Discover Cuba 2024 (B)

Three Places I Would like to Visit in Cuba Mueso Casa de Africa - I would really like to visit this museum while in Cuba. In his blog post, Stephen said the museum houses a lot of artifacts and interesting historical pieces relating to the African story in Cuba. I personally like museums a lot and I enjoy learning about history.  La Marca Body Art Studio - I think it would be interesting to visit this tattoo shop and see how body art is done in Cuba. I like tattoos and have a couple so I would like to visit there and check the place out. The Havana Cathedral - I want to visit this place because I think the large scale baroque style architecture is really cool and impressive. I look forward to seeing the religious sites in general because the architecture on religious sites is usually a lot more ornamental and well done than regular buildings.

 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...

The three places I'd like to visit while in Cuba are... 1. La Zorra y El Cuervo - I love jazz, so this is right up my alley. The price being only 10 CUP seems extremely reasonable, too. I've only ever been to two other jazz clubs, but my experiences there have been great. Even the wait doesn't seem too bad, considering you can't book tickets in advance. I will definitely stop here during my time in Havana. 2. The National Museum of Fine Arts - This almost seems like a required stop while we're in Cuba. Art is such an important part of the culture, it would be a mistake not to go to a couple of museums. The art they have in this museum sounds extensive, and the admission price is cheap. The architecture of the museum building itself looks incredibly impressive. 3. The Cuban Art Factory - This seems like a perfect place to go to after a day of touring the city. The ability to view modern art, get a couple drinks, hear some live music, and chill on a rooftop sounds inc...

 Colón Cemetery was established in 1876, and named after Christopher Columbus. It was designed by a Spanish architect named Calixto Arellano de Loira y Cardoso. The cemetery consists of 150 acres, and is the second largest cemetery in the world. It contains over 800,000 graves, or the actual place where a body is buried. However, it also contains over 1 million interments, or people wishing to have a burial service in Colón cemetery. As a result, buried remains are typically exhumed after three years, to make room for future burials. It was designed to be laid out in a manner according to wealth, rank and social status. The wealthy and well-known occupy the more prominent spots in the cemetery, while the poor, condemned and non-Christians occupy the outlying areas. There are over 500 mausoleums, chapels and family plots within the cemetery, consisting of many different architectural styles, such as renaissance, neoclassicism and art deco. Colón cemetery contains many memorials for ...

  The Cuban Art Factory would be the perfect spot to go if looking to fill up free time after dinner! With its location close by in Vedado (Calle 26) this fun and lively environment is recommended by many including Time Magazine. The Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) made it on Time Magazine's 100 Best Places in the World ’s List and is deemed “Havana’s hippest art gallery, music performance space, and nightclub”. If these qualifications do not prove their popularity, the long line outside the entrance will!  In the early 2010s, a group of artists bought an old cooking oil factory established in 1910. The building needed a lot of renovations but by 2014, the FAC was opened to the public and business was booming. Since the venue is similar to a warehouse, there are different areas throughout allowing everyone to find something of interest. Whether you are looking for live music, a more subdued art gallery, or a fun bar scene, all are available at the Cuban Art Factory. This is one...

Museo Casa de África Ticket price:  There is no admission cost to enter the Museo Casa de África. Hours:  Monday: Closed Tuesday-Saturday: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM Sunday: 9:30 AM–2:00 PM Website: Museo Casa de África does not seem to have a website, though information is readily available on other websites around the internet.  Description: The Museo Casa de África is a museum, library, and study center dedicated to the African heritage of Afro-Cubans. It is located inside of an old colonial palace. Founded in 1986 by Fernando Ortiz, the museum houses over 2000 African art pieces from 27 different countries as well as a collection of items gifted to Fidel Castro as thanks for Cuba’s aid in fights for independence across Africa. The Casa was built as part of an initiative to shed light on the realities of slave life in colonial Cuba, as well as to remind Cuban citizens of their African roots. The Museo Casa de África houses a library and study center that are used by students and ...

Museum Circa 1920 The Museum of Fine Arts in Havana exhibits Cuban art collections from the colonial times up to contemporary generations. It was founded on February 23, 1913 by Emilio Heredia.  Now the Museum has two buildings, one that houses just Cuban Art, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and one that houses universal art, Palacio de Centra Asturiano.  The Cuban Art portion spans the 17th and 19th centuries, deciating rooms for landscape art, religious subjects and the Costumbrismo which are narrative scenes of Cuban life. Now it also includes an exhibit for Hyperrealism and recent artists.  The Universal Art holds paintings and sculptures from all over Europe as well as ancient art.  The Museum is closed Monday through Wednesday, open Thursday through Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 10-2. A ticket costs around $5.  I personally am looking forward to going and being able to see some Cuban Art from different eras and centuries, especially when some of the artists that are fe...

La Zorra y el Cuervo - A Chic Underground, Speakeasy-Style Jazz Club & Bar La Zorra y el Cuervo is a well-known speakeasy-style jazz club and bar in Havana and one of the best-known parts of Havana nightlife.  It is literally located underground, in the basement of an apartment building, and is popular with both foreign tourists and Cubans.  The club opens at 10pm every night and appears to be a good place to have fun.  There are live performances every night while the club is open, which have returned post-covid.  Many reviews online do say as with many things in Cuba, it is necessary to arrive early (approximately 9:20pm per TripAdvisor) and wait in line to get in.  The admission fee appears to vary by the manner of attendance and some online sources cite a figure of approximately 10 CUP pp.  While the club doesn’t appear to have a website, this link is informative: http://cubahavana.com/where-to-go/la-zorra-y-el-cuervo/ Overall, La Zorra y el Cue...

      Cuban architecture like many other countries with rich histories has a certain diversity that ranges from colonial structures to neo-classical, baroque, art deco, art nouveau, and eclectic. In my travels to countless different countries I have become jealous of the architecture that decorates every street. In America, our history is only so short that the oldest of our buildings are only a couple hundred years old whereas for Europe, Asia and even some of Latin America these buildings have been around for millenniums. Our own architecture in our country has changed from what we carried over from England to our own spin of colonial, victorian, craftsman, modern and contemporary. I personally love colonial architecture but more into what Cuba has which is from strong influences of the Moorish and Spanish, as well as some Italian, Greek and Roman Styles. I am excited to see the architecture in Havana and other places that we travel! Especially churches, of which I thin...

    It was interesting to learn about Cuban music and architecture and how the two connects people. Christopher Columbus arrived to Cuba in the late 1400’s which lead Havana becoming a main port between the old world and the new world.   In the 20th century, Havana had a rise of economic boom that increased Cuban architecture and brought the use of art and identity to the culture. After the Cuban Revolution ended and Castro came to power, more music as well as art( learned in the previous blog) was formed in Cuba. Musicians started off at a young age and were able to further educate themselves to become successful after the revolution. In the readings I read about Cuban Rumba which was a tradition originated from in West Africa where most slaves were taken. It was interesting to read about a dance I didn’t have any previous knowledge of, as everyone’s heard of Salsa. The main difference between the two styles of dance is that Salsa is much faster and emphasizes foot...

Cuba stands as a captivating testament to the diverse combination of cultures that have shaped the island's unique identity. With a history marked by indigenous roots, Spanish colonization, African influences, and global socio-political shifts, Cuba has evolved into a cultural melting pot. This rich blend of influences is notably reflected in the vibrant mix of architectural styles found in its capital, Havana. The city's architectural landscape serves as a visual chronicle of its complex history. From the intricate colonial designs influenced by Spanish Baroque to the neoclassical structures echoing the grandeur of the 19th century, and the sleek lines of art deco and modernism that emerged in the mid-20th century, Havana encapsulates a dynamic evolution. The fusion of Spanish, African, and Caribbean elements has not only shaped the physical structures but has also influenced the artistic and cultural fabric of the island. This intricate interplay of cultures has given rise to...

     Although the term “melting pot” was first attributed to the population of the United States of America by Israel Zangwill, it is an apt description for the music and architecture of modern-day Cuba. The country’s culture is heavily influenced not only by the Spanish who settled the island, but by African and Creole peoples as well. In more recent decades, it has taken inspiration from Europe, the Americas, and Asia as well.      The oldest surviving buildings on Cuba’s soil reflect the colonial power that colonized the island. Military and religious institutions–like La Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana and the Convento de Santa Clara, respectively–display the opulence of the Spanish empire at its height. These buildings were influenced by the architecture of the Moors, Greeks, and Romans. In the 1800s, neo-classicism became the prominent architectural style. During the 20th century, economic prosperity and increased international connections brough...

  The Incredibly Diverse Architecture, Music, Dance, and Street Art of Cuba.   Art in Cuba is unusually diverse compared with the world at large, largely due to Cuban culture and the promotion of art and culture in Cuban schools and throughout Cuban history.  Architecture on the island, for example, is influenced by Moorish, Spanish, Italian, Greek, and Roman styles.  Due to the incredible diversity of influence, many architectural styles are visible on the island including colonial, neo-classical, baroque, art deco, art nouveau, and eclectic.   Similarly to the diversity demonstrated in its buildings, structures, and monuments, Cuban music has likewise experienced an incredible diversity of influence from various European and African cultures.  Cuban music has developed so well due to its importance in Cuban society.  Cuba has an excellent music education system in its schools, which has been mandatory for all Cuban schoolchildren since ...

With its original founding capital Old Havana being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, architecture in Cuba is a sight to see. The unique stylistic blends of Havana’s buildings were influenced by many different places and time periods. The earlier buildings in Cuba were designed and built by the Spanish during colonial times. These included a lot of military forts and religious buildings like churches. A lot of the buildings erected during this time period are reflective of the types of houses built in Spain using mainly wood and stone. One famous structure built during this time period was the Havana Cathedral. It was designed in Baroque style and opened its doors in 1777. It once held the remains of Christopher Colombus and currently serves as the seat of the archdiocese of San Cristobal de la Habana. As the colonial time period progressed, other styles from Europe including renaissance, neoclassicism and moorish became more widely utilized.  After colonial rule by the Spanish came to...

Cuban music, street art, and expression:      Although I originally thought that Cuban music stayed traditional, I have learned that there are many varying genres and styles that have been influenced by different cultures, religions, and dances. For example, danzon is a musical genre that stems from European ballroom dancing. Cubans established danzon, making it their own, which is why it is the official dance of Cuba. Son, which is another popular form of Cuban music, developed on the Eastern side of the island from Spanish-descended farmers. The Mambo, a well-known dance in society, originated from this style of music. Charanga is a music style that is traced back to Haitian refugees. It is mostly small French Creole bands that settled in Oriente after Haiti’s own revolution. These styles, and many more, have developed throughout the decades. Although traditional music is still loved by many, new music genres have entered the world of Cuban music.     ...

 Cuba seems to have quite a lot of different architectural styles. Though this isn't terribly surprising, considering all of the outside influences, both European and North American that have affected Cuba over time. The first architectural styles were brought from Spain during colonization. The European influence can be found throughout Cuba, in styles like Baroque, Classicism, Renaissance, and others. As time went on, it seems that American architectural influence seems to have predominated, from Art Deco, Modernism, and Art Nouveau. Its unfortunate that many of the buildings were not properly taken care of, and that they were built in a manner that would not secure a long life. Though, I will say, that this does have its own type of charm and character.  Concerning Cuban music, I think it is a lot of fun! It is lively, loud, percussive and makes you want to dance. Like most cultural aspects of Cuba, music is a mixture of many different styles with African influence and Euro...