Los Fakires

Get ready to dance to the hip-swaying, down-home rhythms of Los Fakires, bringing the undiluted spirit of Cuban son to the Wexner Center.

There's more great music from Cuba than the Buena Vista Social Club and other bands from Havana, no matter how phenomenal they are.

Los Fakires (named for the firewalkers and bed-of-nails specialists--the fakirs) have played their uniquely hybrid form of Cuban son for over 40 years in the village of Santa Clara, nestled in the Sierra Maestra mountains of central Cuba. In the local nightspot, El Mejunje, domino players smoke cigars and drink rum while the five-piece Los Fakires play time-honored favorites with funky flair, bringing the patio dance floor to life.

Fronted by the impish singing of the legendary Cascarita or the gutbucket-edged vocals of Rafael Valdes, Los Fakires combine guitar, percussion, and a well-worn alto sax for an intoxicating down-home blend steeped in their close history. We'll make extra room available for Latin dance lovers at this special show.

Presented in partnership with the International Program of the Ohio Arts Council.