Castlemaine is set to turn up the heat with Cuban music, Latin dancing and food at a new monthly event at the Goods Shed.
The 11-piece Son Quba will bring its infectious Cuban rhythms to the venue beside Castlemaine Railway Station on the first Sunday of each month.
The band has its roots in workshops held by Cuban group El Son Entero during the 2015 Castlemaine State Festival, which inspired a group of Castlemaine Secondary College students to take up Cuban music.
Musician and band founder Stephen Breheny mentored the students, drawing on knowledge gained during his own trips to Cuba.
One of the students, Berrick Breheny, later won a scholarship to travel to Cuba, where he spent six weeks undertaking intensive training in Cuban-style double bass.
Son Quba has since taken its music back to its source, touring Cuba in 2023 and visiting Havana, Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Bayamo and Santiago de Cuba to learn from some of the country’s finest musicians.
The band is now recording its first original songs, with Ajo Aqui set to make its debut at the next Goods Shed performance on September 6.
The monthly events will combine live music with salsa, cha-cha-cha and bolero dance classes led by Bendigo-based Brazilian dance teacher Diego Pearz.
Food will be prepared by Das Kaffeehaus chef Leopoldo Ayala, with a bar also available.
Mr Breheny recently had the opportunity to record at Havana’s renowned Egrem Studios, where the Buena Vista Social Club recorded its famous album.
Son Quba hopes the monthly gatherings will draw dancers from across Victoria and create a little slice of Cuba in Castlemaine.
The September 6 event runs from 4.30pm to 8pm at the Goods Shed, Kennedy Street.