CURATED MUSIC TOURS

In this two-hour session I work with esteemed rumba/ folkloric dancers, Jesus ‘Toto’ Morales and Arianna Sabourin. Presented through dance, it takes the public on a journey from Cuba’s colonisation , the ensuing brutal enslavement/transportation to the island of over one million West Africans (over four centuries) and the particular bi-cultural practises (though predominantly African) that then developed here.

Here we focus on RUMBA – a particular type of public/party Cuban percussion-driven popular dance, song and music. Originating in poorer, mainly black, areas its designed to show off the best, the latest. A dynamic mix of African and Spanish elements but with mainly African roots, the dance and rhythms of Rumba are a key part of African-Cuban culture.

OUR SESSION begins with an overview of rumba in the context of colonial history and present cultural practices. Six dances will be performed: 3 religious, 3 classic Rumba forms. Toto & Arianna offer you an authentic experience that comes from years of serious study. The religious-based dances you’ll see rarely seen by the visitor – occurring in private communions or at religious events. So it’s a real privilege to be shown both these more private, sometimes secret manifestations, as well as the more public/party music that is Rumba.

The last 30 minutes of the session includes an informal Q & A session with the dancers. There is also time to learn a few dance moves, if you fancy!

FOR PRICING, DATES and other details please contact Sue at suelahavana@gmail.com Min 2 pax. Max 16 pax. Duration – 2 hours.

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This session is a further way to experience and celebrate African ancestral roots in Cuba by offering a contemporary culinary interpretation of the simple food served here in the dwellings of enslaved people during the C17th& 18th.

The session begins with the RUMBA EN CASA dance presentation then continues on with the presence and food of Michelin star chef, Alberto Gonzales Ceballas.

Chef Alberto – himself of African heritage – will serve a 3- course aperitif, talk about the food’s significance and of sharing this meal in the context of Cuba’s colonial/slave trade history.  Alberto will prepare and serve a delicious root vegetable soup cooked in clay pots over charcoal. This will be followed by a special pork dish (slow-cooked for 7 hours) served with maize soufflé and ginger wine. A dessert of rice pudding (arroz con leche) with cinnamon is followed by fresh herb tea or coffee.  Vegetarians may elect a second vegetable-only course.

FOR PRICING, DATES and other details please contact Sue at suelahavana@gmail.com Min 2 pax. Max 16 pax. Duration – 2hrs 30 mins

INVISIBLE HABANA is a guided tour of Old Havana with respected critic and essayist, Roberto Zurbano. The tour links past and present referencing important black historical events, places and little-known figures often made invisible and excluded from a more Eurocentric and globalised perspective. While passing through Old Havana you will hear about present-day issues that concern the black community as well as experience the footprint and legacy of Afro-descendants.

ROBERTO ZURBANO TORRES is an activist, essayist, editor and critic specializing in literature, race and alternative music. Apart from numerous publications: Zurbano has also prefaced books by Frantz Fanon, Georgina Herrera and Simone Schwarz-Bart and, as the chosen Cuban writer, contributed to an international collaboration: Covid-19 and Governance: Crisis Reveals (Routledge, 2022). 

FOR PRICING, DATES and other details please contact Sue at suelahavana@gmail.com Min 2 pax. Max 10 pax. Duration – 2 hours

TOUR 1: JOURNEY INTO «EL SON»: Son is one of the most fundamental rhythms/styles in Cuban music, a mix of predominately African and Spanish elements: claves and guiro (Africa); guitar and voice (Spain). To this mix Cubans added the tres (three double steel- stringed guitar) and bongo to create the island’s most popular form of traditional dance music. From son have evolved other Cuban dance music styles such as Danzon, Mambo, Chachacha and Salsa. Son has also deeply influenced the development of Latin Jazz and Latin pop inside and outside of the island. Because of this Cubans say: El son es lo mas sublime para el alma divertir (Son is the thing most sublime for a fun-filled soul).

Our tour: This 2 hour tour will take you into Havana’s beautiful historic Old Town. As you wander through this area Denis will talk about the history of Cuban music and the importance of son in that history. Which venues/bars we visit will depend on your dates. No cover is necessary though we’ll need to at least drink something. Denis will pay for his own food and drink.

Best times: Best is from 5.30-7.30pm. It can, however, be enjoyed later in the evening if that’s more suitable for you.

TOUR 2: CUBAN JAZZ TODAY : What’s called Cuban Jazz is a relatively recent phenomenon. Latin jazz (of the 1950’s/60’s) was born in the USA but very influenced by Cuban and other Latin musics. It took until the 1990’s – with the boom of salsa/timba, tourism and world music influences – for Cuban jazz to reinvent once again, this time with harder and more experimental styles. Cuban jazz today demonstrates an even stronger trend of experimentation and fusion. 

Our tour: This 2 hour tour will take you to one of the best jazz clubs/venues in Havana where you will see an intimate, live performance from one of Cuba’s finest jazzistas. Before the show Denis will talk about the history of Cuban music and the place and development of jazz within that history. Which venue we visit will depend on your dates but once we determine who’s playing where we’ll book you a table and make sure you hear the best available.

Best times   Best is from 9pm-12am. We can meet at the venue or, if necessary, Denis can organize transport for you. Cover: Entry to venues is normally between 3-8 dollars.

DENIS PERALTA is a Cuban pianist/composer. He formally worked the BALLET LIZT ALFONSO DANCE CUBA, completing 14 successful tours over 4 continents. Denis went on to work as Musical Director for my two QUIET NIGHTS CUBA project (2010, 2010) and is presently also the keyboard player with Cuba’s legendary group, SINTESIS.