This very popular, young, studious–looking band are a real mix. They blend a mainly Spanish, acoustic tradition (using guitar, box drum, violin and bass) with a sprinkling of Cuban percussion and beats. Their fans describe their “… interesting, lyrical style that´s good to sing along to” and note that some good, solid songs have come out of this project. Group leader, composer and lead vocalist Miriela Moreno is the main mover and shaker in Aceituna, but the rest of the musicians are well respected too. Their lyrics deal with various, common themes—love, relationships, change, adaptation, etc.—but they are perhaps more recognised and enjoyed for their particular quirky and poetic way of expressing them. Look for their two albums—Marginales.com and Consumir preferiblemente antes de…
Like Los Van Van, Adalberto Álvarez was a major figure in Cuban popular music long before Timba began, writing dozens of songs which were hits for his own groups, Son 14 and Adalberto Álvarez y su Son, and for many other artists such as Rumbavana as well, both inside and outside of Cuba. He is by all accounts one of the most important and influential figures in the history of Cuban music. When Timba began in the 90's, Los Van Van embraced it, quickly becoming one of the leading Timba bands. Like LVV, Adalberto was also able to retain his status as one of the most popular acts in Cuba, but he did so by staying much closer to his original son style. Nevertheless, his recent music has moved closer to Timba in many ways.
Alain Daniel joined Bamboleo in 2001, replacing El Gafas. In addition to singing lead, he contributed several Manolín-esque compositions during his 4-year tenure before leaving to form "Alain Daniel y su New Casino" in 2005. The following is an extract from a review of Vestigios (his 2007 albumn). For the full review go to Yemaya’s Verse: http://yemayasverse.blogspot.com/2009/03/alain-daniel-vestigios-review.html: ‘This is a spunky album of timba brava with a side order of funk, a suffix of "ton" and the obligatory ballad and cha-cha-cha. Plus: Vania! All with Alaín's trademark, hyperactive, pega'o sound. The "salsa" parts of his songs have a slight tropical fusion feel - they are still salsa, but there is just a hint of other parts of the Caribbean in their rhythms. Almost all of the songs build to heady, and very hard timba climax, replete with stuttering bloques, urgent coros and lots of tension and release moments.’
Azúcar Negra was formed in 1998 when Leonel Limonta, Haila Mompié (no longer with the band), and other musicians split off from Bamboleo. Limonta had written almost all of the material for Bamboleo´s brilliant second album, Yo no me parezco a nadie and Haila was one of the lead singers. Azúcar Negra created a great new arrangement of the title song and Limonta continued to pour his songwriting talent into the project. In 2001, after a number of world tours, they finally released their first studio album, Andar andando.
All of Azúcar Negra´s material is written by Limonta, who also wrote four huge hits for Charanga Habanera and two for Issac Delgado. Juan Carlos González said of Limonta, “He´s not a trained musician, but every song he brought in had some kind of special magic and became a huge hit.” Various bandmembers have contributed arrangements, such as Adalberto Domínguez, who is also once of Timba´s top bassists, a great pianist, and an absolute wonder to watch on stage. In the years prior to the release of Andar andando, Azúcar Negra, like many Cuban bands, had a string of radio hits. The bands record relatively inexpensive demos and release them to Radio Taíno and other stations. Azúcar Negra is an extremely well–rehearsed band whose live show is full of interesting medleys and segues. They´re definitely a thrill to see live.
Bamboleo is one of the most important timba bands, combining innovative and extremely original arranging with an overwhelming groove, which, as is the case with Manolito and Issac, has to be heard live to get the full experience. Leader and pianist Lázaro Valdés Moises Rodríguez was born on February 6, 1965. He comes from a family of musicians. He began his professional career at 16 and proceeded to tour extensively with Pachito Alonso as a keyboardist and percussionist. In February 1995 he decided to establish Bamboleo, with the aim of entering into various genres such as salsa, folkloric afro-cuban music, Latin jazz, boleros and ballads. Bamboleo, which is the group that brought together all of Lazarito’s musical wants and ideas, quickly rose in popularity both nationally and internationally, highlighted by their extensive touring schedule in the U.S.A Japan, China, Panama, and throughout Europe. Their third record, "Ya no hace falta" has become one of the most popular Cuban music albums of the all time.
Caribe Girls are a 12 women orchestra who embody the universal appeal of Cuban music. Blending their rich repertoire of contagious salsa Cubana with show stopping choreography. They have mastered a variety of styles including son, rumba, cha cha, timba and boleros.
The group was started in 1999 by Thiving Guerra, a young choral studies graduate from the National College of Arts with close to 10 year’s experience in groups such as Son Damas and Las Chicas del Solar, decided that it was the moment for a challenge, to form her own group, with its own musical language and something very different to offer. She opted for a salsa group, christening it Caribe Girls. "It was because our debut gigs were in Martinique and Guyana and those performances were a fusion of Caribbean music: zouk, reggae and merengue, all mixed with salsa." Nowadays their repertoire is more extensive. Of course salsa is still a major component but now there’s also son, rumba, cha cha, timba and even boleros. "We don’t just want to play in nightclubs, but also festivals and jazz concerts." These 12 Cuban women – two on trombone, one on drums, plus timbales, congas, piano, bass and four singers have performed in Italy, France, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Germany and Japan.
Ramon Lavado Martinez (El Chacal) was born on February 8, 1986 in Havana. He was one of the leaders of the urban movement in the island, and founder of the Hip-Hop school in Cuba in the early 90’s. He remained active in the scene and “Casas de Culturas”. In 2003, having finished his studies and being old enough to begin his professional career, he decided to undergo his own project named “Los Chivos” with Sr. Rodriguez. After three successful years of tours through both the cities and countryside of Cuba, he teamed up with the prestigious producer, Baby Lores, to play in the well-known group “Clan 537”, belonging to the artistic catalog for the Benny More company. In less than six months he appeared on more than 500 stages around the island and recorded three albums with “Clan 537”. He was also invited to work on collaborations with many other leading artists of this genre, such as Yulien Oviedo, El Insurrecto, Eddy K, and many others. In 2009 he took a big step forward when he claimed himself as an independent solo artist.
"Chispa y Los Cómplices" is a new group in Cuba playing perfect "Timba". The director is the bass player, composer and arranger Ignacio R. Cervantes "El Chispa". He studied at the Centro National de la Musica and teaches at the Escuela Nacional de Arte. After a long period as musical director with "Rojitas y su Orquesta" he founded his own band end of 1998. Their debut album is called "New Pa' Que Vea". It presents Timba at it's best.
Singer, pianist, trumpeter, composer, keyboard-programmer, arranger and musical producer. David was born in Havana, Cuba, February 10, 1980. He got his Master Degree as professor-instrumentalist of trumpet and group training at the Amadeo Roldán Provincial Conservatoire, in 1998. He also studied at National School of Music. David is undoubtedly one of the most successful young musicians in Cuba and he has a huge youth following. He is the ultimate fusion artist mixing genres effortlessly and is as comfortable playing a son or rock song, a ballad, or mixing them in a single track. "What I do is the result of the music I've been listening to all my life." His first CD ''Tengo para dar'', under Bismusic label, featuring his own songs, underscored as nominee for pop music category in Cubadisco 2003. He usually plays the piano on stage where he has charisma and presence.
El Trabuco is one of the largest timba bands - a "super-charangón" if you will - with violin, cello, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, flute, and synthesizer in addition to the standard piano, bass, drums, congas and güiro. Manolito is one of Cuba's most meticulous and prolific arrangers, making excellent use of the vast timbral resources at his disposal and frequently finding time to produce side projects such as his recent Tributo a Lilí Martínez. El Trabuco other main composer is singer Ricardo Amaray whose R&B influences are perfectly balanced by Simonet's encyclopedic mastery of all the traditional forms of Cuban music.
Founded on February 25, 1993, and having already started to develop their style when various key members were part of Maravillas de Florida, Manolito y su Trabuco was one of the first timba bands, but it wasn´t until the second wave, in 1995, that they released their first album, Directo al corazón. In 2006, about to release their 7th album, Hablando en serio, they enjoyed a gradual and steady rise in popularity and are now generally considered to be among the top timba bands in Havana.
Maykel Blanco is one of the most talented young musicians in Cuba today. An excellent percussionist and pianist, he is also a talented composer and producer and at the age of 26 (at the time of this article) he is director of one of the fastest rising bands on the Timba scene: Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor.
Maykel has been heavily influenced by classic timba such as NG La Banda, La Charanga Habanera and Los Van Van. In his early years, Maykel was part of such groups as Gen–Cortés, Abel y La Seducción and La Constelación before founding his first group at the tender age of 15. At 18 he started Maykel Blanco y La Suprema Ley. Maykel released one album with Suprema Ley, Llegaron los cubanos (Envidia 2003), composed and produced by Maykel himself. Llegaron los cubanos has a strong base in son, but also ventures into aspects of rumba and the elements we expect in timba such as gear changes and “attitude.” One of the featured singers is Tirso Duarte and Maykel returned the favor by playing timbal on Tirso´s CD, Si la vida te dice baila (Envidia 2004). My personal favorite from Llegaron los cubanos is “El veterano, which Salsa Mayor performs in the potpurri on the upcoming live album (Envidia 2007).
Read more about Maykel Blanco y su Salsa Mayor including downloading songs at http://www.timba.com/artists/maykel–blanco–y–salsa–mayor
Mente Abierta (MA) is a vocal/instrumental band that performs cover versions of rock and pop music from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, plus the rhythms and sounds of today, not excluding the Cuban and Caribbean influences. The band is composed of ten musicians with a repertoire of international and Cuban songs as well their own compositions. The group, which was formed over five years ago in February of 2005 in Havana, was conceived by TV presenter Marta Yabor, combining instrumentation and vocals as a key aspect within the musical composition. The group cultivates the music that was made during the second half of the 20th century both by British and US bands that represented a landmark in musical history, such as The Beatles, Queen, the Bee Gees, the Rolling Stones, etc., and Spanish bands, such as Formula V, Los Brincos, Los Bravos, etc.), as well as the band’s own compositions along the same melodic lines.
Led by the experienced musician Jorge Gómez. Playing 41 instruments and a wide repertoire of folk, Afro-Latin and political music, Grupo Moncada has emerged as one of Cuba’s most exciting and versatile music groups. Since their first appearance at the University of Havana on October 7, 1972, Moncada has toured throughout Cuba, traveling in troubadour tradition, using music to talk about revolutionary change.
Moncada has been outstanding for rescuing the Latin American rhythms and genres and the constant development of Cuban popular music. In Cuba, between January 2000 and October 2003 alone, they made more than 350 public performances for some 2.500,000 people. The many awards and distinctions received by Moncada include the 1999 and 2003 Cubadisco Awards; the Lucas Awards for the best video-clips of national production from 1999 to 2002, as well as the Cuban Culture Distinction.
27-year-old Michael Sierra Manda is known everywhere in his hometown as “El Micha”. He is a prolific artist, and one of the biggest influences on the Cubaton scene. He is well known for numerous collaborations with the most talented members of his musician family. He has also recorded with the famous band Kola Loka (“Se Extrana”), Baby Lores (“Tu Eres La Mia”, “Yo Soy Cubano”), Insurrecto (“La Ricurita”) and more recently, Cistychov (“Si Te Vas”). His music is a reflection and expression of where he was brought up, he says: “I speak about what I live, about kids, old people, my songs come from the people…My aspiration is to try that in every house, in every car, in every place, my hoarse voice tells people the truth, tells them to dance and to forget the rest”
His latest album, “Con Dinero Y Pasmao”, was released in 2010, and followed by a series of shows in Europe, which made him one of the most prominent leaders of the Cubaton scene on an international level.
The musical genre we now call Timba was created by NG La Banda. NG La Banda amalgamated the innovations of the groups that came before it with many of its own to create a type of music that wasn't Son, Songo or Rumba - nor was it Rock, Jazz or Funk. It had ample amounts of each blended in, but its most potent component was something entirely new - something that was born in the streets and barrios of Havana in the late 1980's as the Berlin Wall crumbled. NG began as an all-star group which drew members from the most important pre-Timba bands. NG La Banda amalgamated the innovations of the groups that came before it with many of its own to create a type of music that wasn't Son, Songo or Rumba - nor was it Rock, Jazz or Funk. It had ample amounts of each blended in, but its most potent component was something entirely new - something that was born in the streets and barrios of Havana in the late 1980's as the Berlin Wall crumbled. Cortés called it "Timba". NG La Banda profoundly influenced all of the great Timba bands which followed it. Just as the great groups and musical innovations of the 70's and 80's had funneled into NG La Banda, most of the great groups of the 90's grew directly out of it. Issac Delgado and Giraldo Piloto (leader of Klimax; writer for Charanga Habanera and Issac) were key members of the original NG La Banda, and Paulito FG and Manolín were both very much part of the NG scene. Paulito sang coro on critical early NG recordings and Manolín was "discovered" and introduced to the public by Tosco, who recorded one of his songs, coined his nickname, "El Médico de la Salsa", and produced his first album.
Directed by Giraldo Piloto, a descendant of a long line of famous Cuban composers and musicians, Klimax is by far the most sophisticated and original timba projects in Cuba today. During the first decade in the history of timba, Piloto stood out as drummer, arranger and composer. He was one of the founding members of the first timba group, NG La Banda, and when Charanga Habanera launched itself to stardom, it was he who composed the band’s first hit, “Me Sube la Fiebre," and would go on to write more hits for the band. When Issac Delgado formed his own group, Piloto became the musical director as well as composer of many of the band’s hits. In January 1995, eight years after being in the epicenter of the timba revolution, Piloto formed his own group debuting at La Cecilia discotheque in Havana. Klimax has recorded on three occasions with the Spanish label Eurotropical and four others with his Cuban label.
Havana d'Primera was formed by a collective of the best musicians of the 1990s — those who refused to throw in the towel — in an attempt to rekindle the magic of timba and create a better working environment for musicians. Their debut album, Haciendo historia, and a string of riveting performances, have caused more buzz than any new band since Pupy y Los Que Son Son. The band is directed by Alexander Abreu, widely recognized as the greatest trumpeter of his generation — a key part of Paulito FG's Élite during its glory years and the first call studio trumpeter for everyone from Juan Ceruto to Juan Formell to Issac Delgado. There had always been rumors of Alexander's behind-the-scenes creative contributions in the form of coros and mambos, but he's now come front and center as a dominating lead vocalist and songwriter. His voice is reminiscent of Robertón but with the added melodic sophistication of a skilled instrumentalist. His writing and arranging are brilliant. Every musician is an all-star — from pianist Rolando Luna to conguero "El Toro" Castillo to corista Enrique "El Gordo" Pérez to trombonist Carlos Álvarez. To put it simply, if I were arriving at Havana Airport tonight, this would be the first band I'd be searching for. [Kevin Moore]
Pedro Calvo is an icon in Cuban music. He began his career with Ritmo Oriental before joining Los Van Van in 1974 for whom he recorded more hits than any other singer - from La sangunduera to Que le den candela to La titimánía to El negro no tiene na' to Mi chocolate to El negro está cocinando. Pedro left the band around the beginning of 2001, doing a series of guest tours with NG La Banda and various incarnations of the Buena Vista Social Club before launching his own band, La Justicia, which now has three albums, all of which can be listened to and downloaded at LPM. Reportedly a vegetarian and a non-drinker, Pedrito remains in fabulous health and shows no signs of slowing down.
Founded in 2006 and directed by DJ Hector Díaz Yáñez, the PMM project (For a Better World) defines itself as “a show designed for all kinds of audiences and which integrates different forms of performing arts with a high visual component... where dancers, models, circus performers and DJs present a different kind of show in line with the latest international trends in entertainment."
With the artistic direction of the experienced choreographer and dancer Santiago Alfonso, and the guidance of Raúl Martín, director of Teatro de la Luna theatre company, as well as the also dancer and choreographer Christy Dominguez, director of the Cuban Television Ballet, PMM uses the latest technology in laser, screens, fireworks and lighting, which all add value to a show where both popular music (think Van Van, Charanga Habanera, José Luis Cortés, Gente de Zona, Haila, Paulo FG, Kola Loca, and many more) and classical music (performances designed by Leo Brouwer, the most important Cuban composer of the 20th century, or by pianist and composer Frank Fernandez) go hand in hand.
With a wide and varied repertoire and ductility that makes the show appropriate for many different scenarios, such as nightclubs, theaters, dance halls, public squares and popular festivals, the presence of PMM ensures good taste, quality and regular sellouts. They are truly "the ones who set Havana in motion.”
When you hear Wil Campa's voice you will immediately recognize it from many hits by Maraca y Otra Visión. Wil began singing as a child and studied voice at La Escuela de Superación Profesional. In 1998 he joined Maraca y Otra Visión where he beautifully interpreted a number of their biggest hits such as Descarga Total , Soy Yo , And Castígala . Wil has now moved on to direct his own group, La Gran Unión. The musical concept behind this group is to defend Cuban son using a sonero style of interpretation, mixing musical influences from the 40s and 70s with contemporary elements. Their first CD, Es Tiempo, was released on June 20, 2008. Amor o Guerra starts with a hot tumbao and a sample of the coro, which is good because it then drifts into a very romantic cuerpo. Without the hardcore itro it might just seem like a salsa romantica. Instead the song combines a melodic cuerpo with coros meant to get the dancers on the floor. Es Tiempo is a very modern timbaton mix that includes some heavy rap sections.
has provided the reviews of TIMBA musicians. For more information on TIMBA see their excellent web-site
Venues, Mostly contemporary fusion & nueva trova
Bertolt Brecht Calle 13, esquina I, Tel.: 8301354 / 8329359
Open: Wednesday – Sunday.
Music starts around 11.30 – best arrive before 10.30pm.
Entry: 50 pesos, or 2 cucs.Bar: Prices reasonable
While there is a theatre in the building we are talking an informal and popular music venue for some of the best contemporary Cuban musicians. Think MTV’s unplugged. The place itself is a basement café theatre, Café Brecht, known as No Se Lo Digas a Nadie (Don’t tell anyone!). The idea of this place was to create a space where people could hear music that was both good and affordable (you can pay 50 local pesos to enter). Inside we are talking low ceilinged, 50`s style chic. Tables are at a premium, so get there early if you want a comfortable seat. Rarely for Cuba this is a non-smoking joint, which will be a relief for many (although take a mask for the corridor outside). This is where the coolest musicians play for fun, think Sintesis, David Torrens, Qba Libre, Polito Ibáñez, Interactivo and Raúl Paz. The crowd is mostly young Cuba and includes the screaming girls at the front who always seem too old to be teenagers – what do I know. There is no real dance floor but moving to the music is obligatory. The bar (also non-smoking) provides great company to the main stage and in its own right is a must for a beer day or night.
Don Cangrejo Avenida 1ra between Calles 16 & 18. Tel.: 204-3837
Don Cangrejo has over the past couple of years become the Friday night party venue of choice/last resort. The Friday night party crowd originally was the beautiful young Cuban crowd who were always looking for a different to party. Then either I stopped getting the memos of the latest place or everyone simply came to agree to Don Cangreco. In any event on any given Friday, this is the place to be seen if you want to impress people you both have money and are cool. The dynamics of the place are to the ridiculous side of whimsical since there is a huge swimming pool occupying most of the space which leaves you to play chicken getting to the bar the quick way along the pool’s edge. The gentleman’s preferred toilet is into the sea which on a windy night sends spray from waves crashing over the back of the disco floor giving a bit of atmosphere to the place (ladies go before you go!),. While many may moan at the line outside or the crowd inside actually there is a reason people keep going back apart from the it factor and that is provided by the live musicans (Darren Torrens, Kelvis Ochoa & the gang) who play contemporary fusion music with passion.
El Sauce Avenida 9na #12015, between Calles 120 y 130. Tel.: 204-6428
CUC 5 entrance
While this place, which is located out in the Siboney suburbs has been around for a while it has only got cool (sic. popular) in the last couple of years. Frank Delgado, a Cuban trovador, was the original attraction but since then the place was taken off with some of the best contemporary Cuban groups playing there several nights in the week (think Interactivo, David Torrens, Kelvis Ochoa and the rest of the gang). This outdoor venue has plenty of space, a good bar under a ranchon and a nice vibe. This attracts a mixed clientele between more monied Cubans, foreigners that known Havana slightly more than Casa de Musica and those that just wanna dance.
Escaleras al Cielo 658 Zulueta Street, between Gloria and Apodaca Old Havana.
Tel.: (537)863 3009
CUC 5 entrance
Recently opened (early 2011) this is the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ nightclub. This is not going to be easy to find for anyone first time round but then perhaps Heaven shouldn’t be too easy to get into. Just shy of the train station is about my best advice. The place itself is up 16 (ok maybe 4) flights of stairs and especially given the look from outside is spectacular in its design, sound system and lighting. Images of the immortals; Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Madonna and Fredy Mercury give a funky 70’s vibe. A non-smoking policy makes the place taste much nicer than your average Casa de Musica. At present this mostly attracts a LGBTQ crowd (with much more G than anything else), although some nights are more mixed. We went on Friday night, which is the most heaving night at present. It was insanely busy, hot and hectic and 90% men. Love it or hate it this is definitely a great new additional to Havana’s nightlife scene.
Fresa y Chocolate (ICAIC) Calle 4, entre 5ta y Calzada (7ma)
Open 6pm-2am Fri-Sun
Across the street from the ICAIC (Cuban Film Institute), this lobby-turned-bar offers a very pleasant place to get a pre or post cinema drink with lots of film memorabilia around. The weekend offers good live entertainment beginning on Friday with La Tanda (a mixture of trova and various art forms), Saturday features a blues band followed by comedy, and Sunday sees a young jazz evening with aspiring jazz artists playing. Nights with no band on will be dead, dead, dead so worth checking out. A little grungy.
Venues, Mostly salsa | timba, some reggaeton | Cubaton
Café Cantante Mi Habana Teatro Nacional de Cuba, Avenida Paseo, esquina 39, Plaza de la Revolución. Tel.: 878 4273-5
Admission 5-15 CUC / 50-100 CUP matinees
Performances 5pm-midnight Mon-Fri, Sun; 4-8pm, 5pm-midnight Sat.
Matinées phone for details
What Café Cantante lacks in comfort and service (especially from the doormen) it more than makes up for in the quality of the artists which play there and the busy atmosphere. Afternoon shows feature hip hop, salsa, rock, pop and traditional Afro-Cuban music. For the nighttime shows the very best big name salsa groups play until 3am. It is housed in the basement of the National Theater. I have never really been a fan of the place mostly for the lack of creature comforts, when it gets busy it gets busy. Friday night has recently become predominantly LGBT night and is more packed still. Can’t deny the great bands. The stage is very low, which is annoying if you're up the back (cause you can't see anything) but great if you're down the front, as it makes you feel like you're right in there with the band. There is always lots of audience participation.
Casa de la Música Galiano Galiano, entre Neptuno y Concordia. Tel.: 860 8296/4165
Admission 5-25 CUC / 30 CUP matinées
Open 10pm-4.30am Tue-Sun
Performances 11.30pm Tue-Sun
Matinées 4-7pm Thur-Sun
Bar 2pm-6am
This really is the place to go if you want to see the very best Cuban salsa bands. The Galiano venue quickly gained a reputation as the best venue for salsa after its opening in 2003. There is much more space than its slightly posher twin in Miramar which allows you to bar perch if you want to take a break from the dance floor. The lay out of the place is quite multi-level - the steps that lead up to the stage make for good audience participation When the big bands play, covers go up dramatically but the frantic energy and packed venues make it worthwhile and an experience to remember. Less popular bands struggle to fill up the venue so it’s worth checking to see who’s playing. Be warned that the floor surface varies wildly: sometimes it's slippery; sometimes it's really sticky. At the supermatinees, (Mondays) it is almost invariably awash with water/beer/whatever. Wear rubber-soled shoes to those ones. The overall sound system is not as good as Casa de Musica in Miramar but not so bad.
The Miramar house of music has been a mainstay for the very best salsa bands for many years now. It is an absolute must if you have any interest in salsa. It is housed in a beautiful old Havana mansion and offers a great atmosphere. The sound system is very good. The stage is a little high - if you want to stand close to the band, you're gonna get a crick in your neck. The whole place is also quite small with lots of tables and chairs, which does not leave so much room for dancing. It gets smoky inside and be warned that the floor often seems to be slippy – wear rubber soled shoes.
Delirio Habanero (Salón Piano Bar) Teatro Nacional de Cuba, Avenida Paseo, esquina 39, Plaza de la Revolución. Tel.: 878 4275
Admission 10 CUC / 20-100 CUP matinées
Open 10pm-6am daily
Matinées 3-7pm Sat, Sun
This is the place to go at 2-3am when everywhere else is closed, although be warned that the queues can be long, hectic and the doormen decidedly dodgy! There is a varied program, which includes mainly smaller salsa bands although it also attracts some of top tier bands which will play late, late late. The place is an impractical shape - long and skinny, with the stage in the centre facing across it's width. It's a really weird set-up, but if it isn't too crowded, it works. Beware of the karaoke. This is a happening place but make sure that you have had a few drinks before you arrive. If you ever make it during day light hours you will be able to appreciate the minimalist décor and great view over the Plaza de la Revolución.
El Diablo Tun Tun (Piano Bar) Calle 35, esquina 20, Playa. Tel.: 204 0447 / 202 6147
Open 11pm-6am Tue-Sun
Admission 10 CUC
This club is literally right upstairs from the Miramar Casa de la Música. It is a smaller venue than its downstairs neighbor and is generally a bit calmer, although when popular reggaeton acts are playing, the dance floor can get pretty frenetic. I like the place since you can bar perch and it is not ALL about the dancing. This is also a later night place going on all the way to 6am with waves of people coming and going.
Admission 10-15 CUC
Open 8pm-2.30am daily
Performances 9pm (main band at 11.30pm) Thur-Sun
This is where Vincent Vega would get his ten-dollar shake in Havana and although you cannot actually sit inside the Chevy, Pontiac and Buick which grace the interior they do add a 1950’s chic to the place. As you might expect from a spot attached to the Meliá Cohíba, this is a top end place with great service, mainly frequented by tourists. When the big Cuban bands, such as Van Van and Charanga Habanera play here, it is the place to be and queues form early. There are two cabaret shows playing. The best is Rakatan, which plays several times a week and has a more contemporary spin to the Tropicana style.
Jardines del 1830 Malecón, esquina 20. Tel.: 838 3091-2
Admission 2-5 CUC
Open 10pm-2am Tue-Sun
Matinées 4-9pm Fri-Sun
This is a beautiful location with the main action-taking place in a lovely outdoor garden facing the sea while inside an up-market restaurant takes the bottom floor of another exceptional Havana mansion. This is somewhere, which you should only go to on certain nights when you know there will be a good crowd there since otherwise you rattle outside on your own. The beat night is generally Friday night when the Club is the host to the ‘Friday Night House Party’ but if it is late and quiet, move on since this probably means that the party is somewhere else tonight.
La Cecilia 5ta Avenida, No. 11010, entre 110 y 112
Admission 10 CUC
Open 10pm-3am Thu–Sun
This is a large club with a decent size stage set within a huge and attractive garden. Over the last couple of years, this has again become a very popular place to come and often features some of Havana’s most popular groups. PMM (Los q’muevan Havana) are a mainstay. This is not really a group as such but a production company which organizes what may be interpreted as a happening, salsaton cabaret (and is extremely popular). William (the humbly named) Magnifico is also currently playing. The clientele is not to everyone’s taste (featuring some interesting older foreign gentlemen/younger Cuban couples) but it is generally lively and happening. Watch your wallet and be careful leaving. Despite the negatives, this has a happening vive and if you are in Havana long enough you will inevitably be drawn in regularly.
Macumba Habana Complejo La Giraldilla, Calle 222, esquina 37, La Coronela, La Lisa. Tel.: 273 0568-9
Admission 10 CUC show / 5 CUC (with recorded music)
Performances 5-11pm Tue-Sun
Macumba often provokes a strong reaction with many people refusing to go anywhere else while others would not be seen dead near the place. It is a long way out of town (35 minutes from Old Havana) and with acres of marble and a number of up market restaurants included in the overall complex does not portray the old Buena Vista Cuba that many tourists have come looking for. It is however a great venue for a popular band especially younger emerging artists, which attract a trendy Cuban audience as well as tourists looking for ‘the place’. Our favorite event here is the Sunday matinee, which goes from mid afternoon to late evening. Unless money really is no object we would suggest that you skip dinner here and make sure that there is a good band playing before you head out to the sticks.
The Sala Atril is one of the newest and trendiest places to go out to attracting in the main a young affluent and carefree Cuban crowd who likes the general ambience that includes a mixture of techno and reggaeton in a large indoor up-market venue, which is not really geared to tourists. Do bear in mind that this crowd generally follows the party so when the party is someone else you may find yourself with the place to yourself. The entrance to the bar is just to the right of the main entrance to the Karl Marx Theatre and re-opened only in 2005. Generally the acts will begin to play at 11.30pm. The no-smoking rule inside means that there is a pleasant breathability to the air and that you generally find a large crowd squeezed together on the outside balcony.
Salón Rojo (Hotel Capri) Hotel Capri, Calle 21, entre N y O, Vedado. Tel.: 833 3747
Admission: 10-25 CUC
Open 10pm-4am
Performances 11.15pm
It is a little hard to see nowadays that the Hotel Capri used to be a luxury hotel and a key center for gambling. As the name suggests, it's all red. Really all red: floor, wall, ceiling. There are tables and chairs throughout and a ginormous chandelier over the stage It is in major need of a refurbishment. The Salón Rojo was re-opened in 2003 and now has a variety of events including comedy, disco and Cuban bands which generally play from 1-2am. This has become one of the in venues over the past year or two and while it can be pricey, the bands and atmosphere are generally happening. While there is definitely a commercial angle to some of the clientele it has also attracted the nouveu riche Cuban set in recent months.
Turquino (Habana Libre) Habana Libre Hotel, Calle L, entre 23 y 25. Tel.: 838 4011
Admission: 10-25 CUC
Open 10pm-4am daily
Definitely a place for posh spice. This is certainly the best view in Havana to watch a cabaret show (there is often a popular band and disco following the show). The bar and dance floor is on the 26th floor of the Habana Libre has glass windows all around and a retractable roof. The decor is definitely disco, the drinks expensive and the atmosphere a little less than authentic but with beautiful scenery in any event; definitely worth a visit at least once.
Teatro América Galiano 253 entre Concordia y Neptuno. Tel.: 862 5416
Box office 9.30am-1pm, 2-5pm Wed-Sun, from 10am Sat, Sun
Performances 8.30pm Thu; 10am (children’s show) Sat, Sun
Opened in 1941 as part of the Rodríguez Vázquez Building—whose art deco style was used coherently in the magnificent interiors—and initially conceived as a movie theatre, from the very start it included musicals and theatrical presentations. Since then until the present day, concerts, recitals, zarzuelas, operettas, dramas, musical revues, dance productions and even whole circus seasons have performed there. Outstanding figures of Cuban culture, such as Ernesto Lecuona, Rita Montaner, Benny Moré, Bola de Nieve, Chucho Valdés, Juan Formell and Adalberto Álvarez, and visitors such as Lola Flores and Sara Montiel from Spain, Pedro Vargas from Mexico and US-born Josephine Baker from France have all been applauded in this theatre, which is dedicated today to musical revues and variety shows backed by the America Ballet, formed by fifty dancers who also sing and act. The theatre also organizes dance, make-up, hair styling, massage, photography and popular dance workshops.
Venues, Exclusively rock: Death metal to something slightly more mellow
Maxim Rock Calle Bruzón #62, near Carlos III & Ayestarán. Tel.: 877-5925
CUC 5-10 entrance
If you are looking for a good mosh pit with music to blast your face of in Havana then there is only one real venue; Maxim Rock. In its defence at least the music will not be distorted, since they have what must be one of the best sound systems in Havana. Your head will simply come off cleanly, straight. This tends to be a reasonably hard metal place although the play list varies. The colour scheme is very red (although actually it may be difficult to tell since it is generally kept pretty dark) which somehow fits – not sure I would have designed it that way – but it helps build the vibe. It is slightly tricky to find (as all the best places are), this attracts a mostly Cuban crowd who want to bang heads (mostly). In spite of myself I like the place. The second time we went there it was not so much more mellow as much less busy and really did not work so well on any level. The entrance had been dropped to 20 Cuban pesos but still it was sparse in company, perhaps the rockeroes weer all tapped out or simply did not like the bank (although Escape is still a big name rock band here). Drinks are cheap and this is not a place to find tourists which may appeal all of the more to some.
Vedado needs to be shaken up sometimes and the Yellow Submarine is making a fair effort. While this is a Beatled themed and decorated place it is first and foremost a house of Cuban rock music. The Beatles cover band provides welcome relief unless you actually like fast and raw rock. This is something of a new kid on the block and has received loads of publicity including a nice New York Times review. Truth be told this place is well done, fairly cute and ihas enthusiasm (for now). Well worth a visit.
Habaneciendo (Piano Bar) Calle Galiano e/ Concordia y Neptuno. Centro Habana. Ciudad de la Habana. Tel.:(53-7)8624165, 8608296
To call Habaneciendo a piano bar is somewhat akin to giving my local fish and chip restaurant a Michelin star. Located literally opposite Casa de Musica, Galliano this place which also serves food (not sure if this qualifies it as a restaurant) has a kind of slightly rough and ready hole in the wall type atmosphere punctuated by pounding reggaeton beats. Funnily enough the few times I have been there I have really enjoyed the place, it is what it is and does not pretend to be anything else. While they do not have quite the A list bands playing, even B list in Cuba is still good and the place is smaller and more intimate in a Cuban unplugged way. Monday night is predominantly frequented by hundreds of gay cliental.
Admission 5 CUC / 40 CUP on Wed
Performances 5-8pm Wed; 10pm-midnight Sat
The home of the National Union of Writers & Artists is a grand old Vedado mansion, where a large veranda serves as a stage and its patio provides table seating. It’s best known for La Peña del Ambia, a gathering on Wednesday afternoons, which features all types of music and dance traditions from around Cuba; on alternate Wednesdays, trova and son are played. The place is jam-packed by 5pm, so arrive by 4.30pm if you want a table. Saturday night (entry from 9pm) is devoted to bolero, featuring the country’s top soloists, such as Manolo del Valle and Roberto Sánchez. 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).
Salón 1930 ‘Compay Segundo’ Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Calle P, esquina 21. Tel.: 836 3564-7
Admission 25 CUC 40 CUC with dinner
Open 9.30pm Wed, Sat
As you may expect at the Hotel Nacional, this is a luxurious hall, which offers a great place to see in particular Cuban traditional music such as the remaining members of Buena Vista Social Club, who still regularly perform there. Booking is recommended, and even with a ticket you may struggle to get one of the best seats.
Sala Teatro Las Carolinas Sede Compañía Danza Retazos
Tue 7
Wed 8
Thu 9
Fri 10
Sat 11
Sun 12
Mon 13
Musicians
Jazz
Jazz Café Galerías de Paseo, top floor, Calle 1ra, entre Paseo y A
Tel.: 838 3302
Admission 10 CUC min consumption Open noon-2am
Performances 11pm-1am
Located on the top floor of a new shopping center opposite the Melia Cohiba hotel the Jazz Café is in many ways off to an inauspices start. 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. This is slightly less intimate than La Zorra y el Cuervo, apart from anything else the glass surrounding gives a feeling of openness rather than a more traditional basement. Excellent place.
La Zorra y el Cuervo Calle 23, entre N y O. Tel.: 833 2402
Admission 10 CUC / 3 CUC matinées
Open 10pm-2am daily
Matinées 3-7pm Sat, Sun
Probably the most well known venue for jazz in Havana, 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. More Ronnie Scotts than Pizza Express, don’t expect to chat too much without getting frowned at which is pretty unusual in Cuba where conversation generally trupms all. Our only real grumble is that it starts so late I have generally turned into a pumpkin by the time of the main band.
Amadeo Roldán Teatro Auditórium Calzada No. 512, esquina D. Tel.: 832 5551
Admission 5-10 CUC
Concerts in main hall 5pm Sun
Sala Caturla 6pm or 8pm Thur-Sun – call for details
Since its founding in 1928, sponsored by the Pro-Art Musical Society, this theatre has been honored 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. Fire destroyed this theatre in 1976 and a lack of resources delayed its restoration until the second half of the 1990s. It now boasts excellent acoustics for classical music, but other genres can sound a little flat. The theatre is the home of the National Symphony, which plays in the main hall every Sunday, and occasionally hosts world-class guitarist, composer and conductor Leo Brouwer. The theatre has another smaller hall, the Sala Caturla, with good acoustics. There are various special concerts throughout the year—mainly classical music, but rock, trova and jazz ensembles also feature. The main hall is also used for several prestigious festivals, including the Festival Internacional de Jazz and Cubadisco.
Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís Calle Oficios, Plaza San Francisco de Asís
This imposing and beautiful basilica with fine acoustics hosts some of the most important classical music concerts in Havana. Set in the square of the same name, the church is the home of the Grammy-nominated Camerata Romeu, an all-female chamber ensemble, and many other excellent soloists, groups and choirs ask to be booked here.
Gran Teatro de La Habana Calle Prado entre San Rafael y San José. Tel.: 861 3077 / 5873
Box office 9.30am to 5pm Tue-Sun
Performances 8.30pm Thu-Sat, 5pm Sun
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
Box office 9am to 5pm Tue-Sun
Performances 8.30pm Fri, Sat; 5pm Sun
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.
Based on Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, for which the author received the Pulitzer Prize in 1938, the version written by the always unconventional Juan Carlos Cremata searches for certain allegories in the monotonous life of a small town: “Does anybody realize what life is while they’re living it? What every minute is? Every second? Every millisecond?”top
Retrato de un hombre desnudo 3-5, 10-12 Jan, 6:00 pm / 2012
The Cuban artist Carlos Quintana exhibits his work for the first time at the National Museum with canvases of recent creation. Quintana’s paintings have visible traces of the informel movement and abstract expressionism, with a particularly expressive use of drawing and color. top
La duodécima noche o Noche de reyes Opens Jan 20; Fri & Sat, 8:30 pm; Sun, 5:00 pm / 2012
William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, in which the comical side of love is illustrated by the misadventures of two pairs of romantic lovers, in a version by the always unconventional and daring Teatro El Público theatre company continues playing to packed houses. top
La Gran Tirana Tue-Thu, 6:00 pm, Jan / 2012
La gran tirana is based on the life of the legendary Cuban singer Guadalupe Yolí, who after a brief yet successful career in her own country, obtained fame and fortune in New York to later die in poverty and anonymity. According to the playwright and critic Amado del Pino, with this play, “Carlos Padrón reveals himself as a writer who delves into the roots of nationality, into the deepest recesses of popular culture. His close examination of this woman is credible, familiar, representable…it is more than an emblematic role or a time-worn pattern. La Lupe continues to be loved thanks to her voice and artistic temperament. top
Nevada, by the young Cuban playwright Abel González Melo, delves into the micro world–which is not so small after all--of the Havana that annuls terms such as virtue and morality. Rosnay, who is a pimp, among other things, dreams abouts visiting Nevada and drags his “girlfriend” Lucia with him. Nevada is not precisely Lucia’s goal, but she doesn’t want to lose Rosnay and decides to embark on an illegal journey. This is the beginning of this play, which gets complicated in unsuspected ways, and whose characters are men and women of a troubled and thorny here and now.top
Venues
foto
Adolfo Llauradó Theatre Calle 11, entre 11 D y E
Tickets 5 CUC
Box office 5pm Thu-Sun
This 120-seat theatre opened in 2003 in the backyard of La Casona, a Vedado mansion. Today it is the home of the Teatro Estudio troupe. It has a varied theatre program for both adults and children, and other cultural events are also held in the cozy, arty setting.
TEATRO ESTUDIO. With the opening in 1958 of Eugene O`Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night, siblings Raquel and Vicente Revuelta, leading figures in Cuba’s performing arts, would found what was to become the most emblematic of Cuban theatre companies: Teatro Estudio, heart of the Cuban stage for several decades, having nurtured some of the most notable actors, writers and directors in Cuban culture. A respectful approach to tradition, a permanent link with avant-garde theatre, a commitment to research and teaching, and the deliberate purpose of creating a public is the foundation of the work of this company, which has throughout its existence presented a diverse repertoire from the whole of world drama, embracing plays by authors such as Cervantes, Shakespeare, Lope de Vega, Molière, Chejov, Ibsen, Miller, Williams, Brecht, Albee, as well as the best of Cuban classics―Avellaneda, Luaces, Milanés and most of the Cuban playwrights of the second half of the 20th century, including Piñera, Estorino, Brene, and Quintero.
Box office 1hr before performance
Performances 8.30pm Fri, Sat, 5pm Sun
Founded in 1968, this cultural centre houses a 300-seat space called Sala Alternativa and a smaller 150-seat basement café theatre, Café Brecht. Most interesting of the companies that work here is Teatro Mío, directed by Miriam Lezcano, which often focuses on the work of playwright Alberto Pedro Torriente. Other resident theatre groups are Pequeno Teatro de la Habana, Teatro del Círculo and Teatro D’Dos. Childrens’ shows are regularly held on Saturdays and Sundays at 10am.
Trianón Cine Theatre Calle Línea entre Paseo y A. Tel.: 830 9648
Box office from 6pm Fri, Sat; from 3.30pm Sun
Performances 8.30 pm Fri, Sat; 5pm Sun
The Trianon is home to the company Teatro El Publico (see below). It doesn’t have optimum conditions to host theatre but renovations have been much mooted. It is also home to a cinema, and is used as a venue for the International Film Festival in December.
Teatro El Público. A leader of post-modern theatre in Cuba, provocative, inordinate, irreverent, El Público, founded by Carlos Díaz in 1992, has accomplished something quite rare: an immediate rapport―in spite of its totally unconventional productions―with dissimilar audiences who fill the theatres with every staging, plus critical acclaim. From the performance of The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire and Tea and Sympathy, which shook the Cuban theatrical scene with its sense of integrating spectacle, to the controversial Celestina, with 150 presentations, a rare event for Cuban theater, Díaz has sought to confront hypocrisy and conventionalisms with imagination, irony, parody, spectacularity, innovation, and above all, good performances. El Público is based at the Trianón Theatre, Calle Línea entre Paseo y A, El Vedado.
"Marcello Mastroianni: el encanto discreto de la anormalidad
"Un cuento chino"
Sala 4
"Historias cruzadas"
"Callejón de la caña
"Milk"
"Tiene sida el presidente?
"Almendrón mi corazón"
"El color no hace el ladrón"
Payret
"Un cuneto chino"
"Bienvenidas al paraíso"
Riviera
"Harry Potter y las reliquias de la muerte" parte I
"Harry Potter y las reliquias de la muerte" parte II
Sala Charlot
"El coloso en llamas"
"Network, poder que mata"
"S.O.B"
"El león del invierno"
"Ricardo III"
"La otra reina"
"Elizabeth"
Yara
"Un cuento chino"
"Bienvenidas al paraíso"
Tue 7
Wed 8
Thu 9
Fri 10
Sat 11
Sun 12
Mon 13
Super 8 EE.UU | 2011 | Adventure | Aliens. The 70s. Teen/coming-of-age | 112' | HIGH DEFINITION | Color
Director (s):J.J. Abrams
In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town set out to make a zombie movie. While shooting their Super 8 film, Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) witness a catastrophic train crash and, after barely escaping themselves, they soon discover that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town and local Deputy Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler) tries to uncover the truth—something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined. Written by: J.J. Abrams Cast: Joel Courtney, Riley Griffiths, Elle Fanning, Ryan Lee, Gabriel Basso, Zach Mills, Kyle Chandler, Ron Eldard, Noah Emmerich, David Gallagher, Glynn Turman, Amanda Michalka Producer (s): Amblin Entertainment / Bad Robot / Paramount Pictures / Relativity Media
Nunca me Abandones [Never Let Me Go] EE.UU | 2010 | Romance | The 60s. The 70s | 103' | HIGH DEFINITION | Color
Director (s):Mark Romanek
The novel "Never Let Me Go" offers an alternate history of how things might have been in 1980s England if children were raised at exclusive boarding schools under a shroud of mystery about their heritage. The story focuses on a 31-year-old woman named Kathy as she reflects back on her childhood friends Ruth and Tommy. She also remembers the teachers they had at Hailsham, her former school, which in some respects served as her former prison. Written by: Alex Garland (Novel: Kazuo Ishiguro) Cast: Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley, Charlotte Rampling, Sally Hawkins, Izzy Meikle-Small, Charlie Rowe, Ella Purnell, Nathalie Richard, Andrea Riseborough, Domhnall Gleeson, Oliver Parsons Producer (s): Fox Searchlight Pictures / DNA Films / Film4
Aguas para elefantes [Water for Elephants] EE.UU | 2011 | Drama | Romantic drama. Melodrama. The Great Depression. Circus. Trains | 122' | HIGH DEFINITION | Color
Director (s):Francis Lawrence
Based on the acclaimed bestseller, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS presents an unexpected romance in a uniquely compelling setting. Veterinary school student Jacob meets and falls in love with Marlena, a star performer in a circus of a bygone era. They discover beauty amidst the world of the Big Top, and come together through their compassion for a special elephant. Against all odds — including the wrath of Marlena's charismatic but dangerous husband, August — Jacob and Marlena find lifelong love. Written by: Richard LaGravenese (Novel: Sara Gruen) Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, James Frain, Hal Holbrook, Paul Schneider, Ken Foree, Tim Guinee Producer (s): Fox 2000
El guardián del zoológico [We Bought a Zoo] EE.UU | 2011 | Drama. Comedy | Based on a true story. Small Town Life (North-american). Animals | 124' | HIGH DEFINITION | Color
Director (s):Frank Coraci
Based on Benjamin Mee biography, who bought a zoo in the English countryside. The film, set in Southern California, is about this father who moved with his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo. Written by: Cameron Crowe, Aline Brosh McKenna (Biography: Benjamin Mee) Cast: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning, Carla Gallo, Patrick Fugit, Thomas Haden Church, Stephanie Szostak, Angus Macfadyen, Peter Riegert Producer (s): 20th Century Fox
Tres monos [Three Monkeys] Turquia | 2008 | Drama | 109' | HIGH DEFINITION | Color
Director (s):Nuri Bilge Ceylan
A family dislocated when small failings blow up into extravagant lies battles against the odds to stay together by covering up the truth... In order to avoid hardship and responsibilities that would otherwise be impossible to endure, the family chooses to ignore the truth, not to see, hear or talk about it. But does playing “Three Monkeys” invalidate the truth of its existence? Written by: Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Ebru Ceylan, Ercan Kesal Cast: Yavuz Bingöl, Hatice Aslan, Ahmet Rifat Sungar, Ercan Kesal, Cafer Köse, Gürkan Aydin Producer (s): Co-production Turkey / France / Italy
Viejo Verde Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Edificio de Arte Cubano)
One of the most important Cuban artists today, René Francisco Rodríguez, National Arts Prize-winner 2010, has brought together drawings, paintings and sculptures, which, in the words of the artist himself, “deals with certain obsessions, with the relationship between eroticism and power, the new and the old, which is expressed in physical, psychological, subversive issues, when we reflect on sex as also having to do with the subversive.”top
Nada Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Edificio de Arte Cubano
The Cuban artist Carlos Quintana exhibits his work for the first time at the National Museum with canvases of recent creation. Quintana’s paintings have visible traces of the informel movement and abstract expressionism, with a particularly expressive use of drawing and color. top
Caravaggio y sus seguidores Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Edificio de Arte Universal)
For the first time in Cuba, a painting by the great Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio [1573-1610], noted for his realistic depiction of religious subjects and for his dramatic use of chiaroscuro. Narcissus at the Fountain, which is considered one of his most outstanding productions, is exhibited together with other paintings by artists from his same school, such as Carlo Saraceni, Bartolomeo Manfredi—Caravaggio’s most important follower—Gerrit van Honthorst, Orazio Borgianni, Lionello Spada, Gerrit van Honthorst, Orazio Gentileschi and his daughter Artemisia.of the Garberini Palace and the Convent de Saint Silvestre Convent in Roma.top
Vistas de la ciudad Museo de Arte Colonial
The most recent exhibition by the artist José Rodríguez Fúster with his usual explosion of colour and whimsical shapes. The artist himself has confessed that the recurrent theme in his work is very much influenced by Picasso, it is the joy of living...” top
Tres exposiciones Factoría Habana
Three exhibitions: Lagoglifos, of the Brazilian painter Eduardo Kac; Tetra Bric's, organized by the Camagüey Videoart Festival; and the works of the Factoría Creation Scholarship winners Lorena Gutiérrez and Silvio Enrique Campos, reaffirms the role that new technologies play in expressing today’s sensitivity.top
Proyecciones en la Plaza Vieja Fototeca de Cuba
A novel proposal of the Fototeca de Cuba, which has chosen the Plaza Vieja of Old Havana’s Historical Centre to show photographs from the centre’s valuable collection. 4 Nov: Exhibition of pictures from the Club Fotográfico (1930s, 40s and 50s), which was very important in the evolvement and recognition of photography as art. 11 Nov: Monographic shows: Constantino Arias, Maria Eugenia Haya (Marucha), Figueroa, Sarabia, José Manuel Acosta: photographers who established guidelines in the history and evolution of Cuban photography. 25 Nov: Contemporary photography: A selection of works by contemporary Cuban and international photographers.top
Proyecto War Casa Oswaldo Guayasamín
Photography and poetry in the travelling exhibition Proyecto War organized by the well-known Argentinean photographer Pablo Bobbio.
4 Nov, 5:00 pm, Casa Guayasamín:
Performance by the dance-theatre company Retazos
16 Nov, 9:00 am, Fototeca de Cuba:
Lecture on the role of art
18 Nov, 2:00 pm, Casa Guayasamín:
Talk on the work of Pablo Bobbio and poetry readings by poets Pablo Armando Fernández, César López, Lina de Feria, Alex Pausides and Ileana Mulettop
Una magia descubierta Museo Biblioteca Servando Cabrera Moreno
Works by Servando Cabrera Moreno from the 1950s, a little known creative stage of the artist that is characterized by abstractionism and is evidently influenced by Picasso, Joan Miró and Paul Klee.top
De Armas tomar Galería La Acacia
An exhibition by the painter and engraver Jesús González de Armas, who was the first filmmaker of animated cartoons after the creation of ICAIC, the Institute of the Cuban Film Industry; founder of the Indo-American Art Movement; renovator of the comic strip in Cuba , and whose outstanding work has practically been consigned to oblivion in his own country after having emigrated to France in 1991, where he died in 2002.top
Maddalena Convento de San Francisco de Asís
Exhibition of the Italian painter and sculptor Valerio Berruti.top
Pupilas de santos Fundación Ludwig
Solo exhibition of Luís Enrique López-Chávez Pollán, a student of the National Arts Institute, of whom the critic Amilkar Feria Flores has said: “Immersed in philosophical questionings, his work reveals difficult solutions, but which are charged with a significant visual originality.”top
El amate mexicano en la Colección Arte de Nuestra América Galería Mariano. Casa de las Américas
A group of paintings on “amate” paper, a typical Mexican production, whose millenary artisanal production achieves textures that allow interesting effects.top
Víctor Manuel: retratos, paisajes Sala transitoria del Museo de la Ciudad
Small-scale paintings by one of the masters of the first Cuban avant-garde. A self-taught artist, his pictorial ideal was established with the portrayal of a mulatto woman with oval face, thick lips and wide-open eyes staring into space that has become the archetype of Cuban women in art, making his excellent landscapes of strong strokes and Cubist references to go somewhat unnoticed.top
Las metáforas del hereje Pabellón Cuba
Exhibition of installations, drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs and videos by Cuban artists who have made an outstanding contribution to Cuban art during the past 25 years—Belkis Ayón, Abel Barroso, Yamilis y Jacqueline Brito, Luis E. Camejo, Alexis Leyva (KCHO), Lázaro Saavedra, Segundo Planes, Ernesto Rancaño and José A. Toirac, among others. top
Pero se graba Taller Experimental de Gráfica
An exhibition, which, instead of showing the printed work, exhibits the masters from which the prints are made, all of which are restricted to black and white. Julio César Peña, Orlando Montalván, Octavio Irving, Orlando Gutiérrez, Eduardo Leyva and others are the artists whose work can be seen all of this month.top
Insomnio Galería Galiano
Solo exhibition by Cuban artist Ariana Gallardo Valdés, who now lives in Chile.top
Stainless Centro Hispano Americano de Cultura
Large-scale paintings, sculptures and installations by Stainless, a creative group formed by young graduates of the San Alejandro Fine Arts Academy José Capaz, Alejandro Piñeiro and Fabelo Hung. The curator and critic Píter Ortega has highlighted the “ideological and aesthetic maturity and coherence of their work.” top
Tiempo de gesta Museo Biblioteca Servando Cabrera Moreno
Paintings by artists who took part in the founding of the Cuban Union of Artists and Writers. The exhibition includes works of different techniques and expressive mediums used by outstanding Cuban artists, such as René Portocarrero, Luis Martínez Pedro, Adigio Benítez, Servando Cabrera Moreno, Fayad Jamís, Rita Longa, René de la Nuez, Marcelo Pogolotti and Mariano Rodríguez, among others.top
![Nunca me Abandones [Never Let Me Go]](../../articles/intertaiment/imagenes/never_letmego.jpg "Nunca me Abandones [Never Let Me Go]")
![Aguas para elefantes [Water for Elephants]](../../articles/intertaiment/imagenes/elefantes.jpg "Aguas para elefantes [Water for Elephants]")
![El guardián del zoológico [We Bought a Zoo]](../../articles/intertaiment/imagenes/zoo.jpg "El guardián del zoológico [We Bought a Zoo]")
![Tres monos [Three Monkeys]](../../articles/intertaiment/imagenes/tres_monos.jpg "Tres monos [Three Monkeys]")
