre was coming from. The cameras focused on her and followed her to the stage, where she was joined by pianist Alba Chang: the SonGálvez sisters did their thing.
Then, the Sintergia Jazz Collective gave a little of their "cosmic sound", that which mixes jazz with other genres of Cuban and international music.
Meanwhile Ernesto Oliva, pianist and artistic director of the show, addressed the audience on behalf of the FAJ and its community, to briefly summarize the work of an unprecedented platform that has promoted the careers of young Cuban creators with a view to the future, betting on the safeguarding of Cuban heritage.
The celebration continued with Dayron Ortiz and La Tropa, who offered the audience their unique blend of modernity and tradition. They were joined by Juan Carlos Poveda for an exciting guitar duet with Dayron.
In the middle of the climax Annys Batista arrived with her powerful voice, as a warning that there was still much to see.
To close with a flourish, Yasel Muñoz returned to the stage. Again the flute as hostess, invited the audience to return to where it all began. With two taps of the drumstick, a scream of emotion erupted, and the progressive rock of Histéresis put an end to this journey.
What happened on Saturday, March 2 at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, gave special recognition to the efforts that the Fondo de Arte Joven has been making since its creation in 2023, through partnerships with institutions, entrepreneurs, artists and musicians, among many other social actors that today make up the FAJ Community.
With this impulse to turn utopias into art, the project consolidates this space that has opened an oasis for creation, reflection and inclusive cultural debate, with an impact on the new generation of artists, entrepreneurs, institutions and specialists.