Cuban Salsa, music and holidays are the essence of Habanaloko. The company was set up in 2003 with a clear objective to share the Cuban passion for music and dance. Habanaloko is now teaching Cuban dance, organising Cuba dance holidays and getting involved in various community projects, the latest being the Leamington Latin Festival.
100% Cuban
The owner and founder of Habanaloko, Karel Duvergel, was born in Guantanamo, Cuba. Whilst growing-up and being immersed in the culture of Cuba, music and dance played a huge part of his life. He followed his passion and went on to study various dance styles including Cuban popular dance, contemporary dance and Folklore (Afro-Cuban dance) at the Teatro Nacional de Cuba, in Havana.
After his graduation in 2002 he set up his own dance school in Havana where he taught salsa, rumba and many other dance styles to Cubans and tourists alike and worked in co-operation with dance holiday companies from different parts of the world.
Move to the UK
Karel emigrated to the UK in 2003 with a dream. He wanted to get to know a different world and learn about a culture that had always intrigued him. More importantly he wanted to create Mi Pedasito de Cuba (my little piece of Cuba) and share his knowledge of the Cuban dance and music. And so Habanaloko was born.
Karel is travelling within the UK and Europe to teach and holds regular Salsa classes, specialised dance workshops and private courses in addition to the regular Cuban Salsa nights. He is also regularly invited to perform at corporate events and dance demonstrations.
In his classes and holidays his objectives are for you to learn how to dance, have a taste of the Cuban passion for music and dance, and if you open your heart you can make new, long lasting friendships with people from all walks of life.
Dance Career in the UK
2009 Lead organiser of the Leamington Latin Festival
2007 Movie appearance in the hit movie RocknRolla directed by Guy Richie
2004 World Tropicana Championship in 2004
1st place in the Rueda de Casino as a member of the group Explosion Cubana
Charity Work
Karel is currently collaborating with a great charity call, The Cotton Tree Children's Trust (register charity No 1116021) which is a Non-Government Organisation working to relieve the suffering of orphans and street children in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. The aim of the Charity is to rescue orphans and street children abandoned and forgotten as a result of the civil wars and death.
Charitable work is important to Karel as coming from a poor country himself he would like to be able to offer better opportunities for others. He was once given that opportunity which has given him the chance to reach his full potential.
