Long Live the Revolution

The Cubans won that contest, and in many ways, Alemany did, too. No one would blame him for complaining about having to wait so long to bring the music of ACubanismo! to the land of the free and the home of the brave, but he's too politically savvy for that. Instead of talking about the bad old days, he stresses how good the new ones are.

"There are a lot of opportunities for Cuban musicians to come here now, and the people are welcoming them," he says. "I'm very happy it's happening now. And I think it will get better."

AT&T LoDo Music Festival, with They Might Be Giants, the Iguanas, Violent Femmes, the Bodeans, Beau Jocque, Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Boys, Cowboy Mouth, Wanda Jackson, ACubanismo! and Tiny Town. Friday and Saturday, July 16-17, 20th and Blake streets, $12-$15, two-day pass $22, 303-825-4849.