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David Cazares

Feeling the vibe: A Cuba connection

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The Twin Cities group Charanga Tropical
The Twin Cities group Charanga Tropical has been invited to the International Danzon Festival this summer in Havana, which celebrates Cuba's national dance music. Bandleader Doug Little says the group is trying to raise money to make the trip possible. The band is seen here on stage at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.
Walter Horishnyk, Courtesy Doug Little

The warming ties between the United States and Cuba could send more Twin Cities musicians to the island.

Charanga Tropical, a Minneapolis-based group that specializes in Cuban rhythms, has been invited to the International Danzon Festival in Havana this June.

In this week's episode MPR News' David Cazares talks to bandleader Doug Little about the trip.

Little, who has studied music in Cuba, called the trip a chance of a lifetime — if the group can raise the money needed to travel on Kickstarter.

"Obviously it's an incredible opportunity," he said. "I just think it would be fantastic. Of course it would be nice to go and play concerts. But also just fantastic for Minnesota arts to have a group, a grassroots group go there.

"To be a part of that would say a lot."