2008 BALLET NACIONAL DE CUBA 60th ANNIVERSARY TOUR:

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28 – FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2008

Cuba Education Tours, Turner Music & Events and The Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club are pleased to present the
2008 Ballet Nacional de Cuba 60th Anniversary Tour.

Celebrate with Prima ballerina Alicia Alonso’s famed troupe – eleven days of performances, celebrations and culture on unprecedented scale!

The first Havana International Festival of Ballet was first staged in 1960 and has taken place 20 times since, making it one of the most well established events of its kind in the world. Acclaimed ballet troupes from 57 countries have mounted 217 productions at the Festival, with the Cubans contributing 630 shows. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba with participation by its founder, artistic and technical director, Prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alfonso. What better occasion to visit Cuba?

Celebrate eleven days of ballet and Cuban culture on an unprecedented scale. Tour participants receive tickets to nine world class ballet performances including the opening and closing festival events – the equivalent of season tickets at home. Lucky travellers will have a chance to meet living treasure Alicia Alonso, Cuban prima ballerina assoluta, founder, choreographer and artistic director of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

Cities and Provinces You’ll Visit

• Havana City and Havana Province
• Viñales Valley and Pinar del Río

Included in Ballet Festival Tour costs                                                                                                                                                              

• Group transfers to and from Havana's José Martí International Airport
• Hotel Telégrafowith daily international-style buffet breakfasts
• Tickets for nine world class ballet performances including the opening and closing festival events
• Luxury air conditioned coach transportation and professional driver
• Meals included: All breakfasts, two lunches, and a special farewell dinner at La Guarida restaurant where the Cuban, Oscar nominated "Strawberry and Chocolate" was filmed.
• An expert Cuban English-speaking guide throughout the tour, together with ongoing support from the staff of Cuba Education Tours
• Visit three ballet schools, meet instructors and the next generation of Cuban dancers
• Tour of the Museum of Dance and a backstage visit to the Ballet Nacional at the Gran Teatro
• Meet painter and ceramist José Fuster at his whimsical home studio
• Tour Partagas Cigar Factory
• Explore the Cueva del Indio (cave) and the Viñales Botanical Gardens
• All activities, speakers, meetings and meals as described in itinerary except those noted as "optional" or "not included in cost"
• Visit Regla community, a vital hub of Afrocuban culture and religion
• Walking tour of Old Havana, visit a scale model of the district, and a coach tour of Modern Havana

Ballet Festival Venues

Gran Teatro - Established in 1837 making it the oldest continuous performing arts institution in Latin America. The original building was considered one of the finest theaters in the world. Over the years it was remodeled to its current state (completed in 1915). It is considered the most sumptuous building in Cuba and is home to the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

National Theatre of Cuba - Begun in 1951 and completed in 1979. In addition to two performance stages, it houses recreational facilities and art galleries.

Teatro Mella - Formerly a fine cinema house. In 1961 it was converted into performance hall and became headquarters for three festivals: Havana International Ballet, the Gold Boleros, and Days of Dance.

11 Day/ 10 Night Program Costs

$2,092.00* USD for residents of the United States

$2,092.00* CAD for residents of Canada

*Tour costs based on DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY. Includes all taxes.

Additional charge for a single room for duration of trip:
 $296.00 USD for residents of the United States
 $296.00 CAD for residents of Canada

SPECIAL BALLET AIRFARES ARE POSTED AT CUBADANCE.ORG

Register today to ensure your participation.

A deposit of $300.00 is required to secure your place.
1-877-687-3817 toll free to book or for more information visit www.cubadance.org

Not Included

• International airfare. Call us for special rates at 1-877-687-3817 toll free.
• Activities listed as "optional" or "not included in cost" in itinerary
• Gratuities for Cuban tour guide, bus driver, chambermaids, restaurant staff, porters, etc
• Cuban airport departure tax of $25.00 CUC ( about $28.00 USD or CAD)
• Meals other than breakfasts unless noted above or in itinerary as included
• Airport transfers in Cuba if arriving on flights separate from group air schedule
• Optional travel interruption and health insurance

We’re Here For You

Questions about the program?
web cubadance.org
call 1-877-687-3817
email info@cubafriends.ca

When to Commit

This tour will fill up fast, so we advise registering now.

Alicia Alonso, Founder of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba

Alicia Alonso was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1920. She studied in Havana, then in New York with Vilzak and at the School of American Ballet, and later with Volkova in London. She joined the American Ballet Theatre in 1940 and danced with them until 1960. She was an intensely dramatic dancer as well as a pure technician. Her most famous role was Giselle, but she also created roles in Tudor's Undertow (1945), Balanchine's Theme and Variations (1947), de Mille's Fall River Legend (1948), and the title role in Alberto Alonso's Carmen (1967). She founded Ballet Alicia Alonso in Cuba in 1950. It changed its name to National Ballet of Cuba in 1960. She is Founder, Choreographer and Artistic Director of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

You’ll likely meet Alicia Alonso in Havana!