Alex Cuba is an international success with some pretty big awards that have his name on them. Like a batch of Latin Grammy awards for example. Not exactly a bar stool singer at the local pub.
Last week he performed before a packed house that ended up giving him standing ovations. His comfortable witty style between songs only made him feel like one of the locals — of which he is of course.
It was a very nice treat before that hectic season of shopping, decorating, cooking and maybe some skiing.
Cuba was more than happy to have a sell out.
“It’s always a real treat to have a full house,” he said.
For a performer on the international stage, one would think that Cuba would be at ease when he performs in front of family and friends, but such is not the case.
“This is probably the most difficult show for me to play. It’s in my hometown. This is where it becomes real. I come home and grow my beard, I don’t comb my hair for a month. I put on my winter boots and do whatever I want,” he said.
“It fills me up with anxiety. Am I going to live up to everything? And then there is a happy ending. The reason I don’t play here so often is because of that. It’s a small community and I don’t want to tire people out of my music. The community keeps supporting me no matter what.
“I’m very proud of this community. I love what it does to people. It makes me look superhuman. This is the place where my kids are growing up and it’s just beautiful,” he said.
Cuba’s daughter goes to high school here and he did a workshop at the school that afternoon.
“I’m proud of the job that Mr. Smith, the music teacher, has done here. Smithers has been lucky to have him as a teacher,” he said.
And we can only say that we are proud to have Cuba as a member of our community.
There was a poignant moment as well when Alex praised Dan Olmstead who recently passed away; crediting Dan’s son Ian’s love of music as being born of that of his late father’s. He then brought band mate Ian Olmstead on stage to play along with him and the band after their being apart for sometime.
Alex Cuba finished his tour by heading to Prince George and then Toronto, playing and promoting his own unique style of homegrown Cuban music.
