Happy 147th Anniversary, Danzoneros! A New Year’s Tribute to Cuba’s National Dance

Happy 147th Anniversary, Danzoneros! A New Year’s Tribute to Cuba’s National Dance

Congratulations to all the danzón dancers, friends, and followers of Ritmo! Danzón as we celebrate a truly historic milestone: the 147th anniversary of danzón’s “presentation to society”—its official debut to the public.

On January 1, 1879, in the city of Matanzas, Cuba, musician and bandleader Miguel Faílde premiered “Las Alturas de Simpson” at the Liceo Artístico y Literario de Matanzas (today known as the Sala de Conciertos José White). That moment is widely honored as the birth of danzón as a distinct musical and dance genre—and the start of a cultural legacy that would shape Cuban social dance for generations.

The Birth of a Genre—and a Cultural Identity

Danzón didn’t appear out of nowhere. It grew from earlier Cuban ballroom traditions (including the contradanza and habanera) and crystallized into something uniquely Cuban—elegant, structured, and deeply rhythmic. Over time, danzón became a foundation that connected to later popular styles across the island, influencing the evolution of Cuban dance music well into the 20th century.

But beyond music history, danzón is also a social language. It carries the etiquette of the salon, the poetry of the paseo, and the respectful conversation between partners on the dance floor. It’s not just a dance you do—it’s a tradition you enter.

Why January 1 Still Matters

There’s something beautifully symbolic about danzón being born on New Year’s Day. Every January 1 gives us a built-in invitation to do what danzón has always encouraged:

• Pause and listen closely

• Walk with intention (that iconic paseo)

• Reconnect with community

• Start again with elegance and rhythm

So today is more than an anniversary. It’s a cultural renewal—an annual reminder that danzón is alive because people keep choosing it.

Thank you, Mexico: "The Capital of Danzón"

We also want to say thank you to Mexico, often celebrated by danzón lovers as “La Capital del Danzón,” for helping keep this tradition vibrant across generations.

Through ports and cultural exchange—especially in places like Veracruz, where public danzón dancing remains a beloved community tradition—Mexico has embraced danzón not as something foreign, but as something deeply cherished and made its own with love and respect.

That cross-border devotion is one of danzón’s greatest gifts: it proves that a genre born in Matanzas can become a shared cultural home across the Americas.

How to Celebrate the Anniversary

If you’re wondering how to honor danzón today, here are a few meaningful (and joyful) ideas:

• Play “Las Alturas de Simpson” and listen with fresh ears—imagine that first night in Matanzas.

• Dance a danzón—in a studio, in your living room, or in a public plaza if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby.

• Share a memory: a favorite orchestra, a mentor, a social club, a performance, a photo—anything that keeps the chain unbroken.

• Invite someone new: danzón stays alive when a new generation discovers how beautiful it feels.

Happy New Year 2026 — And Long Live Danzón!

As we step into 2026, we do so with gratitude—grateful for Cuba’s creative brilliance, for Matanzas’ historic stage, for Miguel Faílde’s vision, and for every dancer, musician, and cultural guardian who keeps danzón moving forward.

Happy New Year 2026 and long live Danzón!

For more specific information about the performances in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to book classes or shows, or to coordinate interviews and press coverage, please contact:

Instituto Folklórico Cubano Americano / Ritmo! Danzón
Telephone: 305-298-2380
Email: info@ritmodanzon.com

Website: www.RitmoDanzon.com
Facebook: facebook.com/ritmodanzon
X (Twitter): x.com/ritmodanzon
YouTube: youtube.com/@ritmodanzon

Danzón Classes
We will teach you to dance danzón and contradanza at your own pace. No previous dance experience required. Learn more!

Dancing to the Cuban danzas of Ignacio Cervantes