Description
Visit one of the most culturally rich destinations in the world, and experience total immersion into the music, dance, and traditions of Cuba. This unique program features “Support for the Cuban People” activities that explore communities, and their dances and rhythms, including Salsa, Son, Rueda, and Afro-Cuban folkloric styles. The trip includes classes, presentations, and cultural exchanges with individual artists from internationally acclaimed groups, Raíces Profundas, Ban Rarrá and Tierra Kaliente.
Dance
You will interact with Cuba’s top dance professionals and learn about how dance is an integral part of Cuban society. Learn about Salsa, Son, Rueda de Casino, Rumba and Afro- Cuban Folklore. We will attend ceremonies and learn directly from the people about the culture and how dance fits into it.
Percussion
Learn about the historical and cultural significance of Afro-Cuban drumming and and examine rhythms for Congas, Bongó and/or Batá. You will learn about Popular and Afro-Cuban fokloric drumming, attend ceremonies, and have a lot of opportunities to engage with the people.
Music
Attend Havana’s National School of Music (La ENA) for instruction on your instrument. Engage in educational sessions on the history of Cuban music, rhythm workshops, and ensemble playing with top instructors and students from the school.
In addition to interacting with Cuban musicians and dancers, you’ll visit the National School of Music, meet visual artists, and get to know more about the architecture of Havana!
PlazaCUBA is the leading expert in Cuban cultural travel, with more than 20 years of experience and intimate connections with the most influential artists and performers in Cuba today. Our team is comprised of seasoned professionals who coordinate events and assist you on your journey. We’re dedicated to connecting you with Cuban artists and giving you an insider’s perspective on this magical country through the eyes of the people.
Tour Prices and Discounts
Deadline to register is February 16, 2022
This tour will fill up so pay your $500 deposit to hold your space
(The deposit is non-refundable but can be transferred to any 2022/2023 tour.)
Dance and Music in Cuba
April 30 – May 7, 2022
Double Room
On or Before November 19
$2,395
After November 19
$2,495
Single Room Supplement $300
Repeat Customer: $50 off every time you travel with PlazaCUBA
Dance, Percussion and Music in Cuba Tour Includes
- Documentation for legal travel to Cuba in the Support for the Cuban People category.
- Airport transfer to hotel upon arrival to Cuba for arrivals on the program start date only.
- Seven nights standard single or double occupancy accommodations at the Copa Cabana (or similar hotel), with breakfast daily.
- Activities on the itinerary, including classes, private performances, lectures with renowned experts, and excursions focused on music, dance and support for the Cuban people.
- All in-country ground transportation for group activities listed on the itinerary.
- Access to information about what is happening in Havana minute by minute through our professional connections and onsite Cuban staff. We’ll see and meet members of Ban Rarrá, Raíces Profundas, and Tierra Kaliente, Pupy Pedroso, Habana de Primera, Rumbatá, El Niño, Timbalaye, Osain del Monte, and more!
- One special group meal with all the Cubans working in the program.
- English-speaking guide for programmed activities. Translator for all classes and group presentations.
- Expert staff of Cuban coordinators and PlazaCUBA representatives for on-site assistance.
Not Included: Airfare, Cuban entry visa, hotel to airport transfer after the program, meals not listed on schedule
See all of Our Cuba Tours
Leslie Leitner –
I’ve traveled to many out of the way places for many years but never with a group – so I was a bit skeptical about this trip and only signed on because of the unknown legality of independent travel in Cuba. This turned out to be one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had! It was clear that the leaders – Alisa and Donald – had true love and respect for the country and its people and had genuinely close and authentic relationships with the Cubans who were part of this experience. Those relationships clearly went beyond “transactional” and that vibe permeated every aspect of the trip – from the classes to the many varied excursions. I cannot recommend travel with Plaza Cuba highly enough!!!
Erica Fox –
PlazaCUBA did a wonderful job providing an authentic experience for the students that never felt overly “touristy” or cheesy. I felt like you went above and beyond to think about how our activities could be as memorable and as “real” as possible while ensuring the various Cuban people we worked with were incorporated into the plazaCUBA family. PlazaCUBA stands apart in the way in which it respects Cuban culture, supports the people we work with and provides attending students with the most authentic experience possible. It was a dream come true to be able to travel to a country I have also wanted to visit while pursuing my passion for dance all in one!
Kristin Bowman –
I came back feeling better than I have felt in years!
Patrick Velasquez –
It was very inspirational just being at the school and listening to the students practicing their instruments all over the school. Likewise the teachers were excellent, incredible sources of important knowledge that I could never access here in the states. I also really enjoyed speaking with Donald. He was very supportive and contributed a lot to my learning. Both he and the other staff displayed an admirable frankness and empathy for the situation in which the Cuban people find themselves economically.
Thank you all for everything. The program was extremely well organized, a difficult accomplishment since I know that things in Cuba happen at their own pace.
Thalia Farshchian –
PlazaCuba’s trip was seamless even when plans had to be altered last minute. They did a great job of curating classes/events that allowed us to truly connect with Cuban people. We were surrounded by extremely inspiring and talented individuals. I’d highly recommend this trip to anyone with a curiosity for the richness of Cuban culture.
Court Crawford –
I have been a dedicated student of Salsa music for several years, and of afro-cuban folkloric music for several years prior to that. I’m pleased to say that even if I had high exceptions for the program, they would have been blown out of the water.
After years of oral tradition, picking up tidbits from other musicians who may have heard it from other musicians, it was astounding to get direct instruction from the faculty of the cuban national college for music. The instruction was clear, direct, and authoritative. The ensemble work was satisfying. The translator was impeccable. The tour guides were lifesavers. Plazacuba is legit. You should go, and you should prepare to learn something authentic!