What`s On Havana - Cuba Travel Services

what’s on
havana
!
jan
2014
Cuba masters Group of Death
at World Series of Boxing
Unlocking the secrets of the
saints in Cuba
Rene Peña: the mysterious
body
Premio Casa de las Américas
January 20-30, 2014 p 20
La Marcha de las Antorchas
January 27, 2014 p 33
Chinese New Year
January 31, 2014
p 54
Guide to the Best places to eat, drink, dance and stay in Havana
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A look back… a look forward
Now is a great time to reflect about our year’s accomplishments and failures – to learn from
them and to continue our efforts. This is why Cuba Travel Services wants to start the New
Year right with the introduction of this newsletter; which will provide you with more up to
date and in-depth knowledge with a contemporary and very real twist.
Looking back, this past year was filled with many endeavors and some challenges. In 2013
we started four new routes. The first one in March from Miami to the province of Camaguey,
the second, third and fourth in the month of December from Miami to Santiago de Cuba
and from Tampa to Santa Clara and Havana. We are proud to offer more flights than any of
our competitors and to do so with the newest generation of 737-800 aircraft.
Another great win was the new partnership with Sun Country Airlines which started in
July. Thanks to their professionalism and efforts we have been able to continue offering
some of the most flexible and on-time schedules and their aircraft provide our passengers
with the highest level of comfort and security. Another partner, American Airlines, has also
contributed to our great success by offering exceptional customer service, experience and
security.
In 2014 we aspire to be in the travelers’ minds as their first choice when visiting Cuba. This
entails the addition of new US routes, new partnerships and most importantly building
awareness.
Cuba, from an American’s point of view, is still a mystery which needs to be discovered.
Our efforts this year will include increasing awareness and educating the public as much as
possible about what Cuba has to offer. We will emphasize people-to people programs and
provide insight related to OFAC guidelines and see to the eastern part of the island for new
educational activities and interactions. We also want to provide information about Cuba via
our new in-flight magazine “Oye Cuba” (“Hey Cuba”). This publication will feature topics of
cultural interest, illustrated stories, restaurant suggestions, hotels a la carte, destinations,
lifestyles, trends, art and events. It will be on board at least 18 of our regularly scheduled
weekly flights and will be in both English and Spanish.
We are eager to take on these new undertakings and we hope that our travelers can witness
our transformation via our services and efforts. If you didn’t visit Cuba last year, perhaps
you can in 2014 because “haven’t you waited long enough”?
-Emily Sanchez, Marketing Director
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The departure of the British warship, Wave Knight
from Havana, Dec 2013 Photo by Alex Mene
Cover photo by Alex Mene showing Erislandy
Savón at the World Series of Boxing match,
in Ciudad Deportiva, December 6, 2013
editorial
Welcome to 2014. We hope you had a great Christmas and New Year and thank you for
your continued interest in What’s On Havana—the definitive monthly cultural and travel
guide to Havana.
An absolute must for anyone who likes Cuban boxing are the Cuban Domadores’s next
two home matches in the World Series of Boxing, which Cuba has entered for the first
time. These will take place at the Ciudad Deportiva against the Mexican Guerreros and
Polish Hussars on January 18 and February 1, respectively
Literary buffs will want to check out the prestigious Premio Casa de las Américas taking
place between January 20-30 in Havana and Cienfuegos. Over the years many of the
prize-winning works have become classics of Latin American literature.
In the dance world, there is a varied ballet program including several performances of
The Nutcracker by the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Try also to see Irene Rodríguez’s Spanish
dance company on January 29 at the Teatro Nacional. In theatre, Carlos Diaz’s provocative
and critically acclaimed Antigone is playing weekend nights at the Teatro Trianón.
Live music performances includes Frank Delgado and Roberto Carcassés at Privé Lounge
and Miramar Café respectively on Saturday, January 4. Later in the month don’t miss the
incomparable Silvio Rodríguez in Concert at Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, January 19,
6pm.
Other events this month include the Marcha de las Antorchas which starts out from
Havana University at midnight on January 27 (this is to celebrate the birth of José Martí)
and celebrations in Barrio Chino to mark the Chinese New Year on January 31.
Outside of Havana you should try and make it to Trinidad for the XXV Coloquio de la
Cultura Trinitaria from January 9-11. This most beautiful colonial city is celebrating its
500th anniversary this year and there is a packed cultural program right up to January 19.
Thanks to all of our contributors, sponsors, partners and readers. Do please keep providing
us with your feedback, comments and suggestions. All enquiries should be directed to
Sophia Beckman at [email protected]
All the best. Viva Cuba!
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contents
January 2014
Cuba masters Group of Death at World
Series of Boxing p7
By Lisa Rodgers
La isla del día después by Enrique
Camejo p13
By Ricardo Alberto Pérez
René Peña: the mysterious body p16
By Ricardo Alberto Pérez
Omar Miranda: between the body and
the city p17
By Ricardo Alberto Pérez
Irene Rodríguez: tick, tick, tock p20
By Margaret Atkins
Unlocking the secrets of the saints in
Cuba p34
Photo by Alexander Mene
havana
culture
CUBAN CUSTOMS
By Lydia Bell
Visual arts p10 - Photography p15Dance p18- Literature p22 - Music p23Theatre p30
La Marcha de las Antorchas (Jan 27) p37
ByVictoria Alcalá
Chinese New Year (Jan 31) p38
ByVictoria Alcalá
Travel
XXV Coloquio de la Cultura Trinitaria (Jan 9-11)
p40
Havana Guide
Guide to the Best places to eat, drink, dance
and stay in Havana p45
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Not to miss during January 2014
6
13
20
27
Prologue to a
Tragedy, Pas de
trois, Suite generis
& Caleidoscopio by
the Ballet Nacional
de Cuba @ Teatro
Nacional, , 8 pm
I Festival sobre Cocina
Regional Cubana, Jan
12-18
Premio Casa de las
Américas, January
20-30 @ Casa de las
Américas
La Marcha de las
Antorchas , starts
from Havana
University, at midnight
7
14
21
28
Festival Afropalabra
@ Casa de África (Jan
6-8)
Perfect golfing
weather. Spend the
day playing around
Havana’s 9-hole golf
course. Important
business to discuss
Premio Casa de las
Américas, January
20-30 @ Casa de las
Américas
Raúl Paz @ Basílica
Menor de San
Francisco de Asís, 6pm
1
8
15
22
29
Time to let the kids
watch the entire
StarWars series – I
to VI. Black out the
curtains and sleep.
IV Magdalena Sin
Fronteras, January
8-18, Santa Clara
Qva Libre @ Café
Cantante, 5pm
Interactivo @ Bertolt
Brecht, 11pm
Irene Rodríguez @
2
9 XXV Coloquio de la
16
23
30
Pancho Amat @ Museo
Nacional de la Música,
5pm
Happy Hour at Bikos,
7-9pm
Japanese night at La
Casa.
Japanese night at La
Casa.
Eve of the Passing
Year @ Barrio China
(Centro Havana)
Happy new year
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Festival de la Trova
Longina, Jan 1-15 in
Santa Clara
Fri
what’s on havana
Cultura Trinitaria Jan
9-11
Bobby Carcassés @
UNEAC, 2pm
Concert by soprano
Bárbara Llanes @
Oratorio San Felipe
Neri, 7pm
Alexander Abreu y
Havana de Primera @
Casa de la Música de
Miramar, 11pm
Sat
Wed
Teatro Nacional, 6pm
Thu
10
17
24
31
Carlos Diaz’s Antigone
@ Teatro Trianón,
8.30pm
Opening Imagining
Cuba@ Fototeca de
Cuba, 6 pm
Opening of Dios
los cría at Factoría
Habana
Aire frío @ Argos
Teatro Fri & Sat,
8:30pm
La magia de la danza
by the Ballet Nacional
de Cuba: @ Sala
Avellaneda, 8pm
Fri
Chinese New Year
4
11
18
25
Feb 1
Roberto Carcassés
(piano) and his
trio Salvaje @ Café
Miramar, 10.30pm
The Nutcracker by
the Ballet Nacional
de Cuba @ Sala
Avellaneda, 8pm
World Series of
Boxing: Cuban
Domadores vs. the
Mexican Hussars at
Ciudad Deportiva
La Colmenita @ Plaza
de San Francisco, 3pm
Boxing: Cuba vs.
Poland at Ciudad
Deportiva
5
12
19
26
Feb 2
Natural Trio (Martini,
Ruly Herrera & Rey
Guerra Jr) @ Privé
Lounge, 11pm
The Nutcracker by
the Ballet Nacional
de Cuba @ Sala
Avellaneda, 5pm
Silvio Rodríguez in
Concert @ Plaza de
San Francisco de Asís,
6pm
Circus @ Carpa
Trompoloco, 4pm &
7pm
Aldo López-Gavilán @
Privé Lounge, 11pm
Harold López-Nussa
& Willian Roblejo @
Privé Lounge, 11pm
Pub crawl:
Esencia Habana,
Espacios, Don Cangrej
o, Sangri-La Las
Piedras & Kpricho.
Frank Delgado @
Privé Lounge, 11pm
Sun
Tue
3
Carlos Diaz’s Antigone
@Teatro Trianón,
8.30pm
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!
Mon
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5
The Amadeo Roldán
string quartet @
Basílica Menor de San
Francisco de Asís, 6pm
Martini, Ruly Herrera
& Rey Guerra Jr @
Privé Lounge, 11pm
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Sun
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Next bouts at Ciudad Deportiva
Cuba vs. Mexico January 18, 2014
Photos by Alex Mene
Cuba masters Group of Death
in World Series of Boxing
By Lisa Rogers
Approaching the half way stage in the Group
Classification of the World Series of Boxing Cuba
tops Group B, making light work of the supposed
Group of Death and in a strong position to justify
their pedigree come the finals next May in their
first appearance in this increasingly popular
boxing tournament. The next bouts in Cuba will be
on January 18, 2014 when the Cubans will be taking
on Mexico followed by Poland on February 1, 2014.
The bouts come under the auspices of the
International Boxing Association (AIBA). There
are two round robin groups in which fighters in
each weight division fight over five rounds. Cuba’s
group B includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan,
Mexico and Poland. This tournament also counts
towards the qualification of 30 boxers who will
be going to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil in 2016.
Group B Standings – Dec 28, 2013
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Cuba’s Domadores
The team, which contains the leading stars of
the Cuban Olympic Boxing squad, is called the
“Domadores” or “[Lion] Tamers” in English.
The logo pays homage to Cuban boxer Teófilo
Stevenson, the country’s three time Olympic Gold
medalist and World Champion, who died in 2012
aged 60. He is widely regarded as being the most
successful boxer that Cuba has ever produced and
it is his image that the team is fighting under.
According to Alberto Puig de la Barca, President of
the Cuban Boxing Federation, “the logo design was
inspired by the traditional strength and prestige
of Cuban boxing. It encapsulates the obligation
of every member of the team to fight for the
win in each and every bout, with the purpose of
confirming that our country belongs among the
world’s elite in this sport.” He went on to explain
that “it is the graphic expression of our will to
overcome our adversaries, to respect fair-play and
to represent our flag.”
Ciudad Deportiva, Dec 6, 2013
Cuba’s Russian take-down plays to a full house
Cuba 5 Russia 0
December 6, 2013 marked the return of semiprofessional boxing to Cuba for the first time in
52 years. Over 14,000 people came to watch the
first ever Domadores match. That set a new WSB
record. Erislandy Savón got a knowing cheer of
approval from the crowd when he chose to volt
over the top rope in the manner formally used
by his six-time World Champion and three-time
Olympic gold medal winning uncle, Felix Savón.
Having won their first two matches against Mexico
and Poland, the ‘Domadores’ of Cuba entered the
ring of the Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum in Havana
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as favorites keen to maintain their position at the
top of their group. The local line-up presented
two changes to the team that debuted against the
Mexican ‘Guerreros’ in the 56 and 64 kg division.
Featherweight Marcos Forestal and young Luis
Oliva joined their teammates Yosbani Veitía,
Ramón Luis and Guantanamo native Erislandy
Savón in the 49, 75 and 91 kg divisions, respectively.
The Russian team was made up of Muhammad
Sebo, Radjab Butaev (64 kg), Bator Sagaluev (49 kg),
Andrey Efremenko (75 kg) and Vitaly Kudukhov (91
kg).
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Light flyweight (46-49kg)
Yosvani Veitía vs Bator Sagaluev
World bronze medalist Yosvani Veitía left no room for
doubt in his 3 to 0 victory. Breezing with confidence he
fought unguarded with his hand down from the centre of
the ring–a world class master of the sport. He looked so
good in the ring and his jabs seemed so sharp that it looked
like he could have beaten anyone in the world last night.
Yosbany took his personal record to 2-0 and you have to
wonder if there are many out there who are capable of
beating him this year.
Flyweight (52kg)
Marcos Forestal vs Muhammad Sebo
Marcos Forestal came into the match as the underdog given
that Sebo is the national Russian runner-up. But the young
Cuban showed his spirit, even continuing to fight after a
cut on his forehead stopped the fight on several occasions.
Nevertheless, and even though the constant jabs of the
Russian didn’t let him do a neater job, he managed to come
out with 2-1 after his opponent left the ring because of a
facial wound.
Middleweight (75kg)
Ramon Luis vs Andrey Efremenko
This was the best fight of the evening which energized and
then fed of the crowd, which responded to the style and
showmanship of Luis. The tall Cuban southpaw was sublime,
economical in the ring and smooth in his movements.
His evasion skills were incredible. He basically boxed the
entire 5th round with his hands by his sides. The Russian
was unable to get near him for much of the bout, while the
Cuban’s own punching repertoire was excellent.
Heavyweight (91kg)
Erislandy Savón vs Vitaly Kudukhov
Savón displayed excellent technique to provide Cuba’s
final win. The Russian having taken a beating in round one,
adjusted his approach and started to fight in close turning
the match into a real scrap. He used spoiling techniques
that were very ugly but nonetheless tactically exactly what
was needed. The match wasn’t the most beautiful of the
evening, but because of the experienced Russian’s tactics,
it was possibly the most competitive
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Visual Arts
Post-it
Galerías Collage Habana and Galería
Galiano,Through January, 2014
Post-it, exhibition and sale of works resulting
from the competition of the same name, which
aims to present the artistic production of
young Cuban artists. Fifty-six pieces (prints,
paintings, sculptures, photographs, video art and
installations) were chosen among students from
the San Alejandro Art Academy and the Visual Arts
Provincial Academies, as well as three self-taught
artists, all under age 35.
Picassum Tremens
Casa Víctor Hugo
Through January 18
In Picassum Tremens artists Eduardo Abela,
Alicia de la Campa, Sinecio Cuétara, Hilda María
Enríquez, Arístides Hernández (Ares), Pedro Pablo
Oliva, Ángel Rivero (Andy) and Reinerio Tamayo
offer their own personal views of Pablo Picasso.
De Eros,
vampiros y Tapoks
Centro Hispano Americano de
Cultura Opens Throughout
January, 2014
by Juan Padrón, curated by poet and essayist Rafael
Acosta de Arriba, brings out Padrón’s mastery in
drawing and his intelligent humor in an area quite
different from the Elpidio Valdés animated films,
which he is famous for. Sixty pieces made up of
erotic drawings and watercolors accompany over
100 short animated films called Erotips in its world
premiere. 
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Visual Arts
Entre. Exhibición de arte de los Medios Emergentes.
Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales Throughout January
An exhibition by Cuban and German artists which
focuses on how one may “feel” art beyond the
rational paradigms of modernity, is divided into
sessions related to new media art (especially
audiovisuals,
installations,
environmental,
electronic and sound art). What the artists of
this group exhibition all have in common is
experimentation and use of non-conventional
forms of expression. Concerts, workshops and
talks on new media art by the artists themselves
and guest experts in the fields of information
technology, computer programming, engineering
and other sciences related to these contemporary
art forms.
January 8-16
Exhibition by the ENEMA group made up of artists
Camila García, Mari Claudia García, Salomé García,
Duniesky Martín, Alandy Martínez Nasco, Nelson
Miranda, Axis (Cristian Cuevas, Randy Moreno,
Lázaro Piñol y Milton Raggi), Samuel Riera and
Marilyn Volkman.
January 14-16, 10 am
Workshops and talks on new media art by
participating artists and experts in several fields.
January 22-31
Exhibition by artists Fernando Cruz, Alberto
Domínguez, Andrea Sunder-Plassmann and Sigi
Torinus.
Dios los cría
Factoría Habana Opens Jan 17
Curated by Cuban artist René Peña and by
Concha Fontenla, includes visual, artistic, social
and documentary materials spanning from the
1950s to the 1970s, as well as a selection of works
by contemporary artists. The exhibition aims to
question the view of curators as the being that has
to make critical judgments and differentiate what
is good and bad. The artists of this group show are
Adrián Fernández, Aimée García, Alfredo Ramos,
Amilkar Feria, Arién Chang Castan, Cirenaica
Moreira, Duniesky Martín, Eduardo Hernández,
Eduardo Muñoz, Glenda León, Jenny Brito, José
Ángel Toirac, Marta María Pérez Bravo, Pepe
Menéndez, Raúl Cañibano, Reinier Nande, Reynier
Leyva Novo and Rodney Batista.
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Visual Arts
Biblioteca Pública Rubén Martínez Villena
Opens Jan 15
Galería Villa Manuela
Focusing on the graphical visuality
that accompanied Cuban sugar
harvests from the 1960s to the
1980s. Azúcar shows over 30
posters made Raúl Martínez,
José Papiol, Daysi García López,
Humberto Trujillo Pardo, Jesús
Forjans and René Mederos, among
other graphic designers.
Through
January 10
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Edificio de Arte Cubano
Casa Carmen Montilla
Opens Jan
28, 4pm
The internationally renowned
Cuban artist Eduardo Roca,
better known as Choco, will be
exhibiting a selection of his work
on occasion of the 15th anniversary
of Habana Radio station of the City
Historian’s Office.
Through
January 10
La isla del día después is a
collection of watercolors by
Luis Enrique Camejo. In a postimpressionist manner and the
artist’s personal style, the city is
seen under a heavy storm as an
expression of its inner state, as a
reflection of the checkered times.
Opens
January 17
Una raza, la raza humana is
an anthological exhibition that
focuses on the relationship of José
Martí, and Cuba and Key West,
and the impact of Cuba’s Ten Years
Wars. The exhibition will begin
this month with works by Mario
Sánchez and will be open until
March 23.
Casa Oswaldo Guayasamín
Opens Jan 8
In Haiku, made up of excellent
charcoal drawings on Masonite,
artist Yoan Figueroa has focused
on the child’s universe to
depict such issues as loneliness,
existential anguish, physical and
psychological violence, lack of
communication and material
poverty.
Palacio de Lombillo
Throughout La historia es larga, la vida es
January
corta by Luis Antonio Espinosa
Fruto takes a transgressive and at
times ironic look into the complex
relation and interaction between
History and History.
Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Wifredo Lam
Through
January 11
Mare magnum mare nostrum by
Meira Marrero and José Ángel
Toirac exhbits recent pieces by
the artists, who give their own
personal view of Cuba, sun and
beach.
El poder de tu alma exhibits works
by Roberto Diago that have never
been seen before. The paintings
that are now shown come close
to abstraction and highlight the
poetic association of the material
used and the expressive potentials
of color and texture.
Salón del Monte, hotel Ambos Mundos
Through
January 11
Palacio de Lombillo
Throughout Seisdedos en Cuba, by Spanish
January
artist Juan Manuel Seisdedos,
Evocación lírica exhibits, for the
first time ever, 18 paintings by
National Visual Arts Prizewinner
2012 Ever Fonseca, indefatigable
maker of fables and recreator
of legends from the Cuban
countryside.
exhibits gestural painting, of
random and emotive brush strokes,
akin to psychic automatism of
early surrealist artists.
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Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Edificio de Arte Cubano
Through January 10
La isla del día después
Exhibition by Enrique Camejo
La isla del día después is a collection of watercolors
by Luis Enrique Camejo. In a post-impressionist
manner and the artist’s personal style, the city is
seen under a heavy storm as an expression of its
inner state, as a reflection of the checkered times.
The question is: what could happen the day after
the day on which we are alive? The battle between
certainty and doubt is unleashed and into this very
battle Camejo has ventured to tell us a singular
tale about what is being wrought in that kind of
fathomless hole which is the future, something in
which what we call destiny plays a part.
The artist’s contemplation takes him to view the
island from outside, lifted up on the violent crest
of the waves, at the very moment one is attempting
to reach the spot that is so yearned for, on the
other side of the avalanche, sprayed by the salt
water. There is something valuable in his gesture
that is preserved by his watercolors. He transmits
unexplainable serenity in the middle of that flood
and it helps to multiply the messages found in
each piece.
stamped with the rhythm established by a very
specific mind that proposes new textures within
the reigning state of contingency.
The scenarios give the impression that people
are fleeing towards the diaspora. We feel that this
divisive decision does not turn us into adversaries,
but into rather strange complementary elements.
In one watercolor that bears the characteristics of
a majestic landscape, a boat is crossing the bay;
on the opposite shore, two beings are immersed
in meditation. The silhouettes are tiny but clearly
discernible despite the lowering storm-ridden sky.
Previous work by Camejo has revealed to us the city
in its different phases and in different mutations.
Often he is obsessed with the nocturnal effects
Havana is probably one of the most photographed
cities in the world: between crumbling buildings
and a certain lack of care, foreigners passionately
take in the enigma it presents. Luis Enrique Camejo
washes over certain very specific sites that are
captured in such photos. Some are anonymous
locations spread all over the compass but they are
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provided by concerts of lights that create extraordinary nuances for his paintings. The way he handles
light, including the headlights of cars, is an essential feature of his subject matter. Lights take on a
symbolic function because they evoke the speed of the present.
Now lights have been replaced by a homogenizing effect that covers everything with a whitening
atmosphere, an intense grayness that takes over the protagonists and functions to great effect. It is a
constant spilling over of what cannot be contained and usurps all that it can, installing a new version of
reality. Inert expectant buildings remain in the background, impeccably detailed, witnessing the energy
of the water. And now, night and day fuse together under the effects of fog.
Camejo has positioned us at a crossroads where much speculation can take place; his painting not only
serves the purpose of beauty but that of generating ideas. After viewing the exhibition, one takes to the
city streets again and absorbs the sounds and sensations that reactivate the state of things that draws
out the coordinates of our existence and those of everyone surrounding us
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photography
Ciudades de silencio
Convento de San Francisco de Asís
Throughout January
Photographers Ignacio Barrios, Isabel
Martínez and Alberto Chino Arcos (Cuba)
capture not only the artistic treasures of
each of the sites but also the sensations
that the Père-Lachaise Cemetery in París,
the La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos
Aires and the Cristóbal Colón Cemetery
in Havana can cause.
Cuba iluminada
Sala de la Diversidad
Throughout January
The exhibition is a collection of
pictures of over 100 important figures
of Cuban culture taken by the Spanish
photographer Héctor Garrido from
2010-2013. During these years, the
renowned photographer has worked
on a project that includes culture in its
more comprehensive meaning–artistic
and literary manifestations, science and
sports.
Del cuerpo y la memoria...
tres fotógrafas iberoamericanas
Galería Latinoamericana, Casa de las
Américas Opens January 27
An exhibition of works by Costa Rican
photographer Karla Solano, Spanish
Beatriz Ruibal and Brazilian Carmen
Novo. 
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René Peña:
the mysterious body
by Ricardo Alberto Pérez
Sometimes we think that our home is boring.
Other times we feel it provides a safe haven from
which we should never move. Photographer René
Peña (Havana, 1957) understands all that very well.
He has used the drama implicit in those spaces
in a series of his works about the inner Cuba that
is not apparent in the tourist pamphlets. The
homes captured by his lens show us a precarious
yet fantastic reality, full of strange seductions.
Peña’s photos are clean; they don’t rely on special
effects to be pleasing; they clearly take the side of
austerity and defend a single content.
From homes, he has moved on to the body. In his
Memorias de la carne (Memories of the Flesh), the
black body is an expression of a ritual that has been
interrupted by the cruelty of history. The photos
propose that we spy on the skin in very specific
spots such as the feet, lips and hands. Provocation
ends up being abstraction.
The photography of René Peña is closely
associated with hasty reactions that originate in
his mind as a result of his manner of reacting to
objects and situations happening to him and that
he is capable of turning into images. This process
speaks volumes about his spontaneity and the
fluidity of his intuition that penetrates the depths
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of each one of his pieces. Take his photos of the
Cuban butcher shops: the meat hangs from very
attractive hooks used in the ritual, which are then
followed by his own body transformed into a slab
of beef.
In Ritos (Rites, 1992), the body is handed over to the
contradictory effect of beliefs. There is a careful
use of gestures, parodies of their representative
purposes that skirt around the meanings and
enrich the visual aspect.
In his series called Man made Materials (19982001), Peña says he starts with a commercial
clarification that he found in a pair of shoes that
had a label saying they were manufactured from
biodegradable materials. The images are acutely
ironic as they take on the hypocrisy of the world.
René Peña has stated: “My main interest is not
the physical aspect of society but in its soul; this
has no face. It is loaded with beliefs, fears, sex,
hatred, vices, greed, cunning, races, stereotypes,
gold, representations, love, contradictions.” Even
though the artist uses his body as a mediator he
does not think of his work as autobiographical.
Through his work he feels that he expresses the
concerns and lives of others.
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Omar Miranda: between
the body and the city
by Ricardo Alberto Pérez
Some contemporary Cuban artists interpret
events in a new way, and Omar Miranda is one of
those artists. Despite his youth, Omar manages
to call on memories of a past that is beyond his
own years. He tells us stories through his photos
like an environment ravaged by the severity of the
weather or the precariousness of Havana facing
the sunrise of each day. He makes his preferences
obvious: the desire for shining skin to blind us, so
that touch can multiply emotions.
From canilla to Veo, Veo-no veo nada (two
important Miranda photographs), a playful spirit
brings together different concepts and converts
them into faces, odors, and emerging silhouettes
when the degraded matter is manipulated over
one or several surfaces. Behind the titles of each
of his pieces, Miranda transmits baroque strength
that captivates viewers. Sometimes the image
content lags behind the words. It is a provocation,
a manner of reinforcing the absurd, but at the same
time subjective. Think of his series, such as “the
night”, “the beast”, “the sheep”, “the dictionary”,
“your pills” or my favourite: odio los documentales
de pingüinos (I Hate Penguin Documentaries).
Omar’s is an uncontaminated talent. His city rests
somewhere between the tension of the sun and
the coming of night. In his series Tallapiedra,
Habana Vieja is shown in its depths and should not
be missed.
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Dance
national ballet cuba
The Nutcracker
Sala Avellaneda
Jan 1, 4, 10 & 11, 8 pm; 5 & 12, 5 pm
The Nutcracker, one of the great classical ballets
choreographed by Alicia Alonso, based on the
original version by Lev Ivánov and music by
Tchaikovsky, in a coproduction between Teatro La
Fenice of Venice, Teatro Carlo Felice of Genoa and
the Ballet Nacional de Cuba).
La magia de la danza
Sala Avellaneda
Jan 31, 8 pm
Concert program by the Ballet Nacional de Cuba: La
magia de la danza, an anthology of great moments
of 19th-century classical ballets in versions that
show the respect and creativity with which the
Cuban School of Ballet undertakes tradition:
Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker,
Coppelia, Don Quixote, Swan Lake and The
Gottschalk Symphony, the latter an example of the
most recent Cuban choreography that shows the
possibilities of classical language in expressing the
Cuban essence.
Prologue to a Tragedy, Pas
de trois, Suite Generis &
Caleidoscopio
Sala Covarrubias , Jan 6, 8 pm
Combined program by the Ballet Nacional de Cuba:
Prologue to a Tragedy (choreographed by Brian
McDonald based on plays by William Shakespeare,
with music by Bach), Pas de trois from
Swan Lake (choreographed by Alicia Alonso,
based on the original by M. Petipa and music by
Tchaikovsky), Suite generis (choreographed by
Alberto Méndez and music by Handel and Haydn),
and Caleidoscopio (world premier choreographed
by Alicia Alonso).
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Dance
WORKSHOPS
Taller Práctico Internacional de la Danza
Moderna Cubana Cubadanza 25 Aniversario
Compañía Danza Nacional de Cuba, At Teatro Nacional de Cuba
January 6-17 , August 4-15
The two-week long International Workshop on Cuban Modern Dance, Cubadanza, aimed at professional
dancers and students, teaches different Cuban popular rhythms and dances from which Cuban modern
dance draws on and shows how the pelvic region and the undulation of the torso, among other
characteristics, are the fundamental basis of the Cuban technique of modern dance. According to the
availability of the company for the period in which the workshop will take place, it will possible to attend
rehearsals and demonstrative lessons with first dancers of Danza Contemporánea de Cuba.
Classes will be held Monday-Saturday on the first week and Monday-Friday the second week. The
subjects that will be taught are Cuban Modern Dance Technique, Cuban Folklore, Traditional and
Popular Dances, Barre Technique, Choreography Workshops and Methodology for Teaching Cuban
Modern Dance.
Folklore
FolkCuba. Laboratorios
Internacionales de
Folklore de Cuba
January & July
Sponsored by the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de
Cuba, the two-week long FolkCuba, International
Folklore Laboratories is held twice a year in
January and July in which experts in Cuban folklore
dances teach Cuban dances and music of African
and Spanish origin, as well as the principal Cuban
percussion instruments. The “secrets” of mambo,
cha-cha-cha, rumba, mozambique, pilón, conga,
and dances and drum beating related to African
religious rites are revealed by outstanding figures
of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba.
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Dance
Special performance by Irene Rodríguez
Sala Covarrubias, Teatro Nacional
Jan 29, 6 pm
Irene Rodríguez
tick, tick, tock
by Margaret Atkins
It is easy to make Irene out among the four young
women who are stamping their feet away. Young
and self-assured, she is running the rehearsal. She
greets us courteously but is perturbed that we are
15 minutes late – no Cuban time with Irene. She
is an adherent to strict discipline and hard work.
Qualities, which she believes, can trump physical
disposition and innate talent.
Not that Irene is short of natural ability – indeed
she was asked at the “ripe old age” of 11 by Eduardo
Veitía, Director of the Spanish Ballet of Cuba, to
join his company. Five years later, she graduated as
a ballerina and became part of the corps de ballet
of the company.
Little did her mother suspect when she enrolled
her daughter in classical ballet at the Andalusian
Cultural Center that Irene would duck out of class
and join the Spanish dance classes which she
clearly found closer to her spitfire nature… and
heart. Irene’s mother is very important in her life.
She is not only her mom but also the company’s
representative. Although her mom’s dream was
for Irene to become a ballerina, she supported her
daughter’s wish of studying Spanish dance. After
her five-year training under Veitía, she became a
full member of the Ballet Español de Cuba where
she rose to First Dancer and also became a teacher,
choreographer and maître.
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She studied Acting at the University of the Arts
(ISA) and received Gold Diploma upon graduation
in 2007. She has played a few roles in the theater
and she is convinced that this experience is an
important factor in her choreographies. When
she auditions dancers for her company, she looks
for integral professionals who are knowledgeable
and skilled in different genres of dancing, as well
as theatrical talent. In her opinion, if you don’t
have dramatic aptitudes, dancing becomes mere
gymnastics. This is why it is not easy for her to find
the right dancers, despite the many schools that
now teach Spanish dance from very early ages.
Little girls donning long black skirts with flounces,
shawls and flowers in their hair on their way to
dance classes after school has become of late a
common sight in Havana.
The girls and boys of the Irene Rodríguez Company
do not hide their pride in being part of this very
young dance troupe founded in January 2012. The
long rehearsal hours, the endless repetitions the
young director puts them through have produced
rave reviews everywhere they have performed.
Apart from the work she carries out with her own
company, she is the Spanish dance choreographic
adviser and maître of the Cuban National Ballet,
and at the request of Alicia Alonso, in 2012 she
became the artistic director of the La Huella de
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España Festival–the Spanish Imprint Festival.
Her many choreographies have been performed
by the Spanish Ballet of Cuba, students from the
Spanish Dance Faculty of the University of the Arts
and outstanding students from the National Ballet
and Opera School, besides her own company.
Some of her most famous choreographies–
acclaimed by both audiences and critics–are Suite
del Sombrero de Tres Picos (a Spanish classic),
Al-Ándalus (Flamenco), the work in two acts
Emigrantes, which covers several dance styles,
including Afro-Cuban, neoclassical and flamenco;
and El crimen fue en Granada based on the poem of
the same name by Spanish poet Antonio Machado
and which garnered her the First Prize at the 7th
Alicia Alonso Spanish-American Choreography
Competition in 2012. This prize is only one in
a long list of accolades and awards received by
Irene as dancer, choreographer, promoter of
Spanish culture in Cuba and collaborator with
the Spanish Associations in the island. Because
of this important work, the Federation of Spanish
Associations in Cuba presented her with the Miguel
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de Cervantes y Saavedra Award for her extensive
career as leading figure in Spanish dance and for
her contribution to disseminating Spanish culture.
Outside Cuba, she has taught summer courses in
Mexico for the PROART Academy for several years.
In front of the camera, you hardly notice Irene
Rodríguez’s restless nature that prevents her
from losing even a second in her life. Courteously
but firmly, Irene lets us know that she needs
to continue with rehearsals for an upcoming
performance. She has talent but she also has drive
and ambition, chutzpah – it should make for a
winning combination.
For more information about Irene see http://www.
irenerodriguezcompania.com
Special performance by the Irene Rodríguez
Spanish Dance Company on occasion of the 15th
anniversaty of Habana Radio of the City Historian’s
Office at Sala Covarrubias, Teatro Nacional, Jan 29,
6 pm
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José Lezama Lima
Premio Casa de las
Américas 2014
Initiated in Havana in 1960 to draw attention to
the most significant literary production in Latin
America—and at a later date, the Caribbean, too—
in the genres of poetry, novel, short story, essay,
theatre and testimony, as well as works in other
languages spoken in the region, the Casa de las
Américas Literary Award has gathered outstanding
figures of contemporary writing, including Miguel
Ángel Asturias, Mario Vargas Llosa, Julio Cortázar,
Alejo Carpentier, Allen Ginsberg, Nicolás Guillén,
Nicanor Parra, Jaime Sabines, Alfredo Bryce
Echenique, Guillermo Cabrera Infante, Eduardo
Galeano, Paco Ignacio Taibo II, José Lezama Lima,
Italo Calvino, Camilo José Cela, José Saramago,
to name a few. Throughout the years, many of
the prize-winning works have become classics
of the continent’s literature; thus, each year’s
announcement creates great expectations among
the public, who also have the opportunity to attend
collateral activities programmed during the event.
The jury will be in session in the city of Cienfuegos,
where its members will hold lectures and readings
of their works.
Casa de las Américas will give out three honorary
prizes–the José Lezama Lima Prize for Poetry; the
José María Arguedas Prize for Narrative; and the
Ezequiel Martínez Estrada Prize for Essay. The
prizes will be awarded to significant works written
by a Latin American author, the first edition of
which are in Spanish and took place in 2011 or 2012.
Prizes for unpublished works in the genres of
short story, theater and essay will be given out
during the 55th Casa de las Américas Literary
Award. A Prize for Studies on Women will also
be granted this year. Authors from the English
speaking Caribbean will be able to participate with
works of any genre written in English or Creole
and published in those languages from 2010-2013,
as well as nonfiction Brazilian works written in
Portuguese and published in that language from
2010-2013.
José María Arguedas
Prize for Narrative:
Leche derramada by
Chico Buarque (Brazil)
2013
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José Lezama Lima Prize
for Poetry:
Tiranos temblad by
Rafael Courtoisie
(Uruguay) 2013
Ezequiel Martínez Estrada Prize for Essay:
Lectores insurgentes. La formación de la crítica
literaria hispanoamericana (1810-1870) by Víctor
Barrera Enderle (Mexico) 2013
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MUSIC
modern Fusion & Electronic
The contemporary fusion and electronic music scene has fragmented somewhat over
recent months as new bars and clubs have opened and a number of party promoters
have organized events in parks and public spaces. We highlighted some of the best
bars & clubs in our Havana Guide section.
For now highlights include:
Wednesday nights to see Interactivo at Bertolt Brecht – brilliant group and great venue (starts late!).
The Sunday afternoon Máquina de la Melancolía - Frank Delgado and Luis Alberto García (5-9pm) at
El Sauce has a large following. In Havana’s burgeoning entertainment district along First Avenue from
the Karl Marx theatre to the aquarium you are spoilt for choice with the always popular Don Cangreco
featuring good live music (Kelvis Ochoas and David Torrens alternate Fridays), Las Piedras (insanely
busy from 3am) and El Palio and Melem bar – both featuring different singers and acts in smaller more
intimate venues and the recently opened Kpricho (up on 94 and 1ma) —ultra modern and uber cool.
Café Cantante Mi Habana. Teatro Nacional
Casa de la Música de Miramar
Wednesdays Performances by Qva Libre
Mondays
5 pm
5 pm
Fridays
Performances by Isis Flores
5 pm
Centro Cultural Fresa y Chocolate
Mondays
Casa de la Música de La Habana
Mondays
11 pm
Performances by El Micha
10: 30pm
Wichy D´Vedado, one of the most
famous DJs in Havana, who plays
the best of world music.
Havana Show (audiovisual show)
and guests
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MUSIC
Salsa / Timba
Alexander Abreu at
Casa de Música, Galiano.
Photo by Alexander Mene
Casa de la Música de Galiano
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Casa de la Música de Miramar
5 pm
CLOSED
11 pm
Havana Show (audiovisual
show) and guests
5 pm
CLOSED
11 pm
Havana Show (audiovisual
show) and guests
5 pm
Adalberto Álvarez y su Son
11 pm
José Luis Cortés y NG la
Banda
5 pm
Pupy y los que Son Son
11 pm
Charanga Latina.
5 pm
Tania Pantoja (singer)
11 pm
Pupy y los que Son Son
5 pm
Charanga Forever
11 pm
Tumbao Habana
5 pm
PMM en Discotemba
11 pm
PMM (audiovisual show)
and guests.
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Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
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5 pm
Kategoría 5
11 pm
Sur Caribe
5 pm
CLOSED
11 pm
Alexander Abreu y Havana
de Primera
5 pm
J.G y su grupo
11 pm
Adalberto Álvarez y su Son
5 pm
Manolito Simonet y su
Trabuco
11 pm
Alexander Abreu y Havana
de Primera
5 pm
El Niño y La Verdad
11 pm
Alexander Abreu y Havana
de Primera
5 pm
Tumbao Habana
11 pm
Elito Revé y su Charangón
5 pm
Bamboleo
11 pm
Pachito Alonso y sus Kini
Kini
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MUSIC
JAZZ
Privé Lounge
SundayS from 11pm
Jan 5
Natural Trio (Martini, Ruly
Herrera & Rey Guerra Jr)
Jan 12
Aldo López-Gavilán
Jan 19
Harold López-Nussa & Willian
Roblejo
Jan 26
Natural Trio (Martini, Ruly
Herrera & Rey Guerra Jr)
Privé Lounge combines comfort, quality music,
and a chill atmosphere brilliantly. It’s snug – the
stage accommodates a trio comfortably, a quartet
if the musicians squeeze in a lo cubano – but design
elements like drop down noise- and echo-dampening panels mean it has terrific audio, plus the
musicians who play here (Harold López-Nussa;
Oliver Valdés; Aldo López-Gavilán) are among the
country’s best.
Calle 88A #306 e/ 3ra y 3ra A, Miramar
(+53) 7-209-2719
Sunday night is jazz night and provides the perfect
mellow end to the weekend. Musicans play from
11 pm
Asociación Cubana de Derechos de Autor Musical
Café Miramar
Peformance by Proyecto de Jazz
Cubano with Alexis Bosch (piano).
Jan 16
6 pm
7 pm
Jan 2
Centro Cultural Fresa y Chocolate
Fiesta
10:30 pm
Julito Padrón (trumpet).
Jan 5
Wena Onda
Jan 1
Jan 3
10 pm
10:30 pm
Jan 4
Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura
10:30 pm
Oscar Valdés (percussionist and
singer) with Diákara.
Jan 18
5 pm
Jan 5
Jan 7
Oscar Valdés (percussionist and
singer) with Diákara.
Jan 18
5 pm
Roberto Carcassés (piano) and his
trio Salvaje
Jojazz Afternoons with Danae and
Alami Band
5 pm
Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura
No lo Sé (Switzerland) and Gala
Mayor
10:30 pm
Kaz George (USA) and Ta’Bueno
Jazz
Jan 8
Special jam session.
10:30 pm
Somavilla
Jan 4
8:30 pm
Zule Guerra sings blues, jazz, funk,
R&B, feeling...
UNEAC
Jan 9
2 pm
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Peña La Esquina del Jazz hosted by
showman Bobby Carcassés.
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MUSIC
Bolero, Folkloric, Son & Trova
Silvio Rodríguez in Concert
Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, Old
Havana, January 19, 6:00 pm
Concert by singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez, one
of the greats of New Cuban trova. On this occasion
he will be accompanied by Oliver Valdés (drums
and congas), Jorgito Aragón (piano), Jorge Reyes
(double bass) and Emilio Vega (vibraphone). Also
participating will be the much liked singer Ivette
Cepeda and her group Reflexión. The concert will
be held on occasion of the 15th anniversary of
Radio Habana of the City Historian’s Office.
Pancho Amat
Museo Nacional de la Música
Jan 16, 5 pm
In some ways Pancho Amat is an unlikely hero.
He is a spontaneous and unaffected man who
conveys wisdom in an open and frank manner. A
guajiro in the best sense of the word. His great
love is the Cuban Tres, which is part of Cuba’s
most important musical heritage. Over the course
of several decades he is the musician who has
most contributed to universalize the tres through
recordings or live performances with musicians
from Cuba and other countries, such as Joaquin
Sabina, Oscar D’Leon, Pablo Milanés, Rosana, Ry
Cooder, Silvio Rodríguez, Victor Victor, Yomo Toro
and Victor Jara. READ MORE
Festival de la Trova
Longina
Asociación Hermanos Saíz
January 1-15, Santa Clara
In remembrance of one of the greats of traditional
Cuban trova, Manuel Corona, and his immortal
song “Longina,” troubadours of different
generations and from all over Cuba have shared
the stage for 17 years during the Festival de la
Trova Longina. The event includes concerts and
informal get-togethers at La Caridad Theater, the
famous El Mejunje Cultural Center, the Museo de
Artes Decorativas and Casa del Joven Creador in
the afternoons and evenings; theoretical meetings
and the traditional walk to Corona’s grave on the
9th.
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MUSIC
Bolero, Folkloric, Son & Trova
Asociación Yoruba de Cuba
Casa del Alba
Folkloric group Obiní Batá.
Fridays
With his beautiful and powerful
voice, Eduardo Sosa and guests
perform highlights of the best
Cuban trova of all time.
Jan 3
8 pm
7 pm
Saturdays
Folkloric group Los Ibellis.
4 pm
Jan 30
Peña El Canto de Todos, with
singer-songwriter Vicente Feliú,
one of the founding members of
Cuban Nueva Trova.
6 pm
Cabaret Las Vegas
Saturdays
4 pm
Performance by the folkloric group
Yoruba Andabo.
Casa de la Música de Miramar
Saturdays
5 pm
Café Cantante, Teatro Nacional
Thursdays
Elaín Morales.
5 pm
Saturdays
6 pm
Waldo Mendoza, one of Cuba’s
most popular singers today.
Centro Cultural Fresa y Chocolate
Saturdays
Café Concert Adagio
Thursdays
10 pm
9 pm
Maylú - , whose repertoire goes
from arias of famous operas
to Cuban, Latin American and
international pop hits.
5 pm
Centro Iberoamericano de la Décima
Performance by the duet Ad
Libitum.
Jan 11
3 pm
Casa de África
Jan 18
A Guitarra Limpia is a meeting
with trovadores accompanied only
by their guitars.
Jan 25
Singer-songwriter Frank Delgado
with his ironic view of society.
10 pm
Jan 26
El Jardín de la Gorda with the
performances of trovadores from
every generation.
5 pm
Rock/folkloric band Síntesis
3 pm
Jan 25
Hotel Telégrafo
Folkloric group Obiní Batá
3 pm
Jan 15
3 pm
Fridays
9:30 pm
Get-together with Maureen
Iznaga, whose select repertoire
includes favorite Cuban and
international love songs.
7 pm
Versatile contralto Ivette Cepeda,
who has been much celebrated
thanks to the subtleties she brings
to her voice and her wide repertory
of Cuban and international music.
Hurón Azul, UNEAC
Casa de la Cultura de Plaza
Jan 11
Yeni Sotolongo, a young singer
who boasts an exceptional voice
and varied repertoire.
Centro Cultural Pablo de la Torriente Brau
Café Concert El Sauce
Fridays
La Utopía combines live
performances by troubadours,
impromptu performances by the
audience, and videos of important
domestic and international
musicians.
Peña with Marta Campos,
renowned singer of contemporary
songs with a trova feel to them.
Mundito González is one of the
most popular Cuban bolero singers.
Jan 11
10 pm
Piano bar Tun Tun
Thursdays
Peña with trovador Ray Fernández.
5 pm
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MUSIC
classical
Photo by Ivan Soca
Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís
Jan 11
6 pm
Jan 18
6 pm
Flutist Alberto Rosas, cellist
Alejandro Martínez and pianist
Yanner Rascón of the Lecuona
Trio will play works by Phillippe
Gaubert and Cuban composers
Juan Piñera, Ernesto Oliva and
Ernesto Lecuona.
Jan 25
Zsaxos, a sax quartet conducted
by Javier Zalba, has announced
a program with works by Bach,
Mendelssohn, and Andrés Alén,
Guido López-Gavilán, Jorge López
Marín and Javier Zalba from Cuba,
Aldemaro Romero from Venezuela
and Pedro Iturralde. Cuban from
Spain.
Jan 28
6 pm
6 pm
The Amadeo Roldán string quartet,
conducted by Leonardo Pérez,
has selected pieces by Mozart,
Gershwin, Cuban composers
Amadeo Roldán and Jorge López
Marín, and Brazilian composer
Heitor Villalobos,.
The popular pop/rock singer and
composer Raúl Paz will sing lyrical
pieces and songs composed by him.
Biblioteca Nacional José Martí
Saturdays
Performances by soloists and chamber ensembles
5 pm
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MUSIC
classical
Casa del ALBA Cultural
En Confluencia, conducted by
guitarists Eduardo and Galy
Martín.
jan 5
5 pm
jan 12
jan 19
5 pm
jan 26
Tarde de Concierto, conducted by
the soprano Lucy Provedo.
3 pm
De Nuestra América, conducted by
pianist Alicia Perea.
Concert by guitarist Rosa Matos.
5 pm
Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura
Cuba-Canada choir meeting
with the Choir of the University
of Ottawa conducted by Michel
Guimont; the Vocal Leo chamber
choir conducted by Corina
Campos, and the Voces de Ébano
choir conducted by maestro
Eduardo Jiménez
jan 8
5 pm
jan 11
5 pm
Pianist Dayramir González and
her group Cuerdas en Trance will
play works from the international
classical and Cuban music
repertoires.
Oratorio San Felipe Neri
Concert by soprano Bárbara
Llanes accompanied by a group
of prestigious Cuban musicians:
Alicia Perea an Karla Martínez
(piano), Anolan González (viola),
Luis Manuel Molina (guitar);
Habarroco quintet with Julián
Corrales (1st violin), Juan
Manuel Campos (2nd. violín),
Noel Quintero (viola), Carolina
Rodríguez (cello) and Iván Valiente
(bass), and two of Llanes’s students:
Lucelsi Fernández and Ernesto
Chiroldes.
jan 9
7 pm
Sala Covarrubias, Teatro Nacional
sundays
11 pm
jan 16
7 pm
jan 27
7 pm
The successful Cuban pianist and
composer Sunlay Almeida will play
works by Leo Brouwer and Harold
Gramatges.
Concert celebrating the 5th
anniversary of the Lyceum
Mozartiano de La Habana.
Sala Gonzalo Roig. Palacio del Teatro Lírico Nacional
Concerts with the Orquesta
Sinfónica Nacional.
jan 26
5 pm
Espacio Cuerda Dominical with
guitarist Luis Manuel Molina.
Sala Ignacio Cervantes
jan 5
6 pm
jan 12
6 pm
Pianist Cecilio Tieles will offer
a Panorama of contradanza and
danza in Cuba with pieces by
Tomás Buelta y Flores, Manuel
Saumell, Juan de Dios Alfonso, José
White, Julián Fontana, Ignacio
Cervantes, Nicolás Ruiz Espadero,
Ernesto Lecuona and José María
Vitier.
Cuban soprano María Eugenia
Barrios and pianist Guillermo
Tuzzio in concert.
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jan 19
6 pm
jan 26
6 pm
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Between Electroacoustic and
Acoustic is the theme proposed by
Marita Rodríguez (piano), Susel
Díaz, Dianys Catá and Vicente
Monterrey (clarinet), Ayamey
Castañeda (oboe), Karla López
( flute), Maylin Sevila (cello), Anabel
Estévez and Lilian Llanes (violin)
and Lisbet Sevila (viola and violin)
in works by Juan Blanco, Juan
Piñera and among others.
Pianist Karla Martínez will play
works by Chopin, Rachmaninoff
and Debussy, among other 19thand 20th-century composers.
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Theatre
Carlos Diaz’s provocatively
brilliant Antigóne
Teatro Trianón
Fri & Sat, 8:30pm; Sun, 5pm
Carlos Diaz and his troupe, Teatro el Publico’s
most recent performance involved a trip back
to the classics, guided and partnered by Rogelio
Orizondo who wrote Antigonón, un contingente
épico especially for them. Carlos is the most wellknown and brilliant Cuban theatre director with
a reputation for directing plays with abundant
nudity, transvestites and subtle winks at the Cuban
national reality. Antigóne does not dissapoint – go
see it for youself!
Aire frío
Argos Teatro
Key play by Virgilio Piñera, considered the most
important Cuban playwright of the 20th century,
in which all the conflicts posed in the original play
are revisited and placed in the context of contemporary Cuban society. Director Carlos Celdrán has
said about this production that he has “centered
the action on any time in Cuba and opened the
horizon to behaviors and characterizations that
are devoid of antiquities, in which the actors could
bring their characters closer to new meanings.”
The play features outstanding actress Yuliet Cruz
who was recently acclaimed for her performance
in Fíchemla si pueden.
Delirio Habanero
Sala Adolfo Llauradó
Teatro de la Luna reruns their acclaimed version of
this play by Cuban playwright Alberto Pedro. Three
delirious characters who believe they are Varilla (a
former waiter at La Bodeguita del Medio Restaurant), and famous singers Benny Moré and Celia
Cruz, meet every evening at a run-down building
to recall a long gone Havana, or to plan a future
that will never be. This production by Teatro de La
Luna has earned the director and the three actors
numerous prizes plus the praise of audiences who
pack theaters wherever they perform.
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For kids
La Colmenita
Plaza de San Francisco
January 25, 3 pm
Special performance by the children’s theater
company La Colmenita.
En Buena Compañía
Carpa Trompoloco
Sat & Sun, 4pm & 7pm
The magical and adventurous world of the circus
continues. Cuba’s prime circus venue, Carpa
Trompoloco, presents “En Buena Compañía” (In
Good Company), the new show featuring, among
other acts, tightrope walkers, acrobats, clowns,
gymnasts, trained animals, and the fascinating
flying trapeze, which was awarded the Grand Prix
during the past CIRCUBA 2013 Festival.
Por los caminos del
mundo
Centro Cultural Bertolt Brecht
Sala Tito Junco
Sat & Sun, 11 am
The play Por los caminos del mundo, by Teatro
Aldaba, combines dance, music and puppets so
that three wandering gypsies may convince us
that it is possible to make dreams come true.
Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura
January 25
11 am
Concert by the Ensemble Vocal
Luna and Schola Cantorum
Coralina choruses condcuted by
Lauren Ávila.
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Teatro de Títeres El Arca
Fri, Sat &
Sun
3 pm
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El Arca presents La violeta triste
directed and produced by Adalett
Pérez Pupo.
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January 6-8, 2014
Casa de África, Casa Benito
Juárez, Casa de la Poesía
18th Workshop on Afro-American
Social and Cultural Anthropology,
and 7th African Word Festival
The opening of the cultural year at Havana’s Historical
Center will be marked by the 15th Workshop on AfroAmerican Social and Cultural Anthropology and
the 7th African Word Festival with the presence of
academicians, researchers and artists. The scientific
sessions will be held at Casa de África and Casa del
Benemérito de las Américas Benito Juárez, while Casa
de la Poesía will host the Afropalabra Festival. The event
will travel to Matanzas province, which has a strong
African presence, on January 8 & 9. This will include
visits to different places related to African culture.
Jan 6, 2014
Casa de Africa
10:30 am
Opening of the 17th Workshop on Afro-American Social and Cultural Anthropology and 7th
African Word Festival.
Opening speech by Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler on the 28th anniversary of Casa de África.
Master lecture by Dr. Miguel Barnet Lanza on the 20h anniversary of the Slave Route
UNESCO Project.
Speech by Herman van Hooff, director of UNESCO’s Regional Bureau for Culture in Latin
America and the Caribbean.
Lecture by Dr. Jesús Guanche on sites of the Slave Route in Cuba.
12:30 pm
Launching of the multimedia on the 10th anniversary of the Slave Route Museum plus
opening of an exhibition dedicated to this event.
Plaza de San Francisco
2:30 pm
Epiphany: Recalling an old tradition, the Afro-Cuban Council will tour the principal plazas
of the Historic Center. Performances by Compañía JJ, Componedores de Batea, comparsa El
Alacrán, children and youth ensemble under the Quisicuaba Sociocultural Project and Los
Zanqueros (stilt walkers)
Plaza Vieja
3:00 pm
Cultural Gala on the 28th anniversary of Casa de África with the performances of Afrocuba
from Matanzas; Afrobantú from Pinar del Río; Espacio Abierto theater company from
Havana, Obbanguala from Mayabeque and Ire Otonogua from Matanzas.
Oratorio San Felipe Neri
7:00 pm
Opening Gala dedicated to the 28th anniversary of Casa de África.
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Jan 7, 2014
Casa de Africa (Room 1)
9:30 am
Lecture by Dr. Gema Valdés: “Comparative analysis between the ritual language of Palo
Monte (Cuba) and palenquero (Colombia.”
Casa de Africa (Room 2)
9:30 am
Lecture by David López Ximeno: “Works by Fernando Ortiz on witchcraft and a bill
witchcraft.”
Casa de la Poesía
9:30 am
Workshop: “Musicality of the oral narrator’s speech” by Brazilian professor Beatriz Mhyrra
Casa de la Poesía
3:00 pm
Lecture by Dr. Mirta Fernández illustrated by Lucas Nápoles, Mirta Portillo, Quin Nzinga and
Georgina Herrera: “Black women in poetry.”
7:00 pm
Festival Afropalabra Gala dedicated to Vitalia Oviedo, Old Havana’s Storyteller, and a tribute
to Georgina Herrera, Mirta Fernández, Coralia Rodríguez, Jesús Guanche and Tato Quiñones.
Presentation of the 2013 Juglar Prize.
Jan 8, 2014
Casa de Africa (Room 1)
9:30 am
Lecture by Dr. Enrique Alemán, director of the Quisicuaba Project.
Casa de la Poesía
9:30 am
Workshop: “Musicality of the oral narrator’s speech” by Brazilian professor Beatriz Mhyrra
Casa de Africa & Casa Benito Juárez
10:30 am11:30 am
Committee sessions
Casa de Africa
11:30 am
Launching of the book Islas del Caribe: naturaleza, arte, sociedad written by Dr. Yolanda
Wood. The book will be presented by editor Dr. José Antonio Baujín.
Casa de Africa & Casa Benito Juárez
2:00 pm5:00 pm
Committee sessions
Parque Guayasamín
2:00 pm
Narration for children with the participation of Rosa Irene Pino, Beatriz Myrrha and Juana
María Fernández.
Casa de la Poesía
3:00 pm
La tarde de los 16 reyes with the participation of poets Israel Domínguez, Sinecio Verdecia,
Wilay Méndez, Osmel Almaguer and Teresa Fornaris, and narrators Silvia Tellería, Mirta
Portillo, Lucas Nápoles and Roberto Cruz. Performance by ballerina Clara Nápoles.
Casa de la Poesía
7:00 pm
Closing ceremony of the Afropalabra Festival
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Photo by Alexander Mene
Unlocking the secrets
of the saints in Cuba
By Lydia Bell
Rain is beating down on steaming asphalt in
central Havana, a hard-bitten patch of town. I
am looking for a street-corner rumba and know
my destination will call me by the 12/8 slap of a
palm on the Cuban batá and cajones–wooden
boxes-- and that distinctive clave sound. Finally
I find Callejón de Hamel, a graffiti-plastered alley
where, at noon on Sundays, Havana’s Afro-Cuban
community worship their gods with bewitching
dance and song.
Rumba is more than music and dance–it is the
expression of Cuba’s creole identity. The music
is a hybrid, blending Congolese percussion and
flamenco-style soul-baring singing in the Yoruba
language. It is rhythmic, dark, intense–one of the
island’s first and enduring sounds, and one that has
changed little since the colonial era. I see a man
and a woman doing a rooster-hen dance. Soon,
other dancers join. At some point, it becomes a
drum-fuelled marathon with spectators piling
in. The air is thick and soupy, the beat relentless.
Finally, I’ve had enough and elbow my way out of
the tiny corridor and head toward the work of
local painter Salvador González Escalona, who
started plastering the walls of this back alley with
vivid murals in 1990, bringing a sacred space to
this poorest part of town.
Four centuries ago, African slaves brought to Cuba
by the Spanish were forbidden to practise their
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native religion. They resisted by fusing African
deities with Catholic saints, worshipping them like
the Spanish did, but imbuing them with their own
gods’ characteristics. So the super-macho African
God, Shango, became Santa Barbara, a woman
clothed in the red colour associated with her fiery
African counterpart; Oya, the undergoddess of the
Niger River, became the Virgin of Candelaria.
Over time, they genuinely integrated customs and
beliefs from the Spanish. Some white Creoles-native born Cubans of European descent-adopted African practices too, and continue to
do so. Santería is growing in every sector of the
community, more publicly so since the mid-1990s,
as the government started to show a new tolerance
towards religion.
In many Cuban houses, eerie, unblinking dolls form
a mini altar laced with fruit and tobacco offerings,
icons of saints, crosses and seemingly random
objects. You might think this is a deep devotion
to Catholicism. But these are in fact marks of
Santería, still one of the best-kept secrets here.
You can spend weeks in Cuba, learn about the
Revolution, cigars, the proportion of Cadillacs to
Chevrolets, and how to live on ration books, and
yet learn nothing about Afro-Cuban culture. This
is due not to the lotus-eating indolence of tourists,
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but the secrecy in which Santería is cloaked.
It was born in Nigeria, along the banks of the
Niger River, among the Yoruba people who had a
pantheon as rich as the Ancient Greeks. In Cuba,
about 25 deities remain. Santería says the orishas
need to be placated through gifts or, in extreme
cases, animal sacrifice to keep evil from the doors.
There’s a common phrase in Cuba: “Voy a tener que
ir a Guanabacoa” or “I need to go to Guanabacoa.”
But what it actually means is: “I am in trouble; only
a priest can save me.”
Yoruba (invoking his ancestors to clarify his
mind, Tomás advises), splashing water from half
a coconut shell, tapping the table, clicking his
fingers and throwing a chain hung with discs of
coconut rind on to the table. He keeps telling
me to keep my open palms towards him. I am
slightly distracted by the sound of a squealing
pig somewhere in the house – Tomas tells me
that there is an initiation ceremony going on
as we speak, when the faithful make official
their association with Santería through days of
intense ritual and animal sacrifice. Then his wife
bursts in and makes everyone coffee, he lights
up a cigarette and starts chatting with Tomás .
The famous Cuban pragmatism is not diluted by
any magic at work, and it puts me at ease.
He tells me (Tomás is available to translate for
anyone who cannot speak Spanish) that I am in
a state of positive evaluation, that I have been
blessed with great tranquility in my relationship,
gifted to me by the orisha Oya. I’m feeling quite
relieved. Then he announces: “… until the point of
marriage. The trouble is you are very bossy. You
This township in eastern Havana, once a major
trading centre for slaves, has a marked Afro-Cuban
musical and cultural identity strongly associated
with Santería; the secret brotherhood of Abakuá
and Palo Monte, a nature-worship cult. It’s one
of those barrios where the potencia–literally,
spiritual potency–is strong. I go there with Tomás,
a Santería practitioner who runs grassroots
Santería tours in Havana for the uninitiated.
The Museo Histórico de Guanabacoa tells a
compelling story of the evolution of Afro Cuban
culture. Here, clever, youthful guides will prep
you on the main deities, from maternal Yemaya to
firebrand Shango. My guide, José, tells me that you
cannot understand Cuba until you know Santería,
which is present in the way Cubans eat, dress,
speak, think and act. He also tells me Santería,
because of its natural-born secrecy, could never
be suppressed during the austere Communist
years in the way Catholicism was.
Next stop is the babalawo, the high priest. Tomás
takes me to the top guy in his neighborhood,
Diez de Octubre. The babalawo is a tall white
man in his sixties, who is quietly dignified. I ask
for a consultation and I offer him some money.
(He makes the sign of the cross with it before
pocketing it.) He says he will consult Olorun–the
divination aspect of the great divine entity– about
my past, present and future, and leads me into a
bare kitchen.
He begins by writing details of my name and date
of birth, then embarks on a ritual of chanting in
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Photo by Humberto Mayol
page 34
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seem quiet now but you could change suddenly
and become like a hurricane, doing something
completely out of character. You are way too
demanding and your husband knows this.”
He leans forward: “You better watch out because
you could become demented.”
Later that evening, slightly perturbed by this
onslaught, I read up on Oya. She is a warrior
woman who raises tornadoes and hurricanes, and
who guards the underworld.
Ever since meeting Tomás, I can’t help noticing
motifs of Santería everywhere I go: discarded
herbs on street corners; “initiated” Cubans wearing
white from head to toe (even their earrings, shoes
and umbrellas); strange artefacts and animal bones
in the surf.
the lush, iridescent green vista of palm smothered
banks. On a boulder at the river edge is a smiling
woman about to chop a chicken’s head off into the
swirling emerald waters. Santería is everywhere, if
you choose to see it.
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Getting there
Lydia Bell travelled with Esencia Experiences (01481
714 898; esenciaexperiences.com), which offers a
seven-day Santería-themed holiday to Cuba from
£1,590pp, including Virgin Atlantic flights from
Gatwick, B&B at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana, an
expert-led half-day Santería tour with a visit to a
rumba and the Museo Histórico de Guanabacoa.
One day, crossing the Rio Almendares, I look down
Photo by Humberto Mayol
Lydia Bell is a travel journalist with a deep interest in – and love of – Cuba. She has
worked at The Australian newspaper, at the Financial Times, at the Daily Mail, Reuters,
British Airways’ High Life magazine and remains a Harper’s Bazaar contributing editor.
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Photo by Alexander Mene
January 27, 2014
Students gather at the University steps
from 9pm on Jan 27, and at midnight march
down Calle San Lazaro to the Fragua
Martiana, which is where the quarry
used to be was to where Jose Marti was
sentanced to hard labour.
La Marcha de las
Antorchas
Ricardo Alberto Pérez
by Alex Mene
January 28th, 1853 was the date of birth of José Martí. This day isPhoto
commemorated
each year by La Marcha de las Antorchas
In Cuba, the writings of one man have enlightened
and inspired us for over a century. The authors
name is José Martí and, every year on January
28th, we gather together to celebrate his birth
in the March of the Torches. José Martí was born
in Havana and vigorously opposed injustice and
oppression from a very early age. As an adolescent,
his unwavering commitment to the full dignity of
man earned him a prison sentence where he was
subjected to forced labor in the quarries. But prison
did not deter him and his continual confrontation
with the Spanish colonial government forced
him to spend most of his short life—45 years—in
political exile.
Cuban literature was enriched by Martí’s simple,
fluent style and his personal, vivid imagery. His
writings include poems, newspaper articles,
reviews, letters, diaries, essays and political
writings, which have been gathered in over 50
volumes in Martí’s Obras Completas [Complete
Works].
While Martí’s poetry is considered by many as
the precursor of the Spanish American literary
movement known as Modernismo, he is also
considered the founder of modern political
thought in Cuba. After all, he created the Cuban
Revolutionary Party and organized the “necessary
war” of 1895.
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In 1953, on the centenary of his birth, the Federation
of University Students decided to pay tribute to
Martí’s memory in what would become known as
the March of the Torches. On the eve of January
28th, people filled the streets to show their civic
attitude as well as the significance of the day.
This act had added meaning because it occurred
during the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, who
seized power through a military coup, assumed
the presidency, and suspended the constitution in
1952. As such, at 11:30pm on Tuesday, January 27th,
a huge mass of torch-bearing youth descended the
steps of the University of Havana to march through
the streets. The human avalanche completed their
journey shortly after midnight upon their arrival
at the quarries where the 17-year-old Martí had
served his sentence.
After the Revolution of 1959, the March of the
Torches acquired a more festive mood. Today,
many of the students who take part in the march
are driven by the festive atmosphere and not
necessarily the true meaning of the celebration.
Sixty years after the first march, however, one
thing is certain: the streets of Havana continue to
fill with youth holding torches on the evening of
January 27th.
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Photo by Alex Mene
January 31, 2014
Barrio Chino, around Zanja, Amistad
and Dragones Streets in the heart of
Centro Habana
Chinese New Year in Havana
In Cuba, the most important event in the Chinese
year begins at the large pagoda-style Chinese
Portico, a gate built in 1999 that leads into Barrio
Chino. It starts with the traditional dragon and lion
dances along streets packed with women, men and
children of all ages. Both Chinese descendants and
Cubans come to see the dances performed to the
sound of gongs and drums as they parade down
the street.
Barrio Chino
Cuba’s Chinatown, or Barrio Chino, is centered
around Zanja, Amistad and Dragones Streets in
the heart of Centro Habana. This Chinatown was
founded between 1847 and 1874 when 150,000
Chinese people arrived in Havana, most of them
men. In the beginning, the Chinese immigrants
stayed true to their customs, mostly marrying
members of their own community, but as many
started to immigrate to other countries, the ones
who chose to stay began to marry Cubans. Today,
most Chinese-Cuban are a mix of their Chinese
ancestors with Spanish and African descendants.
laundries, grocery stores, and family businesses
typical of Chinatowns all over the world. At one
point, Havana’s Barrio Chino was the largest and
most economically important Chinese community
in Latin America. They also established a large
number of self-proclaimed leisure and educational
clubs, including the Kuomintang and the Chi Kong
Tong.
With the dissolution of private businesses in 1959,
many Chinese left the country, which led to the
deterioration of the Chinese district. However,
in 1990, thanks to the efforts of the Group for
the Advancement of Chinatown, the support of
local authorities and the help of the Government
Photo by Humberto Mayol
From 1869 until the first half of the 20th century,
different waves of free Chinese, mostly from
California, came to Cuba to escape discriminatory
laws. The “Californians,” as they were called, laid
the economic foundation of Havana’s Chinatown,
opening street cafes, fruit and vegetable stands,
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There are a few must-see sights in this
neighborhood, such as the Kwong-Wah-Po
(People’s Chinese Newspaper), which is still being
published; a Chinese movie theater, where original
versions of movies are featured; and an odd
Chinese homeopathic pharmacy and the House of
Chinese Arts and Traditions, which brings together
a community of descendants of Chinese families
who seek to cultivate their ancestors’ traditions
and culture. The Cuban School of Wu shu, wellknown for its work in promoting this martial art
and Chinese culture, promotes a healthy lifestyle
for the body and mind.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the most important of the
traditional Chinese holidays. It marks the end
of the winter season, analogous to the Western
Carnival. The festival begins on the first day of the
first month in the traditional Chinese calendar
and ends with Lantern Festival on the 15th day.
Chinese New Year’s Eve, a day where Chinese
families gather for their annual reunion dinner, or
“Eve of the Passing Year.”
Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, the
Chinese New Year is often referred to as the
“Lunar New Year”. Each lunar year is represented
by an animal, and the year 2014 is marked by
the presence of the Dragon –a mythological
symbol that represents fertility, immortality and
happiness.
Photo by Humberto Mayol
of Havana, the recovery and restoration of
restaurants, shops, festivities and traditions
began in the Barrio Chino. Today, the remaining
Chinese and their descendants maintain a distinct
community with traditional Chinese associations,
a Chinese-language newspaper, restaurants,
pharmacies, martial arts schools, opera and
cinema.
According to Chinese predictions, this is a strong
year given that it is a yang year–positive, bright,
and masculine–where the figure of the dragon
reigns. The Dragon brings a year of contradictions,
authoritarianism, force, power, but it is also
considered a year of luck and good fortune in
the areas of health, wealth and long, so join the
Chinese in Barrio Chino to celebrate the advent of
this glorious year!
Photo by Alex Mene
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Colloquium: Jan 9 -11, 2014
Cultural fortnight: Jan 9 - 19, 2014
25th Colloquium on the
Culture of Trinidad
The 25th Colloquium on the Culture of Trinidad will be held during the festivities on occasion of the
500th anniversary of the city of Trinidad, one of the best preserved cities in Latin America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Colloquium aims to increase its list of documents related to the history
of Cuba’s third town, foster an exchange among researchers of the city and other places in Cuba, and
discuss the historical and cultural events and its connection with information technologies. Work sessions will include other institutions: Casa de la Música, and the Architecture, Archeology and Historical
Museums. Although the Colloquium will be held from January 9-11, cultural activities will continue until
January 19.
I Festival sobre Cocina Regional Cubana, January 12-18
The 1st Cuban Regional Cuisine Festival will take place during the commemoration of Trinidad’s 500th
anniversary. Its purpose is to recover and promote cooking traditions of Cuba. Professional chefs and
aficionados of good food will compete with their recipes. Prizes will be give out for taste and presentation, as well as suggestions of combination with drinks. The event will also include lectures and workshops on the origin and evolution of Cuban regional cuisine.
Jan 9, 2014
Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos
9:00 am
Opening of the 25th Colloquium on the Culture of Trinidad.
2:40 pm3:10 pm
Trova Meeting “Trinida Trova of All Time” with Carlos Irarragorri, Pedrito González, Isabel
Bécquer, and Pepito & Elvis
4:00 pm4:20 pm
Folkloric meeting with the groups Leyenda Folk, and Alberto Pablo & Golván Marín
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Jan 10, 2014
Museo de Arquitectura
9:35 am
Conga on occasion of the Epiphany. Everybody is welcome to join the conga as it goes down to
the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos.
Museo de Arqueología Guamuhaya
8:30 pm
Opening of the exhibition Cuando la tinta descubre a una villa. Premiere of the videodocumentary on Trinidad by filmmaker Guiomar Venegas
Jan 11, 2014
Museo Nacional de la Lucha contra Bandidos
10:00 am
International panel on Cultural Heritage with the participation of PhDs Gabino Ponce,
Gregorio Canales, Estela Lucrecia Rubio and Nelson Pedro Inda. Launching of e-book.
2:45 pm
Prize-winning ceremony and conclusions. Optional tour of the city.
Selection of cultural events commemorating Trinidad’s 500th anniversary
Jan 12, 2014
Plaza del Jigüe
7:00 am
Mass commemorating the founding of the city
9:00 am
Solemn assembly
Galería Amelia Peláez
11:00 am
Fashion show with clothes made by the city’s artisan dressmakers
Galería Tristá de la Oficina del Conservador
8:30 pm
Opening of the exhibition Cerca del mar y del monte by artist Raúl Abreu
Cine Romelio Cornelio
9:00 pm
Opening of exhibition of Cuban film posters
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Jan 13, 2014
Archivo Histórico Municipal
3:00 pm
Trinidad y su historia documental, an exhibition of the most important documents from the
histroical archives of Trinidad.
Casa Artex
4:00 pm
Exhibition by painter Yudith Vidal Faifé
Plaza Cultural
9:00 pm
Mega-concert with the performance of groups and soloists of the Asociación Hermanos Saíz
Jan 14, 2014
Museo de Arquitectura Colonial
All day
Specialized tour to works in progress that are being undertaken by the Office of the
Conservator of the city of Trinidad and the Valle de los Ingenios: Valle de los Ingenios, San
Isidro de Destiladeros (Archaeological Heritage), slave quarters at Manaca-Iznaga Historical
Site, Azúcar Guáimaro Interpretation Center, Maqueta de la Ciudad Interpretation Center,
Documentation Center of the Office of the Conservator.
10:00 am
Birthday celebration of troubadour Isabel Bécquer’s with the performances of Félix Cintra,
Cofradía duo and Carlos Sentmanat
Jan 15, 2014
Galería de Arte Benito Ortiz Borrel
7:30 pm
Opening of the art exhibition Trinidad en sus 500 with the performance of the Cofradía duo.
Plataforma Central
10:00 pm
Lo que cuenta Santiago Apóstol, gala performance by artists from Santiago de Cuba.
Jan 16, 2014
Plaza Santa Ana
2:00 pm
Performance by the Kabotín Teatro Company
Palenque de los Congos Reales
3:00 pm
Opening of painting exhibition and performance by Trinidad’s Folkloric Ballet
Parque de las Madres
3:00 pm
Performance of the Parranda de Manacanabo and Condado
Plataforma Central
10:00 pm
Elegía a Trinidad, gala performance with artists from Trinidad.
Jan 17, 2014
Parque de las Madres
10:00 am
Traditional Popular Culture on stage with Trinidad’s Folkloric Ballet
Biblioteca Gustavo Izquierdo
3:00 pm
Performance by Trinidad’s Folkloric Ballet.
You’ve
waited Long Enough
page 41
Produced by
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Plataforma Central
10:00 pm
Cantándole a mi Habana, gala performance with artists from Havana.
Plaza 26 de Julio
11:00 pm
Salsa and timba with Las Cuevas Orchestra
Jan 18, 2014
Museo de Arqueología Guamuhaya
4:00 pm
Guamuhaya Elegy dedicated to poetry with special guest Nancy Morejón, National
Prizewinner for Literature.
Plataforma Central
10:00 pm
Villas hermanas, gala performance with artists from Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad.
Plaza 26 de Julio
1:00 am
Salsa and timba with Nacional Orchestra
Casa de la Cultura Julio Cueva Díaz
11:00 pm
Rock concert with the band Arrabio
Plaza 26 de Julio
11:00 pm
Salsa and timba with Sonora Trinitaria Orchestra
Jan 19, 2014
Plaza 26 de Julio
1:00 am
Salsa and timba with Nacional Orchestra
You’ve
waited Long Enough
page 42
Produced by
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Galleries & Studios in Havana
7th & 60th Studio
Casa de los Artistas
Unique studio-gallery
started showing the
work of four young
artists
www.cubartspace7y60.com
Centro de Arte
Contemporáneao
Wilfredo Lam
Showcases visual arts
in developing
countries
Works by Zaida del
Río, Fabelo, Rancaño,
Pedro Pablo Oliva
Calle Oficios #6 (sec
ond floor), entre Obispo
y Obrapía, Old Havana
(+53) 7- 862-8986
Centro Hispano
Americano de
Cultura
Cultural center
San Ignacio #22, esq.
Empedrado, Old Havana
Malecón No 17 e/ Paseo
de Martí & Capdevila,
Centro Habana
(+53) 7-860-6282
Espacio Aglutinador
Factoría Habana
Run by Sandra
Ceballos, who also
lives in the space
Calle 25 #602, entre 6 y
8, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-2147
Galería La Acacia
High-end and
wellstocked
commercial gallery
Calle San José #114, e/
Industria y Consulado,
Old Havana
(+53) 7-861-3533
Galería Villa
Manuela
Exhibiting some of
the best contempo
rary Cuban artists
Calle H, e/ 17 y 19, Veda
do (+53) 7-832 2391
You’ve
Casa-Estudio
de José Fuster
Centro de Arte
La Casona
Calle 226, esquina 3A,
Jaimanitas
(+53) 7-271-3048
Calle Muralla #107,
esquina San Ignacio,
Old Havana
(+53) 7-861-8544
Cristo Salvador
Gallery
Centro de Desarrollo
de las Artes Visuales
Calle 11 No 1104 entre 14
y 16, Vedado
San Ignacio 352, esq. a
Brasil (Teniente Rey),
Plaza Vieja, Old Havana
(+53) 7-862 3533
Fascinating excursion
to see Cuba’s
Gaudiesque
Something complete
ly different in Cuba’s
burgeoning art world
Fototeca de Cuba
Experimental center
for present-day
artistic creation
The largest, most
valuable collection of
Cuban photographs
O´Reilly 308 entre entre
Habana y Aguiar,
Old havana
Mercaderes 307 e/ Mu
ralla y Teniente Rey,
Plaza Vieja, Old Havana
(+53) 7-862-2530
Galería Habana
Galería Victor
Manuel
One of Havana’s most
established galleries
Línea #460, entre E y F,
Vedado (07) 832-7101
Museo Nacional de
Bellas Artes
Cuba´s largest and
most impressive
permanent art
collection.
Trocadero entre Zulue
ta y Monserrate, Old
Havana
waited Long Enough
Mainstream decora
tive modern paintings
San Ignacio 56, esq.
a Callejón del Chorro,
Old Havana
(+53) 7-861-2955
Pabellón Cuba
Modern architectural
building, HQ to
Association Hermanos
Saiz
Calle 23 y Calle N,
Vedado
(+53) 7-835-0822
page 43
Produced by
One of Havana’s
leading exhibition
spaces
Contemporary art
center on Plaza Vieja
Fundación Ludwing
de Cuba
Penthouse of a fivestorey building,
with breathtaking view
Calle 13 #509, 5to piso,
entre D y E, Vedado
(+53) 7-832-4270
Galería Habana
Small gallery next
door to Cine Chaplin
Calle 23 y 10, Vedado
(+53) 7-831-1101
Taller Experimental
de Gráfica de
laHabana
Cuba’s only engraving
workshop
Callejón del Chorro #62,
Old Havana
(+53) 7-862-0979
.com
Dance & concert venues
Major indoor venues
Gran teatro de
La Habana
Teatro Nacional
de Cuba
Stages ballet opera,
zarzuela and Spanish
dance
Recently renovated,
where the best per
for-mances are
Calle Prado entre San
Rafael y San José, Old
Havana
(+53) 7-861 3077
/ 5873
Paseo y 39, Plaza de la
Revolución, Vedado
Modern Dance groups in Havana
Compañía de Danza
Narciso Medina
Dance-theater, body
contact, minimalism in
performance style
Cine Teatro Favori
to. Belascoaín, esq.
Peñalver,
(+53) 7-878-2650
Best outdoor venues
Callejón de Hamel
Cuban rumba in
Salvador’s shrine to
Afro-Cuban religions
Noon-3pm Sun; 10am-noon Sat
Callejón de Hamel, e/
Hospital y Aramburu,
Centro Havana
Cabaret
Cabaret Tropicana
Legendary Vegas-style
extravaganza under
the stars
Calle 72 No. 4504, entre
41 y 43, Marianao
(+53) 7-267 0110
/ 1717-8
You’ve
Compañía Rosario
Cárdenas
Teatro Mella
1,500-seat theatre
used for dance,
folk-lore, circus and
variety show
Línea No. 657, entre A
y B, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-8696
Danza Contemporánea de Cuba
Teatro Karl Marx
The best-equipped
and largest venue in
town
Calle 1ra, esquina 10,
Miramar
(+53) 7-203-0801
Retazos
Directed by Ecuadorian
spitfire Isabel Bustos
Innovative and
creative group gaining
fabulous reviews
Cuba’s legendary and
most celebrated mod
ern dance group
Centro de Danza de la
Habana. Prado No. 111, e/
Genios y Refugio
(+53) 7-878-6765
Teatro Nacional de
Cuba. Paseo y 39, Plaza
de la Revolución
(+53) 7-879-6410
Centro Cultural
El Gran Palenque
Salon Rosado de la
Tropical
Jardines de la
Tropical
Ave.41 esq. 46, Nicanor
del Campo
Calle Rizo y Baire, Puentes Grandes, Municipio
Plaza
Habana Café
Cabaret Turquino
Mesmerizing show of
Afro-Cuban rumba
Calle 4, entre 5ta y
Calzada (7ma). Vedado
Saturday 3-5pm
Cabaret Parisién
Beautiful dancers,
intimate locale, at
Cuba’s most historic
hotel
Hotel Nacional, Calle
O, esquina 21, Vedado
(+53) 7-873 4701
ext. 129
waited Long Enough
Legendary beer
garden where Arsenio
tore it up. Unrivalled
energy, great venue.
Where Vincent Vega
would get his tendollar
shake in Havana
Hotel Meliá Cohíba,
Avenida Paseo, esquina
3ra, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-3636
January 2014
Produced by
Teatro Las Carolinas.
Calle Amargura No. 61,
entre Mercaderes y San
Ignacio
(+53) 7-866-0512
Beautiful and unique
location in old Tropical
brewery gardens. Out
of the way but worth it
Stunning view from
26th floor. Retractable
roof, up market.
Habana Libre Hotel.
Calle L, e/ 23 y 25,
Vedado
(+53) 7-838-4011
.com
Best live music venues in Havana
Classical
Teatro Auditórium
Amadeo Roldán
Great space.
Basílica Menor de
San Francisco de
Asís
Amadeo Roldán Teatro
Auditórium
Calzada No. 512,
esquina D, Vedado
Calle Oficios, Plaza San
Francisco de Asís, Old
Havana
Beautiful church
Jazz
Oratorio de San
Felipe Neri
Sala Covarrubias,
Teatro Nacional
Fabulous acoustics
Recently renovated
Calle Aguiar No.412
entre Obrapia y
Lamparilla, Old Havana
Paseo y 39, Plaza de la
Revolución
Privé Lounge
La Zorra y el
Cuervo
Café Jazz Miramar
Jazz Café
Improvised jamming.
Funky.
Quality jazz. Cold
atmosphere.
Chilled at
mosphere – private
Cine Teatro Miramar
Calle 5ta Esquina A 94,
Miramar
10:30pm – 2am
Centro de Danza de la
Habana. Prado No. 111, e/
Genios y Refugio
Calle 88A No. 306 e/ 3ra
y 3ra A, Miramar,
(07) 209-2719
Café Cantante
Mi Habana
Casa de la Música
de Centro Habana
Casa de la Música
de Miramar / El
Diablo Tun Tun
(upstairs)
Teatro Nacional de
Cuba, Avenida Paseo,
esquina 39, Plaza de la
Revolución
Galiano, entre Neptuno y
Concordia,
Centro Habana
(07) 860 8296/4165
Best salsa bands
Don Cangrejo
El Sauce
Salsa/Timba
A bit rough. Great
bands.
Great musicians.
Basement club.
Contemporary
Bertolt Brecht
Café Teatro
Beautiful people…cool
Cuban hipsters
Avenida 1ra entre 16 & 18,
Miramar
Bertolt Brecht Café
Teatro Calle 13 e/I y J,
Vedado
Trova & traditional
Barbaram Pepito’s
Bar
El Gato Tuerto
Calle 26 entre Avenida
del Zoológico y Calle 47.
Nuevo Vedado
(07) 881-1808
Calle O, entre 17 y 19,
Vedado
Nueva trova musicians
You’ve
Fabulous bolero.
Intimate
waited Long Enough
Calle 35, esquina 20,
Playa
For best in
Nueva trova
Avenida 9na #12015,
entre 120 y 130, Playa
Tel: +53 (07) 204-6428
Intimate and
atmospheric.
Calle 23, entre N y O
Tel. 833 2402
El Jelengue de
Areíto
Matinees on the
terrace
EGREM Patio
San Miguel 410, entre
Campanario y Lealtad,
en Centro Habana
Teatro de Bellas
Artes
Small intimate venue
Trocadero entre
Agramonte y Avenida
de las Misiones, Old
Havana
Hurón Azul
(UNEAC)
Salón 1930 ‘Compay
Segundo’
Calle 17, esquina H
Hotel Nacional de Cuba,
Calle O, esquina 21,
Vedado
Students, artists.
Hang out.
January 2014
Produced by
Buena VistaTraditional.
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Theatres in Havana
Adolfo Llauradó
Sala Teatro
América Teatro
Opened in 1941. Art
deco style with
magnif icent interiors
Home of the Teatro
Estudio troupe.
Varied theatre
program
Galiano 253 entre
Concordia y Neptuno.
Centro Havana
(+53) 7-862-5416
Calle 11, e/ 11 D y E.
Vedado
La Colmenita
La Casona
Adapted in 1970 as
rehearsal space for
the Teatro Estudio
theatre company
A theatre group of
children for children,
Calle 11, e/D y E. Vedado
(+53) 7-832-5373
Teatro Nacional
del Guiñol
Home to Cuba’s lead
ing children’s theatre
and puppetry
company
Calle M, e/ 17 y 19. Vedado
(+53) 7-832-6262
Bertolt Brecht
Centro Cultural
Casa de la Comedia
Calle 13, esq. I. Vedado
(+53) 7-832-9359
Justiz No. 18, entre
Baratillo y Oficios. Old
Havana
Fausto Teatro
Gaia
Cultural centre
houses a modern
300-seat space called
Sala Alternativa
Probably the best
place in Havana for
variety and comedy
acts
Sala de la Orden
Tercera. Convento de
San Fran-cisco, Plaza
de San Francisco.
Old Havana
Prado No. 201, esq.
Colon. Old Havana
(+53) 7-863-1173
Humbert de Blanck
Teatro
El Sótano Sala
Teatro
Predominantly stages
classics of interna
tion-al theater
Calzada (7ma), No. 657,
e/ A y B. Vedado
(+53) 7-830-1011
Also known as the
Salón Ensayo, it is the
base for the company
El Taller
An arts center that
was set up in 2000
Teniente y Rey No. 157,
e/ Cuba y Aguiar.
Old Havana
(+53) 7-862-0401
Home to the
Compañía Teatral
Rita Montaner. Quite
basic
Calle K, e/ 25 y 27.
Vedado
(+53) 7-832-0630
El Sótano Sala
Teatro
Home to the re
nowned theatre
companyTeatro
El Publico
Calle Línea e/ Paseo y A.
Vedado
(+53) 7-830-9648
You’ve
waited Long Enough
January 2014
Produced by
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Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas
Havana’s best Museums
Arte Corte
(Papito’s)
Cámara Oscura
Hairdressing salon and
“interactive museum”
Aguiar 10 entre Peña
Pobre y Monserrate,
Old Havana
360-degree panoramic
view of Old Havana
Brasil (Teniente Rey),
esquina a Mercaderes,
Old Havana
Casa Oswaldo
Guayasamin
Castillo de los Tres
Reyes del Morro
Work by Oswaldo
Guayasamín
Symbol of Havana and
most visited place
Obrapía 111, entre Ofi
cios y Mercaderes,
Old Havana
North-eastern side of
the harbor
Castillo de la
Real Fuerza
Depósito del
Automovil
Fundación
Havana Club
Maqueta de
La Habana
Fortress
49 restored vehicles
from 1905 to 1989
Stages of traditional
rum production
Scale model of Havana
(third largest in world)
Oficios 13 esquina a
Callejón de Jústiz,
Old Havana
Avenida del Puerto 262,
esq. a Sol, Old Havana
28 #113 entre 1ra y 3ra,
Miramar
Museo de la Ciudad
Museo del
Chocolate
Museo Farmacia
La Reunión
O’Reilly #1, Plaza de
Armas, Old Havana
Museo Armería
9 de Abril
Firearms and bladed
weapons C18th to 20th
Mercaderes 157, e/
Obra-pía y Lamparilla,
Old Havana
Museo del
Ferrocarril
Palacio de los Capitanes Generales
Cuba (Tacón) e/ Obispo
y O’Reilly, Old Havana
Museo Napoleónico
Housed in the former
Cristina railway station
Estación Cristina, s/n,
esq. a Arroyo,
Old Havana
Finest collection of
Napoleonic and French
Revolutionary memora
bilia outside France
San Miguel #1159, e/
Ronda y Masón, Vedado
Museo Nacional
de la Danza
Museo Nacional de
Artes Decorativas
Objects from Alicia
Alonso’s collection
Aristocratic wealth,
taste and passion
Línea y G (Avenida de los
Presidentes), Vedado
17 #502 esq. a E, Vedado
You’ve
waited Long Enough
Watch chocolates
being made
Mercaderes esq. a Am
argura, Old havana
Interesting pharmacy
Brasil (Teniente Rey)
esquina a Compostela,
Habana Vieja
Museo de la
Revolución
Museo Armería
9 de Abril
Revolutionary history
Firearms and bladed
weapons C18th to 20th
Refugio 1 e/ Monserrate
y Zulueta, Old Havana
Mercaderes 157, e/
Obra-pía y Lamparilla,
Old Havana
Planetario
El Templete
Interactive cultural
center
Commemorates the
first mass held
Mercaderes 311 e/ Brasil
(Teniente Rey) y Muralla.
Plaza Vieja, Old Havana
Baratillo, esq. a O’Reilly,
Old Havana
January 2014
Produced by
.com
The best places to eat in Havana
La Guarida
Asturiano
CA
4+
El Atelier
CA
5
Fabulous leg of lamb
Experimental
contemporary fusion
Paseo del Prado 309 esq a
Virtudes
Calle 5 e/ Paseo y 2, Vedado
Braisserie
Café Laurent
5
Carboncita
5
4+
Calle 35 No 1361, e/ La Torre y
24, Nuevo Vedado
Calle 19, No 1010, e/ a 12,
Vedado
5
CA
Charming, quality food.
(+53) 7-883 1216
(+53) 7-836-2025
CA
Bollywood
Indian
Authentic Spanish food
(+53) 7-836-2025
CA
CA
Spanish
Elegant and charming
(+53) 7-862 3626
Bikos
La Casa
CA
5
Casa Miglis
CA
Spanish/Mediterranean
Italian
Contemporary fusion
Swedish-Cuban fusion
Beautiful penthouse with
view
Great pizza
Great service
Unqiue
Ave. 3ra No. 3804 e/ 38 y 40,
Miramar
Calle 30 No. 865 e/ 26 y 41,
Nuevo Vedado
Lealtad 120 e/ Ánimas y
Lagunas, Centro Havana
Calle M No. 257, e/ 19 y 21,
Vedado
(+53) 7-881-7000
(+53) 7-203 0261
(+53) 7-831-2090
Chanchullero CA
5+
Chansonnier CA
5+
5
(+53) 7-864-1486
Cocina Lilliam CA
4+
El Cocinero
CA
5+
Spanish/Mediterranean
Contemporary fusion
International
Hole in the wall tapas
The IT place
Set in a beautiful garden
Great ambience & service
Calle J No. 257 e/ Línea y 15,
Vedado
Calle 48 # 1311, e/ 13 y 15,
Miramar
Calle 26, e/ 11 and 13, Vedado.
Teniente Rey 457a bajos,
Plaza del Cristo, Old Havana
(+53) 7-872-8227
Corte Príncipe CA
5+
Il Divino
(+53) 7-832-2355
(+53) 7-209 6514
(+53) 7-832-1576
CA
5+
Esperanza
International
CA 4+
D. Eutimia
CA
Italian
International
Cuban fusion
Cuban/Creole
Spectacular pasta
A great day out
9na esq. 74, Miramar
Intimate, idiosyncratic &
charming
Absolutely charming
Calle Raquel, No. 50 e/
Esperanza y Lindero, Mantilla,
Arroyo Naranjo
(+53) 5-255-9091
(+53) 7-643-7734
La Fontana
CA
5+
La Guarida
CA
5+
Callejón del Chorro No. 60C,
Plaza de la Catedral,
Old Havana
Calle 16 # 105 e/ 1ra y 3ra,
Miramar
(+53) 7-202 4361
Iván Chef
5+
(+53) 5-281-5883
CA
5+
Milano Lounge CA
International
Contemporary fusion
Spanish (Tapas)
International
Consistently good
Justifiably famous
Brilliantly creative
Stylish & elegant
Calle 46 No. 305 esq a 3ra,
Miramar
Concordia 418 e/ Gervasio y
Escobar
Aguacate #9, Esq. Chacun,
Old Havana
Calle 3ra, #2404, e/ 24 y 26,
Miramar
(+53) 7-202-8337
Nardos
(+53) 7-866-9047
CA 4+
Piccolo
(+53) 7-863-9697
CA 4+
Río Mar
CA
(+53) 7-203-4641
5
San Cristóbal CA
International
Italian
International
Cuban/Creole
Great value, busy vibe
Kitsch pizza place post
Wonderful view
Cute kitsch
Prado # 563 e Teniente Rey y
Dragones, Old Havana
5ta A # 50206 e/ 502 y 504,
Guanabo, Habana del Este
3A y Final # 11, La Puntilla,
Miramar
Calle San Rafael No 469 e/
Lealtad y Campanario
(+53) 796-4300
(+53) 7-863-2985
Santy
CA
5+
Starbien
(+53) 7-209-4838
CA
5
El Templete
5
CA 5-
5
(+53) 7-860-9109
Vista del Mar CA
4+
Sushi/Oriental
Spanish/Mediterranean
Spanish/Mediterranean
International/seafood
The ‘Shack’
Quality food
Old school – quality
Beautiful sea view for lunch
Calle 240A No 3023 esq. 3raC,
Jaimanitas
Calle 29 # 205 e/ B y C.
Vedado
Av del Puerto #12 esq a
Narciso López
Ave. 1ra e/ 22 y 24, Miramar
(+53) 5-286-7039
You’ve
(+53) 7-830-0711
waited Long Enough
(+53) 7-866-8807
January 2014
Produced by
(+53) 7-203-8328
.com
Bikos
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Spanish/Mediterranean
CostModerate
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Superb authentically prepared
Spanish food. Excellent service and
attractive décor.
Don’t miss Thursday night happy hour
(7-9pm)
Calle 19, No 1010, e/ a 12, Vedado
(+53) 7-836-3603
La Casa
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Contemporary fusion
CostExpensive
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Warm hospitality and openness
from the four generations of the Robaina
family. Quality food.
Don’t miss Thursday night sushi night.
The Piña Colada.
Calle 30 No. 865 e/ 26 y 41, Nuevo Vedado
(+53) 7-881-7000
Le Chansonnier
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Contemporary fusion
CostExpensive
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for The IT Place. Stylish, elegant and
sophisticated décor – modern installations.
Don’t miss Cuisines that push the Cuban
envelope - lobster carpaccio and grilled red
snapper.
Calle J No. 257 e/ Línea y 15, Vedado
(+53) 7-832-1576
El Cocinero
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
International
CostModerate
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Fabulous industrial chic alfresco
rooftop with a buzzing atmosphere, great
service & good food.
Don’t miss Some of the best parties in
Havana, which attract both a funky Cuban
set and expatriates in the know.
Calle 26, e/ 11 and 13, Vedado.
(+53) 7-832-2355
You’ve
waited Long Enough
January 2014
Produced by
.com
La Guarida
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Contemporary fusion
CostExpensive
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Authentic, charming and intimate
atmosphere in Cuba’s best known
restaurant. Great food, professional. Classy.
Don’t Miss Uma Thurman, Beyoncé or the
Queen of Spain if they happen to be dining
next to you.
Concordia 418 e/ Gervasio y Escobar
(+53) 7-866-9047
Iván Chef Justo
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Spanish/Mediterranean
CostExpensive
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Spectacular innovative food. Light
and airy place where it always seems to feel
like Springtime.
Don’t Miss The lightly spiced grilled mahimahi served with organic tomato relish.
Try the suckling pig and stay for the cuatro
leches.
Aguacate #9, Esq. Chacun, Old Havana
(+53) 7-863-9697
Casa Miglis
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Swedish
CostExpensive
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for The beautifully designed interior,
warm ambience and Miglis’s personality
create the feeling of an oasis in Central
Havana.
Don’t Miss Chatting with Mr Miglis.
The Skaargan prawns, beef Chilli and
lingonberries.
Lealtad 120 e/ Ánimas y Lagunas, Centro Havana
(+53) 7-864-1486
Milano Lounge Club
CA 5-
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
International
CostExpensive
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Stylish and elegant, this converted
art deco mansion is simply gorgeous. Think
Miami South Beach.
Don’t Miss Linguine with prawns and rocket.
Calle 3ra, #2404, e/ 24 y 26, Miramar
(+53) 7-203-4641
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Privé Lounge
The best Bars & Clubs in Havana
Bertolt Brech
CA 5
Bohemio
Café Cantante CA
CA 5-
Think MTV Unplugged. Hip,
funky and unique.
Elegant quiet bar with a
nice vibe
Great musicans. Recently
renovated. Good sound
Calle 13 e/ I y J, Vedado
Calle 21 No. 1065 e/ 12 y 14,
Vedado
Teatro Nacional, Av Paseo,
esq 39, Plaza de la Revolución
(+53) 7-8301354
Casa Música
(+53) 7-878-4273
(+53) 7-833 6918
CA 4
The best salsa bands.
Small (ish) and a little
worn these days.
Calle 20, esq. 35, Miramar
La Cecilia
El Cocinero
CA 4+
CA 4
CA 5+
Avenida 1ra e/ 16 & 18,
Miramar
(+53) 7-832-2355
Esencia Habana CA
5
Espacios
CA 5-
Calle 10 No. 510, e/ 5ta y 31,
Miramar
(+53) 7-836-3031
Gato Tuerto
(+53) 7-202-2921
Kpricho
CA 4+
Outdoor Miami style
lounge bar.
Old-school state place.
Fabulous bolero singers.
Calle 46 No. 305, esq. 3ra,
Miramar
Calle O, entre 17 y 19, Vedado
CA 5
Uber modern stylish
indoor bar/club. Party
starts late.
Calle 94 No. 110 entre 1ra y
3ra, Miramar
(+53) 7-833-2224
(+53) 7-206-4167
Meliá sports Bar CA
4
Mio y Tuyo
CA 4
Popular modern bar. Can
get smoky.
Big-screen sports in
modern outdoor place.
Renovated suburban
house. Good live music.
1ra, e/ 58 y 60, Miramar
Meliá Habana Hotel
Ave. 3ra e/ 76 y 80, Miramar
Ave 5ta B entre 42 y 44, No
4206, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-8500
Las Piedras
Privé Lounge
CA 4
CA 5
Bar of choice for the afterparty (3am+).
Intimate lounge club with
great acoustics.
1ra y 43, Miramar
Calle 88A No. 306 e/ 3ra y 3ra
A, Miramar
(+53) 7-209-2719
Sloppy Joe’s
CA 4+
One of the best bars in the
world (1950s).
Ánimas, esq. Zulueta, Old
Havana
(+53) 7-866 7157
You’ve
TaBARish
CA 5-
Indoor Russian themed
bar/restuarant.
Calle 20 No. 503 e/ 5ta y 7ma,
Miramar
(+53) 7-202-5245
Sangri-La
El Floridita
CA 5-
Hemingway’s daiquiri bar.
Obispo No. 557 Ave. de
Bélgica, Old Havana
(+53) 7-867 1299
Café Madrigal CA
Calle 17 No. 302 (altos) entre
2 y 4, Vedado
(+53) 7-831 2433
Pepito’s Bar
CA 4
Live nueva trova in small
(ish) intimate environment.
Calle 26 e/ Av Zoologigo &
Calle 47. Nuevo Vedado
(+53) 7-881-1808
CA 5
El Sauce
CA 5-
For the cool kids.
Basement bar/club.
Best contemporary &
Nueva Trova singers.
Avenida 21, e/ 36 y 42,
Miramar
Avenida 9na No. 12015, e/ 120
y 130, Miramar
(+53) 5-264-8343
El Tocororo
CA 4
Expat favorite hangout.
Small with live music.
Calle 18, e/ 3ra y 5ta, Miramar
January 2014
4
Beautifully décor in a
spectacular space. Cold
(+53) 7-204-6428
Up & Down
CA 4
Disco vibe with Cuban
pop. Young Cuban crowd
5ta, e/ B y C, esq B Vedado
(+53) 7-202-9188
waited Long Enough
5-
(+53) 7-204-3837
Calle B, e/ Linea & Calzado.
Vedado
CA 5-
Don Cangrejo CA
Calle 26, e/ 11 y 13, Vedado
Calle Zulueta No. 658 e/
Gloria y Apodaca,
Old Havana
Melem
(+53) 7-860 8296/4165
5ta Avenida No. 11010, e/ 110 y
112, Miramar
Laid back contemporary
bar with a real buzz.
(+53) 7-202-8337
Galiano, entre Neptuno y
Concordia, Centro Habana
Love it/hate it – come for
the Friday night party
Spacious indoor modern
bar. Good service.
CA 5
CA 4
A little rough but spacious.
See the best Cuban salsa
bands
Fabulous rooftop setting,
great service, cool vibe.
Stairway to Heaven. LGBT
venue.
La Fontana
Casa Música
Big venue, very popular,
see PMM here.
(+53) 7-204 0447
Ecaleras Cielo
5-
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Esencia Habana
CA 5-
CA TOP PICK
Contemporary Bar
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Nice vibe with good music and
attractive moden decor. Interesting clientele
of mostly 30 somethings. Smoke-free.
Don’t Miss Wednesday night Single’s night
(from 8pm) . Friday night Happy Hour (57pm).
Calle B, e/ Linea & Calzado
(+53) 7-836-3031
Espacios
CA 5-
CA TOP PICK
Contemporary Bar
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Laid back lounge atmosphere in
the garden area which often has live music.
Good turnover of people.
Don’t Miss Ray Fernandez, Tony Avila, Yasek
Mazano playing live sets in the garden.
Calle 10, # 510, e/ 5ta y 31, Miramar
(+53) 7-202-2921
La Fontana
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Contemporary Bar
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Contemporary lounge bar. Great
service. Excellent cocktails. Beautiful people.
Don’t Miss The influx of people from other
locations at 3am!
Calle 46 # 305, esq. 3ra, Miramar
(+53) 7-202-8337
Kpricho
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Contemporary Bar/CLUB
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Uber modern stylish indoor space
where Havana’s coolest DJs keep the party
going.
Don’t Miss Work the next day if you stay
partying all night….
94 entre 1ra y 3ra # 110, Miramar
(+53) 7-206-4167
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Melia Sports Bar
CA 4+
CA TOP PICK
Sports Bar + Live Music
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Watching the game (any game) on
the big screen. Great live music – busy vibe –
very popular.
Don’t Miss The World Cup – book your seats
now!
Melia Habana Hotel
Ave. 3ra e/ 76 y 80, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-8500
Privé Lounge
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
LOUNGE CLUB (LIVE MUSIC)
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Intimate lounge club with quality
decor and great acoustics.
Don’t Miss Sunday night jazz – brilliant
musicans play here.
Calle 88A #306 e/ 3ra y 3ra A, Miramar
(+53) 7-209-2719
Sangri-La
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Contemporary Bar/CLUB
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Hanging out with the cool kids on
the Havana Farundula in the most popular
bar/club.
Don’t Miss The best gin and tonic in Havana.
Avenida 21, e/ 36 y 42, Miramar
(+53) 5-264-8343
TaBARish
CA 5-
CA TOP PICK
Contemporary Bar
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for A comfortable place to chat / hang
out with your friends. Great service.
Don’t Miss The homemade Russian soup –
just like matushka makes it.
Calle 20 #503 e/ 5ta y 7ma, Miramar
(+53) 7-202-9188
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The best private places to stay
Artedel
1932
CA 4
Artedel
CA 5+
Casa Particular
3 bedroom penthouse
Visually stunning,
historically fascinating
Welcoming
Stylish and contemporary
feel. Beautiful 360-degree
view
Calle Campanario No. 63, e/ San
Lazaro y Laguna,
Centro Havana;
Av Primera 26, e/ 15 and 17,
Vedado
(+53) 7-863 6203
Carmita
CA 4
Atlantic
CA 5+
Aurora
CA 4
Penthouse + luxury
apartments
Casa Particular
The ultimate in luxury
Calle 15 No. 962 apart. 5, e/
Calle 8 y calle 10, Vedado
Calle D street, esq 1ma, Vedado
Attractive penthouse
(+53) 7-833-8659
(+53) 7-830 8727
Concordia
CA 5+
Doris
CA 5
Habana
CA 4
Luxury House
3 bedroom apartment
Casa Particular
Casa Particular
Beautiful house with a pool
a little out of town
Beautifully designed and
spacious with 5 balconies
Lovely sun drenched
apartment. Friendly
Beautiful colonial
townhouse, great location
Calle 19b No. 21421, e/ 21 y 214
Rpto. Atabey
Calle Concordia, no. 151 apt.
8, esq. San Nicolas, Centro
Habana
19th Street No. 1211 apart 3, e/ 18
y 20. Vedado
Calle Habana No. 209, e/
Empedrado, y Tejadillo,
Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-272-5027
Habana Vista
(+53) 7- 861 0253
(+53) 5-254-5240
CA 5
Julio y Elsa
CA 5
Lilly
CA 5
Manolos
CA 5
Casa Particular
Casa Particular
Casa Particular
Luxury House
Two storey penthouse b&b
with private pool
Cluttered bohemian feel.
Hospitable
Incredible view of the
seafront
Family environment.
Up-market
Calle 13 No. 51 esq N Vedado
Consulado No. 162, e/ Colon y
Trocadero
Calle G No.301 e/ 13 y 15, Apto 13,
Vedado
1st Ave e/ Calle 46 & 60 No.
4606, Miramar
(+53) 5-388-7866
Miramar 205
(+53) 7-203-4273
(+53) 7-861 8027
CA 5
Miramar 301
CA 5
Portería
CA 5+
Rosa D’Ortega CA
5
Luxury House
Luxury House
Casa Particular
Boutique B&B
10 bedroom luxury private
villa with swimming pool
4 bedrooms private luxury
villa with swimming pool
Amazing antiques, lovely
house
Beautiful and welcoming
large home
Calle 4 No. 310 e/ Calles 13 y
15, Vedado
Patrocinio No. 252 esq. a Juan
Bruno Zayas , 10 de Octubre
(+53) 7-833-8670.
Siboney 33
CA 5
Teresita
CA 4
Verano Azul
CA 5
(+53) 7-641-4329
Vitrales
CA 5
Luxury House
Casa Particular
Casa Particular
Boutique B&B
5 bedroom private villa,
swimming pool.
Elegant, old-fashioned
green Vedado mansion
Suburban home. Great art
& food
Hospitable, attractive and
reliable boutique hotel
Paseo No. 208 e/ Línea and
Calle 11, Vedado
Calle 42 No. 1514 Miramar
Calle Habana No. 106
e/ Cuarteles y Chacon
Old Havana
(+53) 7-830 2649
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(+53) 7-866-2607
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Atlantic Penthouse
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Ultimate Havana Penthouse
Facilities
Rooms
Ambience
Value
Best for Ultimate Havana luxury. Stylish,
exclusive, private and beautiful.
Don’t Miss The rooftop infinity pool.
Calle D street, esq 1ma, Vedado
Artedel Penthouse
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
3 Bedroom penthouse
Facilities
Rooms
Ambience
Value
Best for Stylish and contemporary furniture
along with a beautiful 360-degree view over
Havana
Don’t Miss Ydalgo – an impeccable host,
discreet or gregarious, as you prefer
Av Primera 26, e/ 15 and 17, Vedado
(+53) 7-830 8727
Casa Concordia
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
3 Bedroom apartment
Facilities
Rooms
Ambience
Value
Best for Beautifully designed and spacious
apartment with 5 balconies offering views of
the city and sea
Don’t Miss Feeling a part of Centro Habana,
the beating heart of the city.
Calle Concordia, no. 151 apt. 8, esq. San Nicolas,
Centro Habana
Casa Vitrales
CA 5
CA TOP PICK
Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Facilities
Rooms
Ambience
Value
Best for Incredibly hospitable, attractive and
reliable boutique hotel in Old Havana.
Don’t Miss Osmani’s gregarious warmth.
Sundowners on the roof terrace.
Calle Habana No 106 Entre Cuarteles y Chacon,
Old Havana
(+53) 7-866-2607
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