What’s On Havana, listings and reviews of cultural events in Havana, updated monthly, Havana events and schedules and timetables for nightlife and cultural events

Visual Arts

	Mutantia Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Edificio de Arte Cubano Trocadero entre Monserrate y Zulueta, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 862 0140 / 861 3858 / 863 9484	Throughout January /2009
	One of the most important and famous Cuban sculptors, José Villa Soberón, author of works such asthe life-size statue of John Lennon at the park on 17th and 6th streets in El Vedado or the Caballerode París at the entrance of the Basílica of the Convento de San Francisco de Asís in Old Havana,exhibits another side to his artistic work: ten medium-sized pieces in which lines, forms, and volumesdetach themselves from reality and impose their own values.

	Abstracta Minera Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Edificio de Arte Cubano Trocadero entre Monserrate y Zulueta, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 862 0140, 861 3858, 863 9484	Throughout december 2009 and January 2010
	Twenty-nine recent works by the painter Minerva López, described by Moraima Clavijo, Director ofthe National Museum, as “refined and serene, and at the same time original and disturbing” formthis exhibition by an artist who has gone from figuration to abstraction, with a very personal style.

	Sacrificio Fototeca de Cuba Mercaderes 307 entre Muralla y Teniente Rey, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 862 253	THROUGHOUTJANUARY / 2009
	Twenty-six Cuban contemporary photographers offer their view of an event that has captured the attention of artists, filmmakers, sociologists and different scholars: the overwhelming show of faith on the 16th and 17 of December when thousands upon thousands of devotees of San Lázaro—or Babalú Ayé in the Afro-Cuban religions--make a pilgrimage to the sanctuary at El Rincón in the outskirts of Havana.

	Truene y relampaguee Casa Fundación Oswaldo Guayasamín Obrapía entre Oficios y Mercaderes, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 861 3843	Opens 4 december / 2009
	First solo exhibition by the popular Cuban TV and cinema actor Alberto Pujol.

	La emocion del espiritu y del color Casa del Benemérito de las Américas Benito Juárez Obrapía 116, entre Mercaderes y Oficios, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 861 8166	THROUGHOUTJANUARY / 2009
	An exhibition which takes us through the different stages of the artist Cordelia Urueta, considered “the great dame” of Mexican abstract art.

	Resistencia Casa Fundación Oswaldo Guayasamín Obrapía entre Oficios y Mercaderes, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 861 3843	THROUGHOUT January / 2010
	Ten large-sized oil paintings by the artist Alejandro Darío, strongly marked by impressionism in hisinquiry into the relationship between man and society.

	Mecanica popular Galería Villa Manuela Calle H número 406 entre 17 y 19, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 2391	Through 18 January / 2010
	Composed of 11 mixed-technique works, the exhibition presents a sort of wooden boxes which symbolize computer monitors and flat-screen TVs and within them, objects that simulate a webpage. With a humoristic look, the artist has depicted our incessant search in cyberspace.

	Exposicion fotografica sobre ballet nacional de cuba Museo Biblioteca Servando Cabrera Moreno Calle Paseo 304 esquina a 13, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 835 2027 / 836 0010	Through 16 January / 2010
	Pictures taken by the Italian photographer Fabio Rossi during the 21st International Havana Ballet festival and at the National School of Ballet.

	Volver Galería 23 Y12 Calle 23 esquina a 12, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 8311810	Throughout December / 2009
	Aretrospective of Águedo Alonso, one of the masters of Cuban landscape painting, which rangesfrom his first series--the sensual and even erotic Paisajes and Casa del Campesino, where hereaches an extreme synthesis, an almost geometric reduction to essential shapes, and seems towarn the cost of moving man from his natural environment—to his most recent production—levitations, in which recurring motifs such as the palm tree or the bohío are given new meaningsand seem to float, detached from the earth that previously nurtured or supported them.

	20 Años "no son nada" Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales San Ignacio 352 esquina a Teniente Rey, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 862 5279, 862 9295 y 862 3533	THROUGHOUT JANUARY / 2010
	For its 20th anniversary, the Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales has organized a collective exhibition by 30 artists who have been linked to the Center at one time or another.

	Un instante en la vida Galería Servando Calle 23 esquina a 10, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 833 9599	Opens 5 ecember / 2009
	Solo exhibition by the artist Carlos Guzmán, who, according to his own words, has always beeninterested in “the relation of man not only of what goes on in this space, but the manner in whichman faces other realities that may be parallel to this one and are not seen…and how one cancommunicate with this.”

	Le Parc. Lumiere Casa de las Américas Calle 3ra. esquina a G, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 838 2706 al 0	Openes 10 December / 2009
	Exhibition by the Argentinean artist Julio Le Parc chosen by Casa de las Américas to close theKinetic Year which Casa has celebrated throughout 2009 in its 50th anniversary. On Wednesday, 9December, at the institution’s Manuel Galich Hall, the public will be able to meet with the artist,who will comment on his most recent work and experiences within the kinetic movement

	Tienda del Mueble Belascoaín entre San Miguel y San José, Centro Habana
	The Tienda del Mueble--recently opened during the International Havana Crafts Fair—sells furniture, which combine different manifestations of applied arts and tradition, made by some 200 craftsman from throughout the country.

Cirenaica moreira: fotografias 1994-2006

	Cirenaica moreira: fotografias 1994-2006 Galería Espacio Abierto Revista Revolución y Cultura Calle 4 número 205, entre Línea y 11, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 830 3650	THROUGH 19 JANUARY / 2010
	Aretrospective of the photographer Cirenaica Moreira, whose works, of an exquisite artistic sense, show deliberate dramatic quality.

	Beijing-Havana: Nueva revolucion del arte chino contemporaneo ya Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Centro Asturiano (Colección Universal) San Rafael entre Zulueta y Monserrate, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 862 0140, 861 38 58 y 863 9484	Through 15 January december / 2010
	An exhibition of the most recent Chinese art with its peculiar synthesis of tradition and modernity.

	Habana Mia Museo de Arte Colonial Plaza de la Catedral, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 862 644	Opens 15 December / 2009
	The artist Ileana Mulet takes in hand a recurring subject in her production—the eternal Havana,with her customary look charged with symbolism, poetry and feminism.

	Antecomienzo Galería Factoría Habana O´Reilly 308 entre Habana y Aguiar, La Habana Vieja	Opens, 18 Decmeber / 2009
	The recently opened Factoría Gallery exhibits a representative sample of Cuban art of the 1990swith works by artists Aimée García, Sandra Ramos, Abel Barroso, Carlos Montes de Oca, FernandoRodríguez, Lázaro Saavedra, Ibraim Miranda, Luis Gómez, Osvaldo Yero and René FranciscoRodríguez.

Music

	January en la Basílica Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís Oficios y Churruca, La Habana Vieja Tel. +(53) 7 862 9683	6:00 pm / 2009
	2 Jan- The chamber music orchestra Solistas de La Habana, with guest conductor Jorge López Marín and the violinist Erick Grossmann from the US will premiere Suite alegórica for violin andstring orchestra. 7 Jan- The oboist Aimara Magaña and the pianist Darío Martín, together with guest flutist NiurkaGonzález will perform works by Schumann, Dutilleux, Madeleine Dring and Yanier Hechavarría. 9 Jan- The Concertante Trio (Leonardo Gell at the piano, Fernando Muñoz at the violin andDianelys Castillo at the clarinet), and the Santa Cecilia Quintet, will perform an infrequentprogram composed of music from Costa Rica. 16 Jan- Performance by the Vocal Leo, choir directed by Corina Campos. 23 Jan- The pianists Marita Rodríguez and Fidel Leal and the soprano Maité Fernandez will paytribute to one of the greatest exponents of Romanticism, the Polish composer Frederick Chopin. 26 Jan- Amusical encounter between Schola Cantorum Coralina, directed by Alina Orraca, andthe Mountain Choir from Canada. 28 Jan, 7:00 pm- The chamber music choir, one of the most important Cuban choirs of its kind,directed by María Felicia Pérez, will celebrate the 11th anniversary of Habana Radio Station witha program of love songs. 30 Jan- The Nuestro Tiempo chamber music orchestra, conducted by Enrique Pérez Mesa,permanent conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, and the soprano Milagros de los ÁngelesHorta, will perform a selection of arias by Mozart.

	Tosca Gran Teatro de La Habana Prado y San Rafael, Centro Habana Tel. +(53) 7 861 3077 al 79	29-30 January, 8:30 pm; 31 January, 5:00 pm / 2010
	Produced by Juan. R. Amán and music direction by Eduardo Díaz, the Teatro Lírico Nacional de Cuba, will relive the tragic loves of Floria Tosca and Mario Cavaradossi and the intrigues of thewicked Barón Scarpia, in Giacomo Puccini’s opera, famous for the intense and dramatic beauty ofsome of its arias.

	Peña del Ambia Hurón Azul, Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba (UNEAC) Calle 17 esquina a H, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 4551-53	Wed 11 and 25, 5:00 pm / 2010
	The best place to go for those seeking to become acquainted with authentic African-Cuban traditions, hosted by the poet Eloy Machado, aka. El Ambia.

	El Jardín de la Gorda Centro Iberoamericano de la Décima Calle A entre 25 y 27, El Vedado	Third Sunday of the month, 5:00 pm / 2010
	Sara González, emblematic voice of the Cuban Nueva Trova, at her monthly gatherings where the audiences can enjoy, in an informal atmosphere, the performances of some of the best Cuban troubadours.

	Festival de la tova longina Santa Clara, Villa Clara Province	7-11 January / 2010
	In remembrance of one of the greats of traditional Cuban trova, Manuel Corona, and his immortalsong Longina, troubadours of different generations will share the stage with famous Cubanmusicians. The event will include theoretical meetings, informal get-togethers and the traditionalwalk to Caibarién, Corona’s hometown, on the 9th.

	Peña de Rochy Balneario Universitario El Coral Calle 1ra. esquina a 42, Miramar	Last Thursday of the month, 8:30 pm / 2010
	Performance by Cuban singer Rochy with her group and guests.

	Concierto Abierto Sala Villena Calle 17 esquina a H, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 4551 al 53	Last Thursday of the month, 5:00 pm / 2010
	Concert and electroacoustic music for soloists and chamber music ensembles, under the direction of Guido López Gavilán.

	Conciertos de Dimensión Vertical El Sauce Calle 9na. entre 120 y 130, Playa Tel. +(53) 7 204 7061	Sundays, 4:00 pm / 2010
	Dimensión Vertical, one of the oldest Cuban rock bands who insist on reproducing, the same as 40 years ago, hit songs by famous British and US rock bands of the 60s and 70s, make up, together with their middle-aged fans, a sort of Jurassic Park.

	Peña de Los Kents Café Cantante, Teatro NacionalCalle Paseo y 39, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 870 4651	2-6 December / 2010
	Los Kents, another “dinosaur” of Cuban rock, play their own hits from the 60s and 70s.

	Festival Nacional de musica de camara Teatro Amadeo Roldán Calzada y D, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 4521 al 22	Last Saturday of the month, 4:00 pm / 2010
	Important Cuban and international orchestras will perform a selection from important chambermusic repertories.

	Tardes del Jazz Hurón Azul, Unión de escritores and Artistas de Cuba (UNEAC) Calle 17 esquina a H, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 4551-53	Second Thursday of the month, 5:00 pm / 2010
	Jam sessions with important Cuban jazz musicians and bands.

	Peña de Rembert Duharte Jardines del teatro Mella Línea entre A y B, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 830 4987	Last Friday of the month, 5:00 pm / 2010
	The young jazz musician Rembert Duharte plays the different forms of Cuban jazz.

	Noche de Boleros Hurón Azul, Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba (UNEAC) Calle 17 esquina a H, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 4551-53	Saturdays, 9:00 pm / 2010
	Lovers of this romantic genre par excellence have the opportunity of meeting and enjoying the performances of the best Cuban boleristas.

	Hombres Verdes Pabellón Cuba 23 y M, El Vedado	Third Friday of the month, 9:00 pm / 2009
	A gathering for electroacoustic music sponsored by the organization of young Cuban creators: Asociación Hermanos Saíz.

	Peña de la Trova Patio de La Casona de Línea Calle Línea entre D y E, El Vedado	Sunday, 7:30 pm / 2010
	As a confirmation of the old Cuban saying “The trova is not dead”, singers from different generations and different styles get together to sing their songs.

	Trovando Patio-bar of the EGREM record label San Miguel 410 entre Campanario y Lealtad, Centro Habana Tel. +(53) 7 862 0673	Wednesday, 5:00 pm / 2010
	A place where troubadours and poets get together for a unique performance in a bohemian atmosphere, combined with the launching and sale of record albums, books and magazines.

	La Trova sin Traba Hurón Azul, Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba (UNEAC) Calle 17 esquina a H, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 4551-53	Wed 4 and 18, 5:00 pm / 2010
	Different generations and styles converge in a natural combination of traditional, new and very new trova.

	La Bella Cubana Sala Villena, Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba (UNEAC) Calle 17 esquina a H, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 4551-53	Wed 4 and 18, 5:00 pm / 2010
	Dedicated to highlight the presence of women in Cuban music.

	Peña de Enfusión Patio-bar of the EGREM record label San Miguel 410 entre Campanario y Lealtad, Centro Habana Tel. +(53) 7 862 0673	Every Monday, 5:30 pm / 2010
	A trova get-together hosted by Enfusión.

	Líricos en San Felipe Oratorio San Felipe Neri Aguiar esquina a Obrapía, La Habana Vieja	7:00 pm unless otherwise indicated / 2010
	7 Jan, 700 pm- Performance by the Cuban National Chorus and guests. 9 Jan, 400 pm- Concert by the tenor Carlos Montané from the United States. 14 Jan, 700 pm- Recital by the soprano Mónica Martínez and the tenors Rigoberto López andYunior Medrano, accompanied at the piano by Marta Bonachea. 16 Jan, 400 pm- Concert by the Nuestro Tiempo chamber music orchestra. 21 Jan, 700 pm- Marta Vallid, Marcos Lima and Iván Balmaceda, accompanied by Rafael DíazCarter and special guest the pianist Nelson Camacho, will perform works by Rodrigo Prats,composer of many Cuban zarzuelas. 23 Jan, 400 pm- The D’Accord duet (Marita Rodríguez at the piano and -Vicente Monterrey at theclarinet), will play French and Cuban music. 27 Jan, 700 pm-The Chamber Music Orchestra of the National Arts Institute will celebrate the 1stanniversary of the Mozart Lyceum, based at the Oratorio San Felipe Neri, with a program dedicatedto the great Austrian classic composer. 27 Jan, 400 pm- Voces Nuevas--New Voices--a space for young operatic talents, directed by thesoprano María Eugenia Barrios.

	Charangueando Café Cantante, Teatro Nacional Calle Paseo y 39, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 870 4651	Every Thurday at 5:00 pm / 2010
	Aregular space for Cuban charanga dance bands--ideal instrumental format for the danzón,mambo and cha-cha, hosted by the legendary América band.

Theatre

	La Oveja Negra Centro Cultural Bertolt Brecht, Sala Tito Junco Calle 13 esquina a I, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 9359	Every Tuesday, 8:30 pm / 2010
	Adifferent show every Tuesday by the comedians that form the popular group La OvejaNegra.

	La otra orilla Cine-teatro Trianón Línea entre Paseo y A, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 830 964	Fri and Sat, 8:30 pm; Sun, 5:00 pm / 2010
	Directed by Alexis Díaz de Villegas, Teatro El Público opens La otra orilla by the Chinesenarrator and playwright Gao Xinjian, Nobel Literature Prize for the year 2000.

	Nevada Teatro El Sótano Calle K entre 25 y 27, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 0630	Throughout January; Fri and Sat, 8:30 pm; Sun, 5:00 pm / 2010
	The Rita Montaner theatre company announces the world premiere of Nevada by theyoung Cuban playwright, Abel González Melo, produced and directed by FernandoQuiñones Posada. Once again, a play delves into the micro world–which is not so smallafter all--of the Havana that annuls terms such as virtue and morality. Rosnay, who is apimp, among other things, dreams with visiting Nevada and drags his “girlfriend” Luciawith him and both embark on an illegal journey. This is the beginning of this play whichgets complicated in unsuspected ways.

	Placido Centro Cultural Bertolt Brecht, Sala Tito Junco Calle 13 esquina a I, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 832 9359	Throughout January; Fri and Sat, 8:30 pm; Sun, 5:00 pm / 2010
	Directed by Tony Díaz, Mefisto Teatro presents another of its spectacular productions inwhich acting, music, dance and set design are impressively combined, this time in a playby Cuban dramatist Gerardo Fulleda León, which delves into the eventful life of the 19th-century mulatto poet Gabriel de la Concepción Valdés, known as Plácido.

Dance

	Temporada del ballet nacional de cuba Gran Teatro de La Habana Prado y San Rafael, Centro Habana Tel. +(53) 7 861 3077 al 79	1ST, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 23 JANUARY; FRI AND SAT, 8:30 PM; SUN, 5:00 PM / 2010
	1st Jan: Un concierto en blanco y negro; Acentos, choreographed by Eduardo Blanco, with music by HavanaCalipso, performed by the group Luna Negra, and the second act of el segundo acto de TheNutcracker, in a version by Alicia Alonso based on Marius Petipa’s original choreography, with musicby Tchaikovsky. 7, 8 y 9 Jan The Nutcracker, in a version by Alicia Alonso based on Marius Petipa’s original choreography, withmusic by Tchaikovsky and the special performance of the Youth Ballet from Hamilton, Canada. 21, 22 y 23 Jan Un concierto en blanco y negro, choreographed by José Parés and music by Hayden, and La fille malgardée, in a version by Alicia Alonso based on Jean Dauberval’s original choreography, with musicby Peter Ludwig Hertel.

	Bailables	1ST JANUARY, STARTS AT10:00 PM / 2010
	Special performances to begin the New Year: Tribuna Antiimperialista: José Luis Cortés’s NG La Banda de José Luis Cortés Calle 180 y Final, La Habana del Este: Adalberto Álvarez y su Son Plaza Roja de diez de Octubre: Pupy y Los que Son Son Calle 124 esquina a 45, Marianao: Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco.

	Cubadanza Teatro Nacional Paseo y 39, El Vedado Tel. +(53) 7 879 3558 / 879 6011	5-16 JANUARY / 2010
	Sponsored by Danza Contemporánea de Cuba, workshop on the techniques of the Cuban School ofModern Dance, which was founded in 1959 and combines universal modern dance and Cubanfolklore.

A PREVIEW OF THE COMING MONTHS

Festival de musica antigua Esteban Salas
Old Havana
February

Previously an event to commemorate the music of Cuban composer Esteban Salas, since 2003,on the 200th anniversary of his death, it became a festival of early music. Every year the eventgathers outstanding performers of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music who perform in OldHavana headed by the Ars Longa Music Ensemble. Venues include the Basílica Menor delConvento de San Francisco de Asís, Iglesia de Paula, Oratorio San Felipe Neri, Centro Hispano-Americano de Cultura and Palacio de Gobierno.

Feria Internacional del Libro
HAVANAHISTORICALCENTRE
February

What began as a modest book fair founded by the famous Cuban writer, scientist and philosopherAlejo Carpentier, and held in the surrounding areas of Havana’s Central Park, eventually becamethe most important book and literary event on the island. With an unexpected change of venue,the 19th Book Fair will move from the customary Cabaña Fortress to different locations in OldHavana’s Historical Centre.

Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza
TEATRO AMADEO ROLDÁN AND OTHER LOCATIONS IN HAVANA
January

One of Havana’s most famous music events, the Jazz Festival is a display of the link betweenCuban rhythm and jazz, which goes back to the late 19th century when newly freed slavesimmigrated to New Orleans. Started in 1979 pretty much as a local event at the Casa de laCultura de Plaza, the festival has grown in size and scope with venues that include several largetheatres and nightclubs. International stars such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Haden, SteveColeman, Michel Legrand, Ivan Lins and Ronnie Scott are just a few names in the list of pastparticipants, who, together with Cubans Chucho Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Bobby Carcassésand Ernán López-Nussa, to mention just a few, attract fans from all over the world

Muestra nacional de nuevos realizadores
CIUDAD DE LAHABANA
February

An event for the promotion of new video/filmmakers which serves to get into contact withdaring and inquisitive works usually produced outside official production. The event includes thescreening of films by young filmmakers, as well as international contemporary cinema,theoretical meetings, discussions and seminars, as well as a competition of unpublished scriptsworkshops with the participation of important film directors, and an exhibition/competition ofposters.