Gran Teatro de La Habana
Calle Prado entre San Rafael y San José, Centro Habana, Ciudad de La Habana
Built in 1837, although it was officially opened the following year, the former Tacón Theatre was one of the largest and best equipped in America in its time. Performers here have included the great ballerinas Fanny Elssler and Anna Pavlova, the major opera singer Enrico Caruso and the great actresses Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Dusse. In the early 20th century, the building was remodelled, maintaining the original theatre's main performance space, now called Sala García Lorca. In keeping with tradition, 20th- and 21st-century stars such as Carla Fracci, Maia Plisetskaia, Victoria de los Ángeles, Julio Bocca, Vladimir Vlasiliev, Alicia Alonso, and Carlos Acosta have performed here. The Gran Teatro stages opera, zarzuela and Spanish dance performances, among others. As home to the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, it is the main venue of the International Havana Ballet Festival. A smaller space, the Sala Ernesto Lecuona, presents plays and chamber music, recitals and lectures, while the Orígenes Gallery is dedicated to the exhibition and sale of works by contemporary Cuban painters, sculptors and craftsmen.
Calle Prado entre San Rafael y San José, Centro Habana, Ciudad de La Habana
Built in 1837, although it was officially opened the following year, the former Tacón Theatre was one of the largest and best equipped in America in its time. Performers here have included the great ballerinas Fanny Elssler and Anna Pavlova, the major opera singer Enrico Caruso and the great actresses Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Dusse. In the early 20th century, the building was remodelled, maintaining the original theatre's main performance space, now called Sala García Lorca. In keeping with tradition, 20th- and 21st-century stars such as Carla Fracci, Maia Plisetskaia, Victoria de los Ángeles, Julio Bocca, Vladimir Vlasiliev, Alicia Alonso, and Carlos Acosta have performed here. The Gran Teatro stages opera, zarzuela and Spanish dance performances, among others. As home to the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, it is the main venue of the International Havana Ballet Festival. A smaller space, the Sala Ernesto Lecuona, presents plays and chamber music, recitals and lectures, while the Orígenes Gallery is dedicated to the exhibition and sale of works by contemporary Cuban painters, sculptors and craftsmen.
Teatro Nacional de Cuba
Paseo y 39, Plaza de la Revolución, Ciudad de La Habana
Although its construction began in 1952, it was actually completed in 1979 when it opened with a gala performance on the occasion of the 6th Summit of Non-Aligned Countries held in Havana that year. Theatre, dance, concerts, recitals are performed in its two performance spaces: the 805-seat Sala Covarrubias, and the 2,545-seat Sala Avellaneda, where the great classics are staged during the Havana Ballet Festival. The foyers serve as art galleries where paintings, engravings, ceramics and photographs by Cuban and foreign artists are exhibited and sold. The Ninth Floor is used mainly for experimental and avant-garde theatrical productions. The Café Cantante Mi Habana and the Piano Bar Delirio Habanero, which are also part of this cultural complex, are two of the most popular clubs in Havana among Cuban popular music lovers.
Paseo y 39, Plaza de la Revolución, Ciudad de La Habana
Although its construction began in 1952, it was actually completed in 1979 when it opened with a gala performance on the occasion of the 6th Summit of Non-Aligned Countries held in Havana that year. Theatre, dance, concerts, recitals are performed in its two performance spaces: the 805-seat Sala Covarrubias, and the 2,545-seat Sala Avellaneda, where the great classics are staged during the Havana Ballet Festival. The foyers serve as art galleries where paintings, engravings, ceramics and photographs by Cuban and foreign artists are exhibited and sold. The Ninth Floor is used mainly for experimental and avant-garde theatrical productions. The Café Cantante Mi Habana and the Piano Bar Delirio Habanero, which are also part of this cultural complex, are two of the most popular clubs in Havana among Cuban popular music lovers.
Casa del Tango
Calle Neptuno entre águila y Galiano, Centro Habana, Ciudad de La Habana
Everyone agrees that tango arrived in Havana in 1920 when Argentinean tenor José Muñoz, member of an opera and zarzuela company, sang three tangos to save the day when the show seemed doomed to failure. Perhaps because it was influenced by the Cuban habanera, tango has been a favourite in the Island, reinforced by old movies?still shown on TV?of famous Argentine movie stars and singers Carlos Gardel and Libertad Lamarque, radio shows dedicated to this genre, and to the perseverance of a number of Cuban musicians and singers, including Berta Pernas, Santiago Marrero, pianist Rey Díaz Calvet and young trovadora Liuba María Hevia. The Casa del Tango, which developed spontaneously and has no link to any Cuban state institution, has for decades preserved recordings, posters, documents, photographs, sheet music, and other memorabilia, all related to this music genre. Every Monday, from 5 to 7 pm, tango devotees?attired in woolly scarves and felt hats in pure Buenos Aires style of the 30s and 40s?defy the torrid Cuban climate and attend the shows at this legendary music venue.
Calle Neptuno entre águila y Galiano, Centro Habana, Ciudad de La Habana
Everyone agrees that tango arrived in Havana in 1920 when Argentinean tenor José Muñoz, member of an opera and zarzuela company, sang three tangos to save the day when the show seemed doomed to failure. Perhaps because it was influenced by the Cuban habanera, tango has been a favourite in the Island, reinforced by old movies?still shown on TV?of famous Argentine movie stars and singers Carlos Gardel and Libertad Lamarque, radio shows dedicated to this genre, and to the perseverance of a number of Cuban musicians and singers, including Berta Pernas, Santiago Marrero, pianist Rey Díaz Calvet and young trovadora Liuba María Hevia. The Casa del Tango, which developed spontaneously and has no link to any Cuban state institution, has for decades preserved recordings, posters, documents, photographs, sheet music, and other memorabilia, all related to this music genre. Every Monday, from 5 to 7 pm, tango devotees?attired in woolly scarves and felt hats in pure Buenos Aires style of the 30s and 40s?defy the torrid Cuban climate and attend the shows at this legendary music venue.
Hurón Azul
Calle 17 esquina a H, El Vedado, Ciudad de La Habana
Located in the home of the National Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC), this centre has a regular program of recitals, gatherings and shows. The Saturday night "Noche del Bolero" is famous for the performance of some of Cuba's top soloists of this genre. For rumba lovers, every other Wednesday poet Eloy Machado (El Ambia) invites the best exponents of this popular genre, direct heir of African traditions. It also has a bar and restaurant with a menu dedicated to Cuban writers and artists, such as "Tropical Fruit Stained-Glass Window" (Amelia Peláez), fish fillet "Vigía" (Ernest Hemingway), witch chicken "Peña del Ambia", and cocktails "The Rape of the Mulatto Women" (Carlos Enríquez), "The Jungle" (Wifredo Lam), and "The Kingdom of this World" (Alejo Carpentier).
Calle 17 esquina a H, El Vedado, Ciudad de La Habana
Located in the home of the National Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC), this centre has a regular program of recitals, gatherings and shows. The Saturday night "Noche del Bolero" is famous for the performance of some of Cuba's top soloists of this genre. For rumba lovers, every other Wednesday poet Eloy Machado (El Ambia) invites the best exponents of this popular genre, direct heir of African traditions. It also has a bar and restaurant with a menu dedicated to Cuban writers and artists, such as "Tropical Fruit Stained-Glass Window" (Amelia Peláez), fish fillet "Vigía" (Ernest Hemingway), witch chicken "Peña del Ambia", and cocktails "The Rape of the Mulatto Women" (Carlos Enríquez), "The Jungle" (Wifredo Lam), and "The Kingdom of this World" (Alejo Carpentier).
Teatro Auditórium Amadeo Roldán
Calzada esquina a D, El Vedado, Ciudad de La Habana
Since its founding in 1928, sponsored by the Pro-Art Musical Society, this theatre has been honoured with the presence of extraordinary international figures of concert music: Jascha Heifetz, Arthur Rubinstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Jacques Thibaud, Eugene Ormandy, Andrés Segovia, Leo Brouwer, among others, as well as stars of popular music: Joan Manuel Serrat, Michel Legrand, Chucho Valdés, solo or with his famous group, Irakere, among other greats. After being closed for nearly two decades due to a fire that caused significant damage to the building and its installations, it was reopened in the 1990s, persevering its excellent and highly praised acoustics, with two halls, the smaller 276-seat Sala Caturla for soloists and small instrumental ensembles; and the main hall, the 914-seat Sala Roldán for large orchestras or for performances with large audiences. The quiet and elegant Opus Bar located on the top floor is a pleasant choice for drinks before and after shows with light music and good cocktails.
Calzada esquina a D, El Vedado, Ciudad de La Habana
Since its founding in 1928, sponsored by the Pro-Art Musical Society, this theatre has been honoured with the presence of extraordinary international figures of concert music: Jascha Heifetz, Arthur Rubinstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Jacques Thibaud, Eugene Ormandy, Andrés Segovia, Leo Brouwer, among others, as well as stars of popular music: Joan Manuel Serrat, Michel Legrand, Chucho Valdés, solo or with his famous group, Irakere, among other greats. After being closed for nearly two decades due to a fire that caused significant damage to the building and its installations, it was reopened in the 1990s, persevering its excellent and highly praised acoustics, with two halls, the smaller 276-seat Sala Caturla for soloists and small instrumental ensembles; and the main hall, the 914-seat Sala Roldán for large orchestras or for performances with large audiences. The quiet and elegant Opus Bar located on the top floor is a pleasant choice for drinks before and after shows with light music and good cocktails.
Teatro Karl Marx
Calle 1ra. y 10, Miramar, Ciudad de La Habana
First called Blanquita and later, Charles Chaplin, this 4,500-seat theatre?the largest in Havana?has been the favourite venue for large productions, such as the debut of Spanish actress and singer Sarita Montiel, ice shows, or the first season of the Bolshoi Ballet in Cuba. Before the construction of the Convention Palace, it was used for meetings of the Cuban Parliament and other political events. Today it is the main venue of the Cubadisco Festival, the Adolfo Guzmán Popular Music competition, as well as performances that attract large crowds: Cuba-USA music get-togethers, performances by singers Carlos Varela, Silvio Rodríguez or Pablo Milanés, concerts by Chucho Valdés and guests, or the staging of musical comedies or comedy shows.
Calle 1ra. y 10, Miramar, Ciudad de La Habana
First called Blanquita and later, Charles Chaplin, this 4,500-seat theatre?the largest in Havana?has been the favourite venue for large productions, such as the debut of Spanish actress and singer Sarita Montiel, ice shows, or the first season of the Bolshoi Ballet in Cuba. Before the construction of the Convention Palace, it was used for meetings of the Cuban Parliament and other political events. Today it is the main venue of the Cubadisco Festival, the Adolfo Guzmán Popular Music competition, as well as performances that attract large crowds: Cuba-USA music get-togethers, performances by singers Carlos Varela, Silvio Rodríguez or Pablo Milanés, concerts by Chucho Valdés and guests, or the staging of musical comedies or comedy shows.
Casa de las Américas
Calle 3ra. núm. 52 esquina a G, El Vedado, Ciudad de La Habana
Headquartered in a beautiful Art Deco building, this institution, founded in 1959, promotes art and literature from Latin American and Caribbean countries through awards such as the Literature and Musicology Casa Prizes; art exhibitions in its three galleries (Latinoamericana, Haydée Santamaría and Mariano Rodríguez); concerts and recitals of classical music, especially contemporary, or popular music, with a preference for jazz and Nueva Trova, in the large Sala Ernesto Che Guevara; the publication of books and specialized magazines, such as Casa, Conjunto, Anales del Caribe and Boletín de Música; and the sponsorship of cultural events, figuring prominently Mayo Teatral, La Joven Estampa, La Semana de Autor and Mujeres en Líne@. Casa de las Americas has received, as juries or special guests, an endless list of celebrities that include, among others, Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar, Pablo Neruda, Mario Vargas Llosa, Carlos Fuentes, Miguel Ángel Asturias, Julio Le Parc, Roberto Matta, Oswaldo Guayasamín, Violeta Parra, Chico Buarque, Steven Spielberg and Gore Vidal.
Calle 3ra. núm. 52 esquina a G, El Vedado, Ciudad de La Habana
Headquartered in a beautiful Art Deco building, this institution, founded in 1959, promotes art and literature from Latin American and Caribbean countries through awards such as the Literature and Musicology Casa Prizes; art exhibitions in its three galleries (Latinoamericana, Haydée Santamaría and Mariano Rodríguez); concerts and recitals of classical music, especially contemporary, or popular music, with a preference for jazz and Nueva Trova, in the large Sala Ernesto Che Guevara; the publication of books and specialized magazines, such as Casa, Conjunto, Anales del Caribe and Boletín de Música; and the sponsorship of cultural events, figuring prominently Mayo Teatral, La Joven Estampa, La Semana de Autor and Mujeres en Líne@. Casa de las Americas has received, as juries or special guests, an endless list of celebrities that include, among others, Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar, Pablo Neruda, Mario Vargas Llosa, Carlos Fuentes, Miguel Ángel Asturias, Julio Le Parc, Roberto Matta, Oswaldo Guayasamín, Violeta Parra, Chico Buarque, Steven Spielberg and Gore Vidal.
