From KeysNet.com, this is something worth checking out.
Exile experience explored in art, music, poetry
Those who leave Cuba are afraid they will be forgotten."
So goes a line from the 2008 documentary on the life and exile of Cuban musician Israel Kantor, who defected from his famous Cuban band, Los Van Van, in 1984.
The documentary, by Key West resident Juan O'Farrill, will be shown at The Studios of Key West in January. The screenings are part of a larger project undertaken by Leonel Valle and O'Farrill exploring the exile experience.
Valle, a poet, came to the United States in 1960 on a regular commercial flight. He's never returned to his homeland.
O'Farrill came to the United States in 1994 after crossing the Florida Straits in his own handmade raft. Interdicted by the U.S. Coast Guard, he was taken to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo. After a year in custody, he was allowed to enter the United States.
Each exile tells his own story and the larger stories of the Cuban diaspora in the exhibit, which will open at The Studios on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
The exhibition consists of Valle's poetry hung side-by-side with O'Farrill's paintings, "each man telling his own story through a different artistic medium," according to the exhibition guide, "each voice as unique as the experience itself."
Kantor's story underlines the life of exiles.
The famous Cuban musician reached the U.S. through Mexico after defecting from Cuba where he was best-known for the Los Van Van band.
Born Wilfredo Israel Sardinas in western Cuba, the singer changed his name in 1984 at the suggestion of Puerto Rican musician Johnny Pacheco.
After several world tours with Los Van Van, Kantor decided not to return to Cuba.
In 2002, Kantor joined the Miami-based Tropicana All Stars orchestra, a group nominated for two Latin Grammy awards and two Grammy awards for their albums, "Recuerda a Benny More" and "Tradicion." Kantor lived and performed in Miami until dying of cancer in 2006.
"World of Dreams: Perspectives from Three Cuban Exiles," will be on exhibit at The Studios, 600 White St., from Dec. 21 to Jan. 15.
A reception for Valle and O'Farrill is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 4.
And screenings of the Kantor documentary will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 and Jan. 15.
For more information, call The Studios at 296-0458 or visit: www.tskw.org.