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Cuban musical ensemble, Compay Segundo, named for the late musician from Buena Vista Social Club, played a free concert in Rosarito across from Festival Plaza hotel as part of an international cultural celebration. I was in town simply for vacation and was excited when a local informed me about the event.

The band sounded just like the Buena Vista Social Club and even played some of their songs including Chan Chan, Chicharones and El Cuarto de Tula. I’m still in disbelief that such a well-known act played for free and to such a small crowd at that. The same show in the United States would have sold out for $20 a ticket or more but due to the Cuban embargo, it never can. Their success in the United States is due primarily to a PBS special produced in the late ’90s. I remember being offered extra credit to watch the movie in my AP Spanish class (instead I went to another eligible move, Chiapas).

The concert was an opportunity for me to experience a real cultural event not included on the usual tourist to-do list. The crowd was all Mexican nationals and folks were dancing in the street and drinking mojitos. This would have to be one of the top five concerts I’ve ever been to, mostly because it was a surprise, free and on the streets of Rosarito in addition to being amazing music.