We have moved to new location CLICK HERE to visit our new site  at http://www.canadacuba.com

PERCUSSION & DRUM SET WORKSHOP IN CUBA
AFRO-CUBAN, LATIN PERCUSSION and DRUM SET

Sessions:

Spring 2002    March 17 - March 31
Summer 2002    June 30 - July 14
Havana and Matanzas - CUBA
With Optional Four Day Extension to Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo

See reports & pictures from the Spring Session  March 2001. 

This course is specifically designed to provide a comprehensive full time program of study in Afro-Cuban percussion and drum set. Course work will include study, lectures, attendance of live performances and optional participation in performance events. Areas of study include, folkloric: Cuban-Yoruba, Cuban-Congo, Abakua and popular traditions; son, salsa, rumba, conga-comparsa, timba etc.

For our March and July trips we're offering a four day extension of the trip. We'll fly to Santiago de Cuba and stay for four days, visiting many locations important for music and culture. There will also at least one day trip to Guantánamo. The cost for the four day extension is US$500.

The course provides 4 hours of instruction daily Monday to Friday, use of percussion instruments and drum set, studio space for evening descargas and practice. Performances by students and guest artists are part of the program. We continue our study in Matanazas including presentations by members of AfroCuba and / or Muñequitos de Matanzas folklore ensembles (if in town). The four hours of instruction per day plus daily cultural exchanges and performance opportunities comprise a full work schedule.

Each workshop is accompanied by a North American professional musician or music educator to provide participants with advice and assistance.

SCHEDULE and ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival at Havana Airport from Cancun. A workshop coordinator/translator will meet the group flight from Cancun and transfer you to the hotel. Workshop participants arriving on other flights are responsible for making their own way to the hotel. A taxi from the airport costs around $15. Check-in at the hotel. The Cuban program coordinator/translators will host an information briefing to review the program, answer questions and provide advice. Dinner at the hotel. Evening at leisure. Workshop coordinators/translators will have suggestions for evening cultural activities.
Day 2 Breakfast, then you meet the instructors. Introduction to course and curriculum. Workshops begin. Two studio spaces have been set up, one for Percussion; timbale, congas, bongo, chekeres, guiro maracas, bells etc) and another for Drum Set; older styles and new styles of Cuban drum set performance.
Day 2-14
DAILY SCHEDULE		 (Monday thru Friday)
  • 10:00-12:00 GROUP ONE -Percussion GROUP 2 - Drum Set
  • 12:00-1:00 Lunch Break, a light menu ($3 - $5 range) is available adjacent to the studio space.
  • 1:00-3:00 GROUP ONE -Drum Set GROUP TWO-Percussion
  • Return to hotel. many days, after classes, there are unscheduled events taking place such as concerts, rehearsals, religious drumming ceremonies.
EVENINGS

Evenings will offer an array of performances to attend and opportunities to practice what you have learned. We will attempt to provide space for you to practice what you have learned. Transportation will be provided for scheduled activities.
WEEKENDS

Transportation will be provided for beach and field study trips.
Day 
11, 12 & 13

Morning of Day 11 check out Havana hotel, travel to Matanzas, hotel check-in. Folkloric percussion workshop led by members of either AfroCuba de Matanzas or Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. Optional lunch. Days 12 and 13 in Matanzas, continuing course. In the afternoon of Day 13 attend a descarga and performance by those members of AfroCuba or Muñequitos de Matanzas folklore ensembles that are in town and not touring at that time. Optional private lessons available.
Day 14

Transportation to Varadero Beach. Free time to enjoy the beach. Return to Havana. Check in.

Day 15

Transfer to the airport for participants departing on the group flight to Cancun. Those departing on other flights are welcome to travel with the Cancun departing folks if the times are convenient. Taxis are also available at a cost of approximately $15.

WORKSHOP PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Round trip airfare to/from Havana with departure from Cancun, 14 nights accommodation double occupancy in air-conditioned rooms with en-suite bathroom and satellite TV, breakfast and dinner daily, workshop registration fees; 40 hours instruction, use of percussion instruments and drum set, students performance before presentations by guest artists, field trip + study to Matanzas including presentations by members of AfroCuba or Muñequitos de Matanzas folklore ensembles (if in town), field trips to concerts, ground transportation between airport/hotel/airport (Cancun arriving participants on group flight only) and to all field trips via modern air conditioned minibus, Eleggua Project coordinators/translators, assistance from the North American workshop leader (a professional musician and/or music educator) and Cuban visa (delegates born in Cuba must apply directly to a Cuban consular office for their visa).

Very Important Note:

Air tickets issued by the workshop organizers are based on special fares that are non-refundable and valid only for flights on the dates indicated, the organizers do not accept responsibility for missed connections due to cancellation or delay of your connecting flight. Provide lots of cushion when making your connecting flight arrangements.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Lunches ($3-$5), Cuban airport departure tax $20, fees for optional classes with guest artists (the cost will be based on the number of students participating the hourly rate will be pro-rated over the number of students, guide line $14-$20 per person per class), tips or gifts to instructors and coordinator /translators. Taxi fares to night clubs; cost varies from $4 - $8 per car.

Laundry service which can be arranged privately with your room maid.

FEES

Workshop Package: $2100 USD (Winter course: $2300)
Single room add $$280

FEE REDUCTIONS