Farewell Night at the Casa del Queso
It has finally crept up on me: my last day in Santiago de Cuba. But it’s going to be a great day. I’ll be having a final…
Tag: Xiomara Vidal
Cuban trovadora, guitar teacher and resident performer at Casa de la Trova & Casa del Queso, in Santiago de Cuba.
Habanera & the Cuban Woman Who Defied the Odds
It’s been a weekend of thrills and spills after meeting Eliades Ochoa and sitting in on a recording session at Egrem. I’ve now moved from Hostal Girasol…
Inside EGREM Siboney | Santiago de Cuba’s Recording Studio
Still buzzing from the Eliades Ochoa gig, today I’ve got a guided tour of Egrem Siboney recording studio on the menu. It’s all part of Xiomara…
Eliades Ochoa | Live @ Casa de la Trova
I’ve been invited to the Casa de la Trova to see Buena Vista Social Club guitarist & singer Eliades Ochoa, play live in his home city…
Bolero-Son | Cuban Con-Fusion
So far, in my first Cuban guitar lesson with trovadora Xiomara Vidal, she has introduced me to the bolero and walked me through the son. But it’s getting…
Introduction to Son with Xiomara Vidal
After beginning at the shallow end of the Cuban genre pool with an introduction to the bolero, I’m now going to attach my musical arm bands and doggy-paddle…
Introduction to Bolero with Xiomara Vidal
The day after first meeting trovadora Xiomara Vidal, my new Cuban guitar teacher, I arrive at the Casa del Queso for my first lesson. I'm nervous and…
Paul McCartney’s Secret Visit to Cuba
Xiomara beckons me to the back room. She points to a wall with a wooden chair stuck to it. There are two framed notes below,…
Meeting Xiomara Vidal at the Casa De La Trova
After my first night in Hostel Girasol, I set off in search of a guitar teacher who can guide me through the labyrinth of Cuban rhythms and genres.