Discover Cuba 2024 (B)

 Buena Vista Social Club      The Buena Vista Social Club was a musical ensemble made up of Cuban musicians that was formed in 1996. It was led by Guitarist Ry Cooder and Cuban musician Juan de Marcos Gonzalez. The group was named after the original members only Buena Vista Social Club, which existed in the 1940s in Buenvista, a quarter in the current neighborhood of Playa. Its genres include Son cubano, bolero, danzon and guajira. The band was active from 1996 to 2015. Currently in Havana, there is the Legendarios del Guajirito Buena VIsta Social Club which is pictured above. It offers live music, dancing and apparently serves great cocktails. According to their website,  Legendarios the Guajirito “is a project of traditional Cuban music that rescues, defends and maintains the native genres of our culture such as Danzon, Son, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha and Rumba among others that distinguish us in the world whole. We bring together the protagonists of Cuban music legen...

El Museo de Autómovil de La Habana (the automobile museum of Havana) is a museum in the Plaza de Armas, Old Havana. This museum has several vintage vehicles, including Thunderbirds, Pontiacs, Ford Model-Ts, and even hearses that date up to the 1950s. The museum even includes the Cadillac driven by Che Guevara when he lived in Havana. I didn't know about this place before I got assigned it, but I am very excited to check it out. I'd also really like to see Buena Vista Social Club, which I learned about this summer while I was studying latin music in Costa Rica. This place is an iconic location which has had a major influence on the world of Latin-American music. The Rum Museum is also a must-see for me, as the production of rum was a very important factor in making Cuba a self-sustaining island. I also am a history nerd, and this museum includes a lot of very cool historical exhibits related to the rum and sugarcane trade of colonial Cuba. Finally, I'd like to see the Museum...

  La Marca- Body Art Studio in Old Havana   For this blog, I researched La Marca which is the first professional tattoo studio in Cuba. It is different from another tattoo studios because they work by letting people engrave unique work based on what the individual likes to do and to appreciate the style of work the artist is doing. It is a great place that combines using the cultural identity of Cuba throughout body art. The studio opened in Havana, Cuba in 2015 and aimed to have a meaningful social impact where artists from different fields (painters, pets, storytellers, musicians, etc.) can meet and present their creative work. After researching this place, it would be worth visiting and interesting to see. I love tattoos and have a few on my body and visiting the studio would be a fun activity, especially to learn the influence and impact the studio has in Cuba.            

Seeing that Museo Casa de Africa is already on our itinerary, I am leaving this choice out of my top three, as I am already excited to explore this site.   1.) La Zorra y el Cuervo is top on my list! The vibe of a jazz speakeasy in Havana seems to be calling my name! With a low-priced entry fee and a cool experience, I have no problem showing up early to beat the line.  2.) The Cuban Art Factory- Similar to my reasoning above, with the good reviews and long lines, I think this hip and trendy spot would be fun to spend a night! Also, looking at the itinerary, it seems like most of our free time is during the night which is why I am choosing these two spots as my top choices. I would like to experience some of the nightlife in Havana.  3.) Colon Cementerio - I think the history and symbolism here are very interesting, and I would rather spend my time learning outside in the beautiful Havana weather, rather than inside. If more time permits, I would be interested in goi...

 Museo Casa De África : This would be a great place i'd like to visit to explore a bit more about the roots of the Afro-Cuban people. It'll be interesting to see and learn a bit more about the African cultural influences that have played a role in Cuba for so long. There is a lot of artwork on display, and its free to enter, so why not explore something so cool? Museo Nacional De Bellas Artes : Since art is such a large piece of Cuban culture, the Museum of Fine Arts seems like a no-brainer place to explore. There is also a lot of art from different time periods, so itll be interesting to see how form, styles, and colors have changed over time. Again, its super affordable to enter as well.  The Cuban Art Factory : This seems like a really cool place. Lots of art, live music, drinks and food. With all of these combined it seems like a great place to experience Cuban culture altogether, as well as experience some night-life.  All of these places, and more, seem like awesome...

 Three places caught my eye that I am really excited to check out! La Zorro y El Cuervo; Jason created a wonderful post about this and to me as a lover and player of Jazz I am very excited to check this out! I love live music and to catch some while I am in Cuba will be perfect! The Cuban Art Factory which looks so eclectic and fun! I hope I get time to roam around here and experience all the interesting and local art that it offers. The pictures I am sure don't do it justice but it looks like I'll enjoy it alot.  The Museum of Fine Arts, I will start off by saying although I did this one I am not biased. I think that this is a Cuba Trip must have for anyone looking to learn about Culture or just the art in general. And as our class is a Fine and Performing Arts requirement I think this place is perfect for us.  Lastly, I must say that all of the places look enticing and inviting and I cant wait to play out the intinerary as well as add my own stops along the way. See you...

There are several places I'd like to visit after reading the blog posts from everyone.  Here are the top 3:  1. La Zorra y el Cuervo - I know this was my own post, but this place seems awesome (and cheap).  Speakeasies are cool places, and jazz is one of my favorite music genres.  I'm interested in experiencing Cuban jazz, and I haven't been to a jazz club in a while.  I saw comment indicating others (Emma) want to go here too!  Stephen also included it in his post!   2. Cuban Art Factory - Art gallery, bar, and nightclub?  Sounds awesome.  This looks like a really unique place and while art isn't necessarily the most interesting thing to me, I think this place sounds cool and super hip.  2 CUP is incredibly cheap (Is that even correct or is CUC very different/outdated?  I know CUC isn't used anymore.).  A rooftop bar and patio sounds perfect!   3. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes - While art isn't the most interes...