Behind the Scenes - Itinerary
The Havana Bienal
Sat, 6 June-To-Sat, 13 June 2015
WELCOME TO HAVANA!
[1] Sat, 6 June 2015 - Havana City
[1:40 pm] - Depart Tampa
[2:40 pm] - Arrive in Havana
On arrival in Havana, we will meet our local guide and transfer to the hotel in an air-conditioned bus. On the way, we stop to see famous Revolution Square. At the hotel, we have a light lunch before check in.
[5:00 pm] - Cocktails at the hotel
Will all meet for a cocktail while our tour leader discusses our itinerary and we hand out the biennial credentials and catalog.
[7:30 pm] - San Cristobal Paladar (Restaurant - Paladar)
Rated by The Guardian as the number one Paladar in Havana, this paladar, is in a space that is cluttered and eclectic on the bottom floor of an early 20th-century mansion. Piles of old books are stacked atop beautiful old furniture; black and white photos jostle for space with antique record covers and bullfighting posters, while a selection of clocks, religious artefacts and, even a full-size zebra pelt, add to the mix. The food is Cuban-Creole: malanga, yucca, cerdo asado (roast pork), lobster, fresh fish, shrimp and other traditional fare. This is not, however, the bland standard cuisine found in many state restaurants. The dessert menu is expansive: pudding San Cristóbal (eggs, fruit, milk and almonds) is excellent while the fruit tart and rice puddings are pretty passable, as well as the omnipresent flan. The wine list is broad enough and reasonably priced. We will have a chance to speak with the Chef and the owner of the establishment to discuss food and new opportunities in the food industry in Cuba.
[2] Sun, 7 June 2015 - Havana City
[7:00 am] - Breakfast at the hotel
Breakfast on your own, starting at 7:00 am.
[9:00 am] - Lectures / class
We start the day with a lecture on the architectural history of Havana by an expert.
[10:00 am] - Old Havana Four Plazas (Tour - City tour)
Tour Old Havana on foot, walking between the four main plazas that comprise Cuba’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start at Plaza de Armas, the site of the oldest Spanish fortress in the Americas, the 1519 locale of the first mass in Cuba, and the massive Baroque seat of government, known as Palacio de los Capitanes Generales. Continue to Plaza de San Francisco de Assis and Plaza Vieja, where we will visit artists' galleries and historic buildings and get a sense of the structure of the colonial city. Wind through historic streets spanning 5 centuries of historic architecture and end at Plaza de la Catedral and see the Baroque cathedral.
[12:00 pm] - Las Tres Monedas (Restaurant - Restaurant-Bar-Gallery)
This is one of the next generation of paladares in Havana. It’s next-gen because it is a combination eating establishment, bar and night-club as well as an artwork in process established and conducted by one of the leading new social practice artists of Havana, Kadir Lopez. Unlike many of Havana’s paladares the food here is light and quick with creative tapas being the best description. The bar offers a variety of Cuban and international spirits and the entertainment is high art music and performances. The place itself is an art work crafted by Kadir. Overall this place gives you the idea that you are in a 1940’s New York City art house looking out at the Old Havana street scene of today.
[2:00 pm] - Artist Studio Visit (Museum - Art Gallery)
We will have a private studio visit with an artist, who will show us works in progress and discuss their work with the group.
[7:30 pm] - Dinner on your own (Miscellanea - On your own) ( Not Included)
Tonight dinner is in a paladar of your choice from a list of the hottest foodie scenes in the City. The tour guide will make the reservations. This is an opportunity to get away from the larger group and dine with a smaller group of friends. You will take a taxi to the meal that we will find for you. The group will have a chance to speak with the Chef and owner of the establishment to discuss food and new opportunities in the food industry in Cuba. The cost of this meal is not included in the trip price.
[10:00 pm] - La Zorra y el Cuervo (Night Club - Jazz)( Not included optional)
Listen to the finest jazz performers in Cuba. This famous jazz club is considered as one of the best in town. You can't miss the location on La Rampa, the entrance is a replica of a red English telephone box and lead you to the basement where the club with a capacity of 120 people is situated. The venue is popular among Cubans and tourists, many renowned names like Roberto Fonseca and Chucho Valdes have given performances at this club. After the music you can casually stroll back the two blocks to the Hotel Nacional and enjoy a nightcap in the hotel’s vibrant inner courtyard.
[3] Mon, 8 June 2015 - Havana City
[7:00 am] - Breakfast at the hotel
Breakfast on your own, starting at 7:00 am.
[9:00 am] - Lectures / class
A Cuban expert on contemporary art starts our day with a lecture on the Cuban art scene.
[10:00 am] - Morro Cabana tour (Tour - City tour)
El Morro castle dates back from 1630 and it was part of the 1st defensive system put in place by the Spanish crown, while La Cabana resulted from the 2nd defensive system that was made effective in the late 1700’s following the English invasion in 1762. The latter is the largest fort built by the Spanish in the Americas and it is the seat of the popular cannon shot ceremony that reminds visitors of when Havana was a walled city and a cannon shot at dawn and at dusk times signaled the opening and the closing of its gates. The two forts together comprise the largest and most powerful defensive complex built by the Spanish Crown in the American continent.
The Havana Biennial always uses Cabana as a location for art installations. We have the opportunity to explore the exhibits this morning.
[12:00 pm] - Sloppy Joes (Restaurant - International cuisine)
The restoration project of the mythical Sloppy Joe's of Havana is great news for bar and cocktail lovers of the whole world. The project was completed in 2013 with much care and intelligence and the bar has been reopened in all its splendor, just as it used to be. Now you will be able to enter there as Alec Guinness did in "Our man in Havana" and will be able to have a sip at the amazing mahogany drinks cabinet, opposite the large windows, just like Hemingway did in his day. The food includes tapas and the Sloppy Joe Sandwich as well. There is a great collection of fine liquors and wines from all over the world.
[2:00 pm] - Artist Studio Visit (Museum - Art Gallery)
We will choose more artists to visits in their studios this afternoon.
[7:30 pm] - Dinner on your own (On your own)( Not included)
Tonight dinner is in a paladar of your choice from a list of the hottest foodie scenes in the City. The tour guide will make the reservations. This is an opportunity to get away from the larger group and dine with a smaller group of friends. You will take a taxi to the meal that we will find for you. The group will have a chance to speak with the Chef and owner of the establishment to discuss food and new opportunities in the food industry in Cuba. The cost of this meal is not included in the trip price.
[4] Tue, 9 June 2015 - Havana City
[7:00 am] - Breakfast at the hotel
Breakfast on your own, starting at 7:00 am.
[10:00 am] - The ISA ( Instituto Superior de Arte) (Museum - Artist Studio Visit)
Cuba’s National Art Schools are considered by historians to be one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the Cuban Revolution. These innovative, organic Catalan vaulted brick and terra-cotta structures were built on the site of a former American Country Club in the far western Havana suburb of Cubanacán, which used to be Havana's "Beverly Hills" and is now the mainly reserved for Communist Party officials. The schools were conceived and founded by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in 1961, and they reflect the utopian optimism and revolutionary exuberance of the early years of the Cuban Revolution. Over the years of active use, the schools served as the primary incubator for Cuba’s artists, musicians, actors and dancers.
[11:30 am] - Kcho Museum (Museum - Art Museum)
The Kcho Romerillo Studio & Arts Laboratory is a community cultural project that Cuban artist Alexis Leyva Machado (Kcho) started in late September at Havana’s El Romerillo neighborhood. This multipurpose center includes a public library, classrooms, and a small theater. And a contemporary arts gallery for big format pieces named La Nave. Kcho is also developing another cultural project in the neighborhood which will include five recreational-sports areas. Considered as one of the most well-known Cuban artists, Kcho has been conferred with the UNESCO Prize for the Promotion of Arts and the Gwangju Biennale Great Prize in South Korea.
[1:00 pm] - El Aljibe criolla cuisine (Restaurant - Cuban cuisine)
An outdoor thatched-roof restaurant located in the residential area of Miramar, a few minutes from downtown Havana. A flavor created and maintained by the family tradition since the first restaurant was founded on the El Aljibe farm. The specialty is the El Aljibe Chicken, which combines roast chicken with French fries and fried plantain, delicious black beans, white rice, salad and, for dessert, national sweets.
[3:00 pm] - 7ma y 60 artist studio (Museum - Artist Studio Visit)
Studio 7 y 60 has been in existence since 2010, when Maria Cienfuegos and three collaborators decided to use her family’s apartment as a space to present their works for sale directly to the public. The gallery takes its name from its location at the intersection of 7 and 60 streets in Miramar, and the building where it’s located is notable for its architectural history. Constructed in 1956 and designed by Mario Romanach, one of Cuba’s most important modernist architects, the building combines simple, modernist lines with interpretations of colonial details such as stained glass windows and wooden blinds and grilles. Still in its original condition, the building provides an appropriate backdrop for contemporary Cuban art.
[3:00 pm] - Bienal activities (Tour - Cultural)
This afternoon, we explore more of the programmed activities of the Havana Biennial, including the opportunity to meet artists whose work is included in the Biennial.
[6:30 pm] - Ludwig Foundation for Contemporary Art
Set in a classic Havana modernist apartment, this organization was founded by philanthropist and collector Peter Ludwig with the intent of fostering international interest in Cuban art. We will see the work of young emerging Cuban artists.
[8:30 pm] - Dinner on your own (On your own)( Not included)
Tonight dinner is in a paladar of your choice from a list of the hottest foodie scenes in the City. The tour guide will make the reservations. This is an opportunity to get away from the larger group and dine with a smaller group of friends. You will take a taxi to the meal that we will find for you. The group will have a chance to speak with the Chef and owner of the establishment to discuss food and new opportunities in the food industry in Cuba. The cost of this meal is not included in the trip price.
[5] Wed, 10 June 2015 - Havana City
[7:00 am] - Breakfast at the hotel
Breakfast on your own, starting at 7:00 am.
[9:30 am] - Visit to Organic farm
This morning we leave the city of Havana to visit an organic farm in Pinar del Rio. We will meet the farm’s proprietor, learn about the growth of private farming in Cuba, and see the other half of Cuba’ burgeoning foodie scene. We will have lunch based on the farm's own produce.
[3:00 pm] - Return to Havana to partake of Bienal activities
[7:30 pm] - Dinner on your own (On your own)( Not included)
Tonight dinner is in a paladar of your choice from a list of the hottest foodie scenes in the City. The tour guide will make the reservations. This is an opportunity to get away from the larger group and dine with a smaller group of friends. You will take a taxi to the meal that we will find for you. The group will have a chance to speak with the Chef and owner of the establishment to discuss food and new opportunities in the food industry in Cuba. The cost of this meal is not included in the trip price.
[6] Thu, 11 June 2015 - Havana City
[7:00 am] - Breakfast at the hotel
Breakfast on your own, starting at 7:00 am.
[9:00 am] - Lectures / class
This morning an up-and-coming Cuban filmmaker screens one of his short films for us, followed by a discussion about Cuban cinema.
[10:30 am] - Barrio Habana ( Social project)
BarrioHabana is part of a new kind of public-private partnership in Cuba. Designed to support just one neighborhood, BarrioHabana brings together new private enterprises with public institutions - schools, the state-run ‘Casas de Abuelos’ (senior centers), clinics - to support the community with social groups and some needed material goods. We will tour the location, meet the founder and some of the participants. Donations of personal hygiene products and school supplies are always welcome.
[11:30 am] - Lunch at NAO Paladar. This wonderful place at the foot of Obispo Street is typical of the new food movement in Havana. Great food, wonderful service.
[2:00 pm] - Museo de Bellas Artes Cuban art collection/Bellas Artes Museum (Museum - Art Museum)
You will visit the Cuban collections in this striking modernist building which was completed in 1953 and exemplifies the combination of sculpture with architecture in Cuban mid-century modernism. The Palace of Fine Arts houses a collection of Cuban visual art that spans 4 centuries. We will have a private tour guided by a curator.
[7:30 pm] - Dinner on your own ( On your own) ( Not included)
Tonight dinner is in a paladar of your choice from a list of the hottest foodie scenes in the City. The tour guide will make the reservations. This is an opportunity to get away from the larger group and dine with a smaller group of friends. You will take a taxi to the meal that we will find for you. The group will have a chance to speak with the Chef and owner of the establishment to discuss food and new opportunities in the food industry in Cuba. The cost of this meal is not included in the trip price.
[7] Fri, 12 June 2015 - Havana City
[7:00 am] - Breakfast at the hotel
Breakfast on your own, starting at 7:00 am.
[10:00 am] - Opera de la Calle
Visit with this innovative, entrepreneurial, and non-governmental run “street opera” company. Transforming a vacant lot into an outdoor stage and restaurant called “El Cabildo,” they create and perform original musical theater spectacles influenced by opera, zarzuela, rock, pop, and traditional Afro-Cuban rhythms.
[12:30 pm] - Lunch on your own ( On your own)( Not included)
[2:00 pm] - This afternoon we will visit artist studios.
[6:30 pm] - Classic cars (Tour - City tour)
We will be picked up by a fleet of classic American cars and ride through Havana in style to dinner tonight.
[7:30 pm] - La Guarida (Restaurant - Paladar)
Anyone who has been to La Guarida will find it difficult to disagree that Enrique and Odeisys have managed to create their own magical place. It oodles a cosy atmosphere with soft lights, fine table linen, German silver cutlery, candles, Cuban music and good jazz. The effect is magnified by the entrance from a run-down Central Havana street. The building, originally known as La Mansión Camagüey, shows its former grandeur from the magnificent wooden entrance door through the marble staircase up the two flights of stairs to the restaurant itself. Fidel’s famous explanation of [why he said] Patria o Muerte (country or death) is a photographer’s dream on the way down. For visitors to Havana, La Guarida has become a must experience. This is deservedly so for while it may be busy, expensive and has been discovered before, it retains its intimate (somewhat formal) charm and provides a quality dining experience with sensitivity and professionalism.
[8] Sat, 13 June 2015 - Havana City
[6:00 am] - Breakfast at the hotel
[8:00 am] - Transfer from a Havana hotel to the airport
[10:00 am] - Depart Havana for Tampa
[11:00 am] - Arrive in Tampa