'El Iyawo Cuban Dance' was formed by Guillermo Davis, Master Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher from Guantanamo, Eastern Cuba, who is establishing himself as a leading exponent of Cuban Folkloric and Popular Dance in the UK.

He was until recently a member of  "Compania Danza Libre" which is based in Guantanamo and was formed by Elfreida Mahler and Ramiro Guerra in 1990. Davis was a founder member and lead folkloric dancer and teacher and a choreographer and artistic director. He directed the company's dance academy.

In his educational work he works with adult amatuers and professionals, with children from age 4 upwards and with young people. He is well respected in the UK and in Cuba as an excellent teacher and performer of Cuban and Caribbean Dance, especially Afro-Cuban, Afro-Haitian and Cuban Popular Dance including Dance for Carnival.

His stage name 'el Iyawo' means 'Son of a Saint', an initiate in the Afro-Cuban Yoruba religion.

For more information see: www.eliyawo.co.uk

The Cuban Carnival Comparsa "SIÁA-KARÁAA!" was founded in 2002 by Guillermo Davis having its first outing at Carnaval del Pueblo same year. Rhythms of the City provide the Conga musicians group. Its a community group with dancer with different levels of skills. Guillermo rehearses  the group of dancers creating choreographies for street procession. He also designs the costumes and procession props for the Comparsa. In the first year he worked with Beauchamp and Rubio who created the red dresses shown in the photograph as well as some fabulous props. This year the Comparsa paraded at the Royal Festival Hall Ballroom and River Terrace; in Stratford East London at the 'Stratford-by-the-Sea' Festival and again at Carnival del Pueblo parading in the Park. He has also paraded with Paseo Malanga, the Conga group. Guillermo was a judge for the London School of Samba this year of the dancers for the title of 'Rheina de Bateria' (that is Queen of the Samba musicians). He has prepared and choreographed for carnival groups in Cuba for a number of  years as well as performing in Carnaval.

SIÁA-KARÁAA! is an exclamation in Santeria the Afro-Cuban religion.