September 28, 2009

By By Leila Cobo, Miami

For the first time in six years, Cuban musicians will be allowed to perform in the United States. The U.S. State Department has supplied visas to veteran singer Omara Portuondo to perform shows in California at the end of October, and also to singer/songwriter Pablo Milan?s, who will perform in Puerto Rico. Composer/conductor Zenaida Romeu will bring her Camerata Romeu, a classical music ensemble, to Fargo, N.D.

This marks the first time since 2003 that Cuban musicians receive visas to perform in the United States.

That possibility had been opened back in April, when President Barack Obama said he was seeking a "new day" in relations with Cuba and promoters immediately began to work in trying to secure visas and performances.

News of the visas comes in the wake of a massive concert staged by Colombian artist Juanes in Havana's Plaza de la Revoluci?n on Sept. 20.

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