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Theatre
& Galleries in Havana
| Theaters
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Gran Teatro
(Teatro García Lorca)
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This
prominent theater is located on the site
of the former Teatro Tacón in the
Paseo de Martí (Prado), in a building
known as the Palacio del Centro Gallego.
The façade of the neo-baroque building
(constructed in 1914) is adorned with
a stone and marble statue. There are also
sculptural pieces by Giuseppe Moretti,
representing allegories depicting benevolence,
education, music and theatre. The García
Lorca auditorium provides a magnificent
stage for the Cuban National Ballet Company,
as well as other dance and musical performances.
Address:
Prado
(Paseo de Martí) 458
e/ San Rafael y San José
Habana Vieja
Tel: +53 7 61 3078 |
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Teatro Nacional
de Cuba
Address:
Paseo y
Avenida Céspedes
Plaza de la Revolución
Tel: +53 7 879 6011
Housed in a huge modern building, decorated
with works by Cuban artists, there are two main
theatre stages–the Sala Avellaneda and
the Sala Covarrubias–as well as a smaller
theatre workshop space on the ninth floor. You
will also find the Café Cantante, a popular
venue for Cuban folk music, individual performers
and comedy shows, where you can enjoy a drink
and a meal during the performance. The complex
even has its own Piano Bar, with seating for
150 people.
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Anfiteatro
del Centro Histórico
Address: Calle Peña Pobre y Cuba
La Habana Vieja
Built in a neo-classical style, this theatre
first opened its doors to the public back in
1936, and has a seating capacity of 1700. It
offers concerts, cabarets, children's shows,
and sometimes theatrical plays. It is a good
place to take the younger members of the family,
more so because it is found right next door
to a large funfair. The children's shows themselves
take place every Saturday and Sunday at 5pm.
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Teatro
Amadeo Roldán
Address: Calzada, e/Calle D y Calle E
Vedado Havana
Tel: +53 7 832 1168
Located within a monumental modern building,
once home to The Havana Auditorium, the venue
now consists of the Amadeo Roldán and
García Caturla halls, offering symphonic
orchestras, piano recitals, and a mixture of
classical and contemporary music. This is also
home to the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba,
and prestigious international events are held
here such as the "Encuentro Internacional
de Guitarra" (International Guitar Gathering).
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Teatro
Karl Marx
Address: Ave 1ª, entre 8 y 10 Miramar,
Playa
Havana
Tel: +53 7 23 0801
Fax: +53 7 29 1991
Formerly known as the Teatro Blanquita, and
renamed after the Cuban revolution of 1959,
the venue has an enormous auditorium with seating
capacity of 5500 people, and is generally used
for big shows by stars from Cuba and abroad.
The theatre is also a major concert venue for
both local and international artists; singer-songwriters
such as Carlos Varela, Silvio Rodríguez
and Pablo Milanés, are just a few of
the great names who have graced this particular
stage. More recently, this was the scene of
a concert by British pop group “The Manic
Street Preachers, which included among the thousands
of excited young fans none other than President
Fidel Castro himself.
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Teatro
Mella
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It
is named after revolutionary hero and
dissident Julio Antonio Mella, assassinated
in Mexico in 1929 under orders of then
Cuban dictator Gerardo Machado. This is
a modern building with a conventional
stage and seating for 1475 attendees.
It hosts a variety of shows, from cabaret
to recitals as well as theatre performances.
The venue is also home to the Conjunto
Folklórico Nacional (National Folk
Group), which organises a "peña"
or folk club ever Saturday from 3pm onwards.
In the theatre’s foyer there is
a small gallery displaying work by Tina
Modotti, famous Italian photographer and
communist, and companion to Julio Mella
up until his premature demise.
Address:
Línea No. 657 entre A y B
Vedado Havana
Tel: +53 7 833 5651 |
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Centro
Cultural Edison
Address: Calzada del Cerro esquina a Zaragoza
Havana
Tel: +53 7 54 5215
The Edison Arts Center is a community center,
located on the site of an old cinema, in the
densely populated El Cerro neighbourhood of
Havana. It stages productions of alternative
theatre, as well as organizes workshops in art,
literature and children's theater, throughout
the year. A visit to this center provides an
interesting opportunity to find out about the
work done by local promoters of the arts. Admission
prices vary depending on the production.
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Conciertos
en la Basílica Menor de San Francisco
de Asís
Address: Plaza de San Francisco de Asís,
Oficios entre Amargura y Churruca
La Habana Vieja
An old Franciscan monastery dating from 1738,
since turned into an arts centre, now includes
this concert hall. The naves of the former church
have been converted into a veritable temple
of art, with superb acoustics, and a stage that
has an illusory mural (trompe d'oeuil) so as
to recreate the now disappeared apse and dome.
Choral and chamber concerts are held here. Admission
prices range from CUC 3 to 10.
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Teatro Bertold
Brecht
Address:
Calle 13
y 1 ra
Havana Vedado
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Teatro El
Sótano
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Located
in the midst of the Vedado district, this
particular theatre stages modern plays
produced by young up-and-coming Cuban
directors, who strive to offer the theatre-going
public a variety of interesting and attractive
productions. This is also the venue for
the 'Rita Montaner' Theatre Group, led
by one of the country’s leading
dancers and actresses. Other activities
include occasional shows for children,
especially on the weekends.
Address:
Calle
K, e/ Calles 25 y 27
Habana Vedado
Tel: +53 7 32 0630 |
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Teatro Guiñol
Address:
Calles
M y 19
Habana Vedado
Tel: +53 7 32 6262
This theatre specialises in children's shows.
It is run by El Guiñol, a children's
theatre company well known throughout Cuba,
with venues all over the island. They also organise
educational workshops and training courses for
actors.
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Teatro Huberf
de Blanck
Address:
Calzada
654 (Calle 5ra), e/ Calles A and B
Habana Vedado
Tel:
+53 7 833 5962
This small theatre situated in the Vedado district,
has a seating capacity for 267 people, and offers
regular performances of contemporary and classical
plays. There are also occasional presentations
of well-known foreign productions that have
toured to Cuba. Hot and cold beverages are available
in the venue's cafeteria, and admission costs
5 Cuban pesos for local residents, and all of
USD0,25 for visitors to the island.
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Galleries
Centro
Cultural Habana
Address: 256 Boulevard
Centro Habana
The pleasant Havana Arts Centre (Centro
Cultural Habana) is a good place to buy
Cuban music tapes, souvenirs, handicrafts,
books about the island and postcards.
You may take a break in their small cafeteria,
which serves a selection of tasty sandwiches,
desserts and soft drinks. This is the
meeting place for Havana artists and an
arts gallery for young talents to exhibit
their latest work. The centre also includes
a photocopying service. All items are
charged for in US dollars. Cuban pesos
are not accepted.
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Arte
en Casa de Las Américas
Address: Calle 3ª y G
Vedado Havana
Tel: +53 7 55 2712/ +53 7 55 2706
Fax: +53 7 33 4554
La Casa De Las Americas (the House of
the Americas), which offers Latin America’s
most prestigious thinkers and writers
a space to debate and interchange ideas,
has two galleries: the Latin American
Gallery, the aim of which is to promote
young Cuban artists; and the Haidée
Santamaría Gallery (named after
the institution’s founder and principal
promoter), which allows artists from all
over the region and globe to display and
promote their work.
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Centro
Wilfredo Lam
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The
building which houses this centre,
located opposite a corner of the
Cathedral, was once a palace belonging
to the Peñalver family, and
is typical of an old colonial residence.
Some of the rooms on the ground
floor, the library and the second
floor are used for touring exhibitions
by both contemporary artists as
well as some of the big names in
the arts world. This place also
constitutes one of the venues for
the Arts Biennials that are regularly
held in Havana, the objective of
which are to promote contemporary
art stemming from developing nations.
Address:
San
Ignacio 22 esq. Empedrado
Tel: +53 7 861 2096 |
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Espacio
Aglutinador
Address: Calle 6 entre 25 y 27
Vedado Havana
Tel: +53 7 30 2147
This centre for alternative art is located
in the home of Sandra Ceballos, a young
graphic artist who has become one of the
leading lights of the Cuban arts scene,
organizing exhibitions of fellow contemporaries,
retrospective displays by well established
artists, and poetry recitals. Her small,
friendly and informal exhibition space
is a magnate for a great number of art
enthusiasts, attracted as much by the
shows as by the charismatic hostess. Needless
to say, admission is free.
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Galería
Carmen Montilla Tinoco
Address: Oficios 162 entre Amargura y
Teniente Rey
La Habana Vieja
Tel: +53 7 33 8768
Found within an old fashioned colonial
building that still conserves vestiges
of its original architecture, and facing
the San Francisco Convent, is the gallery
of Venezuelan painter Carmen Montilla
Tinoco, described as a great friend of
Cuba. Apart from her own work, she also
offers exhibition space to other Latin
American and Cuban contemporary artists.
One outstanding piece is the mural entitled
"Flora and Fauna" by local ceramist
Alfredo Sosabravo, placed in the doorway
of Carmen’s delightful patio.
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Galería
Mariano
Address: Calle 15 Nº 607 entre B
y C
Vedado Havana
Tel: +53 7 55 2702
Housed within one of the eclectic little
mansion houses dotted around the old Vedado
district, this gallery offers an impressive
collection of Caribbean and Latin American
handicrafts, which invoke the inheritance
left by the region’s indigenous
peoples, and the cultural influence of
both Europe and Africa. Exhibits such
as the trees of life, black clay pieces
from Quinchamalí, and decorated
and embroidered dolls from Mexican Day
of the Dead celebrations, have been collected
by the Casa de las Americas since the
early sixties, and are exhibited in such
a way, so as to underline the cultural
significance of each object, and the original
setting for which they were intended.
Those who wish to purchase replicas of
these pieces should pay a visit to the
gallery’s shops.
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Galería
Roberto Fabelo
Address: Oficios 6 esquina Obispo
La Habana Vieja
This gallery, belonging to painter and
illustrator Roberto Fabelo, occupies a
room on the second floor of an old colonial
house, which was once the San Francisco
de Sales school for orphaned girls. The
La Mina café and restaurant is
located on the ground floor. Fabelo is
considered to be one of the most original
artists on the contemporary Latin American
scene. He uses this space to display some
of his own work, and sometimes for shared
exhibitions with other artists. His paintings
are executed in a mannerist style, skilfully
evoking Archimboldo and Duchamp, and revolving
around the themes of the pyramid and power,
the court and miracles, desire and obsession.
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Galería
Villena
Address: Plaza de Armas
La Habana Vieja
This gallery, found to one side of the
Plaza de Armas, is set apart from the
Rubén Martínez Villena Public
Library, although it is under the same
administration. Formed by arcades and
glass panels, it is considered to be one
of the most modern of its kind in Havana.
Found within a restored building, the
gallery offers both Cuban and foreign
contemporary artists, the chance to not
only exhibit their work, but also sell
it.
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Galería
Zaida del Río
Address: Oficios 6, esquina Obispo
La Habana Vieja
On the third floor of an old colonial
house, where several other modern artists
share their respective galleries, one
finds the personal gallery of painter,
illustrator, potter and engraver Zaida
del Río, who comes from Villa Clara.
Del Río's work has travelled the
globe, and she has also illustrated both
magazines and books. Her skill is to portray
the deepest, most desolate aspects of
the spirit; and according to Cuban writer
Miguel Barnet, her women are multiple
representations of herself in different
masks and guises.
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Manos
(Las)
Address: Calle 411 Obispo
La Habana Vieja
The Manos ("Hands") Art Gallery
sells a variety of crafts and goods made
by local people. Many of the objects on
sale are inspired by the island’s
Afro-Cuban culture. Among the items on
offer are cigar cases, African-style masks,
and leather goods such as handbags and
other small articles made from this material.
Prices vary greatly, and purchases can
only be made in CUC
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| Galeria
UNEAC
Address:
Calle
17 esq. H
Havana Vedado
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Galeria
Forma
Address:
Calle
Obispo #255 , e/ Cuba y Aguiar
Havana
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| Galeria
Habana
Address:
Calle
Linea
e/ E y F
Havana Vedado
It
does the promotional marketing of works
done by Cuban young artists. Promotional
exhibits. Latest trends of contemporary
art.
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Galeria
La Acacia
Address:
Calle
San José 114 esq
Consulado y Industria
Habana Centro
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Galeria
Victor Manuel
Address:
Plaza
de la Catedral
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Galeria
Plaza Vieja
Address:
Calle
Muralla No.t07, esq. San Ignacio
Habana Vieja
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Galeria
Horacio Ruíz
Address:
Calle
Tacón No.4, esq. Empedrado
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Taller
Experimental de la Gráfica
Address:
Callejón
del Chorro
Plaza de la Catedral
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Taller
de Seregráfia Rene Portocarrero
Address:
Calle
Cuba #513, e/ Teniente Rey y Muralla
Havana
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Galeria
Francisco Javier Baez
Address:
Plaza
de la Catedral
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| Galeria
Haydee Santamaría
Address:
Calle 3ra
y 5ta,
Habana Vedado
Displays
on Latin American craft and transitory
exhibits of Latin American artists.
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Galeria
Roberto Diago
Address:
Muralla
107 esq. San Ignacio
Habana Vieja
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