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Tropicana Cabaret Must See Dance Spectacular

The Tropicana is a lush three tiered tropical garden setting that showcases over 100 dancers and performers on three sides of a grand ballroom sized center stage.
The Tropicana is a lush three tiered tropical garden setting that showcases over 100 dancers and performers on three sides of a grand ballroom sized center stage.

For those of you debating the price of attending the historic Tropicana Cabaret, get over your fear of flying!

Forget Las Vegas which it is often compared to, for what you get instead is a grand ballroom sized stage and three decks of dancers on three sides as you are surrounded by over 100 dancers in a lush setting who regularly leave the stage and strut their stuff in the aisles of The Tropicana Cabaret.

From XMAS bouquets and fruit baskets to chandeliers, the Tropicana dancers provided guests with an up-close-and-personal showcase of their exotic head wear and costumes.
From XMAS bouquets and fruit baskets to chandeliers, the Tropicana dancers provided guests with an up-close-and-personal showcase of their exotic head wear and costumes.

The spectacular showplace that became The Tropicana evolved out of a Depression-era bohemian nightclub called Edén Concert.

The Tropicana Cabaret experience starts in the lobby entrance as members of the troupe greet visitors with an invitation to salsa as they wait in the Que to enter the cabaret.
The Tropicana Cabaret experience starts in the lobby entrance as members of the troupe greet visitors with an invitation to salsa as they wait in the Que to enter the cabaret.

One day, two casino operators approached the Edén Concert owner about opening a combination casino and cabaret on property on the outskirts of Havana and the rest is history as the signature tropical gardens location provides a lush natural setting for an outdoor cabaret.

The passion and joy that these dancers bring to the stage is projected to every audience member as they use every inch of the ballroom sized stage to perform on all three sides.
The passion and joy that these dancers bring to the stage is projected to every audience member as they use every inch of the ballroom sized stage to perform on all three sides.

Tropicana Cabaret is considered a cultural jewel among Cubans, and is the country’s most confounding paradox. As an art form derived from the pre-Revolutionary days of sleaze and decadence epitomized in the GODFATHER movie where near naked dancers performed, it symbolizes everything that the revolution abhors but survived to thrive in revolutionary Cuba.

Bringing back images of Josephine Baker in her prime, the Afro-Cuban dancers integrate exotic head dresses and festival elements into every costume.
Bringing back images of Josephine Baker in her prime, the Afro-Cuban dancers integrate exotic head dresses and festival elements into every costume.

Nat King Cole, Josephine Baker, and many other celebrities were amongst the many stars who have appeared on Tropicana’s illustrious stage. The actual program “Tambores en Concierto” meaning Concert Drum was composed by the renowned choreographer and master Tomás Morales. It is a ballad featuring the most recognized and authentic Cuban rhythms, without ignoring the Hispanic and African heritage of Cuba, including rumba, mambo, danzonete and Latin jazz.

How these dancers never missed a beat while tapping out a hard rhythmic cadence in their wooden slippers is beyond this reviewer’s comprehension!
How these dancers never missed a beat while tapping out a hard rhythmic cadence in their wooden slippers is beyond this reviewer’s comprehension!

And the performance is just not about Cuban dance but about Caribbean history and culture as the dancers perform mini-operas featuring pirates invading and native Afro-Cuban villagers defending their women and way of life.

The plot of a 10 minute long operetta unfolds as a menacing Pirate cracks the whip on an advance team of warriors bent on bringing treasure and booty to the pirate’s ship!
The plot of a 10 minute long operetta unfolds as a menacing Pirate cracks the whip on an advance team of warriors bent on bringing treasure and booty to the pirate’s ship!
(L) In ZULU warrior fashion the advance scouts prepare for the village raid. (R) Their formations and displays of aggression are designed to strike fear.
(L) In ZULU warrior fashion the advance scouts prepare for the village raid. (R) Their formations and displays of aggression are designed to strike fear.
But in a defiant show of force, the tribal Prince rescues his Princess as his tribal guard raises their defenses and reclaims supremacy. Dramatic dance is a live in Havana, Cuba!
But in a defiant show of force, the tribal Prince rescues his Princess as his tribal guard raises their defenses and reclaims supremacy. Dramatic dance is alive in Havana, Cuba!

And as a change of pace, a pair of inter-racial acrobats mesmerized the audience of over 300 with a showcase of strength and style that no one expected.

The power and grace of these two acrobats sent a hush over the Tropicana in an unexpected display of near Olympic quality strength and endurance.
The power and grace of these two acrobats sent a hush over the Tropicana in an unexpected display of near Olympic quality strength and endurance.

The show as wrapped up by a Choral group that sang a formal Orchestral set of several songs in a white tux and formal wear that contrasted the exotic pasties clad dancers with huge chandelier headdresses that seem to defy gravity.

The Tropicana Cabaret again defied expectations as a formal group of opera singers graced the stage after nearly two hours of faced paced dancing to entertain the audience with an Orchestral suite of songs.
The Tropicana Cabaret again defied expectations as a formal group of opera singers graced the stage after nearly two hours of faced paced dancing to entertain the audience with an Orchestral suite of songs.

The Tropicana Cabaret is must see Cuban dance performance culture not to be seen anywhere outside of Havana!

As the Finale brought a 100 Tropicana dancers and singers to the stage, the invitation was extended to audience members to join the troupe on stage to close out the show. Very educational dance lessons!
As the Finale brought a 100 Tropicana dancers and singers to the stage, the invitation was extended to audience members to join the troupe on stage to close out the show. Very educational dance lessons!