How can you talk about the career of a musician without going into their early development? This was what producer Jorge Alberto Contreras Cruz asked himself when he thought about making the documentary “My Trombone” (2008), dedicated to Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos.
Read MoreArgentine singer/composer Fito Paez is in Havana to present the documentary film Las manos al piano, about the recording of his album Rodolfo in 2007. Paez is well known in Cuba and has a large following among several generations.
Read MoreFormerly serving as a warehouse in the port of Havana, the facility was rescued and restored. By redesigning and dividing it into cubicles, it now has ample space for the exhibition of artwork and the circulation of visitors – without crowding. The gallery even has cafes and restaurants with views of the bay, which offer an attractive panorama for relaxation, recreation, and meetings between friends or business contacts.
Read MoreOne of this month’s surprises in Havana is the photography now on display at the Pavilion Cuba exhibition center, as part of complementary activities organized during the Havana Film Festival (Dec. 3-13). A veritable art gallery opened its doors with the exhibition of close to 60 photos, most shown for the first time, by the late Italian artist and political activist Tina Modotti (1896-1942).
Read MoreThe Pabellon Cuba venue on 23rd St. in Vedado has a special program underway as part of the Havana Film Festival activities. Movie hall, art gallery, concert stage, café, a bar, book and magazine presentations are taking place each afternoon and evening through Saturday December 12.
Read MoreKool and Gang has a considerable Cuban following from their music of the 1980s. The band is scheduled to perform at a free concert on Dec. 21 at the Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Tribunal adjacent to the US Interests Section along the Havana Malecon seawall.
Read MoreThe fusion band Interactivo performs in a free concert on Saturday December 5 at 5:00 p.m. at the Centro Hispanoamericano de Cultura (Malecon 17 between Prado and Capdevilla. Telephone 860-6282/860-6290.
Read MoreDecember is a special month in the Cuban capital. In addition to the refreshingly cooler temperature (though this year, “winter” is taking it’s time getting here), this is also the period when area cinemas are crammed with people anxiously waiting to see films from around the planet. The Havana Film Festival begins today December 3, with wide programming distributed throughout 15 movie houses across the capital city.
Read MoreDuring the festival, competitions in composition and interpretation took place in the cultural hall of the Amadeo Roldan Theater, as did trumpet workshops. The audience reveled in jazz, harmony and interpretation, as well as the performance of the two invited Norwegian groups, Pist and Listen.
Read MoreIn the previous Havana JoJazz festival-competition, I heard the sound of his trumpet for the first time. It was wonderful to listen to the quality of his music and to see that he was so young. But nothing is surprising in an event designed so that the youngest can display their talent.
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