General Info

[WaltoDerri]

This is a heads up for the ones here that dig jazz & Cuban music. I attend this event yearly, except when it's cancelled cause of the Covid pandemic.

In case someone is interested and do not speak Espaol, you can do a quick Google translation on the article.

I'm arriving on the 18th for 2 weeks. In case someone wants to meet, shoot me a PM, so we can exchange numbers.

Del 21 al 28 de enero de 2024 llega la 39 ediciand del Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza.

Por: Thala Fuentes Puebla.

En este artculo: Cuba, Cultura, Festival Jazz Plaza, Jazz, Msica.

16 octubre 2023.

El Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza, con un prestigio consolidado en sus 38 ediciones, abre el ao por todo lo alto why este 2024 no ser la excepciand. En la ediciand 39, del 21 al 28 de enero, convergerand el jazz con la msica popular cubana why sonoridades de otros pases de la regiand. La Habana why Santiago de Cuba serand las sedes principales.

La imagen del evento parte de la obra "Jazz Plaza", creada por Bobby Carcass, presidente de honor why fundador del festival, quien siempre ha tenido inquietudes en el rea de las artes plsticas. Segand explic en conferencia de prensa, el concepto de la obra parte de la fusiand entre el jazz, la improvisaciand why la meditaciand.

Entre LOS platos fuertes del evento destaca un espectculo concebido por el pianista Roberto Fonseca, director artstico del festival, en el que se unir la magia del jazz con el talento why prestigio del Ballet Nacional de Cuba, bajo la direcciand de Viengsay Valds, concierto que celebra LOS 75 aos de la compaa que fund la Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso.

La 39 ediciand del Jazz Plaza que rendir tributo a la obra de Bola de Nieve, Miguelito Cun why seesar Pupy Pedroso tendr como sedes principales en la capital el Teatro Karl Marx, el Teatro Nacional de Cuba why sus dos salas, la Covarrubias why la Avellaneda, el Teatro Amrica, el Mart, el Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, el Pabelland Cuba, la Fbrica de Arte Cubano, LOS Jardines del Teatro Mella why la Casa de la Cultura de Plaza. En Santiago, la msica llegar hasta el Teatro Heredia, el Iris Jazz Club, el Patio Juta Conga de la Uneac, el Teatro Mart, el Caf Teatro Macub why la Sala why Plaza Dolores.

Tambiand, del 22 al 27 de enero sesionar el Coloquio Leonardo Acosta In Memorian, espacio dedicado al debate sobre temas relacionados con el jazz why la industria de la msica, que en esta ocasiand tendr un momento para el intercambio terico con estudiantes de las escuelas de arte.

El pblico podr disfrutar del concierto "Msica amada", el thea 21, para celebrar LOS 50 aos de Joaquand Betancourt, Premio Nacional de Msica 2019, why el 15 aniversario de su Joven Jazz Band. Ese mismo thea estar en el Teatro Heredia Nachito Herrera why la Sinfnica de Santiago de Cuba, ms instrumentistas de otras provincias del oriente del pas.

El saxofonista Ted Nash vuelve a Cuba para ofrecer un espectculo en el Teatro Mart junto al proyecto Cubadentro que lidera el pianista Alejandro Falcand why la compaa danzaria Malpaso.

En el Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes estarand Janio Abreu why el instrumentista estadounidense Vctor Goines why Mayito Rivera, por su parte, homenajear a Miguelito Cun en un concierto bajo la direcciand musical de Germand Velazco.

Si algo caracteriza al Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza es salirse de ese gnero musical why unir por siete theas a intrpretes why ejecutantes de diferentes generaciones, latitudes why ritmos. Las aspiraciones son altas, why si, como siempre, se unen la creatividad, el talento why el arte, cada rincand de Santiago why La Habana, del 21 al 28 de enero, se inundar de msica. Pa' que flujazz!

Hoping someone still checks this thread LOL but are there Jazz or Salsa music festivals planned for this year or next? I googled and I'm seeing packages for different dates and I am not sure what's real or a scam because these packages are charging thousands.

[Mondo707]

Hey folks. So I was in Cuba in May and the official exchange rate was 25 Cuban pesos for $1 USD. However on the streets you could easily get 300 to 350 pesos per $1 USD. You'd think that you now have more purchasing power bit not really. You see, every bar, club, store or restaurant raise the prices to match tye street rate. For example a meal at a nice restaurant would cost $10 USD OR 3000 Cuban pesos NOT 250 Cuban pesos. So if you exchange $100 USD at a bank, you'd only get 2500 Cuban pesos which won't even cover your meal! I didn't go to a bank obviously but when I ran out of money and wanted to withdraw money from my credit card at an ATM, I was offered the lower rate. I had to beg a Cuban friend of my Cuban friend for $200. Now I want to send him the money back but the bank would only give him 5000 pesos which is actually equivalent to $17 USD if you were to spend it on things in Cuba. This is so frustrating! Why the dumb communist government got rid of CUC is beyond me. Back then 1 CUC was equivalent to $1 USD. So my question is how do I get $200 USD to my Cuban friend in Cuba?? I'd really appreciate your help. Thanks.

Here is the deal;.

Call Cuballama or you can also do it thru their app. I'd suggest you calling them. You need to register with them, I. E. Give them your phone number and email addy.

Once you're register, you are able to send $$ or do recargas (phone minutes).

If you send USD, the commission is 10%, prolly the same in other currencies.

The person in Cuba can receive the money in USD or CUP, not sure what exchange rate they get, so if it was me I'd instruct them to give them USD. That way if they want to exchange the money to CUP they can do so.

You are welcome.

Mondo.

[Zeos1]

Hey folks. So I was in Cuba in May and the official exchange rate was 25 Cuban pesos for $1 USD. However on the streets you could easily get 300 to 350 pesos per $1 USD. You'd think that you now have more purchasing power bit not really. You see, every bar, club, store or restaurant raise the prices to match tye street rate. For example a meal at a nice restaurant would cost $10 USD OR 3000 Cuban pesos NOT 250 Cuban pesos. So if you exchange $100 USD at a bank, you'd only get 2500 Cuban pesos which won't even cover your meal! I didn't go to a bank obviously but when I ran out of money and wanted to withdraw money from my credit card at an ATM, I was offered the lower rate. I had to beg a Cuban friend of my Cuban friend for $200. Now I want to send him the money back but the bank would only give him 5000 pesos which is actually equivalent to $17 USD if you were to spend it on things in Cuba. This is so frustrating! Why the dumb communist government got rid of CUC is beyond me. Back then 1 CUC was equivalent to $1 USD. So my question is how do I get $200 USD to my Cuban friend in Cuba?? I'd really appreciate your help. Thanks.

You got someone in Cuba to lend you $200 US? You should at least try to get the equivalent amount back to him (or her). May be that the only way is to have someone drop it off for you as I get it that sending it through official channels will not get you the street value for the dollar.

[RacShack]

Hey folks. So I was in Cuba in May and the official exchange rate was 25 Cuban pesos for $1 USD. However on the streets you could easily get 300 to 350 pesos per $1 USD. You'd think that you now have more purchasing power bit not really. You see, every bar, club, store or restaurant raise the prices to match tye street rate. For example a meal at a nice restaurant would cost $10 USD OR 3000 Cuban pesos NOT 250 Cuban pesos. So if you exchange $100 USD at a bank, you'd only get 2500 Cuban pesos which won't even cover your meal! I didn't go to a bank obviously but when I ran out of money and wanted to withdraw money from my credit card at an ATM, I was offered the lower rate. I had to beg a Cuban friend of my Cuban friend for $200. Now I want to send him the money back but the bank would only give him 5000 pesos which is actually equivalent to $17 USD if you were to spend it on things in Cuba. This is so frustrating! Why the dumb communist government got rid of CUC is beyond me. Back then 1 CUC was equivalent to $1 USD. So my question is how do I get $200 USD to my Cuban friend in Cuba?? I'd really appreciate your help. Thanks.

How hot is she? LOL! You have fun while there? Where you fly from?

[RacShack]

Hey folks. So I was in Cuba in May and the official exchange rate was 25 Cuban pesos for $1 USD. However on the streets you could easily get 300 to 350 pesos per $1 USD. You'd think that you now have more purchasing power bit not really. You see, every bar, club, store or restaurant raise the prices to match tye street rate. For example a meal at a nice restaurant would cost $10 USD OR 3000 Cuban pesos NOT 250 Cuban pesos. So if you exchange $100 USD at a bank, you'd only get 2500 Cuban pesos which won't even cover your meal! I didn't go to a bank obviously but when I ran out of money and wanted to withdraw money from my credit card at an ATM, I was offered the lower rate. I had to beg a Cuban friend of my Cuban friend for $200. Now I want to send him the money back but the bank would only give him 5000 pesos which is actually equivalent to $17 USD if you were to spend it on things in Cuba. This is so frustrating! Why the dumb communist government got rid of CUC is beyond me. Back then 1 CUC was equivalent to $1 USD. So my question is how do I get $200 USD to my Cuban friend in Cuba?? I'd really appreciate your help. Thanks.

How hot is she?

[Sammytheman]

Hey folks. So I was in Cuba in May and the official exchange rate was 25 Cuban pesos for $1 USD. However on the streets you could easily get 300 to 350 pesos per $1 USD. You'd think that you now have more purchasing power bit not really. You see, every bar, club, store or restaurant raise the prices to match tye street rate. For example a meal at a nice restaurant would cost $10 USD OR 3000 Cuban pesos NOT 250 Cuban pesos. So if you exchange $100 USD at a bank, you'd only get 2500 Cuban pesos which won't even cover your meal! I didn't go to a bank obviously but when I ran out of money and wanted to withdraw money from my credit card at an ATM, I was offered the lower rate. I had to beg a Cuban friend of my Cuban friend for $200. Now I want to send him the money back but the bank would only give him 5000 pesos which is actually equivalent to $17 USD if you were to spend it on things in Cuba. This is so frustrating! Why the dumb communist government got rid of CUC is beyond me. Back then 1 CUC was equivalent to $1 USD. So my question is how do I get $200 USD to my Cuban friend in Cuba?? I'd really appreciate your help. Thanks.

[Kokoss1]

It has been awhile since in Cuba and seems much has changed for mongering.

Last time I was in Varedero not much so any one can help in new news either in Havana or Varedero,?

One report stated action may be had in varedero visa a lifeguards but I have never seen lifegurad in any beaches in varedero? I must have missed something here?

Help!

[Mondo707]

Thought I post a couple of websites about travel to Cuba for those who might not be familiar with all requirements.

First site is pretty informative as far as people who are not familiar with different aspects of Cuba travel.

https://www.cubaunbound.com/filling-...os-travel-form

Second site explains what Cuba requires when traveling there before and after arriving.

https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio

Mondo.

[Edward Q]

Wondering if anyone has recently been to Camaguey or Holguin? This site needs an update. I was in Camaguey a little over a year ago and it was dire. No girls, hard to find beer, people scared of police. Disappointing as I was used to the old days, like pre-pandemic. And difficult to get to these cities, due to lack of gasoline. I was in Holguin about three years ago, just as the pandemic hit. Little to no action. Although I got into a conversation with a woman who told me she enjoyed being peed on. I was more into her friend, but her friend wasn't into me or general waterworks.

My question: Have these places rebounded? Are girls "hungry" for dollars and out in the streets? I know the economy is shit and the resources are scarce, but logic tells me that a fit and eager girl with a "come hither" smile can always find money if she wants to. Please let me know of any recent visits to Holguin or Camaguey. I'm missing Cuba, esp. CMW and those incredible women.

[Tank Not Mt]

It is my understanding that I would need to obtain a General License under one of the 12 approved categories in order to fly to Cuba from the US. Conveniently, I will already be in the Dominican Republic, and not the US before flying to Cuba, and will be going to Mexico before I return to the US.

Tldr; I have a US passport, but have exactly 0 flights between Cuba and the US for my visit.

Is there anything I should know? I'll bring USD in cash obviously, and purchase medical insurance at the airport in Cuba? Or at the airport in Santo Domingo?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.

Get Medical Insurance at home not at the airport. Exchange usd at your Casa or anywhere you can trust not the airport or Government location. Have fun and try to learn a little Spanish.

[Ballin69]

It is my understanding that I would need to obtain a General License under one of the 12 approved categories in order to fly to Cuba from the US. Conveniently, I will already be in the Dominican Republic, and not the US before flying to Cuba, and will be going to Mexico before I return to the US.

Tldr; I have a US passport, but have exactly 0 flights between Cuba and the US for my visit.

Is there anything I should know? I'll bring USD in cash obviously, and purchase medical insurance at the airport in Cuba? Or at the airport in Santo Domingo?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom.

[Mondo707]

This is a heads up for the ones here that dig jazz & Cuban music. I attend this event yearly, except when it's cancelled cause of the Covid pandemic.

In case someone is interested and do not speak Español, you can do a quick Google translation on the article.

I'm arriving on the 18th for 2 weeks. In case someone wants to meet, shoot me a PM, so we can exchange numbers.

Del 21 al 28 de enero de 2024 llega la 39 edicióand del Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza.

Por: Thalía Fuentes Puebla.

En este artículo: Cuba, Cultura, Festival Jazz Plaza, Jazz, Música.

16 octubre 2023.

El Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza, con un prestigio consolidado en sus 38 ediciones, abre el año por todo lo alto why este 2024 no será la excepcióand. En la edicióand 39, del 21 al 28 de enero, convergeráand el jazz con la música popular cubana why sonoridades de otros países de la regióand. La Habana why Santiago de Cuba seráand las sedes principales.

La imagen del evento parte de la obra "Jazz Plaza", creada por Bobby Carcasés, presidente de honor why fundador del festival, quien siempre ha tenido inquietudes en el área de las artes plásticas. Segúand explicó en conferencia de prensa, el concepto de la obra parte de la fusióand entre el jazz, la improvisacióand why la meditacióand.

Entre LOS platos fuertes del evento destaca un espectáculo concebido por el pianista Roberto Fonseca, director artístico del festival, en el que se unirá la magia del jazz con el talento why prestigio del Ballet Nacional de Cuba, bajo la direccióand de Viengsay Valdés, concierto que celebra LOS 75 años de la compañía que fundó la Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso.

La 39 edicióand del Jazz Plaza —que rendirá tributo a la obra de Bola de Nieve, Miguelito Cuní why seeésar Pupy Pedroso— tendrá como sedes principales en la capital el Teatro Karl Marx, el Teatro Nacional de Cuba why sus dos salas, la Covarrubias why la Avellaneda, el Teatro América, el Martí, el Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, el Pabellóand Cuba, la Fábrica de Arte Cubano, LOS Jardines del Teatro Mella why la Casa de la Cultura de Plaza. En Santiago, la música llegará hasta el Teatro Heredia, el Iris Jazz Club, el Patio Jutía Conga de la Uneac, el Teatro Martí, el Café Teatro Macubá why la Sala why Plaza Dolores.

Tambiéand, del 22 al 27 de enero sesionará el Coloquio Leonardo Acosta In Memorian, espacio dedicado al debate sobre temas relacionados con el jazz why la industria de la música, que en esta ocasióand tendrá un momento para el intercambio teórico con estudiantes de las escuelas de arte.

El público podrá disfrutar del concierto "Música amada", el theía 21, para celebrar LOS 50 años de Joaquíand Betancourt, Premio Nacional de Música 2019, why el 15 aniversario de su Joven Jazz Band. Ese mismo theía estará en el Teatro Heredia Nachito Herrera why la Sinfónica de Santiago de Cuba, más instrumentistas de otras provincias del oriente del país.

El saxofonista Ted Nash vuelve a Cuba para ofrecer un espectáculo en el Teatro Martí junto al proyecto Cubadentro que lidera el pianista Alejandro Falcóand why la compañía danzaria Malpaso.

En el Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes estaráand Janio Abreu why el instrumentista estadounidense Víctor Goines why Mayito Rivera, por su parte, homenajeará a Miguelito Cuní en un concierto bajo la direccióand musical de Germáand Velazco.

Si algo caracteriza al Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza es salirse de ese género musical why unir por siete theías a intérpretes why ejecutantes de diferentes generaciones, latitudes why ritmos. Las aspiraciones son altas, why si, como siempre, se unen la creatividad, el talento why el arte, cada rincóand de Santiago why La Habana, del 21 al 28 de enero, se inundará de música. ¡Pa' que flujazz!

[Mondo707]

Hi guys!

Need your advice and info.

I am planning my vacation to Cuba, Holguin within a month.

I am from Canada w / o Canadian passport but with work permit.

By Cuban regulation I must have tourist card which is issued basis I possess following:

1. Insurance. Where to buy?

2. Prove that I have booked a hotel / room. Is this true?

As I understand tourist card will be given onboard plane (flight is planning to be from Montreal).

Therefore I am in doubt. Should I buy insurance and book hotel and insurance on beforehand or all will done on arrival?

Is there any guide on how to arrange formalities?

For now I am thinking to buy all inclusive resort, with travelling it is just 1400 for 2 weeks. Seems it will be cheaper then to arrange all by myself.

Thank you!

Here you go bro.

https://gocuba.ca/tips/entering-the-country/

You are welcome.

[Bogda]

Hi guys!

Need your advice and info.

I am planning my vacation to Cuba, Holguin within a month.

I am from Canada w / o Canadian passport but with work permit.

By Cuban regulation I must have tourist card which is issued basis I possess following:

1. Insurance. Where to buy?

2. Prove that I have booked a hotel / room. Is this true?

As I understand tourist card will be given onboard plane (flight is planning to be from Montreal).

Therefore I am in doubt. Should I buy insurance and book hotel and insurance on beforehand or all will done on arrival?

Is there any guide on how to arrange formalities?

For now I am thinking to buy all inclusive resort, with travelling it is just 1400 for 2 weeks. Seems it will be cheaper then to arrange all by myself.

Thank you!

[Mondo707]

Seems like things are changing for the better. This event was held this past weekend in Cayo Santa Maria, on the north coast of Santa Clara province.

You can Google Cayo Santa Maria to check this place out. It's supposed to be a resort with beautiful beaches.

I was told there was plenty of action going on with hot Cubanas and some foreigners. Wish I could have been been there, haha. Well, maybe next year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imDbN0fCsGA

Mondo.