Havana, July 23 (RHC) – The Cuban capital will host a festival from August 2 through 4 to pay tribute to a man who left his imprint in Cuban culture: Los Van Van Director, the late Juan Formell.

The First International ‘Timba’ Festival “Forever Formell” is aimed at promoting that type of music created and boosted by the director of the famous Cuban band for many years. His son and current band director, Samuel Formell, and Azúcar Negra orchestra head, Leonel Limonta, are sponsoring the musical gathering. “Forever Formell” plans to encourage the younger generations to become interested in the values and history of popular Cuban dancing music in all its forms, through workshops, lectures, panels and exchanges with famous and outstanding musicians, as well as a competition that is set to award, as of the second edition, the best performance of maestro Juan Formell’s work.

Dancers, misicians, singers, performers and fans of ‘Timba’ –a modality of popular Cuban music- are scheduled to gather in live concerts by first-rate Cuban orchestras and bands, such as Leonel Limonta y Azúcar Negra; El niño y la Verdad; El Noro y la Primera Clase; Lazarito Valdés y Bamboleo; Pachito Alonso y sus kini kini; Pedrito Calvo y la Justicia; Mayito Rivera; Anacaona;  Tania Pantoja and her band; Gerardo Piloto y Klimax; Alexander Abreu y Havana de Primera;   Adalberto Álvarez y su son; Issac Delgado, Pupy y los que son son; José Luis Cortés y Ng la Banda; Maykel Blanco y su salsa mayor; Haila María Mompié and her band; and Monika Mesa y su maquinaria perfecta. Havana’s Comodoro Hotel will host the “Formell Session” for the most loyal followers of the Cuban maestro, his band and music.

Top on the event’s agenda: photo exhibits, exchanges with Formell’s family and Los Van Van musicians, experts, Cuban Art University students, researchers of ‘Timba’ and Formell’s work and other top promoters of that music genre.  The documentary ‘Legacy’ by producer Nathanael Mergui will also be screened. A plaque is set to be unveiled at Havana’s 23rd and P Streets to mark the 50th anniversary of the band Formell y los Van Van.

On August 2, 2019, the Cuban capital’s Salón Rosado de la Tropical will host what is known as the opening concert-dinner, while on August 3rd a mega concert will take place on 23rd and Melecón, also a Cuban capital landmark. The closing concert will be on August 4th at La Tropical, known in Cuba as the popular music dancers’ hall. The festival celebrates the 500th anniversary of the establishment of Havana.