35TH HAVANA JAZZ PLAZA FESTIVAL 5 DAY TOUR
JANUARY 15, 2020 “HELLO HAVANA & HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2020”
· Depart U.S. for Jose Mart International Airport in Havana, Cuba. (AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE)
· Meet & greet with guide and driver at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport.
· Guide will accompany you for the duration of your stay.
· Welcome lunch and/or dinner be determined by arrival time. Don’t worry, we won’t let you go hungry!
· Driving City Tour of Havana, including a drive along the famous Havana malecon seawall, Vedado neighborhood, 5th Avenue in the suburb of Miramar, and stops at the Plaza of the Revolution, and Almendares Park. (2 hours)
· Visit to Fusterlandia and La Lavanderia, the studio and workshop shared by Cuban painter and sculptor Rafael Perez Alonso, and the artists of The Merger art co-op.
· Transfer to B&B. (Photos are available of B&B’s before booking, they are all great!)
· Welcome dinner at private restaurant.
· Live Jazz Festival music at venue to be determined.
· 12:30am After-party at Bertolt Brecht Theatre for performance by Cuban funk/fusion group Interactivo.
JANUARY 16, 2020 “OLD HAVANA & ART & HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2020”
· Breakfast at B&B.
· 9:00 am Old Havana Encounter, our walking tour through Old Havana, La Habana Vieja, and its five main plazas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco, and Plaza del Cristo, with stops at the residence of the colonial era Captain General of the island, the Havana Cathedral, Obispo Street, and the Cuba’s capitol building. Old Havana gives you a taste of the island and will make you feel as if you had travelled back in time. Old Havana has some of the oldest buildings and streets in the Americas, with buildings and structures dating to the 16th century. These ancient buildings still house a significant number of Havana’s inhabitants. Old Havana features the first church built on the island, a street paved with wooden bricks, palatial residences, the hotel where Ernest Hemingway wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” the beautiful Bacardi building, and the Cuba’s former presidential palace. Some of the notable buildings you will see during this tour include the house built by Ponce de Leon’s grandson, a section of Havana’s original colonial era sewer system, and the beautiful Palacio Viena Hotel, which like many structures in Old Havana has been undergoing a never-ending renovation. Our tour of Old Havana includes stops at Ernest Hemingway’s favorite bars, El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982, Old Havana is the largest, oldest, and most authentic colonial area in the western hemisphere. This event is directed by your professional, English speaking guide. (4 hours)
· Lunch at restaurant of guest’s choice. (Not included in tour price)
· 2:30pm Museum experience, visit to the Havana Museo de Bellas Atres, this includes a visit the national Cuban Museum of Art, and the International Museum of Art, both located in old Havana, 4 hours. The national and international branches of the Cuban Museo de Bellas Artes feature the highest quality artwork on the island, in strikingly different settings. The international branch is housed in the ornate former Centro Asturiano, which house a society of Spaniards from the province of Asturias who resided on the island and is located steps away from the capitol building. The national branch is housed in a strikingly looking modern building, considering that it was built before the revolution in the 1950s.
· Dinner at restaurant of guest’s choice. (Not included in tour price)
· 12:30am After-party at Bertolt Brecht Theatre for performance by Interactivo.
JANUARY 17, 2020 “CIGARS & RUM, & JAZZ ALL-STARS WORKSHOP & HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2020”
· Breakfast at B&B.
· 9:00am Havana Cigar and Rum Experience, this is a walking tour that traverses Old Havana and is basically a continuation of yesterday’s Old Havana Tour with visits to the Rum Museum, the Cigar Museum, and stops at a cigar factory and warehouse. The Rum Museum illustrates the history of the sugar industry in Cuba and includes a replica of a colonial era rum distillery, and a presentation of the culture and tradition of Cuban rum production. The Rum Museum displays contemporary Cuban painter’s works, so you just may see the early works of Cuba’s next Wilfredo Lam. The Habano Museum illustrates the history of tobacco cultivation, and cigar making on in Cuba. Guests will have an opportunity to sample both fine Cuban rums and cigars during this event. Depending on schedule you may see a demonstration by a master cigar roller. (3 hours)
· Lunch at private restaurant.
· 2:00pm Jazz Workshop is presented by a rotating cast of world class, contemporary, Cuban musicians led by Julito Padron, and featuring Juan Carlos Marin Elosegui, Adel Gonzalez, Omar Gonzalez, Jorge Reyes, Oliver Valdes Rey, Javier Salva, and more. This music workshop is an incredible experience through which you will interact on a one to one basis with some of the best musicians in Cuba. Workshop covers several topics of music theory, the fusion of American Jazz and Cuban music, and the influence of traditional Cuban music on Cuban Jazz. Typical Cuban instruments are discussed, including the clave, the tres guitar and bongos. The musicians will usually begin this event with improvised playing and are open to discuss any topics with our guests. A unique and enlightening event. You saw several of these musicians perform at Bertolt Brecht last night! Workshop includes 1 Havana Club bottle per guest. (3 hours)
· The musicians that participate in this workshop are among the best in Cuba, Adel Gonzalez and Julito Padron were members of Irakera, the legendary Cuban band led by Chucho Valdes. Julito Padron was the youngest lead trumpet player in the eighty plus year history of El Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñeiro. Oliver Valdes has shared the stage with many famous international artists and is the principle drummer for Silvio Rodriguez. Julito Padron, Juan Carlos Marin, and Oliver Valdes are all members of the Cuban Jazz-fusion band Interactivo, and Juan Carlos Marin, el Trombon de Santa Amalia, is considered the best trombone player in Cuba!
· Dinner at restaurant of guest’s choice. (Not included in tour price)
· Live Havana Jazz Festival music, venue to be determined.
JANUARY 18, 2020 “SANTERIA & SEPTETO IGNACIO PINEIRO & HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2020”
· Breakfast at B&B.
· 9:00am Santeria workshop, this workshop covers the basics of the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria and includes such topics as the syncretism of Catholicism and African religions, and the role and significance of drums in the religion. The religion is a syncretism of African religions and Catholicism and is currently practiced by a large percentage of the island’s population. This workshop covers the main deities of the religion, their origin myths, the colors and vestments associated with them, and their roles in human life. A visit to the Casa de Africa is included, and there you will see African musical instruments, artifacts, and a room dedicated to the orishas, the Yoruba deities. Guests are usually amazed after attending this workshop that the multicolored wristbands and necklaces worn by many Cubans are associated with the religion. (3 hours)
· Lunch at restaurant of guest’s choice. (Not included in tour price)
· 2:30pm Son Workshop, presented by El Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñeiro, the Cuban group created in 1927 by Ignacio Piñeiro Martinez, which is credited with popularizing the son musical style. This septet is the oldest ensemble that has stayed active through the decades in Cuba and creates new music, while respecting its roots. El Septeto Piñeiro has had a significant influence on Cuban music, and Ignacio Piñeiro was one of the most prolific composers in Cuban history, with over three-hundred songs to his credit. Two of his most famous songs, “Echale Salsita,” and “Suavecito” are son staples, and still popular. In the 1930’s Piñeiro added a trumpet to his sextet, and thus created the signature sound of Cuban soneros for history. The Septeto Piñeiro was nominated for a Grammy in 2004 and won a Cuba Disco in 2016. They have performed in the United States on several occasions, including their most recent visit in January 2016, and have played in Chicago, Miami, New York City, Phoenix, San Francisco, and across the globe, from Japan and Russia to Colombia and Peru. (3 hours)
· The internationally acclaimed septet is currently on its fourth generation of musicians, and this workshop will include a live performance by the group. You will have the opportunity to meet the members of the Septet and interact with them. Members include Frank Oropesa who is the director, and the septets singer with his signature voice, Eugenio “El Raspa” Rodriguez. The Septet has shared the stage with such notable musicians as Tata Guiness, Rene Alvarez, and Ray Barretto. A history of the Septet and of Ignacio Piñeiro kick-off this workshop, and it is followed by unforgettable live music. Full bar is available for guests during this event, and includes one welcome cocktail, beer or another refreshing beverage.
· Dinner at restaurant of guest’s choice. (Not included in tour price)
· Live Havana Jazz Festival music, venue to be determined.
JANUARY 19, 2020 “ADIOS, CUBA!”
· Breakfast at B&B.
· Day’s activities to be determined according to time of departure flight.
· Transfer to Jose Marti International Airport for return flight to U.S.
Price includes:
*All listed activities & admission to Havana Jazz Festival events
*Accommodation in beautiful B&B in Old Havana
*All transportation including late night transportation until 3am. Transportation will usually be in modern air-conditioned cars or vans, and on some occasions with your prior approval in some very nice classic American Chevrolets and Fords.
*Cuban entry visa
*Full time local English-speaking professional guide
*4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners. Once you have booked, we will send you the names of the restaurants.
*One bottle of Havana Club Rum during Jazz All Stars Workshop and one drink during Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñeiro Son Workshop.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE AIRFARE. ARRANGE YOUR OWN FLIGHT AND LET US KNOW THE DATES AND TIMES.
This is a small-group tour for 4 to 10 guests. Arrange your own group or join one. For larger groups please contact us cubatraveltrips@gmail.com. NO CUBAN GOVERNMENT TOUR BUSES! NO CUBAN GOVERNMENT GUIDES! NO CUBAN GOVERNMENT RESTAURANTS! Unfortunately, all Havana Jazz Plaza Festival events take place on Cuban government property.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR PRICING IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO STAY AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING HOTELS: Hotel Nacional in Vedado or Iberostar Parque Central, Hotel Saratoga, or Hotel Sevilla in Old Havana. (Hotel option will raise the price of tour from $500 to $1,300 x guest depending on hotel selected)
Your price per person with Bed&Breakfast DOUBLE OCCUPANCY $1,950
Price per person SINGLE OCCUPANCY $2,175
PRICES VALID FOR RESERVATIONS MADE ON OR BEFORE NOV. 15, 2019
Legal Cuba Travel for travelers from the U.S.A. allowed by General License for Public Performances 31 CFR 515.567.
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