Package tour for Jazz Festival

Package tour for Jazz Festival 2000

Havana International Jazz Festival
Caribbean Music and Dance
[now defunct, for information only]

Dates: December 12

Rates, Insurance and Itineraries

Itinerary in Havana,
December 2004

Choose one of the hotels suggested by VCC

Payment and cancellation policy – Please read carefully

Register and make your payment

Map of the area where all the activities take place

VCC President on the Jazz Festival Site

Take a break from the winter cold as Havana heats up with its outstanding annual International Jazz Festival.

This world-renowned festival, under the direction of piano master Chucho Valdes, is quickly gaining recognition in the United States and worldwide. You’ll see live performances by the greatest jazz musicians the world has to offer, as well as the best popular and jazz groups of Cuba. Past American performers have included Roy Hargrove, Billy Taylor, Steve Coleman, and Steve Turre. The Cuban side is always represented by perennial favorites Irakere and Los Van Van.

Late night jams are a nightly occurrence and provide interesting match ups such as Roy Hargrove sitting in with percussion legend Changuito and others. Besides live performances there will be two seminars on the history of Cuban music and dance as well as a third on the socio-economic conditions in Cuba.

As a special bonus, you’ll receive a salsa dance class to get you on the dance floor dancing like the Cubans do. You’ll also tour the sprawling capital city as well as a musical tour. There will be plenty of free time to explore the city on your own or rest (although most participants wait to get home for that!). Upon arrival you’ll attend an orientation explaining all the schedules, arrangements, and peculiar Cuban customs. Accommodations are included at the Hotel Riviera (Meyer Lansky’s casino turned salsa club) which is the center of the festival’s activities.