Cuban Rhythms with the Talented Felix Bambury
“Dancing gave me a beautiful family and the opportunity to live in the land of freedom.”Felix Bambury Webbe, 59, is a Cuban dancer, teacher, and choreographer who has lived in Fairbanks for 17 years. He founded the Sabor Cubano Dance Production company with the goal of fostering cultural exchange and introducing and expanding traditional Cuban rhythms in Alaska. “Life gave me the opportunity to have my dance company in Fairbanks, and we performed in schools, festivals, and universities. We also had contracts to create choreographies in various states. After 12 years of operation, I had to close it due to the pandemic,” said Felix.
His work has focused on promoting Afro-Cuban and Afro-Haitian folk dances, as well as Son Cubano, Mambo, and Cha-Cha-Chá. His dance skills extend to teaching Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and beginner Swing and Tango. He has participated in various events such as Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, Cuban dance festivals, and the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. From a young age, he showed a talent for dancing. He recounts, “My father taught me to dance traditional rhythms, like Son Cubano, and my neighbors and I would dance in the neighborhood in Guantánamo. Then, I would watch national Cuban dance groups on television and imitate their choreographies. In high school, I was already creating dances for the students.” His opportunity came as a dancer with the prestigious folk dance companies BanRarra, a group with Haitian roots from Guantánamo, and Raíces Profundas, from Havana. “Dancing gave me a beautiful family and the opportunity to be in the land of freedom. I was 41 years old and arrived in Alaska on a fiancé visa. I married my dance student, Mary Elena Christensen. We met in Cuba. She paved the way for me to share my culture in Alaska and took care of my daughter. Although, we are now divorced.” Felix will be teaching traditional and contemporary dance classes in 2026 at the Ballroom Dance Club of Fairbanks, located at the Pioneer Park Dance Center, 2300 Airport Way. More information is available at: www.fairbanksballroom.dance |