havana! - Visit Cuba
Transcription
havana! - Visit Cuba
what’s on havana Conducta Impropia by Alejandro Gonzalez ! may 2014 Jornada Cubana contra la Homofobia May 5-24, 2014 may 2014 FEATURES Havana Listings around cuba sport Jornada Cubana contra la Homofobia p7 May 5-24, 2014 Conducta impropria by Alejandro Gonzales’s p20. Visual Art p25 — Photography p31 — Cinema P32 — Dance p33 — Music p34 — Theatre p43 — Other p46 Festival Romerías de Mayo p48 May 2-8, 2014, Holguín Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series p50 May 9-10, 2014, El Morro Castle Havana Not to miss during May 2014 With a Passion for Cuba Mon Tue Thu Sat Sum 12 19 26 Jornada Cubana contra la Homophobia May 5-24, 2014 Monday night—go traditional bar hopping: Bodiguita del Medio, Floridita, Sloppy Joe’s Enjoy a traditional Italian dinner at Opera, a new homely and intimate paladar with beautiful décor. Festival Internacional de Poesía de La Habana, May 25 to 31, 2014 6 13 20 27 ILGALAC Girl’s night out—El Cocinero, Up & Down, Sangri-La Encuentro sobre Manejo y Gestión de Centros Históricos, May 20 to 23, 2014 Movie Night at home. Get a copy of Conducta, Ernesto Daranas’s latest smash hit. Sacrilegio by Ernán López-Nussa @ ISA, 6pm Latin American and Caribbean Unity for LGBTI Rights, May 5-9, Varadero Opening of Itinerrances by Ferrante Ferranti Tue Dinner at El Litoral, one of Havana’s best new restaurants— watch life pass by on Malecón. Fotosub, May 14-18 2014, Cayo Largo IV Jornada de la Diversidad Cultural para el Diálogo Qva Libre @ Café y el Desarrollo, Cantante Mi Habana, Camagüey 5pm Boy’s night out— Don Cangrejo, Las Piedras, Dos Gardenias, 1 8 15 22 29 May 1 Bobby Carcassés @ UNEAC, 2pm Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco matinee @ Casa de la Música de Miramar Dinner at La Guarida Havana’s legendary restaurant located in Centro Habana Dinner at Santy, Jaimanitas’s off the beaten track world class sushi restaurant. Matinee at El Diablo Tun Tun, (from 6pm) best night out of the week so we’re told! 21 Mon 14 International Workers Day, March in Plaza de la Revolución Fri 5 7 Wed ! what’s on havana 28 Wed Thu 2 9 16 23 30 Cuba Domadores vs Russian Boxing Team—WSB SemiFinal Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, Morro Castle, May 9-10 Mayo Teatral, May 16-25, 2014 El tío Vania @ Argos Teatro, Fri & Sat, 8pm; Sun, 5pm World Series of Boxing Final (Cuba vs Azerbajan or Kazakhstan) Fri Festival Romerías de Coppelia by Ballet Mayo, May 2-8, 2014, Nacional de Cuba, Holguín May 9-11 & 16-18 Mayo Renacentista @ Iglesia de Paula, May Rascacielos by Teatro 16, 23 & 30 El Público @ Sala Get crazy at Escaleras Adolfo Llauradó, Fri & al Cielo LGBTI night, Sat, 8pm; Sun, 5pm from 11pm. 3 17 24 31 Telmary in concert @ Conga contra F.A.C. homophobia @ Calle 23, 10.30a.m. Los Van Van in concert @ El Sauce Gala performance, Cuba contra homophobia, 8.30pm Karl Marx theatre. International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) Champions League Final on big screen at Meliá Habana Sports Bar Conga performed up Calle 23 from the Malecón to Pabellón Verdehr Trio in Concert Basílica Menor, May 24, 6pm Beach day—Playas del Este to build sandcastles followed by pizza at Piccolo in Guanabo 4 18 25 1 June Inaugural gala for Cubadisco, 11am (*as per program) @ National Theatre Closing gala for Cubadisco 11am (*as per program) @ National Theatre Take the dog for a walk. Wait for the June Issue of What’s On Havana. 10 11 La Máquina de la Mother’s Day Melancolía, with Frank Delgado and Luis Alberto García @ El Sauce, 5pm visitcuba.com Sat Sum contents page 4 5-24, 2014 Havana, Granma, Manzanillo & Bayamo may Photos by Humberto Mayol VII Jornada Cubana contra la Homofobia (IDAHO) From May 5 to May 24, Cuba will celebrate the 7th Jornada Cubana contra la Homofobia in Havana, Granma and other locations in Cuba. The twoweek event included symposiums, lectures, films, art exhibits and a theatrical festival, headlined by Cuban superstar, singer Haila Mompié. Leading this unique revolution on the behalf of the LGBT community is activist Mariela Castro Espín, the 48-year-old daughter of Cuba’s President, Raúl Castro, and niece of Fidel Castro. Heterosexual and a married mother of three, Castro Espín is going into her tenth year as director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) in Havana. These series of events represent Cuba’s participation in the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, which takes place visitcuba.com on May 17. [Note that some events have been brought forward this year to coincide with Cuba hosting ILGALAC – see events outside of Havana). Events not to miss include the kick-off conga (May 10, 10.30a.m.), where Cubans of all types and stripes shimmy and shake up Calle 23 from the Malecón to Pabellón Cuba, HQ of the annual anti-homophobia celebration. The closing gala (8.30pm on May 10 in Teatro Karl Marx) is nothing short of fabulous—Priscilla Queen of the Desert meets Tropicana, performed to a packed theater of LGBTI Cubans and their friends (not to mention members of the establishment— Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel was in attendance last year in 2013). contents page 5 Background International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia May 17, or the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT)—as it is widely recognized—is an essential feature in the international LGBT rights calendar. In the 9th edition, in 2013, commemorations took place in almost 120 countries, in all world regions. The day aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide. The date of May 17 was chosen to commemorate the decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990. The day was conceived in 2004. A year-long campaign culminated in the first International Day Against Homophobia on May 17, 2005. visitcuba.com contents page 6 Program Highlights (Jornada Cubana Contra la Homofobia) May 5 10am, CENESEX Press Conference. Presentation by Byron Monthly Sala Villena, UNEAC May 9 10am: Words by Miguel Barnet and CENESEX representatives 10:30am: Transvestism, identity and show. Screening of parts of Máscaras al borde del proscenio. 11:30am: Presentation of books, poets and narrators. 2pm: Conversation between Norge Espinosa and contemporary authors who deal with this topic. 3pm: Round table with members of Teatro El Público celebrating the 20th anniversary of the premiere in Cuba of Federico García Lorca’s “El público.” 4pm: Meeting with the film crew of Fátima o el Parque de la Fraternidad. 5pm: Meeting with Mariela Castro and guests to the Cuban day Against Homophobia 2014: Víctor Hugo Robles (Chile) and Vikram Seth (India). 6pm: Closing ceremony with drag show. May 10 9am, La Rampa Theater: Panel: Family: A Space for Inclusion? 10:30am, Cascada de 23 y Malecón: Cuban Conga Against Homophobia 11:30am, Pabellón Central. Escenario natural: Opening speech, VII Jornada Cubana contra la Homofobia by Mariela Castro Espín 12pm, Salón de Mayo: Presentation of the digital book Pingueros en La Habana by Julio César González Pagés. 12pm, Pérgola: Celebration for peace and non-violence, organized by the Centro Memorial Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Grupo “Somos”. Centro Kairós, Matanzas. 1pm, Pérgola: Presentation by CENESEX and other organization of civil society. Debate with the audience. 2pm, Pabellón Central. Escenario natural: Sociocultural show by the DIVINO Project 8:30pm, Teatro Karl Marx: Cuban Gala Against Homophobia. 11pm: Festival for Diversity. Sala polivalente del Hotel Tulipán May 12 9am-11am Panel: “Inclusion-Social Integration. Ways to eliminate discrimination of LGBTs”, Panelists: Mariela Castro Espín (Cuba), Patricia Bueza Gainza (Uruguay), Gloria Careaga (Mexico), Andrés Scagliola (Uruguay) 11am-1pm: Panel: “Sexual Health and Rights” 2pm-4pm: “Masculinities-Power and Homophobia” May 13 3pm, UCI: Lecture by Mariela Castro 8pm, Cine 23 y 12: “Cine Club diferente”. Screening and discussion of film El sexo de los Ángeles May 14 Activities in San Pablo de Yao, Buey Arriba, Granma Province May 15 Activities in the city of Manzanillo May 16 - 17 Activities in the city of Bayamo May 22 5pm, Barrio El Príncipe (Zapata #951 e/ Basarrate y Mazón, Plaza) May 24 10am: Ciudad Deportiva: 2nd.Sports Festival Against Homophobia and Transphobia Conducta Impropia: [Improper Behavior] by Alejandro Gonzalez Photos by Alejandro González visitcuba.com contents page 8 “Homosexuality is not a disease, but homophobia is.” Mariela Castro Espín This series of photographs is an inventory of people who are subject to rejection or exclusion because of their sexual preferences. It is a denunciation against homophobia. Symbolically, it is also a demand for the respect of political, ideological, religious differences. Conducta Impropia [Improper Behavior] is divided into two parts: close-ups made during the celebration of the World Day Against Homophobia (May 17, 2008) and portraits taken during a gay pride party on Mi Cayito beach (June 14, 2008). In the portraits (close-ups), I show faces of people and try to “erase” the features that identify them in terms of gender. The photos taken at the beach describe the festive atmosphere in a celebration of the Cuban gay community (a part of it) through alien eyes (mine), which try to capture the spirit of the event. These pictures were taken almost scientifically. Some of these photos reveal a certain clichéd view of the gay world. With this I aimed to expose the prejudices (mine, too) inherited from the macho and heterosexual tradition that prevails in our society. This photographic essay pays tribute to all of the activists who fight for and defend the rights of people who are discriminated due to their gender or sexual preferences. MiCayito beach visitcuba.com contents page 9 Alejandro González Born in Havana, Cuba in 1974, Alejandro González learnt photography in workshops directed by photographers like Diego Goldberg, Luis González Palma and Edgar Moreno. He was later invited to an artist-in-residence program at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne in Germany. In 2009 he was awarded the Cuban Casa de las Américas prize in the photography section. His work has been exhibited in Cuba, as well as Mexico, the United States, Spain and Italy. http://alejandrogonzalez.wordpress.com visitcuba.com contents page 10 Visual Arts Mordida Factoría Habana, Opens May 24 In Mordida, artists from different generations and trends combine efforts to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Havana Art Biennale: Juan Carlos Alom, Lidzie Alvisa, Belkis Ayón, Luis Enrique Camejo, Felipe Dulzaides, Antonio Eligio (Tonel), Roberto Fabelo, José Manuel Fors, Aimée García, Ernesto Leal, Jorge López Pardo, Ibrahim Miranda, Carlos Montes de Oca, Pedro Pablo Oliva, Sandra Ramos, Santiago Rodríguez Olazábal Eduardo Ponjuán and José Ángel Toirac. Espacio mínimo Edificio de Arte Cubano. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Through June Over 50 pieces by Raúl Milián, one of the most significant Cuban artists of the second half of the 20th centiruy, who has depicted a complex and anguished inner world through small scale excellent ink paintings. Brey Edificio de Arte Cubano. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Through June Installations, sculptures, two-dimensional works and photographs by Ricardo Rodríguez Brey (1955), a member of the mythical group Volumen I and a pioneer of conceptual art in Cuba, and who lives abroad since 1990, in a retrospective that will offer a comprehensive look into the work of this artist throughout his life. visitcuba.com contents page 11 Biblioteca Pública Rubén Martínez Villena Throughout May Jai-Q, a silkscreen exhibition by Janette Brossard who emphasizes cultural hybridization and the reinterpretation of Asian poetics. Galería Espacio Abierto Through May 23 Casa Benito Juárez Throughout may Espacio Ayón exhibits works from the 1st Belkis Ayón National Competition in Collagraphy and the group printmaking exhibition Nuevas circunstancias and Texturas develadas. Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Wifredo Lam Through may 13 Las formas del silencio, an exhibition of works made out of different materials and some paintings, by the Cuban sculptor Agustín Cárdenas (1907-2001). Through may 15 Tiempo detenido, solo show by Nieves Torralba with her most recent drawings. She painted a large mural on the back walls of the gallery. Colegio Universitario San Gerónimo de la Habana Throughout may Océano, five metal sculptures of different sea species by French artist Mauro Corda. Galería Espacio Abierto Throughout May Through May 5 In Muela Bizca, Sanfis Suárez makes use of his profession as graphic designer to reflect on history and social behavior. Through May 4 Solo lo que vemos, a show by Enrique Ángel Cabrera, takes a look into the representation of time as a phenomenon that attacks human personality—it shows a man who cannot quite understand his own present time and has to resort to the past, which he also did not understand at all. En rosa proposes different works by young female artists who reveal feminine subjectivity and their imprint in their pieces. Hostal Los Frailes may Climbing the Future, solo show by artist Ascanio, who introduces the topic of climbing from multiple facets, using figuration with influences from pop art and graphic design. Galería Villa Manuela Throughout Avalancha: paintings, photographs May and documentaries by Alejandro González, Alejandro Campins and Armando Capó Ramos, who depict certain aspects of Cuban life with a sensation of atemporal quality and a sociological and anthropological approach. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Edificio de Arte Cubano Through July 7 Imalabra is a 46-year retrospective of the renowned Puerto Rican artist Antonio Martorell. The opening on April 1, 4pm, which is the artist’s 75th birthday, the actress and theater director Rosa Luisa Márquez and the artist himself will present Veveviejo, an adpatation for the stage of texts by Martorell. visitcuba.com Contradicciones de Occidente by Ángel Alonso Blanco focuses on the contradictions of western culture and the self-centeredness of contemporary man with regards to his surroundings, which leads them to self-destruction. Galería Luz y Oficios Galería Collage Habana Throughout may Homenaje a Antonia Eiriz, on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the birth of the painter, draftswoman and printmaker Antonia Eiriz, one of the great iconoclasts of Cuban painting in the 20th century. The show includes more than 30 pieces by the late artist from the collections of the Museo Municipal de San Miguel del Padrón, Museo Biblioteca Servando Cabrera Moreno and Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, as well as from private collections. Museo de Naipes Throughout Selección de maestría exhibits May works by 20 outstanding Cuban artists, such as Roberto Diago, Roberto Fabelo, Eduardo Ponjuan, Sandra Ramos, Ernesto Rancaño, Lisandro Ramírez and Eduardo Roca, among other. contents page 12 Exhibition at the Wifredo Lam Center: april - may Notas al Paso: The Return of Tomás Sánchez by Ricardo Alberto Pérez “Even though critics have placed Tomás Sánchez in the starting point of the Cuban hyperrealistic movement that had a boom in 1974, along with Rogelio López Marín and Flavio Garciandía, the truth is that his work doesn’t portray a naturalistic concern nor a cult to exact reproduction but rather a will to generate illusion.” Spanish art critic Fernando Castro Building the present on the basis of constant nostalgia could drive a person or even a society mad. If we consider the specific case of Cuban contemporary art, some of this nostalgia has been destroyed with the return of works by key Cuban artists of the last few decades to the country’s galleries. We are very lucky to have had three such events take place during the second week in April: twice at the Wifredo Lam Center and once at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: the work of Agustín Cárdenas, Ricardo Rodríguez Brey and Tomás Sánchez. Tomás Sánchez’s absence has given rise to so many myths that they cannot be dissolved either with his presence or his artwork. This artist (born in 1948 in Aguada de Pasajeros, Cienfuegos Province) is amongst us again here in Cuba with his work and definitely with his spirit. His show called Notas al paso opened at the Wifredo Lam Center on April 10 at 5 p.m. After more than 20 years without a show in Cuba, he is exhibiting his large-format photography, allowing us to view the level-headed lucidity of visitcuba.com contents page 13 Many consider Tomás Sánchez to be one of the discoverers of this Island; nobody else has been able to express its secrets so exactly, or to show the delightfulness of rural landscapes with the minimalist touches that he masterfully transforms into powerful details. His images revel in verticality, transmitting the sensation of ascent with a full sensual range. his soul. It was this lucidity that made its mark on the landscape from the 1970s, revitalizing a genre that seemed to have been extinguished in the monotony of its own rhetoric. In his oeuvre, Tomás makes it quite clear that there is no valid landscape today that cannot return to viewers the internal strength of its creator, their moods, conflicts and above all their beliefs. It magnifies this milieu, providing refuge for our eyes. visitcuba.com These photographs being exhibited in Havana focus on the sea in its conversation with the shore. We see the effects of foam crested waves crashing into the brilliant white sand, immortalizing eternal conflict. Gigantic rocks look like small islands where singular vegetation flourishes. Tomás’ lens returns to such scenarios again and again, seeking out new relationships that establish a counterpoint with the unfathomable permanence of the sea. This show presents us with the artist’s most recent work—images taken on Cuba’s northern coast and in Costa Rica. He will be returning to these locations with blank canvases over the next years to transform the current photography into amazing paintings. contents page 14 Exhibition at the Wifredo Lam Center Las Formas del Silencio by Agustín Cárdenas by Ricardo Alberto Pérez It’s not everyday that one can come up against the energy of a great artist and when it happens, it’s like a spell has been cast. When the doors of the Wifredo Lam Center for Contemporary Art in Havana opened on April 11, 2014 for Las Formas del Silencio, an exhibition of pieces by the Cuban sculptor Agustín Cárdenas, there was pixie dust in the air. The opening was attended by an extraordinary group of art lovers across generations from established masters, such as Manuel Mendive and Carlos Quintana, to art students. It was the glances and subtle gestures that indicated the high esteem in which Cárdenas is held. The sizes of the works made one feel that space was being invaded, that one’s breath was being concentrated and that there was a sort of thickness present in the air that had to be crossed without being overcome with the emotion elicited by each of the representations. The artist’s skill in handling symbols, in making concrete the distortion of archetypes put him squarely into the realm of poetry. Call it abstraction or metaphor, but what is certain is that it re-dimensions events and bestows upon them a metaphysical depth capable of liberating sensations that are able to flow along individual lines. visitcuba.com contents page 15 the main figures in the European avant-garde. Sculpture with a very personal imprint makes him one of the most remarkable sculptors of that era. The show covers work spanning the period from 1957 to 1989. From El gallo [The Rooster] (1957) to Caballito [Little Horse] (1989) a terrain of deployment and contradictions reveals the evolution of a man enchanted by different cultures. The artist has survived his scrutiny of Caribbean tides and, after ignoring them for a while, returns to die at the foot of their cyclical movement. And so we see how El árbol antillano [The Tree of the West Indies] congeals the wisdom of every branch while becoming one single trunk that keeps its steadfast aim of returning to the earth. “The Forms of Silence” can also be interpreted as a celebration of substances, a banquet where materials (wood, marble and bronze) accept being sublimated to the codes of demiurgic language. The artist’s diversity of choice in terms of material speaks volumes about his character and expressive capacity. Every material Cárdenas chooses leads to greater communication with his viewers. “The Forms of Silence” once again allows us to approach one of the great Cuban artists of the second half of the twentieth century. Agustín Cárdenas was trained in the San Alejandro Academy in the 1940s and he has been exhibiting since 1955, the year he traveled to Paris where he lived for around forty years. During this time he traveled and showed on the five continents, creating powerful relationships with some of His white marble “Homage to Brancusi” (1966) surprisingly symbolizes the universe made erotic by an economy of expressiveness that literally leaves viewers speechless. Smoothness and ascending forms recall the aspirations of that Rumanian sculptor in an audacious manner of approaching the creative posture that for decades inspired sculpture all over the world. Work seeped in emotion such as Madera calcinada [Charred Wood] (1957), Disco de luz escondida [Hidden Light Disc] (1970), El beso [The Kiss] (1974) and La mano [The Hand] (1965) places us before a remarkable phenomenon that will be available for the viewing during a month at the Wifredo Lam Center for Contemporary Art, just a few blocks from the Cathedral of Havana. Augustín Cárdenas Known as one of the last Surrealist artist, renowned Cuban sculptor Agustín Cárdenas had an artistic touch that was “as nimble as a dragonfly” (André Breton). Cárdenas, a descendant of slaves from Senegal and the Congo, was born in Matanzas in 1927 and died in Havana in 2001. His work reflects both his adherence to Surrealism and his AfroCuban heritage. visitcuba.com contents page 16 photography Miedos y misterios Biblioteca Pública Rubén Martínez Villena, Throughout May Miedos y misterios by Spanish photographer Pilar Sampedro Aparicio whose work is a testimony to her commitment with society, depicting sensitive topics, suc as cancer, anorexia or gender-based violence. De la Lleca al Cohue: photography in penitentiaries Fototeca de Cuba, Through May 14 De la Lleca al Cohue: photography in penitentiaries, a project by Violet Bulé who considers photography as an instrument for social action. The results of workshops organized in penitentiary centers with inmates show the inner world of the persons behind the camera and their associations with concepts like brotherhood, the constitution of a group as family, and social dynamics beyond those related to violence and survival. In Compulsión, Irolan Maroselli and Yoannys Aldaya use their bodies as models and play different roles to criticize certain social contexts. Casa Simón Bolívar Opens May 5 XI Encuentro Internacional de Fotografía Caleidoscopio. This new edition of the Kaleidoscope Photography Meeting will place special emphasis on the representations of the body, which occupies a prominent place in visual arts, seeking to make it a base for many manifestations, from body art, extreme bodyd art, and radical surgery to techno art, tattooing, body building and piercing. Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura Opens May 20 Itinerrances, by the renowned French photographer and architect Ferrante Ferranti, is made up of 35 color and black & white shots in which Ferranti combines images from architectural works, Baroque details and panoramas, the poetics of travel and the traveler, and the mysticism of religious faith. Sala de la Diversidad Throughout Salvaje by María Cano is a tour of May her ten-year work carried out as a photographer and her internist, artistic approach to the animal life of different geographical regions. visitcuba.com contents page 17 cinema VI Muestra Itinerante de Cine del Caribe May 2-June 22 Initiated with great success in February 2007 in Havana with the aim of preserving and acquainting audiences with the film production of the region, as well as break away from prejudices around regional production, this 6th Traveling Caribbean Cinema Festival will present 27 documentaries and three animated films from 13 countries of the Wider Caribbean Region. A sample of the works are Making History by Caecilia Tripp and Karen McKimon from Jamaica; Rumbos de la rumba: Parada Central Park by Berta Jottar from Mexico; Calypso Rose: The Lioness of de Jungle by Pascale Obolo from Trinidad and Tobago; and Recordando el mamoncillo y Raíces cubanas. Historias del Bronx by Pamela Sporn from the US. The festival will travel to every province in Cuba: May 2-8 Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín May 8-15 Granma, Las Tunas, Camagüey May 15-22 Ciego de Ávila, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus May 22-29 Artemisa, Matanzas, Mayabeque May 29June 5 Isla de la Juventud, Pinar del Río June 13-22 Havana (Chaplin and 23 y 12 theaters) The international tour will begin by St Kitts and Nevis, Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago. visitcuba.com contents page 18 dance Coppelia Ballet Nacional de Cuba Teatro Nacional de Cuba. Sala Avellaneda May 9-11 & 16-18, Fri & Sat, 6:30pm; Sun, 5 pm. Photo by Alex Mene The National Ballet of Cuba will perform a version of Coppelia by Alicia Alonso based on the original choreography by Arthur Saint-Léon and Marius Petipa’s version, with music by Léo Delibes. Solamente Solos Comandante May, 2014, Eddy Suñol Theater, city of Holguín After several years without a permanent home, this national competition for choreographers and artists dedicated to work performed by one single artist has finally returned to its original headquarters. A broad array of trends and esthetic sensibilities in contemporary dance may be experienced in this event. Compañía Irene Rodríguez Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura, May 10, 5pm Born in Havana, she began studying Spanish Dance in the Spanish Cultural Society “Centro Andaluz” (Andalusian Centre) of Havana. Within months, she began of the record, and as “an exceptional case” to take classes with the professional company Ballet Español de Cuba, since her talent was remarkable in spite of being a young girl. In 1993, she is admitted at the National Academy of Spanish Dances sponsored by this company. She graduated in 1999, after 5 years of study. visitcuba.com contents page 19 MUSIC Contemporary Fusion X Alfonso, 2014 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. Good live music venues include Bertolt Brecht (Wed: Interactivo, Sunday: Déjá-vu) and El Sauce (check out the Sunday afternoon Máquina de la Melancolía) as well as the newly opened Fábrica de Arte Cubano which has concerts most nights Thursday through Sunday as well as impromptu smaller performances inside. 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. Café Cantante, Teatro Nacional Dos Gardenias Wednesdays Performances by Qva Libre Mondays 5 pm 10 pm Café Concert El Sauce Sundays 5 pm Hotel Capri. Salón Rojo La Máquina de la Melancolía, with Frank Delgado and Luis Alberto García Casa de la Música de Miramar Tuesdays, 5 pm Alexander d’Primera Mayco D’Alma Thursdays Mayco D’Alma 11pm Jardines del 1830 Abreu Diablo Tun Tun Wednesdays Gerardo Alfonso 5 pm y Havana Sundays Grupo Moncada 10 pm Tercera y 8 Mondays Baby Lores 11 pm Fábrica de Arte May 3 Telmary in concert. 11 pm visitcuba.com contents page 20 Juan Formell (1942 - 2014) Cuba has lost a true legend in Juan Formell. May he Rest in Peace. Thank you for the music, thank for Los Van Van, thank you for the joy, thank you for everything. Salsa / Timba Casa de la Música de Galiano Wednesdays 11 pm José Luis Cortés y NG La Banda Thursday 11 pm Charanga Latina. Photo by Ivan Soca Casa de la Música de Miramar Monday 5 pm Sur Caribe Tuesdays 11 pm Pedrito Calvo y La Justicia Wednesdays 5 pm 11 pm Juan Guillermo Thursdays 5 pm Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco Fridays 5 pm 11 pm El Niño y La Verdad Saturdays 5 pm Tumbao Habana Sundays 5 pm Lázaro Valdés y Bamboleo Diablo Tun Tun Tuesdays El Noro y Primera Clase 11 pm Wednesdays To Mezclao 11 pm Thursdays José Luis Cortés y NG La Banda 11 pm Saturdays 5 pm Manana Club 11 pm Tania Pantoja Café Concert El Sauce May 3 8 pm Los Van Van * unclear whether this will go ahead as a tribute to Juan Formell. visitcuba.com Adalberto Álvarez y su Son José Luis Cortés y NG La Banda Jardines del 1830 Fridays Paulo FG y su Élite 8 pm contents page 21 MUSIC jazz Café Jazz Miramar Shows: 10:30pm - 2am This new jazz club has quickly established itself as one of the very best places to hear some of Cuba’s best musicians jamming. 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. A full house is something of a mixed house since on occasion you will feel like holding up your own silence please sign! Nonetheless it gets the thumbs up from us. Calle 5ta esquina a 94, Mirama,r Playa Jazz Café Shows: 10:30pm - 2am Mellow, sophisticated and freezing due to extreme air conditioning, the Jazz Café is not only an excellent place to hear some of Cuba’s top jazz musicians, but the open-plan design also provides for a good bar atmosphere if you want to chat. Less intimate than La Zorra y el Cuervo – located opposite Melia Cohiba Hotel. La Zorra y el Cuervo Shows: 10:30pm - 2am The ‘Fox & Crow’ offers an intimate environment in this basement venue notably marked by a red English telephone box at its entrance. Top jazz players perform here on a nightly basis. Dark, cramped, low ceilings and an absolute firetrap this has much more atmosphere of the gritty kind than the Jazz Café, which seems too pretty and sterile by comparison. Asociación Cubana de Derechos de Autor Musical may 15 6 pm Proyecto de Jazz Cubano with Alexis Bosch (piano). Somavilla Saturdays 8:30 pm Zule Guerra (sinfer and composer) and Blues d’Havana. (admission free) UNEAC may 8 2 pm visitcuba.com Peña La Esquina del Jazz hosted by showman Bobby Carcassés. contents page 22 MUSIC Bolero, folklore, son & trova Asociación Cubana de Derechos de Autor Musical May 31 Manuel Argudín 6 pm Obiní Batá (Folkloric group) Los Ibellis (Folkloric group) 4 pm Cabaret Las Vegas Saturdays Yoruba Andabo (Folkloric group) 4 pm Café cantante, Teatro Nacional Thursdays Elaín Morales. 5 pm Saturdays Waldo Mendoza 4 pm 5 pm A bolero puro, show with Rafael Espín and guests. may 7 may 25 5 pm Thursdays Síntesis (Folk/rock band) Obiní Batá (Folkloric group) 3 pm El Jelengue de Areíto Wednesdays Trovando, a meeting with good 5 pm Hurón Azul, UNEAC 6 pm Peña El Canto de Todos, with singer-songwriter Vicente Feliú Get-together with trovador Ireno García. Fridays 5 pm 5 pm Peña Tres Tazas with trovador Silvio Alejandro Peña with trovador Juan Carlos Pérez Piano Bar Tun Tun (Casa de la Música de Miramar) Thursdays Casa de la Cultura de Plaza April 12 Peña La Pupila Asombrada presents the performances by singer-songwriters along with music videos and shorts made by students from the Audiovisual Media faculty of the University of the Arts. Pabellón Cuba Casa de la Cultura Comunitaria Mirta Aguirre 5 pm Mundito González. Instituto Internacional de Periodismo José Martí Saturdays may 25 Ivette Cepeda. 9:30 pm Eduardo Sosa and guests 7 pm 7 pm trova. Hotel Telégrafo Casa del Alba may 29 Osdalgia. 11 pm may 30 may 2 El Jardín de la Gorda with trovadors from every generation. 10 pm 3 pm may 10 Ad Libitum El Gato Tuerto may 10 Casa de África may 3 Centro Iberoamericano de la Décima Fridays Café Teatro Bertolt Brecht may 31 Peña La Juntamenta, with trovador Ángel Quintero. 3 pm 8 pm Saturdays may 30 5 pm Asociación Yoruba de Cuba Fridays Casa Memorial Salvador Allende Peña with trovador Ray Fernández 5 pm PPeña with Marta Campos. 7 pm visitcuba.com contents page 23 may 17-25, 2014 Cubadisco: The Cuban Grammys (Feria Internacional Cubadisco) ‘There are 100,000 registered musicians in Cuba and everyone else plays the guitar.’ Toby Brocklehurst Cuba draws from an incredibly rich musical heritage. As anyone who has spent any time on the island knows, you are never far from the sound of live music. Toby Brocklehurst is only half joking when he explains that ‘There are 100,000 registered musicians in Cuba and everyone else plays the guitar.’ Cubadisco is not so much Cuba’s version of the Garmmy’s as its own musical celebration and appreciation of the strides, which Cuban musicians and the Cuban recoding industry have made over the years. There are 25 prize categories with the main awards being keenly sought. The festival includes concerts, recitals, symposia and exhibits, and undoubtedly represents Cuba’s most important musical awards lasting for a week in May each year. About Cubadisco Created in 1997 to provide a meeting place for the Cuban recording industry, it has grown to become a reference point for anyone interested in knowing about everything that is happening on the burgeoning and varied Cuban music scene and for going to the concerts, recitals, colloquiums and exhibitions that have sprung up as a result of visitcuba.com the event. Today the Festival is considered to be the most important forum for Cuban music and its prizes are greatly coveted by record companies, performers and composers. Every year Cubadisco is dedicated to a country and a musical genre and also pays tribute to artists and personalities with a distinguished creative work within Cuban music. Specialized lectures, expositions, colloquiums, concerts and CD launchings take place during the Fair, as well as a wide musical program at different theaters in Havana, with the participation of many Cuban and foreign groups and singers. Around 1964, the existing record labels in Cuba were merged together under the name of Recordings and Musical Editions Enterprise (EGREM), which maintained a monopoly for almost 25 years in Cuban music. At the end of the 1980s, other recording labels were formed, including ARTEX S.A, RTV Comercial and the PM Records recording studio of Pablo Milanés and Ojalá of Silvio Rodríguez. A further three Cuban record labels were also established: Art Color, Caribe Productions and Magic Music. contents page 24 2014 Cubadisco Program KARL MARX THEATER MAY 14 9 pm MAY 18 Presentation of the Chambao flamenco group (Spain), with Cuban singer-songwriter Carlos Varela as guest. MAY 24 Children’s Gala 5 pm Me dicen Cuba Gala 8:30 pm MAY 25 Children’s Activity 5 pm TEATRO NACIONAL DE CUBA, SALA COVARRUBIAS MAY 17 8:30 pm MAY 18 Gala Tambor a la brasa, with percussionists and other artists, tribute to percussion in Cuban popular music. Announcement of the major awards and awarding Gran Premio Cubadisco 2014 and Honorable, Special and international Awards. Inaugural Gala with a performance by the National Sumphonc Orchestra in the first part, in a piece dedicated to symphonic percussion; and in the second part, Formell Sinfónico, with the National Symphonic Orchestra and musicians from Los Van Van band. Awarding Honorable and Special awards to outstanding music personalities. 11 am PABELLÓN CUBA MAY 16-18, 23-25 10 am 8 pm 8:30 pm Gala dedicated to Cultural Diversity Day and in tribute to the Guest Country Trinidad and Tobago MAY 23 Gonzalo Rubalcaba and his Group MAY 21 8:30 pm MAY 25 11 am Closing Gala with symphonic and choir dedicated to percussion Cuban pieces SALÓN BENNY MORÉ DE LA TROPICAL Trade Fair with a large artistic program, especially for children and young people; presentation of records, books and audiovisuals; talks and jam sessions with popular artists. (10 am to 8 pm). MAY 16-18, 23-25 8 pm Dances with the participation of the principal Cuban groups, award-winners at the different editions of Cubadisco. Other Activities: Dance and percussion workshops, master classes, exhibitions and jam sessions at the Palacio de la Rumba; performances by Cuban artists and guests at the Delirio Habanero at the Teatro Nacional, peñas at the Avenida Theater, la Peña de la Gorda, La Utopía, the CFN home base, Callejón de Hamel y and the Mella Theater garden, encounters in arts schools, visits to community projects, tours dealing with la rumba cubana. visitcuba.com contents page 25 classical MUSIC La Fiesta de los Clarinetes Oratorio San Felipe Neri, May 24, 4pm Sala Ignacio Cervantes, May 25, 6pm Twenty-four clarinetists from different countries will play works from the repertoire of clarinet and piano duos. Other works include pieces for trios, quartets, quintets, sextets and a septet created especially for this occasion. Mayo Renacentista Iglesia de Paula May 16, 7pm Lutist Aland López will offer a panorama of music for lute in the Renaissance. May 23, 7pm: The Ars Long Early Music Ensemble, Orquesta Barroca of the National School of Music and the sociocultural project Cantus Firmus will play Renaissance-style music from the archives of New Spain from the late 16th-early 17th centuries. May 30, 7pm: The chamber choir Exaudi will sing works from the 16th century, when polyphony reached its greatest splendor. Verdehr Trio in Concert Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís, May 24, 6pm Concert by the Verdehr Trio featuring Walter Verdehr (violín), Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr (clarinet) and Silvia Roederer (piano), with works by Sebastian Currier, William Bolcom, Bright Sheng, Guido López-Gavilán, Phillipe Manoury and George Gershwin. This chamber trio was founded in 1972 at Michigan State University where it has remained in residence visitcuba.com contents page 26 classical MUSIC Photo by Ivan Soca Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís may 6 6 pm may 10 6 pm may 15 Works by Schubert, Donizetti, Rachmaninoff, Michel Legrand, Debussy, Poulenc and Strauss will be interpreted by soprano Bárbara Llanes, who will be accompanied by Karla Martínez on piano, Arístides Porto on clarinet, el Alejandro Calzadilla on clarinet and soprano sax, Camila Martell on violin and Susana Venereo on horn. The Coro Nacional de Cuba, conducted by Digna Guerra, will sing works from the Latin American and Cuban repertoires, and will sing pieces by Ko Matsushita and Herbert Howell for the first time. 6 pm Pianist Huberal Herrrera has announced an all-Cuban program with works by Hubert de Blanck and Juan Piñera. may 17 Concert by Camerata Romeu, conducted by Zenaida Romeu. 6 pm Casa del ALBA Cultural may 4 5 pm may 11 5 pm En Confluencia, conducted by guitarists Eduardo and Galy Martín. may 18 5 pm De Nuestra América, conducted by pianist Alicia Perea. Tarde de Concierto, conducted by the soprano Lucy Provedo. may 25 Concert by guitarist Rosa Matos. 5 pm Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura may 19 6 pm may 24 Graduation recital by double-bass player Beatriz Ojito Boza, along with Orquesta Solistas de La Habana, with works by Georg Monn, Giovanni Bottesini and Campos Solórzano. Concert by Vocal Elé 6 pm may 31 6 pm Gala performance of the Teatro Lírico Nacional with a program made up of Spanish-American works. visitcuba.com contents page 27 Biblioteca Nacional José Martí Saturdays Performances by soloists and chamber ensembles. 5 pm Oratorio San Felipe Neri may 3 4 pm may 8 7 pm may 10 Concert Memory and Celebration: Hermanas del amor de Dios en Cuba (Sisters of Love of God Congregation). The Symphony Orchestra of the University of the Arts, conducted by Igor Corchera, has announced a program dedicated to lovers of the classics in the world. 4 pm Guitarrista Rosa Matos and guests Ivette Betancourt (vocal) and Floraimed Fernández (flute), will offer a program of works by Agustín Barrios (aka Mangoré), Heitor Villa-Lobos, Astor Piazzolla, Manuel de Falla and Gabriel Fourê, among others. may 17 Recital by pianist Liana Fernández, cellist Maylín Sevila and violist Lisbeth Sevila. 4 pm may 31 Performance by soprano María Eugenia Barrios and young singers of bel canto in Cuba. 4 pm Sala Covarrubias, Teatro Nacional Sundays Concerts by the National Symphony Orchestra. 11 pm Sala Gonzalo Roig. Palacio del Teatro Lírico Nacional may 25 Cuerda Dominical with guitarist Luis Manuel Molina. 5 pm Sala Ignacio Cervantes may 2 6 pm may 4 6 pm may 16 6 pm The Mexican-Lebanese pianist, who now lives in France, Simón Ghraichy, has announce a program made up of classical and contemporary works.. may 18 A clarinet quintet made up of students from the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory will play works by Béla Kovács, Mendelssohn, Poulenc and Paquito D’ Rivera. may 23 Cuentos con piano (Stories with piano), show organized by the NarrArte Project and the Oral Narration Forum of the Gran Teatro de La Habana, with the participation of narrators accompanied by Pura Ortiz on piano. visitcuba.com 6 pm 6 pm may 30 6 pm The Amadeo Roldán String Quartet will play works by Mozart, Beethoven and Cuban composers José White, Leo Brouwer and Guido López-Gavilán. Symphonic jazz concert with the Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil José Martí, playing works by George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein, and Cuban composers José Víctor Gavilondo and Jorge López Marín. The Lecuona trio with Alberto Rosas (flute), Alejandro Martínez (cello) and Yanner Rascón (piano), along with guest harpist Mayte Rodríguez, will play worls by Claude Debussy. contents page 28 Theatre Nuestra señora de las nubes Compañía teatral Hubert de Blanck Fri & Sat, 8:30pm; Sun, 5pm Sala Hubert de Blanck A beautiful and moving metaphor written by Argentinian Arístides Vargas, who now lives in Ecuador, about the meaning of exile at the personal and collective level. Las lamentaciones de Obba Yurú Teatro Caribeño de Cuba / Directed by Nelson González, May 5-7, 8:30 pm Teatro Guiñol Nacional This play by Eugenio Hernández Espinosa immerses itself in the world of yoruba religion. The story of Obba is one of sacrifice for the loved one, yet transcends the individual reality and becomes a hymn and acknowledgement of universal connotation. Antigonón, un contingente épico Teatro El Público / by Carlos Díaz, Teatro Trianón, Fri & Sat, 8:30pm; Sun, 5pm Antigonón, un contingente épico, Carlos Diaz and his troupe, Teatro el Publico’s most recent performance involves 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 well-known and brilliant Cuban theatre director with a reputation for directing plays with abundant nudity, transvestites and subtle winks at the Cuban national reality. Antigonón does not disappoint–go see it for yourself! Rascacielos Teatro El Público / by Jazz Vilá, Fri & Sat, 8pm; Sun, 5pm, Sala Adolfo Llauradó Rascacielos (Skyscraper), aimed at young audiences, has been playing to packed houses. According to Vilá, coauthor of the play along with Marcos Díaz, “each of the characters is a skyscraper because a person’s limit is their thoughts. There are 11 million skyscrapers in Cuba who grow infinitely.” Under this premise, “four couples linked by the fate of an artist reveal the essence of their emotions,” hidden or explicit violence, the complexities of relationships between people of different ages or sexual preferences, of living together, the lack of communication and intimacy. visitcuba.com contents page 29 16-25, 2014 Casa de las Américas and Havana theaters; extensions in other provinces may Mayo Teatral Teatro de los Andes The forerunner was the Festival of Latin American Theater sponsored by Casa de las Américas in the early 1960s and by 1964 attaining international characteristics. By the end of the 60s, it had stopped but in 1998 the Theater Department of the Casa de las Americas organized the Mayo Teatral event, intending to hold it annually until 2000 after which date it was scheduled to take place every two years. Some of the most important theater companies of Latin America have participated, such as La Candelaria (Colombia), Grupo Denise Stoklos (Brazil) and Sportivo Teatral (Argentina), just to name a few. Teatro de Ciertos Habitantes Mayo Teatral dedicates this year’s edition to theatrical crossroads: cultural, geographic and language, and synthesizing various art forms. Groups from Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba are expected to be taking part at several Havana theaters and venues in Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba. The Temporada de Teatro Latinoamericano y Caribeño (Latin American and Caribbean Theater Season) has also organized two creative workshops: El silencio de la actriz-actor (led by Charo Francés, founder of the Teatro Malayerba) aimed at professional actors and higher level acting students; and La Dramaturgia contra el Teatro y viceversa (conducted by Uruguayan playwright, director and actor Gabriel Calderón, director of the Complot Company) aimed at playwrights, directors, professional actors and higher level acting students. There will also be lectures and encounters with critics and reviewers. visitcuba.com contents page 30 Mayo Teatral Recommended highlights 2014 Teatro de Ciertos Habitantes theater company from Mexico, in El automóvil gris, a well-crafted combination of silent film and theater using Eastern theatrical techniques. Brazilian actor Narciso Telles is bringing two one-man shows: Potestad, by Eduardo Pavlovsky (Argentina), and Memorial de silencios y margaritas, based on texts written by Eduardo Galeano (Uruguay) and testimonials by victims of the Brazilian military dictatorship; and the Associação Cultural Boa Companhia anunounces Primus which is based on “Report to an Academy,” a story by Franz Kafka, as well as “Letters from Paradise” that delves into man’s eternal utopias. Ecuador’s Teatro Malayerba will heat things up with Instrucciones para abrazar el aire, written by Arístides Vargas, an Argentine exiled in Ecuador, on a recurring theme in Latin American theatre and cinema: the agony created when the military dictatorship “disappears” a grandchild. Teatro de los Andes (Bolivia) brings Hamlet de los Andes, a free adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy that seems to mark a new phase for this group; Diego Aramburo who directs Hamlet… doubles as actor in Romeo y Julieta de Aramburu with his group Kikinteatro. Cuba will be represented by the Estudio Teatral de Santa Clara, Teatro El Público, Teatro de la Luna and Teatro de las Estaciones, with Hojas de papel volando, Antigonón, Matrimonio blanco and Alicia en busca del conejo blanco, respectively. There is much anticipation to see what Marianela Boan, iconic figure in Cuban dance, will be doing when she leads the National Contemporary Dance Company of the Dominican Republic, with Sed surely playing to a full house. Compañia Malayerba, Instrucciones para abrazar el aire. visitcuba.com contents page 31 other Encuentro sobre Manejo y Gestión de Centros Históricos May 20 to 23, 2014, Habana Vieja Under the motto of “Creative cities, cities of the twenty-first century”, specialists dedicating themselves to the rehabilitation of historical city centers and other heritage zones will be participating at conferences, discussion panels and workshops dealing with everything relating to creative cities. Between May 26th and 30th, after the end of the event, specialists who are involved in the Master Plan of the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana will deliver the post-graduate course entitled “La Habana Vieja: a public model of sustainable, overall rehabilitation” to talk about the labors of restoration that the institution has been carrying out over the last twenty years. Festival Internacional de Poesía de La Habana May 25 to 31, 2014, Havana A gathering of poets from all the continents on the globe will be engaged in an intense program including seminars, lectures taking place in all of Cuba’s provincial capitals, writing laboratories and visual arts exhibitions together with celebrations for the World Assembly of Poets in the Defense of Humanity. The event will be dedicated to the bicentenaries of the Cuban poets Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda and José Jacinto Milanés, as well as to the centenary of Cubans Gastón Baquero, Ángel Gaztelu and Samuel Feijoo. Havana Venues: Sala Villena of UNEAC, Salón de Mayo of the Pabellón Cuba, Salón Solidaridad in the Habana Libre Hotel, theater of the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Basílica de San Francisco de Asís and Casa de la Poesía. Feria Nacional de Artesanía Arte para Mamá April 24 to May 10, Pabexpo, Havana On the occasion of Mothers’ Day on the second Sunday of May, the Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales organizes this popular fair; this year, for the first time, artisans from most of Cuba’s provinces are represented and institutions such as Artex, Egrem, Génesis, Casa del Perfume, Quitrín, Casa del Chocolate, Casa del Abanico, Distribuidora Nacional del Libro and for the first time, Flora y Fauna are going to be present. visitcuba.com contents page 32 Around Cuba ILGALAC May 6-10, 2014, Havana & Varadero Centro de Convenciones Plaza América, Calle 3ra., Varadero Matanzas The Sixth Regional Conference of the International Association of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans-and Inter-sexuals for Latin America and the Caribbean (ILGALAC) under the slogan of “Latin American and Caribbean Unity for LGBTI Rights” will be held in Varadero and Havana, bringing together over 400 delegates striving to promote discussion and exchange of experiences about the current challenges for the LGBTI community and the best strategies to eradicate any type of discrimination and exclusion due to sexual orientation and gender identity. IV Jornada de la Diversidad Cultural para el Diálogo y el Desarrollo May 21-25, Casa de la Diversidad Cultural Camagüeyana, Camagüey Established in 2011, the event is always held on this date because May 21st has been designated by UNESCO for diversity and May 25th for African cultures. The aim is to show the many different expressions that make up the cultures of Camagüey and Cuba. This year’s edition deals with the various cultural practices in Camagüey, the Chinese presence in Cuban culture and popular magical-religious beliefs. The 167th anniversary of the Chinese presence in Cuba will also be commemorated. Fotosub 2014 May 14-18, Cayo Largo International underwater photography competition – an Open Show – held in one of the regions of greatest biological diversity on the Cuban insular platform. The basic premise is to select and present photographs of underwater flora and fauna taken during the days of the competition. Certified photographers and models are eligible to participate as long as they comply with regulations for competition in the following categories: Environment, Environment with Model, Fish, Macro and Macro on a Theme. Three awards are given in each category as well as prizes for Best Model and the Overall Champion of the event. http://www.nauticamarlin.com visitcuba.com contents page 33 may 2-8, 2014 Holguín Festival Romerías de Mayo: Memoria Nuestra (Our Memories) by Victoria Alcalá On May 3, 1790, the Franciscan friar Antonio de Alegría placed a cross on the hill that marks the geographic north of the city of Holguín. The people of Holguín would make pilgrimages each year to the Wooden Cross and this led to May 3 being declared a holiday for the city since 1945. It was not until 1994, however, that through an initiative of the Hermanos Saíz Association a group of young Cuban artists decided to revive these “romerías” (al fresco religious festivities) that announce the arrival of springtime. These festivities are presided over by the Taino Axe and the Wooden Cross, symbols of the blending of elements (indigenous and Catholic) that gave birth to Cuban culture. This refers to the Spanish custom of placing a cross at the highest point of a town or village in order to prevent epidemics or natural disasters. Originally, celebrations would take place at the foot of the Cross although today the extensive and eclectic program of activities featuring musicians, actors, researchers, visual artists, writers and dancers from all over Cuba (and internationally) takes place in many locations throughout the city. The festival usually devotes three days to tradition, one to the transition period and one to the prese nt day. visitcuba.com contents page 34 Feijóo and Cuban arts education will present a show related to visual artists from Holguín who have been present at the event for the past twenty years. Other important figures highlighted during the Romerías de Mayo will be poet Gastón Baquero and narrator Onelio Jorge Cardoso, commemorating one hundred years since his birth, and the great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda on the 110th anniversary of his birth. (PREVIEW) May 2-8, 2014: Memoria Nuestra This year, two of the events that are part of the Romerías celebrate their twentieth anniversary: Memoria Nuestra (Our Memories) calls together researchers under the age of 35 to undertake salvaging artistic customs, traditions and manifestations and to present projects dealing with socio-cultural community experiences; and Babel dedicated to the visual arts which this year along with paying tribute to the hundred years of the poet, painter and anthropologist Samuel visitcuba.com Things to look out for include the Street Dance and Theatre Meeting as well as the event Quiero una Canción (I Want a Song) along with a concert by the popular group Buena Fe and presentations by Cuban and foreign guests. There will also be a concert by local trovadors prior to the opening of the event at midnight of May 2 in the Bosque de los Héroes; on May 3, the traditional parade through the city, climbing up to the Loma de la Cruz carrying the Taíno Axe and a grand dance. For the closing event on May 8, a walk from the historical center of town to the modern part of the city to plant the Tree of Friendship, the closing ceremony and a concert by various groups to continue on into the wee hours of the night. http://www.romeriasdemayo.cult.cu/ contents page 35 2014 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Championship Cuba’s capital, Havana, hosts the first event in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2014 on May 9-10. A 27-metre platform positioned on the historic Morro Castle will be the starting point for the world’s best cliff divers to launch into a brand new season—and the sixth year of World Series competition! visitcuba.com contents page 36 8: Training (4.30-6.30pm) may 9: Classification (4.30-6.30pm) may 10: Finals (4.30-7pm) may Photos by Humberto Mayol This event is not ticketed and entry to the spectator areas is free of charge. We’d only advise that you arrive early to bag the best spot to watch! About the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Championship In its sixth year, the World Series will bridge natural venues and urban surroundings as much as it will push boundaries. The season kicks off with aesthetic leaps from the picturesque Morro Castle Fortress at the entrance of Havana Bay, on the Caribbean island of Cuba. From the environment where modernity and colonial constructions go hand-in-hand, this prestigious series of competitions comes next to the USA’s Lone Star State. At the Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas, two towering cliffs mark the entrance to a small cove and are surrounded by flat terrain. Back in Europe, the cliff diving elite returns to Ireland’s Aran Islands and the mysterious blowhole known as the Serpent’s Lair. to Brazil, where the coronation of the 2014 World Series champions will be held in Niterói at the end of October. While Christ the Redeemer watches from above, off a unique 27-metre platform structure, inspired by the architecture of Oscar Niemeyer, the male and female champions will dive to glory. Mid-July, and the midway point of the 2014 World Series takes the divers back to Norway’s Kragerø, the site of 495 islands and—recalling 2010—many more boats before the divers will touch Portuguese soil once again after previous competitions in the Azores in 2012 and 2013. The second-to-last stop is in Bilbao, Spain for the business end of the World Series before the divers leap over the ocean visitcuba.com contents page 37