Entertainment

Rolling Stones Unleash Rock and Roll on Massive Cuban Crowd

Published

10 years ago

March 25, 2016

HAVANA (AP) — The Rolling Stones unleashed two hours of shrieking, thundering rock and roll on an ecstatic crowd of hundreds of thousands of Cubans and foreign visitors Friday night, capping one of the most momentous weeks in modern Cuban history with a massive celebration of music that was once forbidden here.

The week opened with the arrival of President Barack Obama in Air Force One, accompanied by more than 1,000 employees of a government that waged a cold war against Cuba for more than 50 years. This time, U.S. forces were armed with briefing books and press invitations, here to seal the president’s 2014 opening to Cuba with a string of expertly crafted public events that saw Obama call for democracy live on state television, then attend a Major League Baseball exhibition game with Cuban President Raul Castro.

The week ended with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts firing “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” ”Sympathy for the Devil” and “Satisfaction” into a jubilant crowd from 3-story-tall high-definition television screens and thumping towers of speakers.

From Sunday evening to late Friday night, it felt as if the full force of the 21st century had landed with bone-rattling impact on an island that still feels mostly cut off from the modern world.

“Havana, Cuba, and the Rolling Stones!” Jagger cried. “This is amazing! It’s really good to be here! It’s good to see you guys!”

The Stones romped through 18 of their classics, picking up force as the crowd in the open-air Ciudad Deportiva, or Sports City, jumped and chanted “Rollings! Rollings!”

The Rolling Stones were the biggest mainstream rock act to play in Cuba since its 1959 revolution brought a communist government to power and isolated the island from the United States and its allies. At its heyday, Cuba’s communist government frowned on U.S. and British bands. Fans had to hide their Beatles and Stones albums in covers borrowed from albums of appropriately revolutionary Cuban groups.

But times have changed. Former supermodel Naomi Campbell, actor Richard Gere and singer Jimmy Buffet partied in the VIP section of the concert. Castro’s son Alejandro, one of the driving forces behind Cuba’s declaration of detente with the United States, greeted friends and relatives after the show.

Far from the Cuban and international elites, ordinary Cubans said they felt shot through with energy, reconnected with the world.

“After today I can die,” said 62-year-old night watchman Joaquin Ortiz. “This is like my last wish, seeing the Rolling Stones.”

Rivers of spectators flowed north and south from the concert site after the show, watched over by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of security officials.

Few were willing to comment on the connections between the concert and Obama’s visit earlier in the week, but many said the concert had implications beyond simple entertainment.

“The Rolling Stones being in Cuba at this time is like several steps up the ladder,” said Jennifer Corchado, a 23-year-old biologist. “It’s like three steps up the staircase toward global culture, toward the rest of the world.”

Among the spectators was a large contingent of foreign tourists, for whom seeing Cuba was as novel as seeing the Rolling Stones is for Cubans.

Ken Smith, a 59-year-old retired sailor, and Paul Herold, a 65-year-old retired plumber, sailed to Havana from Key West, Florida on Herold’s yacht.

“This has been one of my life-long dreams, to come to Cuba on my sailboat,” Herold said.

Some Cuban concert-goers said it made them more optimistic about the future of their country.

“This is history,” said Raul Podio, a 22-year-old employee of a state security firm, who was joined by a group of young friends. “I would like to see more groups, for there to be more variety, for more artists to come, because that would mean we are less isolated.”

The band’s Cuba stop ended its “Ole” Latin America tour, which also included concerts in Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina and Mexico.

_____

Correspondent Andrea Rodriguez in Havana contributed to this report.

Central Florida News

Dr. Phillips Center Generates $227.6 Million Annual Economic Impact, Supports Nearly 2,500 Central Florida Jobs

Published

2 days ago

July 30, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts generated $227.6 million in annual economic impact, supporting 2,483 jobs and producing $13.2 million in state and local tax revenue, according to a newly released independent study by Tourism Economics.

The analysis, conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company specializing in economic impact and tourism research, measured the direct, indirect and induced economic activity generated by the arts center’s operations, performances, visitors and related spending throughout Central Florida.

The findings underscore the Dr. Phillips Center’s role as both a premier performing arts destination and a major contributor to the region’s economy.

“For more than a decade, we’ve seen firsthand how the arts inspire people, bring communities together and create lasting value,” said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. “This study confirms that our impact reaches far beyond our stages—supporting thousands of jobs, driving business growth, attracting visitors from around the world and helping position Central Florida as a more vibrant, competitive and connected region.”

Economic Impact by the Numbers

According to the Tourism Economics report, the Dr. Phillips Center generated:

$227.6 million in annual economic output
2,483 jobs supported across Central Florida
$70.8 million in total labor income in Orange County
$13.2 million in state and local tax revenue
$73.1 million in off-site spending by event attendees, performers and production crews
61,600 hotel room nights generated annually

The study highlights the ripple effect created by visitors attending performances, benefiting nearby hotels, restaurants, retailers and other local businesses.

A Global Destination for Arts and Entertainment

Now in its 11th year, the Dr. Phillips Center welcomes more than 910,000 guests annually, attracting visitors from all 50 states and more than 80 countries.

Since opening in 2014, the venue has hosted:

More than 6.2 million guests
More than 6,200 performances and events
Programming presented 99% of the year
Venue occupancy rates ranging from 82% to 97%

The center has become one of the world’s busiest performing arts destinations while helping position downtown Orlando as a leading hub for arts, culture and entertainment.

Community Investment Beyond the Stage

In addition to its economic impact, the Dr. Phillips Center continues investing in arts education, community outreach and cultural programming throughout Central Florida.

According to the organization, it has:

Served 935,920 students and community participants
Supported and hosted 202 regional arts organizations
Received support from 24,085 donors
Benefited from $256 million in philanthropic contributions since its inception

Through partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, community groups and touring productions, the center continues to expand access to the performing arts while strengthening the region’s cultural and economic vitality.

Looking Ahead

Eleven years after opening, the Dr. Phillips Center continues to demonstrate that investment in arts and culture produces measurable returns through tourism, employment, education and community engagement.

As Central Florida continues to grow, the independent analysis reinforces the performing arts center’s importance as both a cultural landmark and an economic engine for the region.

Additional information about the economic impact study is available through the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Entertainment

Blue Man Group Orlando Launches $25 Kids Ticket Offer at ICON Park Through Dec. 31

Published

4 weeks ago

July 6, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Families can enjoy Blue Man Group Orlando for less this summer and fall thanks to a new ticket promotion that allows children to attend performances for $25 with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket.

The limited-time offer is available for online purchases through Dec. 31, 2026, making one of Orlando’s newest live entertainment attractions more affordable for families.

Special Kids Ticket Offer

Under the promotion, guests who purchase a full-priced adult ticket may purchase a children’s ticket for $25.

The offer is valid for performances:

Monday through Thursday
Fridays at 5 p.m.

The promotion is not valid for:

Saturday performances
Sunday performances
Fridays at 8 p.m.

New Orlando Production at ICON Park

Blue Man Group opened its new resident production at ICON Park in May inside a custom-built theater located along Orlando’s International Drive entertainment district.

The production blends music, comedy, technology and audience participation, while featuring many of the signature moments fans expect from Blue Man Group alongside new material created exclusively for the Orlando production.

Global Entertainment Phenomenon

Since debuting in 1991 at New York’s Astor Place Theatre, Blue Man Group has entertained more than 50 million people worldwide through resident productions and international tours.

The show continues to expand with performances in Orlando, Las Vegas, touring productions across North America and an upcoming tour in Japan.

Blue Man Group is owned and operated by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

Central Florida News

Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Presents ‘HYPE HAIR’ Exhibit by Peppermint Sandy in Downtown Orlando

Published

2 months ago

June 8, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs will present “HYPE HAIR,” a new exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Peppermint Sandy, in the Atrium Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center in downtown Orlando.

The exhibit will be on display from June 11 through June 25, 2026, showcasing Sandy’s wearable sculptures and mixed-media works that explore beauty, fashion, culture, and identity through the lens of Black hair and lived experiences.

Opening Reception Scheduled June 11

An opening reception will be held Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Orange County Administration Center.

Doors open at 5 p.m.
Program begins at 5:45 p.m.
Admission is free
Advance registration is requested

Exploring Beauty, Culture and Identity

Peppermint Sandy is a multidisciplinary artist whose work incorporates fabric, hair, textiles, and mixed media to examine cultural and societal perceptions of beauty, fashion, and personal identity.

“HYPE HAIR is a series of wearable sculptures inspired by not just my relationship with Black hair, but a dedication and love letter to all Black women and girls everywhere with our hair as well,” Sandy said. “From the beginning of time, Black hair is not only art, but a form of communication.”

The exhibition highlights the artistic, historical, and cultural significance of Black hair while celebrating self-expression and identity through contemporary art.

Exhibit Information

The exhibition will remain on display through June 25, 2026, in the Atrium Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center, located at 201 S. Rosalind Ave. in downtown Orlando.

The Administration Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

The exhibit is presented by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs as part of its ongoing commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices and cultural perspectives throughout Central Florida.