Reflecting a dramatic generational split, most Miami residents over 50 oppose allowing the Cuban dance band Los Van Van to perform at the James L. Knight Center, while those under 50 -- including Hispanics -- support the band's right to play, a new Herald poll shows.

Overall, by 48 percent to 36 percent -- with 16 percent not offering an opinion -- Miami residents said they don't want Cuban bands like Los Van Van playing at city-owned venues, such as the Knight Center.

The poll was conducted Saturday, the day it became public that the band's concert was canceled over a dispute involving a federal regulation that city officials and the Knight Center's private operations manager are requiring Los Van Van to meet. Band officials said they could not comply with the regulation in time for the concert Oct. 9.

Maria Zenoz, president of Havana Caliente, the group's New York-based album label, said the band and the American Civil Liberties Union are planning to go to court this week to get the Knight Center event rescheduled.

The controversy has split the community. And The Herald poll revealed that residents over 50 are driving the opposition. They oppose the concert by 58 percent to 27 percent. Among Hispanic voters, the opposition to the concert is even greater, 65 percent to 24 percent.

``We should not be giving dollars to support the tyranny in Cuba,'' said Alba Ramos, a 52-year-old Miami resident who was among those polled. ``I oppose anything that takes our hard-earned dollars to the dictatorship.''

The Herald poll shows that residents under 50, by 49 percent to 32 percent, show a more tolerant attitude.

Hispanic residents under 50, by 50 percent to 31 percent, also are more tolerant.

``You shouldn't politicize culture,'' said Marcela Montano, a Bolivian native who lives in Miami.

Cuban residents also were divided.

Strong views on Castro

``I'm against Fidel always,'' said Cuban-born Gilberto Santana, 63. ``But Fidel is fed by tourism dollars and money that is sent to Cuba from here. I don't think money given to Los Van Van -- the $6,000 or $8,000 -- is going to support Fidel. He gets $380 million in tourism.

``We Cubans have a fault. We support insignificant things like banning Los Van Van and then we go to Cuba and spend money. I've never returned to Cuba or sent money.'' Other Hispanics, however, had a different view.

``It's OK to send money, medicine and clothing to your family in Cuba,'' said Raul Lima, a 77-year-old Miami resident. ``But it's not OK to give money to a band from Cuba.''

Cubans oppose the performance at a city facility by 58 percent to 28 percent, while non-Cuban Hispanics support it by 62 percent to 27 percent.

The Herald survey polled 400 people and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent.

It was the generational split in a city long known for its passionate anti-Castro attitudes that struck Washington pollster Rob Schroth, who conducted the poll Saturday for The Herald.

`Fault lines are clear'

``There is a clear fault line on this issue,'' Schroth said. ``While two-thirds of older residents still have strong feelings about banning Cuban musical performances, younger people are more sanguine about them. Ten years ago, we might have expected 60 percent or more of those polled to support prohibition, while today that number is below 50 percent.''

Zenoz, the concert organizer, said Miami City Attorney Alejandro Vilarello and Globe Facility Services, the private company that manages Knight Center events, are illegally singling out the Cuban band for political reasons.

She said no other city on the band's 26-city tour is requiring compliance with the federal regulation, which requires Havana Caliente to show that band members are receiving nothing more than a per diem allowance and travel expenses during the tour.

The band has a visa that allows it to tour as long as band members are not paid beyond per diem and travel expenses.

Vilarello said he is simply requiring the band to meet federal laws that apply to Cuban bands performing in this country.

The city attorney had the authority to step in because the concert was scheduled on city property. Had the event been held on private property, the city would have had no authority to intervene.

Main ethnic groups' views

News of the upcoming concert became public on Wednesday, and callers to Spanish-language radio stations on Thursday and Friday urged city officials to stop the concert. Many opponents argue that Los Van Van supports the Castro government, but band officials say the group, which has enjoyed a 30-year career, is nonpolitical.

It's the perception that Los Van Van could reap a profit for the Cuban government that irked opponents.

Overall, the poll shows divisions among the three main ethnic groups in Miami over whether Los Van Van should perform at a city facility. Blacks (36-22 percent) and Hispanics (52-34 percent) express opposition, while white non-Hispanics offer support (54-38 percent).

``If we're a free country, they should have the right to play,'' said Claudette Flitman, a white non-Hispanic.