Afro-Cuban folkloric holidays in Cuba

We invite you to join us for two weeks in Havana to experience a fantastic variety of Afro-Cuban folkloric traditions in their home settings.

Experience and study the magic of Cuba’s Afro-Cuban music & culture with top folkloric group Rumberos de Cuba.

We will be studying with Rumberos de Cuba – a group which has been described as “some of the best and most engaging musicians and dancers from the barrios of Havana”, many of them past members of the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba.

Teachers will include:

Rogelio Ernesto Gatell Coto (“el Gato”) – singer
An outstanding and very experienced rumbero and teacher, el Gato has been a member of various rumba groups including Clave y Guaguanco and the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba. He has performed widely both in Cuba and abroad.

Yamilé Sardiña Molina – dancer
Former member of folkloric groups Pinos Nuevos, Evano, and Omo Olorun, as well as the renowned rumba group Yoruba Andabo, Yamilé is a very experienced soloist dancer with 12 years experience of teaching Afro-Cuban folkloric dance.

Maximino Duquesne Martinez – percussionist and singer
Maximino is one of the most prominent percussionists in Cuban music today – the new generation of rumberos look to his mastery and performances of Afro-Cuban rhythms (and in particular the rumba) as a vital reference point for their own development as performers. He was a founder member of Rumberos de Cuba, a former member of groups including Coro Folklorico, Grupo de Tata Guines, Los Tercios Modernos, and Grupo de Chavalonga, and he has travelled and performed extensively abroad.

Jesus Lorenzo Peñalver Lombira (“Cucito”) – percussionist and singer
Cucito is an experienced musician who has, since a very young age, focussed on the bata drums and Orisha songs, as well as the songs and rhythms of rumba. He is a former member of various folkloric groups including Raices Profundas, Clave y Guaguanco, and Yoruba Andabo, and has years of experience and an innate talent for teaching Afro-Cuban songs and percussion. Given his extensive knowledge, he is truly considered to be a “complete rumbero”. He has also travelled and performed extensively outside of Cuba.

For more information about Rumberos de Cuba and exciting news about our work with them, click here.

Two-week trip to Havana: 30th November–14th December 2008
• 36 hours of workshops with Rumberos de Cuba – including:
• Orisha songs
• Orisha dance
• Guiro & chequere percussion
• Rumba songs with percussion
• Rumba dance
• Palomonte songs and dance
• Seminars at the National Yoruba Association of Cuba
• Folkloric show and dinner at Los Orishas, Guanabacoa
• Entry to performances by folkloric groups Yoruba Andabo and Obini Bata
• Entry to a perfomance by Rumberos de Cuba, with the opportunity to perform workshop material with the group 
• Private visit to the Callejon de Hamel including a performance by a top rumba or folkloric group
• Visit to the Orisha Museum at the National Yoruba Association of Cuba
• Visit to the Regla museum and Church of the Virgin de Regla
• Matinee and evening shows at the Casa de la Musica
• A day at the beach with Rumberos de Cuba, including barbecue lunch, music and dancing
• Plus an original Palomonte “toque” party (including dinner and live music) with Cubans for whom these traditions are an integral part of their lives
• And a finale “guiro” party for the Orisha Yemaya with dinner and live music from Rumberos de Cuba

Also included in the price:
• 14 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the 4* Hotel Ambos Mundos in the heart of historic Old Havana (price based on two people sharing)
• Lunch (including one beer or soft drink) on 11 days
• Dinner on 7 evenings
• Transfers to/from Jose Marti International Airport (for Virgin flights VS 063 & VS 064 only)
• Transport in Cuba (to all organised events listed above)
• Translator at all workshops, seminars, and museum visits

“Early bird” special price of £1089 for bookings received on or before 1st August 2008
£1229 for bookings received after 1st August

These prices do not include your flights to and from Cuba. However, ATOL-protected flights with Virgin Atlantic can (subject to availability) be obtained from Explore Latin Carib for the special price of £429. To contact Explore Latin Carib, telephone 0870 432 6500 quoting “Cubacheche”, or visit their website www.explorelatincarib.com Cuban visas can also be bought from Explore Latin Carib and cost £20.

Click here for full details and itinerary, downloadable booking form, and terms and conditions available soon.

Contact us at info@cubacheche.co.uk for further information