February 2014 - Cuba Travel Services

what’s on
havana
!
feb
2014
Searching for
Pink Smoke
The XVI Habanos Festival
Julio Muñoz: Trinidad’s
horse whisperer
Guide to the Best places to eat, drink, dance and stay in Havana
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Taxi driving down the Malecon, Dec 2013
Photo by Alex Mene
Cover photo by Alex Mene showing Héctor
Noas during the preliminary shooting
for the Cuban Western Pink Smoke to be
directed by Ernesto Daranas.
editorial
This issue features Cuba’s cigar smoking heritage. Stephen Gibbs takes us back a few years
to a previous Festival del Habano with Sir Terence Conran, Amir Saarony updates the cigar
aficionado with an insider’s guide to Havana and Pink Smoke hovers on the horizon.
February is looking like a tough month for culture vultures in Havana. Put quite simply,
there is not enough time—too many things to do, places to go. The Alfonso family is front
and center with the Havana World Music Festival (Feb 7-8), organized by Eme Alfonso
followed by the much anticipated opening of Fábrica de Arte Cubano on February 13,
a project of X Alfonso. Mum and dad will also perform as part of the legendary group
Síntesis.
There is definitely something for everyone this month from Conner Gorry’s insights to her
dysfunctional Harley extended family through pampered pooches, Cuba’s boxing titans,
cigar smoking socialists and everything in-between. Don’t miss Christopher Baker’s story
on Trinidad’s Horse Whisperer—brilliant.
Hats off to Legendarios de Guajirito for the best in 1950s Buena Vista style show, Cuba
Libro for their great new show ‘Con lo que haya’ (With Whatever There Is) and make sure
you see Habana Abierta who have ceased being an urban legend and are everywhere this
month!
February 2014 Highlights
•
III International Harley Davidson Rally (Feb 6-10)
•
Havana World Music Festival (Feb 7-8)
•
Opening of Fábrica de Arte Cubano (Feb 13)
•
Feria Internacional del Libro (Feb 13-23)
•
Vuelta a Cuba (Feb 15-22)
•
Festival de Música Antigua Esteban Salas (Feb 15-26)
•
Cuba vs Kazakhstan in WSB (Feb 21)
•
XVI Festival del Habano (Feb 24-28)
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 CubaAbsolutely@gmail.com.
All the best. Viva Cuba!
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Feb 2014
Photo by Alexander Mene
FEATURES
The XVI Habanos Festival p7
A cigar aficionado’s guide to Havana p9
My big new dysfunctional Harley family p13
havana culture
Visual arts p17 - Photography p20Dance p21 - Music p22 - Theatre p37 - For Kids p39
CUBAN CUSTOMS
Havana Mantras p40
Pampered pooches at the Havana Dog Show p43
Valentine’s Day in Cuba p45
Cuba’s Domadores dominate Guerreros (5-0) p46
Tour de Cuba (Vuelta a Cuba) p47
sport
Travel
Julio Muñoz : Trinidad’s horse whisperer p48
The 2014 Feria Internacional del Libro p52
Legendarios de Guajirito p54
Havana Buzz: Street Art at Cuba Libro p56
Havana Guide
Restaurants - Bars - Clubs - Live Music - Private
Places to Stay p57
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Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Cuba Absolutely — With a Passion for Cuba
Not to miss during February 2014 what’s on havana
You’ve
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10
17
24
Harold López-Nussa @
La Zorra y el Cuervo,
11pm
El Micha, matinée @
Casa de la Música de
Miramar, 5pm
Time for a round of
golf @ Diplo Club.
Plenty of rum & cigars
on the 19th hole.
XVI Festival del
Habano
Feb 24 – 28, 2014
4
11
18
25
Dinner at El Litoral, one
of Havana’s best new
restaurants—watch life
pass by on Malecón.
Habana Abierta,
David Torrens or
Kelvis Ochoa @ Café
Cantante Mi Habana,
5pm
Opening of Veinte
años: luces y sombras
(5pm).
Take the stress out of
your day with lunch
at Atelier—an ocean of
calm with great food.
5
12
19
26
Tribute to Juan Blanco@ Stainless vs. The
Casa de las Américas,
Merger, Art exhibition
4pm
@ Galiano gallery
(showing all month)
II Encuentro
de Guitarras
‘Con lo que haya’ (With
Identidades-2014: Feb
Whatever There Is)
5-9
exhibition at Cuba
Lunch at Iván Chef
Justo, Havana’s most
imaginative food.
Dinner at Le
Chansonnier, Havana’s
coolest IT restaurant.
6
13
20
27
Legendarios de
Guajirito @ El
Guajirito, 9.30pm
Bobby Carcassés @
UNEAC, 2pm
Pancho Amat @
Museo Nacional de la
Música, 5pm
Legendarios de
Guajirito @ El
Guajirito, 9.30pm
III International
Harley Davidson
Rally, Feb 6-10
Opening of Fábrica de
Arte Cubano (F.A.C.)
Feria Internacional
del Libro, Feb 13-23
Dinner at La Guarida,
Cuba’s most famous
restaurant.
Tue
Wed
Qva Libre @ Café
Cantante Mi Habana,
5pm
Alexander Abreu y
Havana de Primera @
Casa de la Música de
Miramar, 11pm
Thu
Michel Herrera @ Jazz
Café, 10.30pm
7
14
21
28
Havana World Music
Festival @ Círculo
Social José Antonio
Echeverría
Concert by Silvio
Rodríguez @ Fábrica
de Arte Cubano
Antigonón, un
contingente épico by
Carlos Diaz @ Teatro
Trianón, 8:30pm (FRI &
SAT)
Danzando Sueños,
Ballet Español de
Cuba, 8.30pm
Fri
La magia de la danza
by Ballet Nacional de
Cuba, 8pm
The ‘Love’ classical
concert @ Basílica
Menor de San
Francisco de Asís
8
15
22
1 March
Havana World Music
Festival @ Círculo
Social José Antonio
Echeverría
Flamenco por
Dentro by Compañía
Flamenca Ecos, 7pm
Conclusion of Vuelta
a Cuba (Feb 15-22)
Brutal Fest’s 2014
Winter Festival in
Havana
Kpricho, Havana’s
ultra modern and uber
cool new club.
Yasek Manzano @ La
Zorra y el Cuervo,
11pm
Festival de Música
Antigua Esteban Salas
Feb 15-26
Brutal Fest’s 2014 Winter
Festival in Havana
Festival del Habano,
Gala Evening
Sat
Contigo pan y cebolla
by Julio CésarRamírez
Dinner at Santi.
Jaimanitas’s off the
beaten track world
class sushi restaurant.
9
16
23
2 March
My Dream by China
Disabled People’s
Performing Art
Troupe, 5pm
En Buena Compañía
@ Carpa Trompoloco,
4pm & 7pm
Pan American
Purebred Dog
Tournament @ Parque
Metropolitano
Máquina de la
Melancolía @ El Sauce,
5pm onwards
Jazz at Privé Lounge,
10:30pm
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Jazz at Privé Lounge,
10:30pm
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Dinner at Casa Miglis,
Centro Habana’s
Scandinavian oasis.
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XVI Festival del Habano
Feb 24 – 28, 2014
Photos courtsey of Habanos S.A.
With Sir Terence Conran
at the Festival del Habano
By Stephen Gibbs
Maybe someone was having a quiet joke. Perhaps it
was a coincidence. But for one reason or another,
Havana’s Karl Marx theatre was the setting for the
inaugural night of celebrations in honor of that
great capitalist prop, the hand-rolled cigar. The
visitors, more likely to be socialites than socialists,
come every year to rub shoulders with like-minded
aficionados. And smoke, almost continuously. With
many countries around the world now shunning
smokers, Cuba, which has not enforced its own
anti-smoking legislation, has become something
of a haven.
“We have been driven to special corners of the
world,” says Hong Kong based cigar distributor
David Tang. “Places where people still understand
that smoking is not a sin.”
Visitors to the festival spend much of the week
touring the factories where the objects of their
desires are rolled. For British designer and
restaurateur Sir Terence Conran, coming to Cuba
for the first time having smoked Cuban cigars
almost every day for the last 43 of his 75 years,
is like a pilgrimage. In the vast rolling room of H.
Upmann, the air thick with the aroma of tobacco
leaf, he recalls his first cigar.
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“We opened the Habitat store in May 1964, and
someone suggested that the best way to celebrate
was with a Montecristo cigar.”
I ask him if he has ever considered giving up.
“No,” is his brusque reply. “Luckily I have a very
sensible doctor who smokes cigars himself.”
The festival is of course not just about smoking
cigars. It has a serious business side. Behind closed
doors, in the factories’ tasting rooms, retailers are
thinking of ways to defend their livelihoods against
anti-smoking legislation. They know that they will
probably end up selling fewer cigars. One strategy
is to go more upmarket.
The week ends with an extravagant $500 a head
final dinner, which this year was held in the
cavernous ExpoCuba, near Havana’s Parque Lenin.
Glancing around the several guests, it seemed
quite clear that there are plenty of cigar smokers
with plenty of money around the world. The dinner
ends with an auction of hand-crafted humidors.
The bids (which go towards Cuban health care)
soar into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This does not look like a business or a habit that is
dying out.
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XVI Festival del
Habano Program 2014
Palacio de las Convenciones
(unless otherwise stated)
Calle 146, e/ 11 y 13, Playa
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Monday February 24, 2014
10.30am5pm
Preliminary Habanosommelier
International Competition.
2pm
Trade Fair and Habanos Gallery
opening
7pm
Welcoming cocktail in tribute
to the Hoyo de Monterrey and
Partagás brands at Club Habana.
Visit to tobacco plantations in
Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
9:45am10:30am
Germans in Habanos. Origin of the
H. Upmann brand, by Raúl Martell
11am12.15pm
Master Class on cigar rolling
technique Totalmente a Mano
(Totally Handmade)
2:153:45pm
Habanos in the cinema
4-5pm
Alliance of Habanos with some of
the world’s best and most exclusive
beers, conducted by Belgian
sommelier and beer expert Ben
Vinken.
8pm
Double Michelin-starred Dutch
chef Ron Blaauw, alongside the
famous sommelier Cuno Van’t Hoff. will delight guests in tribute to the
Trinidad brand
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Visit to Habanos factories La
Corona and H.Upmann
2:303:30pm
Habanos Vintage. Tasting of an
aged Habano
3:304:30pm
Vodka and Habanos
4:305:30pm
The combination of Habanos with
cocktails and cuisine
Friday, February 28, 2014
Tuesday February 25, 2014
7am to
5pm
9am12pm
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The Final of the Habanosommelier
International Competition
11am12pm
Elements that contribute to how a
Habano burns. Contest to get the
longest ash
12-1pm
Awards ceremony
7pm5:30am
Gala Evening
Guests will be able to taste the first
H. Upmann Reserva and attend the
traditional Humidors Auction
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A cigar aficionado’s
guide to Havana
By Amir Saarony
Gardens of Hotel Nacional
Photos by Yadira Montero
La Casa del Habano, Partagás cigar factory
Industria #520 e/ Dragones y Barcelona, behind the Capitolio
While Partagás produced cigars on this street from
1848 to 2012, the factory has now been closed and
relocated. La Casa del Habano, however, remains
open and is a major destination for cigar smokers
from the world over. This store is a historical
marker in the story of Cuban cigars. Its manager
is Grecia Quiñones Marrero and her extremely
knowledgeable staff is led by Hamlet. Yes, that is
his real name. And yes, he is the very same Hamlet
who has gained worldwide recognition as a master
cigar roller from the store at the old Romeo y
Julieta factory.
Casa del Habano, Hostal Conde de Villanueva
Mercaderes #202, e/ Lamparilla y Amargura, Habana Vieja
This building was built as the mansion of Claudio
Martínez de Pinillos, Count of Villanueva, but it has
been given a new life as a nine-room hotel. Every
room and suite is named after a brand of cigars, but
that is not what makes it a haven for smokers. As
you enter the airy courtyard, on your right you will
see a flight of stairs to the old servant quarters on
the mezzanine; at the top of the stairs is a hidden
gem: a Casa del Habano. This hidden wonder is
managed by Antonio Hevia and staffed by one of
the most sought after in-store rollers in the city,
Reynaldo González.
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La Casa del Habano, La Quinta
Ave. 5ta #1407 e/ 14 y 16, Miramar
This was the first high-end cigar store in Cuba
when its doors opened in 1990. It is a smoker’s
store. Outside of the regular tourist environment,
it is quieter, but it is still a worthy destination in its
own right. This is the place to take your time and
truly take advantage of the expertise of the staff.
The selection is large and the suburban setting
allows you to slow down after the hectic pace of
the city. Order a coffee or a drink from the bar,
or even lunch from the adjoining restaurant, then
relax in a wicker chair and enjoy a larger, longer
smoke.
La Casa del Habano, Club Habana
Ave. 5ta e/ 188 y 192, reparto Flores
This was the exclusive Biltmore Club prerevolution and, although it boasts tennis courts,
gym, fine dining and a private beach, the real draw
for cigar smokers is La Casa del Habano that was
run by Enrique Mons. One of the living icons of
the cigar world, Mons was in charge of quality
for Cubatabaco (predecessor of Habanos S.A.) for
almost 20 years. Now that he has retired, the staff
works hard to maintain the level of excellence that
he demanded. The comfortable lounge is a great
place to sit, smoke and chat.
La Casa de Habano, Hotel Habana Libre
Calle L e/ 23 y 25, El Vedado
This may very well be both the newest and the
biggest LCDH in Havana. It is large, airy and well
located in the lobby of the Hotel Habana Libre. The
inventory is large and the staff, led by Elina Perez,
is well trained. This space is large enough to have a
fountain and fishpond in the store. It may be more
comfortable to grab your cigar here and venture
out into the Hotel Lobby to enjoy your cigar and a
surprisingly good mojito or gin and tonic, or better
yet, stroll across the street and treat yourself to a
Coppelia ice cream.
Other
There are also wonderful La Casa del Habano in
the Meliá Cohíba and the Meliá Habana hotels that
offer wonderful smoking environments.
The La Casa del Habano in the Hotel Nacional does
not have a smoking lounge per se but, of course,
the back patio of the Hotel Nacional is the prime
oasis for cigar smoking in Havana at any time.
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Amir Saarony
Obsessive collector and historian of
Cuban Cigar antiques. Publisher of
Partagás El Libro. Writer, lecturer,
designer.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
http://www.facebook.com/pages/
Old-Cuban-Cigar-Stuff/286203887318
https://twitter.com/oldcubancigar
Partagás El Libro
An unparalleled look at the history of an icon, Partagás El Libro is a culmination of efforts from
many of the world’s leading experts on the Cuban cigar and Cuban history.
Over 200 pages of information and never before published images from the National Archives of
Cuba, the archives of Partagás, the Tobacco Museum in Havana and private and public collections
around the world. A must have for anyone interested in cigars and Cuba of the past.
See http://www.oldcubancigarstuff.com/
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Searching for
Pink Smoke
The Cuban Western rides into Viñales
Photo by Alex Mene
Although Conducta, the most recent movie by
filmmaker Ernesto Daranas (Los Dioses Rotos,
2008) is barely out, already the Cuban director has
begun to prepare a new project. Different from his
previous social dramas that basically take place in
the neighborhoods of Old Havana, Daranas will now
venture into a rural comedy in which he flirts with
the codes of the Western genre.
The locations chosen by Daranas for the story are
several of the most beautiful Cuban landscapes.
No wonder Viñales is a much sought after tourist
destination, especially during the winter months
when tobacco plantations appear in all their
splendor giving a unique stamp to the world famous
valley thanks to its steep-sided karst hills known as
mogotes.
Pink Smoke is the working title of this story set in the
majestic Viñales Valley, a kind of tropical equivalent
to Monument Valley, where several anthological
westerns have been shot.
Daranas has said that the project has only recently
begun to take its first steps and that they are now
in the preparation stage. But after the favorable
reception of his first two films, it is not surprising
that Cuban viewers are already impatient for Pink
Smoke to hit the big screen.
Pink Smoke owes its name to what triggers the plot: a
tobacco plantation in Viñales has begun to produce a
tobacco leaf of exquisite aroma and pink smoke that
leads to a violent clash of interests.
Ernesto Daranas, is one of Cuba’s best known
film directors, whose film The Broken Gods,
2009 (Los dioses rotos) won widespread critical
acclaim and several awards. Other moves he
has directed include ¿La vida en rosa? (2004),
Los últimos gaiteros de La Habana (2004)
and most recently Conduct (2014). He is an
important Cuban television and radio critic.
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Photos by Lorena
My big, new dysfunctional Harley family
By Conner Gorry
I sometimes muse on how similar Havana (my
adopted city) is to New York (my birth city): the
garbage and grit; taxi drivers with higher degrees;
the self-contained neighborhoods – it all feels very
familiar. Another characteristic both cities share
is they teem with subcultures worthy of an urban
anthropologist. Poets and punks, gym rats and
drunks, shylocks, gamblers, sluts and thieves: here,
like there, we’ve got the full spectrum of human
passions, vice and interest crashing together like
waves on the Malecón.
This past weekend, I was thrust into one of Cuba’s
most prismatic and emblematic subcultures and
scenes: I rode along on the country’s first Harley
rally, when over 50 riders made their way to
Varadero on pre-1960 bikes from as far as Pinar del
Río and Camagüey for three days in hog heaven.
As you may imagine, my muse was working
overtime in this new and captivating environment,
populated by cool people with their own language
and subtext. Since everything I know about biker
culture I learned from Easy Rider and Altamont, I
was keen to experience the 1ro Encuentro Nacional
de Harlistas Cubanos firsthand.
And I wasn’t disappointed. Al contrario: I was
inspired and surprised. Because although as a
group these folks cultivate and maintain an identity
wholly dedicated to, nay obsessed with, Harley
Davidson, they remain, al fondo, 100% Cubano.
If you know Cuba from the inside, you know this
subculture phenomenon – be it goth, gay, or black
– hasn’t always fit in well or properly with the
macro unity concept that is the glue for us here
in one of the world’s last bastions of socialism. Of
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course, when there’s USAID or other sovereigntycompromising dollars in the middle, peor todavía.
Worse still with reason since I believe all human
relations should be driven by mutual respect,
regardless if it’s in the realm of sex, economics,
culture or politics. In short: you don’t tell me how
to live, work or play and I’ll return the favor.
What was even more striking still was that on
the whole, these Cuban bikers are more closely
connected to their global counterparts and
importantly, their US brethren, than any other
community I’ve encountered here. As a group,
they speak (almost) as much English as the slickest
jineteros and what’s more, the main biker groups
here – LAMA and Harlistas Cubanos – have foreign
membership, long timers like me who live here and
love bikes. And the mix works seamlessly because
beyond the bikes, gear, and foreign presence, what
grounds and unites these folks is their Cubanía,
with all the idiosyncrasies good and bad that
implies.
Even before we rumbled out of Guanabacoa
towards Varadero, the gossip was flying. And
believe me: these Harley folks are more chismoso
than a kitchenful of bored housewives. I learned all
about Antonio’s marital strife; the petty divisions
and squabbles among different riders and groups;
and how Vladimir got his hog and Oscar lost
his. Thanks to the gossip mill, I was privy to the
anonymous alcoholic’s struggles and how much
Fulano paid for the silicon tits and ass of his funny,
sexy, back seat Betty. The grapevine was heavy
with juicy fruit, but what impressed me the most
was the handful of folks who didn’t gossip. Those
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relations on-island and off which these folks have
in spades: what matters above all else is family.
Blood, extended, new and departed. And it wasn’t
only the adorable kids along for the ride (many
in mini Harley gear), but how you know your
back is covered when someone falls ill or that
someone will lend a hand when you need a new
part, mechanic, or lover and an ear when you’re
down. As a group, the Harlistas Cubanos function
as one big, complicated – dysfunctional at times,
but happy all the same – family. United by their
love for their bikes, the road, and their patria.
are the ones to ponder further, I figure – above
all because I abhor gossip as an entirely negative
pursuit. With the anti-chismosos, I’d found my
people.
What also struck me as totally Cubano was the
fury for everything with the Harley Davidson
logo. I know brand loyalty is common to riders
the world over, but Cubans can go overboard like
nobody’s business – especially when it comes to
logos and bling. And this was no different: there
were boots, belts, shirts, jackets and vests, jewelry,
headbands, bandanas, flags, stickers, and business
cards all emblazoned with the Harley label. Boy,
did I ever look out of place with my Hawaii-kine
style, particularly when everyone was throwing
devil horns and I’m waving the shaka. But while I
may have looked out of place, not for a moment
did I feel out of place – another sign you’re hanging
with Cubans.
If you know this place and manage well in Spanish,
you know that there is no one who can make and
appreciate a good joke like Cubans – especially
when the joke’s on you. And these bikers are
tremendous jokers – jodedores constantly dando
cuero. No one is spared, least of all me, and these
Harlistas ribbed me good-naturedly at every
opportunity: about how I leaned into curves
(not that well, apparently; ¡que pena!); about my
addiction to roasted pork; and my penchant for
hopping on the back of anyone’s motorcycle,
anytime. I’m sure they have words in biker parlance
for promiscuous back seat bitches like I was this
weekend, but in my case, it ended with a forged
love note that had everyone busting a gut. But at
least I fared better than another foreigner who had
his gold chain vicked by a muchacha ‘fren’ giving
him a massage; he never heard the end of it.
But what most drove home the Cubanía for
me was that bedrock Cuban principle driving
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Postcript:
The 2013 event was even better than last – for many
reasons but the fundamental one for me was what
occurred in the months between rallies: I’m now
collaborating with Max Cucchi on his photography
book about Cuban Harley riders. Since the 2012
rally, I’ve been hearing all the stories, learning
the history, and interviewing the clan. I’m also
riding on the bikes; 12 of them to be precise and I
anticipate trying out more.
If you’re in Havana and want to experience what
I’m talking about, stop by their weekly event at La
Piragua (Malecón and Calle O, in the shadow of the
Hotel Nacional), held every Saturday at 5pm. You
just might get lucky and spot me in some colorful
get up on the back of a hog, throwing a shaka to
my new friends-cum-family.
Conner Gorry is one of the most insightful writers
about Cuba. Author of Here is Havana blog (http://
hereishavana.wordpress.com/), she also puts
together the Havana Good Time iPad/Phone/Touch
application
http://itunes.apple.com/app/havanagood-time/id385663683?mt=8 (Android version)
http://sutromedia.com/android/Havana_Good_
Time - essential guide to What’s On in Havana.
page 14
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Program - III Harley Davidson Rally, 2014
(Encuentro Harlista!)
Sat Feb 1
4pm
Press Conference in the Gato
Tuerto night club ( facing the
Piragua)
Thur Feb 6
9am
Departure for Varadero
Fri Feb 7
10am
Accreditation at Varadero Park
12 noon
Motorcycle tour to place of interest
- Ambrosio Cave
Evening
Concert with invited musical and
rock groups
Sat Feb 8
10am
Varadero Park
Competitions
* Slowest bike * Straw in the
bottle * Hotdog Obstacle courses
* Fastest bike to start
Prizes
* Oldest bike Best restored bike
(customized) * Best restored bike
(original) * Bike that rode furthest
to arrive at the event * Most
popular bike
4.30pm
Departure for official event photo
at the Gaviota Marina
Evening
Concerts by invited musical
and rock group at Varadero
Amphitheater
www.harlistascubanos.com
As with the 2013 event, this rally is not organized
by any specific motorcycle club, and all Harley
Davidson owners in Cuba and abroad who wish to
participate are invited, regardless of the club they
belong to or the colors they wear. Registration Fee
for visiting Harley riders is $30 CUC per rider and
$25 CUC per companion.
To coordinate advance accreditation,
accommodation and transportation please contact
Abel Pez - abel_pez@yahoo.ca/ (53-5) 264-4546 or
Max Cucchi - (53-5) 263-1339 max@enet.cu
Sun Feb 9
1:00 pm
Farewell lunch
Mon Feb10
Return back to Havana
You’ve
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Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C.)
Calle 13 #61, esq. a calle 26. Vedado, (next to the Puente de
Hierro. Open 6pm to 6am
Opens February 13, 2014
Concerts planned
Thurs Feb 13: X Alfonso
Fri Feb 14: Silvio Rodríguez
Sat Feb 15: Santiago Feliú
Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C.)
New Cultural Center
Originally the headquarters for Havana’s electricity
company from 1910 to 1030, then converted to an
olive oil factory and fish warehouse, El Cocinero is
perhaps an odd choice for Havana’s most ambitious
new cultural project. Then again Battersea power
station was converted to universal praise into the
Tate Modern and the roof to the building is already
the site for one of Havana’s best bars/restaurants
(El Cocinero).
alternative fashion shows. It also aims to carry
out work with children and young people of the
community known as El Fanguito, one of the
poorest neighborhoods in the city.
X Alfonso
The Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C.), will open its
doors on February 13, 2014 offering a full range
of contemporary arts that includes music, visual
arts, dance, film, theater, photography, literature,
fashion, graphic design and architecture.
Singer, composer and video maker X Alfonso,
is the inspiration and driving force behind this
project. F.A.C. will offer concerts on Friday and
Saturday nights initially as well as art exhibitions,
screenings of shorts and documentaries, and
Entrance will be 50 Cuban Pesos for adults (Kids for Free)
First floor Art gallery, Small performing arts space, library, bar.
500 people capacity
Top Floor Photo gallery, visual arts, workshops 300 people capacity
Top Floor Dance / Theatre / Film 300 people capacity
Outside
Concert space 600 people capacity
For more information about Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C.)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fábrica-de-Arte-Cubano/140518962687358
You’ve
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Visual Arts
Intaglios by Mario Sánchez
Edificio de Arte Cubano. Museo Nacional de
Bellas Artes, Through March 2014
For the first time in Cuba, 30 intaglios (cut, carved
and painted wood) by painter Mario Sánchez will
be exhibited here. Mario Sánchez was lapelled by
Folk Art Magazine the most important folk artist
in the US during the 29th century. Born in Key
West in 1908, of a Cuban father, Sánchez reflected
in his scenes the everyday life and the human
and spiritual diversity of that city, as well as and
a profound humanistic view. Composed by pieces
from private collections and from the Old Island
Restoration Foundation, this exhibition is the first
exchange between Cuban and American museums
in over 50 years.
Veinte años: luces y sombras
Centro Hispano-Americano de Cultura Opens
Feb 18, 5pm
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the
Conjunto de Música Antigua Ars Longa (Ars Longa
Early Music Ensemble), 20 renowned cuban
artists have gotten together to pay tribute to
these musicians through their art: Diana Balboa,
Orlando Barroso, Amelia Carballo, Roberto Chile,
Nelson Domínguez, Roberto Fabelo, Flora Fong,
Isavel Gimeno, Sandor González, Carlos Guzmán,
Alicia Leal, Manuel López Oliva, Juan Moreira,
Ileana Mulet, Pedro Pablo Oliva, Cosme Proenza,
Zaida del Río, Ernesto Rancaño, Ángel Ramírez,
José Rodríguez Fuster, Eduardo Roca (Choco),
Raúl Santos Serpa, José Omar Torres, Julia Valdés,
Lesbia Vent Dumois and José Villa Soberón.
Dios los cría
Factoría Habana Throughout February
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.
You’ve
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Visual Arts
Biblioteca Pública Rubén Martínez Villena
Opens Feb 13
Galería Espacio Abierto
Opening of the exhibition El alma
desnuda by Ernesto García Peña,
whose drawings and paintings
confirm the artist’s mastery of
brushstrokes, the use of light and
transparency.
Centro Provincial de Artes Plásticas y Diseño
Lo disperso también cumple un
objetivo, exhibition by Alejandro
García.
Through
Feb 14
In La píldora de la felicidad, artist
Claudia Corrales uses photographs,
installations and audiovisuals to
tackle the topic of the obsession
with having a perfect figure and of
certain beauty canons, all induced
through and sustained by the
market.
Niño con trauma mira al cielo y
sonríe marks the return of artist
Pedro Pablo Bacallao to pictorial
art to gauge the situation of his
surroundings and provoke and
seduce the viewer.
Galería Habana
same name will tackle different
forms of expression within Cuban
contemporary painting. The first
show will include the work of
artists Douglas Argüelles, Enrique
Baster, Roberto Diago, Carlos
Quintana, Maykel Linares, Yornel
Martínez and Rigoberto Mena.
Galería del hotel Ambos Mundos
Through
Feb 12
Throughout A huge “thinker” (which alludes
February
to Rodin’s famous sculpture) in
dialogue with Cuban reality,
along with other installations and
drawings by Alexis Leyva (Kcho)
are on exhibition at this new
studio/laboratory in the marginal
neighborhood of Romerillo in the
outskirts of Havana. The project
is sponsored by the artist and the
admission is free. Throughout Paisaje 3600 is tye name of
February
the exhibition by young artist
Elizabeth Cerviño, who uses
painting, installation, photography
and performance, along with linen,
silk, sand and water to express
her style, which come very close
abstract art sustained by Oriental
philosophy.
Throughout Posada, perfil de una época, an
February
exhibition in tribute to José Luis
Posada (1929-2002), includes 70
pieces inb various techniques by
this excellent Spanish drafter and
caricaturist who carried out a
prolific work in Cuba, especially in
printed periodicals.
Palacio de Lombillo
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Edificio de Arte Internacional
Throughout El arte de la luz is a show of
February
53 pieces by one of the most
Seisdedos en Cuba, by Spanish
artist Juan Manuel Seisdedos,
exhibits gestural painting, of
random and emotive brush strokes,
akin to psychic automatism of
early surrealist artists
waited Long Enough
Lo que sucede conviene is a
group exhibition of important
pieces that deal with false
memories by Cuban contemporary
artists Eduardo Ponjuán—who
recently received the National
Award for Visual Arts—José A.
Toirac, Levi Orta, Celia & Yunior,
Carlos Garaicoa, Lázaro Saavedra
and Reynier Leyva Novo.
Galería Villa Manuela
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Edificio de Arte Cubano
You’ve
El paso de la conciencia, an
exhibition by the young artist
Lázaro Nelson Céspedes.
Through
Feb 25
Galería Servando
Kcho Estudio Romerillo. Laboratorio para el Arte
Through
Feb 16
In Encuentro de viajes¸ the group
Espacio Azul explores different
ways to perceive reality both what
is far away and extremely vast and
the micro world.
Throughout Pintura fresca is the first show
February
from a series that under the
Through
Feb 14
Through
Feb 14
Therough
Feb 7
page 18
significant European artists today,
Marie-Antoinette Courtens from
Holland. This exhibition retifies
the opinion of the well-known art
critic Dieter Paul Mahlow: “For
Marie-Antoninette Courtens, art is
the light thatcontinues to bloom in
the gardenns of the human spirit.
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Galeria Galiano
Through February 2014
Stainless vs. The Merger.
art Exhibition
Chaos isn´t a pit; chaos is a ladder. Many of the people who try to climb it fail, never
getting to try again. The fall breaks them. And some are given the chance but they
refuse, they cling to the realm, or the gods, or love. Illusions. Only the ladder is real.
The climb is all there is.
Littlefinger, Game of Thrones
Season 3, Episode 6
The symmetry of chaos
The popular TV children’s series Art Attack has
become a learning niche for Cuban viewers in
recent years. Thanks to its easy-to-follow art,
a number of children have managed to create
visually attractive art pieces. In the exhibition The
Symmetry of Chaos, the creative groups Stainless
and The Merger have adopted a similar teaching
attitude. Today, these guys want to teach us “how
to make art.”
These groups will use anything—stainless steel,
Carrara marble, silicone, resin, PVC, aluminum
foil, quartz or monolayer paints. They take full
advantage of their plastic qualities and shape
them to the taste of each inquisitive viewer.
Their themes are just as wide ranging. They have
tackled the subversion of power in Los tiempos
cambian (Times Change), supposed success in
Laureados (Prizewinners), and the re-adaptation
of great stories in ¿Qué es lo más pesado, héroes?
(What’s Carries More Weight, Heroes?). Clearly,
their discourses are not restricted to national
interpretations.
These groups have transformed the Galiano Gallery
in a mixed, chaotic setting, in which the viewer is
“hit” by different shapes, colors, textures; a setting
in which—and they have given fair warning—art
attacks.
ROM & GGA
Havana, January 2014
You’ve
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page 19
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photography
Imagining Cuba
Fototeca de Cuba
Through February 10
Photographers Dario de Dominicis. Gianni Gosdan, Umberto Sommaruga (Italy); Ernesto Javier Fernándea, Liudmila y Nelson, Antonio Gómes
Margolles, René Peña, Alejandro González (Cuba);
Sandro Miller and Julieve Jubin (US) give their own
view of Cuba, more documentary in the case of international photographers, and more intimate and
conceptual for the Cubans.
Miradas reveladoras
Pabellón Cuba
Through February 17
Revealing photographs taken by Cuba master photographers: José Agraz, Raúl Corrales, Alberto Díaz
(Korda), Ernesto Fernández, Liborio Noval, Luis
Pierce, Perfecto Romero, Osvaldo and Roberto
Salas.
Photographs of
Juana Bacallao
Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Wifredo,
Lam Through February 10
Photographer Teresa Correa exhibits 10 photographs of Cuban singer Juana Bacallao, who is
more interesting as a social phenomenon than
musically speaking.
Escapes soñados
Centro Provincial de Artes
Plásticas y Diseño Through
February 15
Photographs
by Reiko Imoto from Japan.
You’ve
waited Long Enough
page 20
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Dance
La magia de la danza
Sala Avellaneda
Feb 7 & 8, 8pm; Feb 9, 5pm
Concert program by the Ballet Nacional de Cuba
with La magia de la danza, an anthology of great
moments of 19th-century choreographies in
versions by Alicia Alonso, including 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 dance with the Cuban identifying nature.
Danzando Sueños
Ballet Español de Cuba, Fri Feb 21, 28
& Sat 22, 8:30pm & Sun Feb 23, 5pm
Sala Avellaneda, Teatro Nacional
Season of the Spanish Ballet of Cuba with the
performance of Danzando sueños, a tribute to
Wifredo Lam. The ballet, which is structured in
three scenes according to the three first creative
periods of this great Cuban painter, allows
audiences to admire how this company has been
able to combine Spanish dance with elements from
other cultures, in this case, Afro-Cuban folklore.
My Dream
China Disabled People’s Performing
Art Troupe, Sala Avellaneda. Teatro
China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe
was founded in 1987…the Performing Troupe bears
the dreams of people with disabilities and creates
a special art which delights audiences, purifies the
soul with Truth, Honesty and Virtue... they were
referred to as “A Special Art Star of Mankind and
Image Ambassadors for 600 Million People with
Disabilities in the World” by the Disabled People’s
International 6th World Assembly. There are 110
disabled performers and 37 staff member.
You’ve
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MUSIC
X Alfonso is performing at
Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C.)
on February 13, 2014
modern Fusion & Electronic
The contemporary fusion and electronic music scene has expanded recently as new bars and clubs have
opened party promoters have organized events in parks and public spaces. For more information about
the best bars and clubs see our Havana Guide section.
Wednesday nights has recently seen Interactivo playing 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. Look out this month for Habana Abierta performing in
various locales. Don’t miss them!
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. Our current
favourite is Kpricho (#110, Calle 94 entre 1ra y 3ra Miramar). This is ultra modern and uber cool with a
great DJ playing at weekends. This is where the cool cats will find their way to.
Tribute to Juan Blanco
Sala Manuel Galich. Casa de las
Américas, Feb 5, 4pm
Concert with the National Laboratory of
Electroacoustic Music on the occasion on the
50th anniversary of the first performance of
electroacoustic music in Cuba and a tribute to
Juan Blanco, pioneer of this type of music. Guest
musicians include DJ Productor, D´Joy de Cuba,
Nacional Electrónica and Ensamble de Haskell
Armenteros.
You’ve
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MUSIC
modern Fusion & Electronic
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
Feb 11
Habana Abierta
5 pm
Performances by El Micha
Centro Cultural Fresa y Chocolate
Mondays
10: 30pm
Wichy D´Vedado, one of the most
famous DJs in Havana, who plays
the best of world music.
Café Concert El Sauce
Sundays
5 pm
Trovador Frank Delgado and the
well-known actor Luis Alberto
García, who on this occasion is a
DJ, offer a selection of pop, rock,
Cuban alternative music, singersongwriters and audiovisuals.
Salón Rojo (hotel Capri)
Feb 2
Performance by Baby Lores.
11 pm
Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C.)
Opening of the new Fábrica de Arte
with the special performance of its
mastermind X Alfonso.
Feb 13
6 pm
Teatro Karl Marx
Concert by Descemer Bueno.
Feb 1 & 2
8:30 pm
Electronic Music Festival at the
Abreu Fontán Social Center, 2013
Photo by Alex Mene
You’ve
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page 23
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Photos by Alex Mene
Habana Abierta – urban legand, at
Café Cantante Mi Habana
“que rico suena un rocanrol con timba” [Vanito Brown, Habana Abierta]
“¡Habana Abierta te lo trae de pinga!” [Cuban Fans]
Some things can’t, or at least probably shouldn’t
be translated. Lets just say that Habana Abierta
fucking rocked at Café Cantante last week in a
somewhat surprising Tuesday night appearance.
To have Vanito, Medina, Barber, Gutiérrez and
Nan San Fong – accompanied by Anton Perugorría
(drums) and Julio César González Ochoa (bass)
playing Bride of Superman in a concert costing 100
Cuban pesos was as nostalgic for another time as
it was brilliantly entertaining.
To set in context Habana Abierta emerged in the
early 90s and had become something of a Havana
urban legend - known through a handful of albums
and with so few appearances that the last major
concert in 2003 in La Tropical becomes legendary.
It was not so much that the group split up (although
of course Kelvis Ochoa did leave for his solo career
as did Boris Larramendi but that they simply
disappeared from the scene. Extensive touring in
Spain in the late 1990s, a couple of albumns and
then nothing…
The origins of Habana Abierta go back to a
personal project of music duo Gema y Pável. The
key members of the group are:
Vanito Brown: Chronicler of personal issues, a
versatile songwriter. The scale of his work ranges
from a contemporary rock ballad to the most
traditional of Cuban music.
Alejandro Gutiérrez: A modern-day bolerista,
with Filin (feeling) and urban song influences of
the continental south.
Luis Alberto Barbería: The resonance of his voice
and guitar work takes on Afro-Cuban rhythms. His
melodies are lyrical with jazz influences.
Jose Luis Medina: Refined pop successfully
blended with son, guajira and guaracha, able to
come up with the barest social criticism or the
most conciliatory ballad.
For now Habana Abierta will alternate with David
Torrens & Kelvis Ochoa at Café Cantante on
Tuesday evenings.
For now Habana Abierta will alternate
with David Torrens & Kelvis Ochoa at
Café Cantante on Tuesday evenings.
Doors open 5pm
performance from 9pm.
You’ve
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MUSIC
Salsa / Timba
Alexander Abreu at
Casa de la Música de Galiano.
Photo by Alexander Mene
Casa de la Música de Galiano
Casa de la Música de Miramar
Tuesday
5 pm
El Noro y Primera Clase
Monday
11 pm
Sur Caribe
Thursday
5 pm
Pupy y los que Son Son
Thursday
11 pm
11 pm
Charanga Latina.
Alexander Abreu y Havana
de Primera
Saturday
11 pm
Pupy y los que Son Son
5 pm
PMM en Discotemba
Sunday
5 pm
Bamboleo
11 pm
Chispa y los Cómplices
Sunday
Diablo Tun Tun
Thursdays
José Luis Cortés y NG La Banda
11 pm
Café Cantante Mi Habana
Monday
El Jelengue de Areíto
Tuesdays
11 pm
Thursdays
Septeto Habanero (traditional
music)
Manana Club
11 pm
Friday
El Noro y Primera Clase
11 pm
Guaracheros (traditional music)
11 pm
Rumberos de Cuba (rumba)
Fridays
11 pm
Sundays
Timbalaye (rumba)
11 pm
You’ve
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page 25
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1st Havana World Music Festival,
February 7-8, 2014
Eme Alfonso performing with Síntesis, 2013
Photos by Alex Mene
Círculo Social José Antonio Echeverría
Calle 12 esquina a Calzada, Vedado
Havana World
Music Festival
Organized by a nonprofit group led
by young Cuban singer and composer
Eme Alfonso, the 1st Havana World
Music Festival (February 7-8, 2014)
seeks to open a window from Cuba
onto the world and from the world
onto Cuba. “The focus of HWM is to
give the Cuban people the chance to
become acquainted with the musical
diversity of Cuba and the world, as
well as to encourage exchanges among
international and Cuban bands. This
can be very beneficial to the musicians,
producers and musical promoters in
our country.” Eme Alfonso
The festival revolves on different genres
and styles that work from the roots but
aim to reach a wide audience. Therefore,
alternative music, which merges
popular genres like rock, reggae, salsa
or electronic music, is predominant
in Havana World Music. The HWM
program is rounded off by folk groups
that participated in Eme Alfonso’s Para
Mestizar Project, a documentary music
video that shows the cultural heritage
of Cuba.
You’ve
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Friday 7
Saturday 8
La cinta de Baraguá, Thea Hjelmeland Sociedad Artística Gallega, M Alfonso,
(Norway), Déjá-vu , Auntie Flo (UK), LA William Vivanco, SINTESIS, Fuel
MAKINA DEL KARIBE (Colombia) y X Fandango (Spain) y Los Van Van.
Alfonso.
Place: Círculo Social Jose Antonio Echeverría, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba.”
La Mákina del Karibe (Colombia)
Fuel Fandango (Spain)
Electronic
elements.
pop-rock
with
vocal
flamenco
Brings a fresh and lighthearted outlook on
music with roots in Colombian popular music
DJ Auntie Flo (UK)
Thea Hjelmeland (Norway)
Will perform with live percussion by South
African musician and DJ Esa Williams.
Will be accompanied by Cuban musicians
Jorge Luis Lagarza, Abel González Gómez and
Barbarito Torres Delgado, looking to give a
Cuban sonority to her characteristic music.
Síntesis
Los Van Van
Going strong for 35 straight years. Received Recently received the WOMEX (World Music
both national and international acclaim for EXpo) award in 2013 for their achievement in
their fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with other the international music industry.
styles, mainly rock.
William Vivanco
Eme Alfonso
(X Alfonso’sister) whose music stands out for its Evolving from his funkier tunes to a music that
sophisticated mix of Cuban rhythms with soul is more rhythmic and traditional, in the style of
his native town Santiago de Cuba
and jazz
Cuban electronic scene
Déjà Vu
Fusion of reggae with other musical styles.
DJ Yoyván Guerra, Djoy de Cuba, and the young
duo Pauza will also be performing during the
festival.
X Alfonso
Son of Síntesis band leaders Carlos Alfonso and Ele Valdés—whose music has always revolved
around roots and exploration. You’ve
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MUSIC
JAZZ
Privé Lounge
Sundays from 10:30pm
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 Sunday night is jazz night and provides the perfect mellow end to the weekend. Musicans play from 10.30pm
Café Jazz Miramar(Cine Miramar)
Forget about smoke filled lounges, this is clean, bright – take the fags outside. While it is difficult to get
the exact schedule and in any case expect a high level of improvisation when it is good it is very good..
La Zorra y el Cuervo
Feb 1
Jazz Café
Feb 7, 14 & 21
Michel Herrera (saxophonist and
composer)
10 pm
Feb 2
Lázaro Valdés (pianist) y Son Jazz
Feb 3
Harold López-Nussa (pianist and
composer)
Feb 4
Denys Carbó (saxophonist) and Balance
Feb 5
Emilio Morales (pianist and composer)
and Los Nuevos Amigos
Feb 8, 16, 22 & 27 Michel Herrera (sax player and
10:30 pm
Yissy García (percussionist and
composer) y su grupo
Feb 7
Oscar Valdés (percussionist and singer)
and Diákara
Yasek Manzano (trumpet player) and his
group
Feb 9
Teclas Habana
Feb 10
Yadasny Portillo (pianist and composer)
y grupo Cauce
Feb 11
Jesús Fuentes (saxophonist and
composer) y Santo Tomás Conection
Feb 12
Alexis Bosch (pianista y Proyecto Jazz
Cubano
Feb 13
Roberto Fonseca (pianist and composer)
y grupo Temperamento
Feb 14
Bellita Expósito (pianist and composer)
y grupo Jazztumbatá
Feb 17
Grupo Canela
You’ve
waited Long Enough
composer).
UNEAC
Peña La Esquina del Jazz hosted by
showman Bobby Carcassés.
Feb 13
2 pm
Feb 6
Feb 8, 15
Emilio Morales (pianist and
composer) and Los Nuevos Amigos.
Somavilla (15 y H, El Vedado)
Feb 1, 8, 15 &
22
8:30 pm
page 28
Zule Guerra (singer and composer)
and Blues d’Havana. (Admission
free)
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MUSIC
Bolero, Folkloric, Son & Trova
Silvio Rodríguez in Concert
Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F. A. C.)
Feb 14
Concert by singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez,
one of the greats of New Cuban Trova and founder
of this movement back in 1he 1960s.
Pancho Amat
Museo Nacional de la Música
Feb 20, 5pm
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
Santiago Feliú.in Concert
Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C.)
Calle 13 #61, esq. a calle 26. Vedado.
Concert by singer-songwriter Santiago Feliú, one
of the most important Cuban singer-songwriters
who has preserved the troubadour spirit with
contemporary sounds.
You’ve
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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.
Feb 7
8 pm
7 pm
Saturdays
Folkloric group Los Ibellis.
4 pm
Feb 27
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
Tuesdays
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
9 pm
Café Concert Adagio
Thursdays
10 pm
Cantautores, live performances
and videos of the most important
national and international singers
of author’s song in the past 50
years.
Maylú - , whose repertoire goes
from arias of famous operas
to Cuban, Latin American and
international pop hits.
Yeni Sotolongo, a young singer
who boasts an exceptional voice
and varied repertoire.
Centro Cultural Pablo de la Torriente Brau
A Guitarra Limpia is a meeting
with trovadores accompanied only
by their guitars.
Feb 22
5 pm
Café Concert El Sauce
Singer-songwriter Frank Delgado
with his ironic view of society.
Fridays
10 pm
Centro Iberoamericano de la Décima
Performance by the duet Ad
Libitum.
Feb 8
3 pm
Feb 23
Café Teatro Bertolt Brecht
A bolero puro, show with the
performances of singer Rafael
Espín and guests La Mezcla
Perfecta, Churrisco (comedian),
songstresses Vania Borges and
Maureen García, the group Parada
8 and Cirabana Circus.
Feb 22
5 pm
El Jardín de la Gorda with the
performances of trovadores from
every generation.
5 pm
Hotel Telégrafo
Fridays
9:30 pm
Casa de África
Feb 1
Rock/folkloric band Síntesis
3 pm
Feb 8,
Folkloric group Obiní Batá
3 pm
Casa de la Cultura Comunitaria Mirta Aguirre
Feb 23
5 pm
Get-together with trovador Ireno
García.
You’ve
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An informal meeting with the
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
Mundito González is one of the
most popular Cuban bolero singers.
Feb 8
10 pm
Piano bar Tun Tun
Thursdays
Peña with trovador Ray Fernández.
5 pm
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Feb 15-26, 2014
Festival de Música Antigua Esteban Salas
Dedicated to commemorate the anniversary of the death of the first Cuban musician of whom there
is record of printed scores, every year the Esteban Salas Early Music Festival gathers outstanding
performers of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music who perform in Old Havana headed by the
Ars Longa Music Ensemble. This festival has made it possible for audiences to enjoy for the first time
in Cuba important pieces of the universal repertory, such as the madrigalian comedy “Festino” by the
Italian composer Adriano Banchieri and Handel’s “Messiah.” 2014 marks the 10th Anniversary of this
festival and this year there will be events in each of the first seven towns established in Cuba.
Program 2014, Concerts
Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís
Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís
Gulumbá Gulumbé: The sounds of
Africa in the new World. Ars Longa
Early Music Ensemble
Feb 15
6 pm
Musical Jewels of the Late
Baroque. Flutist Claudia Gerauer,
organist Stefan Baier and soloists
from the Ars Longa Early Music
Ensemble
Feb 22
6 pm
Iglesia de Paula
Bipolar: Pieces from the Baroque
and the 20th century (Bach,
Hindemith and Crumb). Cellist
Alejandro Martínez and soloists
from the Ars Longa Early Music
Ensemble
Feb 16
7 pm
Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís
...para dos...: German and French
music for the recorder. Claudia
Gerauer (Germany) and Martina
Joos (Switzerland).
Feb 20
6 pm
Iglesia de Paula
Feb 21
7 pm
Iglesia de Paula
Organ Musical Heritage, German
Repertoire from the 19th and
29th Centuries. Organist Moisés
Santiesteban from Cuba
Feb 23
7 pm
Iglesia de Paula
The Harpsichord, Luxury in
17th- and 18th-Century European
Courts. Kathleen McIntosh (USA)
on the harpsichord and the Ars
Longa Early Music Ensemble
Feb 27
7 pm
Iglesia de Paula
Organ Music from the South of
Germany in the 17th Century.
Organist Stefan Baier from
Germany
You’ve
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Feb 28
7 pm
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German Musical Art of the 17th
Century. Martin Rost (Germany
on the organ and the Ars Longa
Early Music Ensemble
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Master Classes
Edificio Santo Domingo (Obispo e/ San Ignacio y
Mercaderes):
Feb 18-21
9 am
Flauta dulce (The Recorder), by
Claudia Gerauer from Germany
and Martina Joos from Switzerland
who will lecture on the German
repertuire for recorder quartets in
the 17th and 18th centuries.
Iglesia de Paula
Feb 18-21
9 am
Iglesia de Paula
Órgano for students of the organ,
by German organist por Martin
Rost.
Feb 22
6 pm
Iglesia de Paula
Feb 23
7 pm
Órgano for students of the organ,
by German organist Stefan Baier.
Clavecín (Harpsichord) for
students of the Baroque orchestra
of the National School of Music by
Kathleen McIntosh from the US
Lectures and Workshops
Taller de Luthería, Plaza Vieja
Feb 17
2 pm
Renovating the figure of
Luthiers. For luthiers and luthier
students and students of the
Predoctoral Degree in Hispanic
Musical Heritage.
Edificio Santo Domingo
Feb 18
2 pm
Reading Tablatures for the Lute
by Costa Rican musicologist and
lute player Tania Marcela Vicente
León. For students of the string
workshop of the National School
of Music and students of the
Predoctoral Degree in Hispanic
Musical Heritage.
Edificio Santo Domingo
Feb 19
2 pm
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“Entre crucifijos y cantos”, by
Tania Marcela Vicente León, for
the general public and students of
the Predoctoral Degree in Hispanic
Musical Heritage.
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MUSIC
classical
Photo by Ivan Soca
Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís
Concert by the Nuestro Tiempo
Orchestra conducted by Enrique
Pérez Mesa.
Feb 1
6 pm
Feb 14
6 pm
Concert dedicated to love by the
Camerata Romeu conducted by
Zenaida Romeu.
Biblioteca Nacional José Martí
Saturdays
Performances by soloists and chamber ensembles.
5 pm
Casa del ALBA Cultural
En Confluencia, conducted by
guitarists Eduardo and Galy
Martín.
Feb 2
5 pm
Feb 9
Tarde de Concierto, conducted by
the soprano Lucy Provedo.
3 pm
Feb 16
5 pm
Feb 23
De Nuestra América, conducted by
pianist Alicia Perea.
Concert by guitarist Rosa Matos.
5 pm
Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura
Performance by the guitar orchestra Sonantas Habaneras conducted by Jesús Ortega.
Feb 8
5 pm
Sala Covarrubias, Teatro Nacional
Sundays
Concerts with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional.
11 pm
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MUSIC
classical
Oratorio San Felipe Neri
Special chorus concert by the Coro
Nacional de Cuba conducted by
Digna Guerra.
Feb 1
4 pm
7 pm
Iglesia de Paula
6 pm
7 pm
International workshop sponsored
by the cultural project European
Classical Music in the Social
Context of Old Havana.
Feb 3 11
Feb 12
Feb 4
Internationally acclaimed
French musicians, violist Gerard
Caussé and violinist Renaud
Capuçon, will give a concert
with the accompaniment of the
ISA Symphony Orchestra, of the
Lyceum Mozartiano de La Habana.
Sala Gonzalo Roig. Palacio del Teatro Lírico Nacional
Concert by cellist Udi BarDavid from the Philadelphia
Philharmonic Orchestra.
jan 23
5 pm
Cuerda Dominical with guitarist
Luis Manuel Molina.
Sala Ignacio Cervantes
Feb 2
6 pm
Feb 9
6 pm
The duet D’Accord, made up by
Marita Rodríguez (piano) and
Vicente Monterrey (clarinet),
with guest musician Ailet Roque
(clarinet) will offer the concert
Un febrero romántico (Romantic
February) with pieces by Robert
Schumann and Max Bruch.
Feb 14
6 pm
The Cuban pianist Leonardo
Gell and Costa Rican sax player
Sofía Zumbado have announced
a program of works by Latin
American composers Marvin
Camacho andy Jesús Bonilla (Costa
Rica), Gabriela Ortiz (Mexico),
Julián de la Chica (Colombia),
Andrés Alén (Cuba) and Astor
Piazzolla (Argentina).
You’ve
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Feb 16
6 pm
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Golden performance by pianists
Ulises Hernández and Rolando
Luna along with singer Miriam
Ramos in the concert Danzas
para piano y canciones cubanas,
with musical compositions
by Ernesto Lecuona, Ignacio
Cervantes, Argeliers León and
Gisela Hernández, among other
composers.
The Camerarpa project, conducted
by Mirtha Batista, will present
Anabel Gutiérrez Orraca (harp)
and Ivonne Rubio Padrón (violin),
who wiill play works by Spohr,
Saint-Saëns, Tedeschi and
Sarasate.
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II Encuentro de Guitarras
Identidades-2014
February 5-9, 2014
The 2nd Guitar Identities Meeting-2014 is sponsored by the
Music Association of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba
(UNEAC), Casa del ALBA Cultural de La Habana and Casa de las
Américas.
Program 2014, Concerts
Casa de la Cultura de Plaza
Feb 5
10 am
Casa de la Cultura de Plaza
Opening by basic-level Cuban
students of guitar, tres and lute
Feb 7
6 pm
Sala Villena (UNEAC)
Feb 5
6 pm
Feb 6
6 pm
Performances by Gilson Antúnez
from Brazil, and Magela Oquendo,
Martín Pedreira, Omar Kessel,
the duo Con-trastes adn the trio
Amanecer from Cuba
Feb 8
Performances by Edwin Guevara
(Colombia) and Freddy Pérez, Rosa
Matos, Anolan González andthe
Orquesta Juvenil de Guitarra
(Cuba)
Casa del ALBA Cultural de La Habana
Casa de la Cultura de Plaza
Feb 7
Basílica Menor del Convento de
San Francisco de Asís
6 pm
Performances by Susana Frade,
Carlos Ernesto Varona, Mabel
González, Yalit González, Ricardo
González, Emilio Padrón and the
duo Espiral.
Performances by Fabiano Borges
(Brazil), and Ahmed Dickinson,
Sonantas Habaneras Orchestra
and Música Eterna Orchestra with
soloists Galy and Eduardo Martín
(Cuba).
Feb 9
5 pm
Concert by young guitarists
3 pm
Closing concert with José Luis
Lara (Venezuela) and Ana Lillian
Báez, Ariadna Cuéllar, Luís Manuel
Molina, the duo Concuerdas and
the trio Alter Ego (Cuba)
Lectures and Master Classes
Casa de la Cultura de Plaza
Feb 6
10 am
Casa de la Cultura de Plaza
“Genres and styles of Brazilian and
South American guitar: important
contribution to classical guitar” by
Fabiano Borges (Brazil).
Feb 7
Martín Pedreira (Cuba).
10 am
Casa del ALBA Cultural de La Habana
Feb 8
Ahmed Dickinson (Cuba).
10 am
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Photos by Alex Mene
Feb 13-23
2014
Brutal Fest’s 2014 Winter Festival
A festival that insists on letting the world know that Cuban music is not only salsa
and reggaeton, but also has a heavy metal tradition with enthusiastic fans
Organized by Brutal Beatdown Records with the
collaboration of Agencia Cubana de Rock, Brutal
Fest is the first and most important international
extreme music fest in Cuba. It takes place twice
a year in Cuba: Brutal Winter Fest (February)
and Brutal Summer Fest (August). The Brutal
Winter Fest will be dedicated to Canadian Trigger
Effect vocalist Nick Babeu, who passed away in
November, 2013. The lineup includes The Prestige
(France); Chariots of the Gods (Canada); Meltdown,
No Sun in San Francisco and Algebra (Switzerland),
and Combat Noise, Darkness Fall, Switch, Arrabio,
Tragedy, Zeus and Espoleta (Cuba). As usual, the
Fest will travel to other cities around Cuba:
Feb 13 : Santa Clara
Feb 15 : Holguín
Feb 16 : Santiago de Cuba
Feb 18 : Camagüey
Feb 19 : Trinidad
Feb 21 & 22 : La Habana
Feb 23 : Artemisa
The Brutal Summer Fest is slated for August 13 to
23 2014
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Theatre
Antigonón,
un contingente épico
Performed by Teatro El Publico
Fri & Sat, 8:30pm; Sun, 5pmTeatro TriCarlos
anón 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!
Semen
Performed by El Portazo
Fri & Sat, 8:30pm; Sun, 5:30pm.
El Portazo, a theater company from Matanzas
Province, presents the play Semen written by
playwright Yunior García and directed by Pedro
Franco. The play brings up controversial topics in
Cuban society: double standards, homosexuality,
prostitution, incest, lack of social commitment,
drug addiction, the utopia of the new man…in a
production with a hint of the absurd, but with an
energy that is unusual on the Cuban stage and
which involves the audience
II Festival del Monólogo
Cubano
Teatro Tomás Terry (Cienfuegos)
with other venues in Havana and
February
12 to 16, 2014
Villa Clara
Sponsored by the Tomas Terry Theatre in Cienfuegos, this Monologue Festival was launched in
2003 with the aim of validating a genre, which
by nature demands intense commitment of playwrights as well as actors. Despite being one of the
newer events in the domestic cultural scene, this
festival has already achieved a standing in the Cuban stage, and at present the most renowned Cuban playwrights, directors, actors and actresses
compete in the beautiful Terry Theatre.
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Theatre
Centro Cultural Bertolt Brecht. Sala Tito Junco
Fri & Sat
8 pm
Carne de perros by Cuban
playwright Edgar Estaco, produced
by Teatro del Círculo and directed
by Pedro Ángel Vera, with actors
Nataly Reyes, Argelio Sosa and
Juan Carlos Ayón
8:30 pm
sun
5:30 pm
4 pm
Directed by Alejandro Palomino,
Vital Teatro presents the
monologue Vena de Mar,
written by Adriana Quesada and
performed by Enrique Bueno. The
playwright and critic Amado del
Pino has said that “the author
has the flair to find new angles
to topics that could bore us with
the way they are treated. The
sexuality of the character and his
professional ambitions are less
important in the play than the
domain of affections and the lucid
look into this century’s Cuba.”
Opens Feb 19
8:30 pm
Centro Cultural Bertolt Brecht. Sala Tito Junco
Sat
8:30 pm
Presentation of the solo show
María Woyzeck, created and
performed by the Uruguayan
actress Raquel Diana. It is
codirected by Diana and Gonzalo
Morales Colman.
Feb 11
Teatro Raquel Revuelta
Centro Cultural Bertolt Brecht. Sala Tito Junco
Fri & Sat
Sala Manuel Galich. Casa de las Américas
Teatro D’Dos reruns the
successful La edad de la ciruela
by Argentinian-Ecuadorian
playwright Arístides Vargas. The
critic and playwright Nara Mansur
has defined the play as “Two
actresses, two themes. Woman
and family. Deaf, travellers, rebels,
aunts, grandmothers, mothers…
in another obvious sign of our
times—travel, self-recognition,
theatre turned immigrant body,
loneliness and stereotype.” Two
characters share their infancies
with the audiences, revealing
natures and truths that are desired
and potential harbors in which to
cast anchor.
Rerun of La farándula pasa by the
Hubert de Blanck theater company.
Sun
5 pm
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For kids
Pan American Purebred
Dog Tournament
February 21 to 24, 2014, Parque
Metropolitano, Located South
Tents, awnings, boxes, crates, street vendors,
photographers; this is a major production. The
International Spring Dog Show brings together dog
owners, breeders, handlers and dog lovers every
single year. And every day, there is a selection of
Best in Show, which become the contenders for
Best of the Best in the categories of Baby, Puppy,
Junior and Adult.
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.
Feria Internacional del
Libro
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la
Cabaña (Feb 13-23)
The 2014 XXIII Feria del Libro is dedicated to
National Award winners Nersys Felipe in Literature
and Rolando Rodríguez in Social Sciences. Ecuador
will be the guest of honor. Special homage will also
be paid to one of the greatest Spanish-language
authors of the nineteenth century, the Cuban
poet, playwright and narrator Gertrudis Gomez de
Avellaneda on the 200th anniversary of her birth.
You’ve
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Photo by Alex Mene
Havana Mantras
By Conner Gorry
Cubans like their dichos. For just about any hairball
situation life coughs up, they’ve got a palliative or
folksy saying.
As you may imagine, the general difficulties of
modern existence are fertile fodder. To cite just a
few:
A mal tiempo, buena cara. (When times are bad, put
on a good face.)
To the question ‘how ya doin’? or ‘what have you
been up to?’, Cubans invariably answer:
En la luchita. (Struggling a little/lot.).
And then there’s the ubiquitous:
No es fácil. (It’s not easy.)
It’s not easy can apply to anything – caring for aging
parents with Alzheimer’s; pending paperwork and
attendant bureaucracy; the quality of bodega rice;
even the weather.
These sayings and many more like them have
become mantras of sorts. Short, pithy and to the
point, they help people fortify themselves and
cope with the aging/bureaucracy/vagaries life
never tires of throwing our way.
Recently several friends confided that they invoke
their own original mantras when faced with
challenging situations. They make me smile (the
mantras, not the challenging situations) – in mal
tiempo, when things are especially difícil, and when
it feels like the luchita might triumph once and for
all. They’re funny in their way, these mantras, but
You’ve
waited Long Enough
also weighty since they reveal the resilience and
resolve with which Cubans confront obstacles.
And I have a feeling such resilience, not to mention
resolve, will become increasingly – urgently –
important in times to come.
If you follow Cuba news, you know that we’ve been
under a wet, windy cold front for the past several
days. It looks like it’s finally moving on and none
too soon: over 100 buildings collapsed completely
or in part in Havana due to these torrential,
biblical rains, reminding me of 2005’s Hurricane
Wilma. Rain like this is problematic here, not
only because it sends buildings tumbling – it also
floods homes, damages worldly goods and grinds
transport, sectors of the economy and much of the
bureaucracy to a halt.
But it’s not just the wet: the cold is a problem too
since so few of us have hot water in our homes.
To be blunt: showering in this weather without hot
water is a bitch. Sure, we heat up pots on the stove,
decant it into a bucket, mix it with some cold and
scoop it over us as fast as possible. It’s workable,
but in those few seconds between scoops, you
freeze your butt off. Occasionally, it’s not practical
to heat water – there’s no time, no gas for the
stove, whatever. End result? We take a lot of cold
showers around here, even in winter, even during
the chilliest fronts.
As I was talking to my friend Julio Pedro about this,
he told me he has a ritual – a mantra, mejor dicho
page 40
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– which he invokes before stepping into a cold
shower. Bracing himself, he repeats over and over
again, before and during the cold blast:
Soy un macho de pinga. Soy un macho de pinga.
(I’m the fucking man. I am the fucking MAN.)
If you knew JP, you’d laugh, like we did, imagining
this wisp of a guy incanting his cold shower mantra.
The mantra topic came up again as another friend
and I were planning a night out recently. We were
headed to one of Havana’s largest theaters to see
one of the country’s hottest acts. Neither of us
had tickets and it was doubtful we could procure
affordable entry the day of the show. I told her we’d
only need one ticket since over the past decade,
my foreign press pass has gained me entrance
into even the most over-sold events, from Pablo
Milanes to the Royal Ballet. My friend, who works
for Prensa Latina, said she would use her work
badge, a yellow and curling card encased in foggy
plastic that says ‘Prensa’ in red letters.
‘Isn’t it expired?’ I asked her. ‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘But it
has yet to fail me.’ ‘Nice.’ I said. Then she confessed:
‘but every time I use it, I think is it going to work?
So just in case, I invoke my mantra:’
Soy la reina de la Habana. Soy la reina de la Habana.
(I’m the queen of Havana.)
I’m not sure if it was the badge, the mantra or
her killer smile, but the queen and I got into the
concert.
At this point, you’re probably wondering about my
mantras. I’ve got mine, of course. Like everyone
else, I’ve had to develop and hone my resilience
and coping mechanisms over the years here.
One I’ve known for a long time, but really started
invoking it during my month-long stint covering
the Cuban medical/disaster relief team in Haiti
after the earthquake. Now, whenever I’m faced
with particularly trying circumstances beyond my
control, I tell myself:
No cojas lucha. No cojas lucha. (Pay it no mind/
Don’t fight it).
I’ve added another mantra lately which helps
me with the haters and naysayers who for time
immemorial have tried to keep down the dreamers
and lovers and doers:
Qué lástima odias tu vida. (What a pity you hate
your life.)
And a pity it surely is, but you know what? It’s not
my problem so I’m not going to coger lucha.
Photo by Ana Lorena
Conner Gorry is one of the most insightful writers about Cuba. Author of Here is Havana blog
(http://hereishavana.wordpress.com/), she also puts together the Havana Good Time iPad/
Phone/Touch application http://itunes.apple.com/app/havana-good-time/id385663683?mt=8
(Android version) http://sutromedia.com/android/Havana_Good_Time - essential guide to
What’s On in Havana.
You’ve
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ALL FOR
US$ 2.99
Free updates
for life
Havana Good Time
Discover Havana on your iPhone, iPad and
Android, for the price of a mojito! Written
by resident author and travel expert,
Conner Gorry, Havana Good Time is:
Fully functional in Cuba
without internet connection
Top rates in iTunes
Scrupulously researched
and continually updated
Packed with the hottest new
clubs, bars and paladars
About the Author
Travel writer, essayist, and journalist Conner Gorry first landed in
Havana in 1993. Conner has traveled the length and breadth of Cuba
writing on everything from wild camping to disaster medicine,
5-cent cigars and funerals.
Pampered pooches at the
Havana Dog Show
Photo by Yadira Montero
Pan American Purebred Dog Tournament
February 21 to 24, 2014
By Victoria Alcalá & Anthony Del Prado
Collectively, the Cuban people are crazy about
dogs—literally, certifiably crazy. A clinical diagnosis
might be mass bipolar disorder, with some Cubans
abjectly irrationally terrified of the fluffiest little
lapdog, while others display an unconditional,
unthinking, reckless ardor for even the scariest,
ugliest street critter that crosses their path. I’ve
seen fully grown adult Cubans flee in fear from a
gentle golden lab lounging lazily beside his owner
at a sidewalk café, and I’ve seen doddering old
ladies risk life and limb to offer leftovers scraps and
a scratch behind the ear to truly frightening, the
scariest, ugliest feral street critter pit bulls. Surely
many Cubans balance somewhere in the median
of this doggie dialectic, but like middle-of-theroaders everywhere, they apparently keep their
mouths shut and carry on. Of course, nowhere is
fervent puppy love more evident than within the
burgeoning show dog sub-culture taking root in
Havana.
Even an Englishman out for a stroll in the midday Caribbean sunshine might be tempted to
loosen his tie, perhaps even take off the jacket, as
the temperature dial passes 30 Celsius. But not
the proud owners of Havana’s finest canines who
are put through their paces at Havana’s annual
international dog show. Indeed, this is probably as
impeccably groomed as you will find the human
variety on this laid-back island nation. As for the
Chow Chow, Dalmatian, Bichón Habanero, Siberian
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Parque Metropolitano, Located South of Calle 26
behind the Hospital Joaquin Albarran
Husky and Rhodesian Ridgeback—they were all up
before dawn talking with their hair stylists and
getting over their last minute nerves…
Tents, awnings, boxes, crates, street vendors,
photographers; this is a major production. The
International Spring Dog Show brings together dog
owners, breeders, handlers and dog lovers every
single year. And every day, there is a selection of
Best in Show, which become the contenders for
Best of the Best in the categories of Baby, Puppy,
Junior and Adult.
I am always amazed by the variety. The majestic
and graceful Afghan hound with its long silky coat;
the tiny Yorkshire terrier whose long straight
glossy coat of bluish gray and tan make him a
beautiful breed of toy dog; the intelligent German
shepherd; the heavy-coated blocky dog of ancient
Chinese origin known as Chow Chow; the slender,
graceful Dalmatian with its sparkling eyes; and the
funny little Bichón Habanero or Havanese. And
let’s not forget the most beautiful, kind and smart,
the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
The judges’ and handlers’ attire probably fare
worse than the dogs baking under the radiant
Havana sun. They wear jackets more appropriate
for the first dog show held in Newcastle upon Tyne
in 1859. The successive rounds of the competition
allow the judges and audiences to appreciate the
beauty and bearing of the dogs, which do not
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There are 112 pedigreed dog breeds officially
registered in Cuba, though at any given dog show
in Havana, perhaps only 30 or so breeds will be
shown, with some showing only a few dogs each.
In Cuba, therefore, the title of “Best in Breed”
coveted elsewhere in the world, might sometimes
be won by default through lack of competition. And
so here, perhaps more than in other countries, the
ribbon that really counts above all is Best in “Cho”
(that’s “Show” in Cuban accented English.)
The relatively low numbers of dogs competing in
Havana’s dog shows, however, doesn’t mean that
breed standards are relaxed. The show judges are
invited from overseas, including at the last Dog
Show in November, 2013, an international judge
from Denmark who had previously in his career
judged the Best in Show round at the famed
Westminster Dog Show in London. The fact that
Cuban dogs are judged according to international
standards is a point of pride to the organizers and
participants of Cuba’s dog shows.
Anthony Del Prado is an American
married to a Cuban, living in Havana, Cuba.
His website, www.HavanaVIPTours.com
provides 5-Star luxury tour services and planning
for English-speaking travellers to Cuba
from around the world.
compete against each other but against something
as difficult as the standard of perfection for their
particular breed set by the International Dog
Federation.
Following three days of trials, the event comes to
an end with the announcement of the winners.
The atmosphere is tense… let’s be clear: we like to
compete but we want to win…we want to win a
lot… and the winner is…
(April 2013)
The Pan American Purebred Dog Tournament
will be held at Parque Ecológico de La Habana
from February 21 to 24, 2014. The event will award
Attitude Certificates for Cuban, Young and Vet
Champs, the Pan American Beauty Certificate
and the Watch Dogs of the Island Certificate.
International judges Álvaro Salazar (Costa Rica),
Nelson Borroto (Cuba), Gerardo Heredia (Mexico)
and José Raúl Nova (Dominican Republic) will be in
charge of judging the best representatives in each
category.
Dog shows in Cuba are organized by the Federación
Cinológica de Cuba, which operates under the
international breed standards of the Belgiumbased Fédération Cynalogique Internationale.
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February 14
Photo by Alex Mene
Valentine’s Day
in Cuba
Given the sexually-charged, erotic atmosphere of
Cuba on an average day, perhaps Valentine’s Day is
unnecessary, an excessive indulgence in a country
that needs little excuse for romantic courtship at
any time. Nonetheless, February 14 has assumed
increasing prominence over the years as the day
when lovers need to be packed away because
girlfriends and wives take center stage.
It was an ancient custom to worship the God of
Love—Eros for the Greeks, Cupid for the Romans—
to dedicate offerings and gifts, and to seek their
help in finding the perfect match. Although
commemorating St. Valentine’s Day has its source
in Anglo-Saxon tradition, the legend goes that
around the 3rd century, the priest Valentine of
Rome performed marriage ceremonies despite
the orders of Emperor Claudius that young
men remain single in order to expand his army,
believing that married men did not make for good
soldiers. Valentine defied Claudius and continued
to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
When his actions were discovered, Claudius
ordered that he be taken prisoner and thrown in
jail. Further embellishment of the legend has it
that, while in prison, he fell in love with his jailer’s
daughter and sent the first “valentine” card himself,
appropriately signing it “From your Valentine,” an
expression that is still in use today.
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In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be
celebrated around the 17th century. By the middle
of the 18th century, friends and lovers in all social
classes were exchanging small tokens of affection,
notes or cards known as valentines. This practice
began to expand to other countries, with their own
particular features. Valentine’s Day was adopted in
Latin American countries in the early 20th century,
and greeting cards became just as popular as in
the United States. According to Cuban patriot and
poet José Martí, who lived many years in New York,
these cards were made “of fine Bristol lined with
lace or trimmings…there are angels, lovers, wild
flower bouquets: lilies, daisies or sunflowers, that
are in fashion now because they are the flowers of
the esthetes.”
In time, Valentine’s Day, or Lover’s Day, as it is
known in Cuba, has become Day of Love and
Friendship. This day is also chosen by many Cubans
to give their sweethearts their engagement rings.
Some even choose it as their wedding day. And,
on that special night, the Malecón fills with lovers
remembering the past and dreaming of the future.
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Upcoming World Series Bouts (Home)
Fri Feb 21, 8.30pm: Cuba vs. Kazakhstan
Fri Feb 28, 8.30pm: Cuba vs. Azerbaijan
Ciudad Deportiva
Photos by Alex Mene
Cuba’s Domadores dominate
Mexico’s Guerreros (5-0)
By Lisa Rogers
Friday, January 17, 2014
Cuba continued its domination of Group B of
the World Series of Boxing with a relatively
straightforward win against the Mexico Guerreros.
The five bouts covered Flyweights (52kg),
Lightweights (60kg), Welterweights (69kg), Light
Heavyweights (81kg) and Super Heavyweights
(91+kg).
The best bout of the night saw Lightweight Lázaro
‘the Prince’ Alvarez, the Cuban current World
Champion and London 2012 Olympic Bronze
medallist, against Raul Curiel. It certainly was a trial
by fire for the young Mexican, but whilst it would
be easy to wax-lyrical about the 22 year old Cuban
phenomenon’s boxing, it is also worth noting the
bravery of the Guerrero, who didn’t make it easy
for his more experienced opponent. Technically
speaking it was the closest bout of the evening on
the judges’ scorecards and it was a wonderful bout
to watch.
Welterweight Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo, the 2009
World Champion and Olympic Champion from
the London Games, made his long-awaited WSB
debut against Hector Reyes. Sotolongo meanwhile
looked majestic in the ring. Leading with his right
hand low to invite the counter-punch set-up, he
was also able to snap in long range lead hooks and
jabs with astonishing speed. This was a world class
performance from a boxer who may well be refinding his best form.
Their victory today meant that the Cubans have
now only lost four bouts in 30 in the WSB so far, a
WSB record.
January 17, 2014
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Vuelta a Cuba
February 15-22, 2014
Camagüey to Havana (8 stages)
celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the
Vuelta a Cuba.
Photos by Jane Blackburn
Tour de Cuba
(Vuelta a Cuba)
By John Walters
The Vuelta a Cuba is a multi-day road bicycle racing
stage race, which is held annually in February.
The competition began in the easternmost city of
Baracoa and participants covered 1,780 kilometers
of Cuba in thirteen stages.
The first such event took place in 1964, with 12
stages and 72 Cuban athletes. By the fourth event,
foreigners were also participating. Our first
Cuban champion was Sergio Martínez (Pipián),
also known as the King of the Cuban Highways.
Vuelta Ciclista a Cuba is part of the UCI America
Tour, which is one of six UCI Continental Circuits
sponsored by the Union Cycliste Internationale,
the sport’s international governing body.
The latest edition of the full event was held in 2011,
the 35th in total since 1964. Of the 35 races, 28 have
been won by Cubans and 7 by foreigners. Henry
Kowalsky, from Poland, was the first foreigner to
win in 1967 and Svein Tuft, from Canada, the latest
one in 2007.
Since 2011, due to economic pressure, no full
Vuelta a Cuba has been held although there remain
four more limited national circuits, which keep the
tradition alive and serve as preparation for Cuban
cyclists. Highlights include the mountainous areas
around Baracoa that holds the summits at the
border of Imías and the Alto de Cotilla. The race
also included traversing the well known, beautiful
and challenging Loma de la Farola. Sprints are
held at at kilometre 70 at Imías, kilometre 90 at San
Antonio del Sur and kilometre 110 at Tortuguilla.
2014 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Vuelta a
Cuba and in recognition of this there will be an
8 stage race held from Camagüey to Havana (8
stages) from February 15th to 22nd, 2014.
Some of the outstanding individuals on these
tours de Cuba have been Eduardo Alonso, Sergio
Martínez and, most recently, Pedro Pablo Pérez
and Arnold el chiqui Alcolea, winner of the last two
editions and currently the star of Cuban crosscountry cycling.
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Photos courtsey of Christopher Baker
Julio Muñoz : Trinidad’s
horse whisperer
By Christopher P. Baker
Julio Muñoz is Trinidad’s “mane” man. My pal—
an intense, iconoclastic, and impish “horse
whisperer”—has an ability to communicate with
horses perhaps unique in Cuba.
Trinidad, a four hour drive southeast of Havana, is
an exquisite 18th-century time-warp with sloping
cobbled streets that echo to the clip-clop of
hooves. Founded in 1514 as one of Cuba’s original
seven cities, this perfectly preserved colonial town
was in 1988 declared a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. To visitors it seems to have been pickled in
aspic.
Muñoz is descended from Spanish immigrants.
Over two centuries the family grew wealthy and
well-respected before losing most of its properties
following the Revolution. Julio’s grandfather was
the town gynecologist and many trinitarios were
born, as was Julio, in the front room of the beautiful
colonial house he would eventually inherit. (The
October 1999 edition of National Geographic
magazine features a photograph of Julio’s wife,
Rosa, sitting with her niece on a priceless gold gilt
Louis XIV-style bed that once occupied the room.)
to-people exchange” programs, it was a no-brainer
to include Trinidad and a visit to Julio and Rosa’s
home.
The highlight is when he or his wife Rosa bring
whichever horse (they own seven) they have living
at that time in the courtyard stable and lead it clipclopping into the house. Right there, in among the
antique furniture and two dozen people. Guests
love it!
Our visitors lean forward in their seats, mouths
creased in smiles, as Julio explains:
“I’ve been interested in photography since I was
a kid. But playing in the cobbled streets, seeing
mules and ox-carts and traditions that seem so
Julio and Rosa long ago adopted me as part of their
family, right up there with the live-in horse.
Thus, when National Geographic Expeditions
invited me to design and lead the company’s 10day ‘Cuba: Discover its People & Culture’ “people-
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“My house guests have included horse trainers and
veterinarians,” Julio continues. “They said, ‘Julio,
you could have saved your horse!’”
“It was a revelation. Because I rent rooms to
foreigners, I discovered that if I’d had a gastric
tube I could have saved Diana. Guests brought
me books and so I began reading and reading and
reading. That’s when I realized Cubans have been
doing many things incorrectly.” Julio’s eyes light
up. “Ah…ah! And that’s when I learned about the
horse whisperer technique.”
fantastic to you, well that seemed normal to me.
It was the world I grew up in,” he says, motioning
to a horse-drawn cart clattering past the open
window.
“In 1996 we were allowed to rent rooms to
foreigners, so I quit my job as an electrical engineer.
My wife and I repaired the house and opened
two rooms as a bed and breakfast. It changed my
world,” Julio continues. “Owning a casa particular
is like going back to university. Cubans don’t
have Internet or access to information like you.
But we have guests from all walks of life, such as
professional photographers.”
Inspired and encouraged by people like myself,
and fellow National Geographic photographer
David Harvey (who first introduced me to Julio
in 1999), Julio fell in love with documentary
photojournalism. He began to explore Trinidad
with fresh eyes.
“I wanted to record everything,” Julio continues as
Chloe, his four-year-old Dalmatian bounds into
the lounge and leaps into guests’ laps on the sofa.
My trip members are fanning themselves from the
stifling Cuban heat.
“One of the most interesting aspects of Trinidad
is the countryside. I wanted to photograph
campesinos—the farmers—but the only way to
reach the countryside is by horse,” explains Julio,
who is dressed in cowboy hat, plaid shirt, Levi
jeans, and embroidered cowboy boots. “My Lada
kept getting stuck in mud! So I borrowed a friend’s
horse, and that’s when I fell in love with horses. I
had to own one.”
Suddenly he turns and strides off: “Wait!... I have
something to show you!”
Julio disappears into the zócalo—the rear patio—and
returns moments later leading his favorite horse,
Luna de Miel, by the reins. Its hooves clatter on
the colonial ceramic tiles as it maneuvers calmly
between the guests seated on rockers and sofas.
Julio points at me. “If it shits on the floor, he has to
pick it up!”
Then
Julio
demonstrates
his
amazing
communication skills with the horse, employing
the techniques of Monty Roberts, the impresario
‘horse whisperer’ who has revolutionized horsetraining methods with his best-selling Man Who
Listens to Horses and documentaries on PBS
and the BBC. His “Language of Equus” is a silent
language of gestures that, says, Roberts, “conveys
to [the] horse a calm, confident leadership,”
instilling in the horse complete trust and a desire
to be a willing partner that will want to be with,
and comply with, their owner.”
“The key is to use the horse’s psychology,” says
Julio, drawing the horse into the half-moon of
humans, now sitting quite literally on the edge of
their seats.
“The horse is a herd animal. Once you understand
how horses communicate with each other through
body language in the natural world, you can do
amazing things. With Monty Robert’s techniques
I can establish a connection,” he continues. “The
Julio smiles broadly. He stands taller, proud, as he
falls momentarily silent. Then he regales how his
first horse, Diana, died of colic. (By chance, the
previous day I’d taken a photo of Julio hugging the
horse. It’s one of my favorite photos.) The young
mare was born and raised inside his colonial casa.
Says Julio: “She was living in the house and walking
around like a dog. I have videos to prove it.”
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horse is happy. It trusts me. It’s willing to let me do
things a horse normally won’t let humans do.”
time than a horse that is ‘broken’ through pain and
submission.”
Julio moves his hands over the horse’s eyes, and
extends his fingers inside Luna de Miel’s nostrils.
The horse doesn’t flinch, but endures the routine
patiently. Julio then puts his hand into the mare’s
mouth and grabs the thick, wet tongue: “Anyone
want to shake my hand?”
Julio jokes about how the campesinos get out the
tools he’s given them when they know he’s about
to visit, but it clearly pains him that few actually
use them and that equally few have adopted his
progressive, more humane, methods.
Then he crouches beneath the brown quarter
horse and tucks himself between its rear legs.
“This is a very dangerous position. Don’t do this at
home!” The horse seems oblivious.
It’s slow progress. Still, he doesn’t give up. He
continues to teach through example, hoping his
methods will catch on.
“Horses are very useful,” he says, pointing at one of
my balding clients. “For example, you can use the
tail as a wig.” Julio takes off his hat then grabs the
tail, places it atop his head, parts it to each side,
and replaces his hat.
Julio explains to our groups that there are relatively
few veterinarians and even fewer medicines
available in Cuba. Hence many campesinos use
relatively useless and potentially harmful ‘home
remedies.’ And sick or injured horses are left to die,
or are killed, simply because the owners don’t have
the means to cure them.
Most important, Julio explains, is love. Lots of love.
And never pain. “Never give pain to the horse!” he
stresses.
On a recent visit, Julio had just rescued a young
half-starved foal that had been trapped in mud
and which the owner had left to die.
Julio tries to spread the message to local campesinos
(peasant farmers) through his Proyecto Diana,
named for his first horse, which died of colic.
Our National Geographic Expeditions participants
looked on in awe as Julio led the foal out of the
stable to demonstrate, yet again, the remarkable
bond and affection he has established between
man and horse.
Says Julio: “The traditional method of ‘breaking’ in
a horse causes pain and damage. We show other
horse owners that it is possible to train a horse
without using violent, traditional methods, and
that we can mount a new horse in a far shorter
Proyecto Diana needs donations of proper shoeing
and other farrier tools, which are almost entirely
lacking in Cuba.
You can contact Julio Muñoz directly:
Calle José Martí # 401, Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus
Tel +53 (41) 99-3673 (International)
E-mail: trinidadjulio@yahoo.com
Christopher P. Baker
is a professional travel writer, photographer, and tour leader. His six books about Cuba
include MI MOTO FIDEL: MOTORCYCLING THROUGH CASTRO’S CUBA (National
Geographic Adventure Press), winner of two national book awards.
http://christopherpbaker.com/mi-moto-fidel
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In 1996 Christopher shipped his BMW R100GS
motorcycle to Cuba and rode 7,000 miles during a
three-month journey to research the Moon handbook
to Cuba. His award-winning literary travel book – Mi
Moto Fidel: Motorcycling through Castro’s Cuba –
describing the journey was published by National
Geographic Adventure Press.
Awards
Travel Book of the Year
Lowell Thomas Awards
“This is a wonderful adventure book… a meditation on philosophy, politics, and the possibilities of physical love. It has the
depth of a novel and the feeling of a great love story.”
Judges, Lowell Thomas Award
also NATJA Grand Prize
Rave reviews…
“Mi Moto Fidel is a satisfying and complete portrait of Cuba It’s all here: money, sex,
politics, geography, history, cigars, marlin, and, of course, Fidel. Serious travel writing
is often intricate and complex. Bikers, it seems, do it better.”
Tim Cahill — Pass the Butterworms and Road Fever
“Baker’s kiss-and-tell account of his romps across Fidel’s island offers a bittersweet
glimpse of life inside the last Marxist utopia.”
Jon Lee Anderson — Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life
“Chris Baker’s chaotic pilgrimage–by turns sharp-eyed, lustful, poetic, feverish and
joyful–brings a tropical nation of 10 million to vivid, pulsating life. The motorcycle
proves itself, once again, a brilliant, ice-breaking instrument of true travel.”
Ted Simon — Jupiter’s Travels: Four Years Around the World on a Triumph
"Christopher P. Baker is a professional travel
writer, photographer, and tour leader. His six
books about Cuba include MI MOTO FIDEL:
MOTORCYCLING THROUGH CASTRO'S CUBA
(National Geographic Adventure Press), winner
of two national book awards.
http://christopherpbaker.com/mi-moto-fidel
Photo by Yadira Montero
February 13-March 9, 2014
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña (Feb. 13-23) & provincial
capitals (Feb. 24 to Mar. 9)
The 2014 Feria
Internacional del Libro
The 2014 XXIII Feria del Libro is dedicated to
National Award winners Nersys Felipe in Literature
and Rolando Rodríguez in Social Sciences. Ecuador
will be the guest of honor. Special homage will also
be paid to one of the greatest Spanish-language
authors of the nineteenth century, the Cuban
poet, playwright and narrator Gertrudis Gomez de
Avellaneda on the 200th anniversary of her birth.
What began as a modest book fair founded by the
famous Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier, eventually
became the most important literary event on the
island. Every year tens of thousands of people pack
the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress in Havana,
attracted by book launchings of all genres and
topics from Cuban and foreign publishing houses,
along with panel discussions, poetry readings,
concerts, children’s events, and a crafts fair. After
Havana, the fair travels to other Cuban cities.
The first known book fair in Cuba was held in May
1937 in the areas adjacent to the esplanade of La
Punta Fortress, the Malecón and the Paseo del
Prado. Despite government collaboration, it barely
had an impact on the country’s cultural life, even in
Havana. The idea was taken up again in the 1950s,
this time designed to be held along the Paseo del
Prado and Parque Central, but this effort also left
no mark.
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In March 1959, only three months after the
revolutionary triumph, three important institutions
were created: the National Printers of Cuba, the
Cuban School of Graphic Arts and the School
of Typography, whose purpose was to produce
books that would be available and affordable for
everyone. With the Literacy Campaign in 1961, a
wide reading public was born, one who began to
need books as an essential part of their existence.
With the creation of the National Publishers of
Cuba and the strengthening of different cultural
institutions that helped Cuban authors to get
published, the conditions for conducting book
fairs in Cuba would change dramatically. By the
mid 1960s, there was already a national industry,
a population of avid readers and new writers who
contributed to the publication of varied topics and
genres.
For three consecutive years in the 60s, Parque
Central was the venue of what was then called
the Cuban Book Festival, but this never really took
off. With the creation of the Ministry of Culture
in 1976, the Cuban Book Institute considered the
possibility of resuming the organization of book
fairs and made some launchings and sales in the
small plaza between the Asturian Center and the
Manzana de Gómez, with a high turnout due largely
to the auction of books and literary competitions.
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The 1st Havana International Book Fair took place
in 1982 in the exhibition halls of the Fine Arts
Museum and was dedicated to Cuban patriot and
writer José Martí, Cuban poet Nicolas Guillén and
Bulgarian leader Georgi Dimitrov, who had been
a printer by trade. The modest representation of
publishers and guests included publishers and
writers from Latin America. Since then, the event
has expanded in different ways. From the simple
exhibition and sale of books of the early years,
the fair now revolves around a central theme
and a guest country. Activities include prizes to
Cuban authors; panels, readings and lectures by
outstanding Cuban and international writers; art
exhibitions and concerts; launchings and book
signing; and, of course, the sale of books. As of
2002, the fair was extended to 30 other cities
throughout Cuba from early February to mid
March making it the largest cultural event held in
Cuba.
The location in La Cabaña Fortress enables the
fair to attract diverse audiences. There are those
attracted by the launching of new works and
also those who go there simply to enjoy family
life ensured by the spectacular view of the city,
restaurants and fast food outlets, children’s
playground within the deep dry moat and concerts
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in the evenings, attended mainly by a young festive
crowd. Crafts have always played an important
part in these fairs.
The last fair in 2013 saw over 2,000 titles on sale
with around 260 writers and intellectuals, and
600 editors from 41 countries actively involved.
A massive 2.5 million people bought almost 1.5
million books in 25 days. These numbers miss the
spirit and heart of this event in La Cabaña Fortress.
Take a look.
For more information see http://feriadellibro.
cubaliteraria.cu/
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El Guajirito
Zulueta No. 660 entre Apodaca y Gloria, Habana Vieja.
Nightly from 9.30pm
Photos by Lorena
Legendarios de Guajirito
By John Walters
If El Guajirito were a book it would not want to
be judged by its cover. The grimy street outside
seems a world away from the beautified parts of
Habana Vieja. Only a few minutes walk from the
luxurious Saratoga hotel it seems a world away as
bicitaxi drivers loiter outside touting for business.
Entering what seems like a semi derelict building
we emerge onto the first floor, which is a hive
of activity — nicely illuminated, air-conditioned,
packed with people who clearly got the memo that
this is the place to be.
We are here for the show – the line up highlights the
groups’s bonafides, two members of the legendary
Buena Vista Social Club and three from the AfroCuban All Stars. And they have had international
success: they boast two Grammies and another
two Grammy nominees.
per head. They are simply superb; maybe there
is something in the Cuban air where age defeats
reason as an 81 year-old member of the group
twirls my date around the dance floor.
This is not stale, stiff or formulaic (à la Tropicana).
Instead it seems like they are playing for the first
time, craving the audience’s appreciation. The
drumming is out of this world—as Luis Mariano
Valiente (Betún) performs a solo, the crowd is on
its feet (German birdwatchers and all). This is as
good and as close as you will get in Cuba to that
cliché of the 1950s. Yet it is older and wiser, maybe
better in point of fact since the performers have
El Guajirito is a place for tourists looking for the
lost nirvana of the 1950s — made so very famous
by the success of Buena Vista Social Club. The
atmosphere is expectant, waitresses bustling
efficiently — it doesn’t hurt that they are all
gorgeous! The food, on the other hand, is decent
although not spectacular.
As the show starts at 9.30pm, it quickly becomes
apparent why the place if full, packed at CUC 50
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that mellowness that comes from age. They are
doing something they love and want to be heard.
Sometimes it is difficult to know if people like
something. English politeness, German reserve,
French aloofness; who knows what they really
think? Not here, and not after that performance –
by the end, even the Suecos (Swiss tourists known
for having two left feet) are on their feet dancing.
This is a simply spectacular show with world class
performers.
Members of Legendarios del Guajirito
Benitico Llanes Maida Mitchell Eduardo Rico Luis Valiente ‘Betun’ Félix Baloy Jr.
Luis Valdés Lázaro J.Villa Morgan
Carlos Puisseaux Campana de Oro (1995), Congo de Oro (1996)
Star of Tropicana
Sierra Maestra (Grammy nominee, 2010)
Cubanísimo 2003-07 / Afro-Cuban All Stars, 2011
Afro-Cuban All Stars
Buena Vista Social Club (Grammy winner)
Buena Vista Social Club (Grammy winner)
Afro-Cuban All Stars (Grammy nominee, 1998)
Other group members
Emilio Ramos, Yelfris Valdés, Jesús Bello, Eduardo Himely, Alejando Suárez
NOTES:
The first floor of this building has actually been split
between two restaurants, El Tablao de Pancho and
El Guajirito. Slightly confusingly, the show used to
be in the Tablao de Pancho. It has now moved into
a larger space the other side of the entrance (El
Guajirito). Upstairs is the nightclub, Escaleras al
Cielo (literally, Stairway to Heaven).
Although the environs are distinctly non-salubrious,
this being Havana, it is actually perfectly safe outside
just not the sort of street you would walk down late
at night back in London.
CUC 50 for dinner & show
Every night from 9.30pm
Reservations can be made through your travel
agent or directly at “El Tablao de Pancho”
(restaurant at same address).
Zulueta No. 660 entre Apodaca y Gloria,
Habana Vieja
Tel: +53 (07) 861-7761
+53 5 422-3648
You’ve
waited Long Enough
page 55
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Havana Buzz: Street
Art at Cuba Libro
By Conner Gorry
On January 18, ‘Con lo que haya’ (‘With Whatever
There Is’), a fun, spunky show by Havana graffiti
artist and illustrator Kaos, rolled into Cuba Libro.
This is the fourth exhibit by a young Cuban artist
at the island’s first English-language bookstore/
café since it opened in August, 2013. Kaos’ playfully
arresting works created on whatever materials he
could lay his hands on—hence the title—feel like
they were made for this space.
Foreigners and Cubans who have passed by to take
a look agree, calling the canvasses and drawings
‘captivating,’ ‘interesting,’ and ‘innovative.’ This is
no mean feat considering the pop culture subject
matter, including striking portraits of global icons
Marilyn Monroe, Yoko Ono, and Salvador Dali
and the urban, street-honed style which is Kaos’
(AKA Marcos López Hernández) hallmark. Part of
the attraction is how the artist installed the show,
taking his hand-mixed spray paints to the small
gallery space and creating an original graffiti piece
over which the works were mounted. “It’s beautiful
and original. I love it when an artist is able to come
into a space and make it their own, letting it, as
much as the work, speak for their creativity,” says
conceptual photographer Irolan Maroselli, whose
show preceded this one.
You’ve
waited Long Enough
Like the three shows previous, Con lo que haya
was kicked off with a packed, grand opening. As
visitors from down the block and around the world
checked out the art, and drank wine and rum
liberally (Tu Kola and Cachito for the many kids in
attendance), Kaos explained the how and why of
his show. “I’m thrilled to exhibit at Cuba Libro. I’m
used to working in the streets, which is special in
its own way because it allows me to make our daily
landscape more attractive visually, but to have a
solo show is exciting and a first for me,” he was
overheard saying at the opening.
“This is something totally new for Cuba--to have
the kind of art that is normally seen on walls and
abandoned buildings exhibited in a proper space.
I like it,” says Cuba Libro regular Telma Álvarez.
We hope you will too: please drop by and be part
of something new and different in Cuba. Your
presence, patronage, and energy help promote
new initiatives and young artists like Kaos.
Cuba Libro is on Calle 24, on the corner of Calle 19,
in Vedado. We’re open daily but Sundays, 10am8pm. Telephone: 830 5205. Follow us on Twitter (@
cubalibrohavana) and Facebook (cubalibroHAV) or drop
us an email at cubalibrohavana@gmail.com.
page 56
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El Litoral
Malecon No. 161 E/ K y L,
Vedado
(+53) 7-830-2201
The best places to eat in Havana
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) 7-831-8847
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
5
Spanish/Mediterranean
Italian
Contemporary fusion
Swedish-Cuban fusion
Beautiful penthouse with
Walter’s place - Great pizza
Great service
Oasis in Centro Habana
Calle M No. 257, e/ 19 y 21,
Vedado
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
(+53) 7-831-2090
(+53) 7-881-7000
(+53) 7-203 0261
Chanchullero CA
5+
Chansonnier CA
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
CA
(+53) 7-861-1332
5+
El Litoral
CA
International
Contemporary fusion
Spanish (Tapas)
International
Consistently good
Justifiably famous
Brilliantly creative food
Sea view, great food.
Calle 46 No. 305 esq a 3ra,
Miramar
Concordia 418 e/ Gervasio y
Escobar
Aguacate #9, Esq. Chacón,
Old Havana
Malecon No. 161 E/ K y L,
Vedado
(+53) 7-202-8337
Nardos
(+53) 7-866-9047
CA 4+
Piccolo
(+53) 7-863-9697
CA 4+
Río Mar
5+
CA
(+53) 7-830-2201
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
World class, unique.
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
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
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
You’ve
waited Long Enough
January 2014
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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
El Litoral
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
International
CostExpensive
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Quality décor, good service and
great food. Best new place recently opened.
Don’t Miss Drinking a cocktail at sunset
watching the world go by on the Malecón
Malecon 161 E/ K y L, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-2201
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
Santy
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Style of food
Sushi/Oriental
CostModerate
Type of place Private (Paladar)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for Fabulous sushi, wonderful ambience
overlooking fishing boats heading out to sea.
World class.
Don’t miss Getting a reservation here.
Calle 240A No. 3023 esq. a 3ra C, Jaimanitas
(+53) 5-286-7039
You’ve
waited Long Enough
January 2014
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Kpricho
Calle 94 No. 110 e/ 1ra y
3ra, Miramar
(+53) 7-206-4167
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
(+53) 7-878-4273
(+53) 7-833 6918
Casa Música
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
Über modern stylish
indoor bar/club. Party
starts late.
Calle 94 No. 110 e/ 1ra y 3ra,
Miramar
(+53) 7-833-2224
(+53) 7-206-4167
Meliá sports Bar CA
4
Pepito’s Bar
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
4
A little rough but spacious.
See the best Cuban salsa
bands
Fabulous rooftop setting,
great service, cool vibe.
Friday night attracts a
LGBT crowd
La Fontana
Casa Música CA
Big venue, very popular,
see PMM here.
(+53) 7-204 0447
Ecaleras Cielo
5-
CA 4
El Floridita
CA 5-
Hemingway’s daiquiri bar.
Obispo No. 557 Ave. de
Bélgica, Old Havana
(+53) 7-867 1299
Café Madrigal CA
4
Beautifully décor in a
spectacular space. Cold
Calle 17 No. 302 (altos) entre
2 y 4, Vedado
(+53) 7-831 2433
Las Piedras
CA 4
Popular modern bar. Can
get smoky.
Big-screen sports in
modern outdoor place.
Live nueva trova in small
(ish) intimate environment.
Bar of choice for the afterparty (3am+).
1ra, e/ 58 y 60, Miramar
Meliá Habana Hotel
Ave. 3ra e/ 76 y 80, Miramar
Calle 26 e/ Av Zoologigo &
Calle 47. Nuevo Vedado
1ra y 32, Miramar
(+53) 7-881-1808
(+53) 7-204-8500
Privé Lounge
CA 5
Intimate lounge club with
great acoustics.
Calle 88A No. 306 e/ 3ra y 3ra
A, Miramar
(+53) 7-209-2719
Somavilla Bar CA
Sangri-La
CA 5
4+
Avenida 21, e/ 36 y 42,
Miramar
Avenida 9na No. 12015, e/ 120
y 130, Miramar
TaBARish
CA 5-
Indoor Russian themed
bar/restuarant.
Calle 20 No. 503 e/ 5ta y 7ma,
Miramar
15 y H, Vedado
CA 5-
Best contemporary &
Nueva Trova singers.
(+53) 5-264-8343
Small hip place catering to
the cool crowd.
El Sauce
For the cool kids.
Basement bar/club.
(+53) 7-204-6428
El Tocororo
CA 4
Expat favorite hangout.
Small with live music.
Calle 18, e/ 3ra y 5ta, Miramar
(+53) 7-202-9486
Sloppy Joe’s
CA 4+
One of the best bars in the
world (1950s).
Ánimas, esq. Zulueta, Old
Havana
(+53) 7-866 7157
Up & Down
CA 4
Disco vibe with Cuban
pop. Young Cuban crowd
5ta, e/ B y C, esq B Vedado
(+53) 7-202-9188
You’ve
waited Long Enough
January 2014
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Bertolt Brecht
CA 4+
CA TOP PICK
Contemporary Bar
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Hanging out with hip & funky
Cubans who like their live music.
Don’t Miss Interactivo playing on a
Wednesday evening.
Calle 13 e/ I y J, Vedado
(+53) 7-8301354
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
You’ve
waited Long Enough
January 2014
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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
Kpricho
CA 5+
CA TOP PICK
Contemporary Bar/CLUB
Ambience
Popularity
Entertainment
Service & drinks
Best for Über cool & stylish indoor space
where Havana’s coolest DJs keep the party
going.
Don’t Miss ‘Mas que una noche es un kpricho’
94 entre 1ra y 3ra # 110, Miramar
(+53) 7-206-4167
barkpricho@gmail.com
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
You’ve
waited Long Enough
January 2014
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Legendarios de Guajirito
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
Legendarios de
Guajirito
Buena Vista Social
Club 1950’S style brilliantly done.
Zulueta No. 660 entre
Apodaca y Gloria,
Habana Vieja.
January 2014
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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
Salón 1930 ‘Compay
Segundo’
Buena Vista.
Traditional.
Hotel Nacional de Cuba,
Calle O, esquina 21,
Vedado
.com
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,
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) 5-254-5240
CA 5
Julio y Elsa
(+53) 7- 861 0253
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
You’ve
waited Long Enough
January 2014
(+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
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
You’ve
waited Long Enough
January 2014
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