Dancing across the sugar curtain Choreographing critiques of the United States in Cuba

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

This chapter examines how, although Cuba and the United States did not have formal diplomatic relations in the 1960s, dance exchanges continued apace across the “sugar curtain.” More specifically, U.S. modern dancers worked with Cuban counterparts throughout the decade. These collaborations included both U.S. expats, who had relocated to the island and worked for years with Cuban dance companies, as well as short-term choreographic and teaching residencies by visiting U.S. dance artists. In both cases, U.S. choreographers in Cuba took a critical stance on their country of origin. They staged critiques of U.S. materialism and racism, which resonated with Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s denunciations of U.S. imperialism and assaults on the 1959 Cuban Revolution. In many ways, this case study provides an example of the pitfalls and relative failure of U.S. public diplomacy as Cuban and U.S. dancers found common ground in their disaffection for the North American nation. As U.S. and Cuban dancers worked together, they found common causes and degrees of difference in their political approaches and artistic visions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationUS Public Diplomacy Strategies in Latin America During the Sixties
Subtitle of host publicationTime for Persuasion
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages213-239
Number of pages27
ISBN (Electronic)9781003825159
ISBN (Print)9781032155661
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Arts and Humanities

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