A Cuban-Italian young man and his mother became the stars of one of the most celebrated TikTok videos this week, showcasing their Cuban timba dance skills on stage at the Alocubano Festival. This European event is dedicated solely to Cuban dance.
The video was shared last Sunday by Luis Miguel (@luismiguel_cubache), who captured the moment simply: "Dancing Cuban timba with my mom @Giusy Chisari #salsa #timba."
Within days, the clip garnered 118,900 views, 7,288 likes, 476 shares, and 188 comments, highlighting its immediate impact among the Cuban community on social media.
The Captivating Performance
In the video, Giusy Chisari is seen dressed in black, raising her arms with her hair flowing, while her son, donning a white t-shirt and sneakers, matches her energy and grace, making it hard for the audience to look away.
Residing in Italy, both Giusy and her son appear to dance with the prowess of professionals. Giusy, a dance teacher, performer, and choreographer, specializes in Cuban salsa, Afro-Cuban folklore, rumba, and reggaetón. Alongside her husband Pedrito, she founded the Cubaché Dance School in Sicily, where they have been promoting Cuban culture in Europe for years.
Family and Cultural Legacy
The proud father also joined the celebration, sharing the moment on Facebook from the account @pedritoygiusy7 with the message, "Our son @luismiguel_cubache with his mom @giusy_cubache at @alocubano_festival."
The Alocubano Festival, which describes itself as a "Pure Cuban Dance Festival" with programming that includes timba, rumba, guaguancó, and Afro-Cuban culture, took place in various cities across the continent.
The Essence of Cuban Timba
Emerging between the 1970s and 1990s, Cuban timba is a genre that blends son, salsa, rumba, and Afro-Cuban jazz. Known for its rhythmic complexity and polyrhythms, it is designed to energize dancers and stands as a pillar of Cuban cultural identity.
Luis Miguel and Giusy's video is part of a growing trend of Cubans in the diaspora who are going viral on TikTok for sharing their culture through dance. In February, a Cuban father and daughter dancing reparto in Switzerland surpassed 184,000 views, while a 54-year-old Cuban teacher dancing reparto with her students gained over 181,000 views in May.
Additionally, a Cuban woman went viral dancing timba in a U.S. supermarket in March, and a video of Cubans dancing in the street captured the hearts of thousands this week.
The next edition of the Alocubano Festival is scheduled to take place in Krakow, Poland, from October 2 to 5, 2026.
Understanding the Impact of Cuban Dance on Social Media
What makes Cuban timba unique?
Cuban timba is characterized by its intricate rhythms and polyrhythmic structures, combining elements of son, salsa, rumba, and Afro-Cuban jazz. This energy-driven genre is emblematic of Cuban cultural identity.
How has social media influenced the spread of Cuban dance?
Platforms like TikTok have allowed Cuban dancers in the diaspora to share their cultural heritage widely, resulting in viral videos that promote Cuban dance styles and connect communities globally.
Where is the next Alocubano Festival being held?
The next Alocubano Festival is planned for Krakow, Poland, from October 2 to 5, 2026, continuing its tradition of celebrating Cuban dance across Europe.