The show, which featured incredible performances from Latin folk singer John Cuevas & WentruDomo, Chuck SJ, Las Chanchas and Currls, was organised in response to US president Donald Trump's intensifying of the illegal blockade on Cuba. Hosted at the packed-out Grace music venue in Highbury, the event raised over £2500 for Cuba Vive and medical aid to Cuba.
Throughout the night, guests were treated to phenomenal performances and appearances from special guest speakers which included Cuban embassy representative Orestes Martínez García, Venezuela Solidarity Campaign secretary Francisco Dominguez and RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey.
John Cuevas & WentruDomo opened the night with a powerful set of Latin folk classics, including the music of Víctor Jara. This was followed by stunning sets from Chuck SJ and Latin rhythms and psychedelic beats band Las Chanchas.
Following this, Jeremy Corbyn, who was heading to Cuba with Progressive International the very next morning to deliver critical aid to the island, called on the British government to stand with the Cuban people and defy Trump's illegal siege before introducing the event's headliner Currls.
From ticket sales in advance of the event, sales on the door and on-the-night fundraising, the Hands Off Cuba! emergency fundraiser raised over £2500 for vital medical aid for the people of Cuba suffering under the US blockade. We are grateful to all who made the event possible and those who attended and gave so generously on the night.
We will be organising and supporting further fundraising events for Cuba in the near future. Solidarity knows no borders!