CUBA

Program 03-06-08-A

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To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio

The Buena Vista Social Club made history as the top-selling record in world music. It also put Cuban music on center stage, and sparked a brisk tourist trade to Cuba. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, we'll talk with Ry Cooder, the mastermind behind Buena Vista Records. Also, why Fidel Castro is now cracking down on Cuban dissidents.

SEGMENT 1:

Journalist Ann Louise Bardach is the author of "Cuba Confidential: Love and Vengeance in Miami and Havana." She talks with Anne Strainchamps about the recent arrest of scores of Cuban dissidents, explains how the U.S. embargo helps Castro, and points out the family connections between Fidel Castro and the leaders of the Cuban exile community in Miami. Also, Steve Paulson chats with Jim Fleming about his recent visit to Cuba. Steve was part of a delegation sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Institute of World Affairs. The group delivered humanitarian supplies to Milwaukee's sister city in Cuba. Steve describes his visit to Hamel Alley, the center of the Santeria tradition in Cuba, and we hear some on-site actuality. If you'd like to see some of Steve's photos from Cuba, click here.

SEGMENT 2:

Ry Cooder made history with the record album "Buena Vista Social Club." He's been back to Cuba several times to make music and has a new album called "Mambo Sinuendo." It's a collaboration with fellow guitarist Manuel Galban. Cooder talks with Steve Paulson about Cuban music and we hear lots of examples.

SEGMENT 3:

Carlos Eire has written a memoir about the Cuba he remembers. Castro came to power when Carlos was eight. Eire tells Jim Fleming about his childhood in Cuba and after he was air-lifted to the U.S. His memoir is called "Waiting for Snow in Havana." Also, Steve Paulson talks with Jim Fleming about baseball in Cuba. And we hear parts of Steve's conversation with Raul Galvan, a fellow member of the delegation, who's passionate about Cuban baseball. Naturally the two of them took in a game.

Cassette copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 03-06-08-A.

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Books:

• Ann Louise Bardach, Cuban Confidential: Love and Vengeance in Miami and Havana (Random House)
• Carlos Eire, Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy (Free Press)

Music:

• After Ann Louise Bardach: "Buena Vista Social Club" on Buena Vista Social Club CD
  World Circuit Production

  After Santeria interview: Iroso Obba w/ "En Vivo"

  Before Ry Cooder interview: "Chan Chan" on Buena Vista Social Club CD

  From Mambo Sinuendo CD:
  "Drume Negrita"
  "Los Twangueros"
  "Patricia"
  "Secret Love"
  Nonesuch/Perro Verde

  From Ibrahim Ferrer's Buenos Hermanos CD:
  "Los Musica Cubana"
  World Circuit/Nonesuch

  Music Option:
  "Tres Lindas Cubanas" on Introducing Ruben Gonzalez CD

  After Carlos Eire:
  "Como Siento Yo" on Introducing Ruben Gonzalez CD
  World Circuit/Nonesuch

  After Raul Galvan: "Caballo Viejo" on Mambo Sinuendo CD
  

• Steve's Photos from Cuba

Distribution dates:

week of 06/08/2003 - hour 1

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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